This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the top small business grants in Ohio, including specialized opportunities for demographics such as women through small business grants Ohio women, and location-specific programs like small business grants Akron Ohio. Additionally, it delves into broader financial aid options such as small business loans Ohio and Ohio small business startup grants. From the Kitty Fund to the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant, the programs featured in this article represent a spectrum of funding avenues designed to support Ohio’s diverse business ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for startup capital, expansion funds, or recovery aids, this guide outlines key details, eligibility criteria, and application tips to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the array of business grants Ohio has to offer.
Program: The Kitty Fund
Grant Details
The Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant offers a unique opportunity for mompreneurs in Ohio. This program specifically targets women entrepreneurs who are managing both motherhood and their businesses. It provides $1,000 micro grants to 25 deserving businesses annually. The fund honors the memory of Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, celebrating her legacy by supporting mother-owned businesses 1.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for The Kitty Fund, applicants must be moms running employer-based small businesses with at least two employees. The grant aims to assist those who need financial support for various business needs, including equipment purchases, marketing initiatives, or expanding product lines. This focus ensures that the funds are directed towards those who are balancing the dual roles of motherhood and entrepreneurship effectively 21.
Application Process
Applying for The Kitty Fund is straightforward. Potential recipients should prepare all necessary documentation and demonstrate how their business aligns with the grant’s mission to support women entrepreneurs in Ohio. The application process opens with pre-registration, followed by the full application launch in March 2024, making it accessible for mompreneurs planning their business strategies for the upcoming year 2.
Program: Warrior Rising Grant
Grant Details
Warrior Rising supports U.S. military veterans and their immediate families by offering resources to help them start and grow their own businesses. This program provides entrepreneurial education, business coaching, and potential funding opportunities. Warrior Rising operates on the principle of empowerment, helping veterans translate their military skills and work ethic into successful business ventures 34.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Warrior Rising program, applicants must be veterans or immediate family members of veterans. The program accepts both startups and established businesses, ensuring that veterans at any stage of their business journey can seek assistance. Complete and accurate application submission is crucial, as incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to application rejection 45.
Application Process
Applicants are encouraged to engage deeply with the program’s resources, including business plan development and professional coaching. The application process involves a detailed assessment of the business plan’s substance, clarity, and thoroughness. Veterans who actively participate and show progress have the opportunity to pitch their businesses for additional funding. It is important to note that while Warrior Rising provides support and resources, it does not guarantee funding 65.
Program: Fearless Strivers Grant
Grant Details
The Fearless Strivers Grant, offered by the Fearless Foundation, is designed to support African-American entrepreneurs by providing them with essential digital tools to enhance their businesses. This grant contest awards a substantial sum of $10,000, directly payable to the business, along with a 30-minute mentorship session with a Mastercard Small Business Mentor and access to the Mastercard Digital Doors Toolkit 78.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant is specifically available to black female entrepreneurs who are legal residents of the U.S., including D.C., and are at least 18 years old. Eligible applicants must be the principal owners of a U.S.-based small business located primarily in Dayton, OH. The business must be at least 51% black woman-owned and should be generating revenue, with a preference for those having a minimum annual revenue of $50,000 78.
Application Process
The Fearless Strivers Dayton Grant Contest has four entry periods throughout the year, providing multiple opportunities for applicants. Interested parties must complete the entry form during these periods to be considered. The contest emphasizes that no purchase is necessary, and it operates as a skill-based competition, ensuring that the most deserving businesses based on merit and alignment with the grant’s goals are selected 8.
Program: Workplace Wellness Grant Program
Grant Details
The Workplace Wellness Grant Program, established by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), is designed to support employers in initiating wellness programs aimed at improving employee health and controlling workers’ compensation claims costs. The program allocates up to $15,000 to each qualifying employer to develop tools and programs that address health risk factors 910.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be state-fund employers who are current on any monies owed to BWC and have maintained active coverage without lapsing more than 40 days in the past 12 months. Moreover, to qualify, an employer must not already have an existing wellness program. A qualifying wellness program is defined as one that includes a tool to measure health risk factors and programs to address those factors 910.
