Business Grants in Missouri [Updated for 2024]

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Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Business Grants in Missouri [Updated for 2024]

If you plan to launch or open a business in Missouri, consider applying for a business grant. In general, business grants are one of the essential things to consider when developing a startup business, especially if you need more money as capital to start your business. You can find grants in Missouri and apply for one to help your business.

In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need about business grants in Missouri. We'll include different ones to fit any starting business for various owners. This way, you'll have a starting point if you need starting capital through grants.

Without further ado, let's get into it!

Best Business Grants in Missouri

Below are some of the best business grants in Missouri. If you're starting a business and need some funding for capital, consider applying for any of these grants.

BizCare

The BizCare accelerator program is available to minority- and black-owned businesses and the LGBT+ community in Kansas City. It provides monetary support (grants, loans, capital, etc.), company development, counseling, and referral services. Additionally, BizCare offers M.W.B.E. assistance through its partnerships, such as Global Accelerator, which is also for minorities and women, and Kansas City MADE (for micro and manufacturing businesses).

Apply for BizCare Grant

G.I.F.T. Funds

GIFT Funds primarily supports Black-owned businesses in Kansas City. Two grants are awarded every month, either $25,000 or $50,000. As a result of the financial assistance, underprivileged-owned enterprises can expand, increase sales, and stabilize. In addition, local donations are collected to support the GIFT program.

Apply for G.I.F.T. Funds

KCSourceLink

KCSourceLink provides small business and entrepreneurship assistance programs. Much information is readily available to help entrepreneurs write company plans, apply for funding (such as bank loans, unrestricted grants, crowdsourcing, or other sources), attend networking events, and receive additional assistance. In Kansas City, the focus is on women, veterans, and minority-owned businesses, to help them start and grow their businesses.

Apply for KCSourceLink

Multicultural Business Association

It supports immigrant-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and disadvantaged businesses. It offers advocacy, information on grants and loans, and even unique initiatives like free marketing assistance in partnership with Drury University. Support is also provided for website design, E-commerce setup for MWBE-owned businesses, and other free services.

Apply for Multicultural Business Association

Small Business Grants in Missouri

Most business grants offered to business owners in Missouri are only for small businesses. As such, you'll find many options when starting a small business in this state. Moreover, a small business will have better chances of getting a business grant approval in Missouri. Here are some options to consider:

Sharp End Entrepreneurial Development Fund Grant

Sharp End, Enterprise Development Fund, provides no-cost funding to Columbia-area businesses. Community donations fund this type of grant (or microloan). Besides financial support, minority- and women-owned businesses receive free coaching, networking opportunities, and business guidance.

Apply for Sharp End Entrepreneurial Development Fund Grant

Arch Grants

The Arch Grants program supports new businesses in St. Louis. They may help fledgling businesses apply for grants, equity, loans, and another financing. In addition to receiving a $75,000 grant for launching their firm, the "winner" will be equipped with the tools to speed up their growth.

Apply for Arch Grants

Small Business Grants in Missouri for Minorities

Business grants are always geared towards minorities who plan to start a small business, and Missouri offers various business grants. For this reason, you can consider these grants if you want to start a small business in Missouri.

Washington University's Skandalaris Center Grant

Washington University's Skandalaris Center supports startups and entrepreneurs as part of its entrepreneurial services. Among the many things the college's business center does, it organizes innovation, ideas, and more.

Apply for Washington University's Skandalaris Center Grant

Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA) program

Harris-Stowe State University's Minority Enterprise Collaboration Center for Advancement (MECCA) provides financial assistance to firms run by people of color in the St. Louis region. Materials are available in a variety of formats. You can get help from marketing, SEO, bookkeeping, finances, and pitch development. Assistance will also be provided in finding free grants, affordable loans, and other aid.

Apply for Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA) Program

W.E.P.O.W.E.R.

Located in St. Louis, W.E.P.O.W.E.R. is a leading energy company. Through KIVA, the non-profit organization offers interest-free microloans to small minority-owned businesses. Furthermore, they offer two assistance programs for Black and Latino-owned businesses: Elevate/Elevar. The services include workspace, free mentorship, legal or financial advice, and microloans.

Apply for W.E.P.O.W.E.R.

Business Grants in Missouri for Women

Another common factor for business grants is for women who are business owners. As such, if you're a woman who's planning to start a business in Missouri and in need of funding, you can consider applying for one of the following grants:

Greater St. Louis Diverse Business Accelerator Grant

The Greater St. Louis Diverse Business Accelerator provides a wide range of support services for business owners who identify as women, L.G.B.T.Q., minorities, veterans, or disabled. The company can provide information about capital raises, including grants and microloans. You can also get free exposure, coaching for M.W.B.E. businesses, and help to start a business.

Apply for Greater St. Louis Diverse Business Accelerator Grant

Louis Development Corporation Grant

St. Louis Development Corporation operates several locations all across the city. The organization supports small businesses in low-income areas, provides financing to underserved businesses, and supports minorities, women veterans, and L.G.B.T.Q. Individuals. Besides the Northside Economic Empowerment Center, there are other locations.

Apply for St. Louis Development Corporation Grant

Kansas City Women's Business Center

In Kansas City and the surrounding region, several non-profits and quasi-governmental organizations support small, minority- and women-owned businesses. This group comprises the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Greater Kansas City Urban League. In addition, the women's Business Center is an organization that helps small businesses get started and thrive by collaborating with S.B.A., SCORE, and other non-profits.

Apply for Kansas City Women's Business Center Grant

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions you may have about business grants in Missouri.

How Can I Get Financial Help for My Business in Missouri?

Business grants vary from state to state, and Missouri has a specific business grant suited to approved applicants and business owners.

Every Missouri small business owner is entitled to financial assistance from federal and state agencies.

As such, if you plan to start a business in Missouri, you can apply for a business grant through the federal and state agencies that cover this state.

How Much Is the Missouri Grant?

The amount of financial help you can get from business grants offered in Missouri depends on your business type and your eligibility for approval.

However, you can get as much as $10,000 if you conduct development and research with the state's federal agencies.

Also, it will depend on your application's approval, as the state agency will determine how much grant they'll offer for your business.

What Is the Missouri Grant For?

Missouri's Federal Government isn't publicly provided, meaning only some startups business are automatically given grants. As such, you'll likely need to apply for such and wait if you get approved or not.

Nonetheless, the Missouri Grant is primarily available for small business owners planning to start and grow their ventures.

While most grants require paying back the funding, some grant beneficiaries from the Missouri Government do not