Application Process
Interested employers must complete several steps to apply for the grant. The process begins with an online application, followed by an online safety self-assessment. Applicants are also required to mail in a program contract to BWC. Throughout the grant period, participating employers must submit annual reports detailing health-risk appraisals and biometric data, as well as a year-end case study that outlines the implementation and effectiveness of the wellness program 910.
Program: Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
Grant Details
The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program, part of the USDA’s efforts to enhance the food supply system, provides up to $1 billion in guaranteed loans for activities in the middle of the food supply chain. This includes aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of food. The program aims to create a more resilient, diverse, and secure food supply chain, especially in response to economic disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic 1112.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible businesses for the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program range from cooperatives to both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, federally recognized tribal groups, public entities, and food supply chain entrepreneurs. Applicants must perform food product projects and comply with specific regulatory requirements depending on the type of food production. Additionally, businesses must hold a market share less than that of the fourth largest in their sector 11.
Application Process
Prospective applicants must collaborate with approved lenders who can be banks, credit unions, loan funds, CDFIs, and Farm Credit institutions among others. These lenders must be approved through the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. Applicants should ensure their projects meet the eligibility criteria and can contact the USDA Rural Development for further guidance. The application process encourages lenders to participate by offering training and resources to understand the program better 12.
Program: Women Owned Businesses Amber Grant
Grant Details
The Women Owned Businesses Amber Grant was initiated in 1998 in memory of Amber Wigdahl, who passed away before she could realize her entrepreneurial dreams. This program awards three monthly grants of $10,000 each and an additional three annual grants of $25,000, aimed at supporting women in fulfilling their business aspirations just like Amber intended 13141516.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Amber Grant, applicants must be women who are at least 18 years old, own at least 50% of a business based in the United States or Canada, and can be from any business sector including non-profits. The program seeks to empower women with a vision for their business, regardless of the company’s stage—whether it’s a start-up or an established entity 15.
Application Process
Applying for the Amber Grant is straightforward and user-friendly. Prospective grantees need to complete a simple two-question application, which automatically makes them eligible for the monthly $10,000 grants and the year-end $25,000 grants. The application deadline is the last day of each month, and applicants are informed by the 21st of the following month if they have been selected as finalists. A nominal fee of $15 is required with the application, which contributes to the operational costs of the grant program 1516.
Program: Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
Grant Details
The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund created through a collaboration between DoorDash and Hello Alice, offers critical support to restaurants affected by natural disasters such as fires, floods, and hurricanes. The fund provides $10,000 grants to help these businesses recover during times of need 1718.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, restaurants must be located and registered in the United States, including the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. They should be experiencing hardship due to a state- or federally-declared natural disaster, operate a brick-and-mortar location, and own no more than three locations with fewer than 50 employees each. Additionally, these establishments must have been operational for at least six months, have annual revenues of $3 million or less per location, and complete a free Hello Alice account registration 17.
Application Process
Applicants for the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund must complete their application online, which typically takes less than an hour. The process is designed to be straightforward, ensuring that affected restaurants can quickly access the necessary funds. The fund operates on a rolling basis, providing ongoing opportunities for relief as disasters occur 17.
Program: JobsOhio Small Business Grant
Grant Details
The JobsOhio Small Business Grant offers up to $50,000 to support small businesses in targeted industries and distressed communities throughout Ohio. The grant focuses on fixed asset investment such as machinery, equipment, and real estate, as well as training costs, to foster growth and sustainability 1920.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the JobsOhio Small Business Grant, businesses must be located in qualifying zip codes or owned by underrepresented groups such as minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Companies must have been operational for at least one year, demonstrate annual revenues of $100,000, and engage in specific industries identified by JobsOhio. Additionally, businesses need to be certified or verify that at least 51% of ownership is by underrepresented populations, and they must be located in distressed communities as defined by an index score of 50 or greater 20 21.
Application Process
The grant is reimbursement-based, requiring applicants to submit supporting documentation, including proof of payment, for eligible expenses. Companies should start by completing an eligibility form on JobsOhio’s website, after which a JobsOhio Network partner will contact them to discuss the project further. It’s important to note that funding decisions consider several factors, including the company’s location, ownership, and the jobs created or retained 19 20.
Program: Ohio Department of Development Grants
Grant Details
The Ohio Department of Development administers several grant funding programs focused on economic development and job creation. These grants are designed to cater to a variety of applicants, from small businesses to communities, with a strong emphasis on innovation and technological advancement. The programs include Economic Development Grants, which prioritize the expansion and retention of businesses in Ohio, and Technological Advancement Grants, which support technological innovations within small businesses 22.
Eligibility Criteria
The grants provided by the Ohio Department of Development are aimed at fostering balanced economic growth across all regions of Ohio. By supporting various types of businesses and communities, these grants ensure that both established companies and emerging enterprises have the opportunity to thrive 22.
Application Process
Applicants interested in the Ohio Department of Development Grants should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the state’s economic landscape and innovation capacity. While specific application procedures can vary depending on the grant type, all require a detailed proposal outlining how the funding will be used to achieve technological advancement and economic development 22.
Program: International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE)
Grant Details
The International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE), funded by the State of Ohio and the U.S. Small Business Administration, is part of the National Export Initiative aimed at doubling U.S. exports. This program supports small businesses in promoting their products and services in new international markets by providing up to $10,000 in grant funds for export promotion activities 232425.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the IMAGE grant, companies must operate a licensed for-profit business in Ohio, focusing on manufacturing, assembling, distributing products, or providing exportable services. Applicants must certify that the majority of their product content is U.S.-made and have been in business for at least one year. Additionally, companies must be in good standing with all State of Ohio agencies and not be debarred from doing business with the federal government 24.
Application Process
Applicants must work with approved lenders and complete the International Market Access Grant for Exporters application via the development.force.com portal. Before approval and issuing of a grant agreement, the IMAGE program manager verifies that the applicant has no Ohio tax issues, is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, and meets all other necessary compliance checks. The application process also requires registration with Ohio Shared Services for reimbursement purposes 24.
Program: Ohio Meat Processing Grant
Grant Details
The Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program, established by House Bill 110 of the 134th General Assembly, offers grants up to $250,000 to support Ohio livestock and poultry producers. The funds are allocated to enhance processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services at existing sites 26.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include owners or operators of meat processing facilities in Ohio that were operational as of July 1, 2021. These facilities must provide processing services for livestock and/or poultry producers. Applicants must be for-profit entities such as corporations, LLCs, partnerships, joint ventures, or sole proprietors and must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State and other regulatory bodies 26.
Application Process
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting December 7th at 10 a.m. Applicants must submit a complete application, including all required attachments. Funding is contingent upon the availability at the time of filing and the application’s compliance with eligibility and project cost requirements. Initial disbursement of the grant funds equals 50% of the awarded amount, with the balance provided after submission and verification of eligible project costs 2726.
Program: JobsOhio Inclusion Grant
Grant Details
The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant provides substantial financial assistance focusing on real estate investments, equipment purchases, and more, specifically targeting eligible projects in designated communities or for businesses owned by underrepresented groups such as minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities across Ohio. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster economic equality and promote diverse business ownership within the state.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant, businesses must operate within one of JobsOhio’s targeted industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, or Technology, among others. Additionally, they must be located in distressed communities as identified by the Economic Innovation Group’s Distressed Communities Index or be owned by underrepresented populations. Companies are required to have been operational for at least one year and demonstrate a minimum of $100,000 in annual revenues. Ownership must be at least 51% by individuals from underrepresented groups, and these businesses should be certified or able to verify this status.
Application Process
The application process for the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant involves multiple steps, including an initial eligibility form submitted through the JobsOhio website. Following this, a JobsOhio Network partner will reach out to discuss the project further. The grant is reimbursement-based, meaning that applicants must provide proof of payment for eligible expenses. Funding decisions are made based on several factors, including the location of the company, the ownership demographics, and the potential for job creation or retention.
Conclusion
Throughout this guide, we’ve explored an extensive range of small business grants available in Ohio for the year 2024, covering a diverse spectrum of sectors and populations. From specialized funds aimed at mompreneurs, veterans, and minority-owned businesses to broader programs targeting technological innovation and economic development, Ohio’s commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial ecosystem is both clear and commendable. These grants not only offer financial relief but also embody a support structure for businesses at various stages of growth, ensuring resources are available for startup capital, expansion, and even disaster recovery.
As small business owners and entrepreneurs in Ohio navigate the complexities of funding their ventures, the resources outlined in this guide present valuable opportunities for both immediate financial support and long-term growth. While securing a grant requires diligence in meeting eligibility criteria and navigating the application process, the potential benefits to Ohio’s small business community are significant. Beyond the immediate infusion of capital, these grants facilitate networking, mentorship, and access to a wealth of resources, underscoring the vital role small businesses play in Ohio’s continued economic resilience and innovation.
FAQs
1. Are there any grants available in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio offers various federal and state grants and loan programs for businesses. You can find a list of current funding opportunities for both grants and loans.
2. What does the Ohio grant for parents entail?
The Ohio Grant for Parents aims to provide education for parents and early child safety support specifically to families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The amounts awarded for this grant range from $30,000 to $50,000.
References
[1] – https://microbizinsocal.org/grants/kitty-fund-mompreneur-business-grant/
[2] – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/small-business-grants-ohio-2024-get-government-grants-and-help-kv73e
[3] – https://www.warriorrising.org/
[4] – https://swoopfunding.com/us/business-grants/business-grants-for-veterans/
[5] – https://academy.warriorrising.org/signup/
[6] – https://www.warriorrising.org/become-vetrepreneur/
[7] – https://grantsforus.io/grant-size/less-than-50000/fearless-strivers-grant-contest-for-black-women-owned-businesses-in-ohio/
[8] – https://fearlessfund.smapply.io/prog/2023_fearless_strivers_grant_contest/
[9] – https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/downloads/blankpdf/WrkPlaceWellness.pdf
[10] – https://www.sheakley.com/blog/workers-compensation/ohio-bwc-workplace-wellness-grant-program/
[11] – https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/usda-food-supply-chain-guaranteed-loan-program.html
[12] – https://www.rd.usda.gov/food-supply-chain-guaranteed-loans/frequently-asked-questions
[13] – https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/
[14] – https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/
[15] – https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/about-us/faq-online-grants-for-women/
[16] – https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-ohio/?wtime=%7Bseek_to_second_number%7D
[17] – https://helloalice.com/grants/doordash/
[18] – https://ohiochamber.com/6839-2/
[19] – https://www.jobsohio.com/programs-services/incentives/jobsohio-small-business-grant/small-business-form
[20] – https://redicincinnati.com/jobsohio-small-business-grant/
[21] – https://redicincinnati.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2656-JobsOhio-Small-Business-Grant-SS_04.2024.1.pdf
[22] – https://resolvepay.com/blog/post/small-business-funding-programs-ohio
[23] – https://www.ohiodec.org/ohio-image-grant/
[24] – https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/development.ohio.gov/business/export/IMAGE_Handbook_09282022.pdf
[25] – https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/dev/News/2012/Ohio%20International%20Market%20Access%20Grant%20For%20Exporters.pdf
[26] – https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/development.ohio.gov/business/stateincentives/06142022-TC-Meat-Processing-Grant.pdf
[27] – https://ohiohouse.gov/members/gary-click/news/click-highlights-meat-processing-grant-107935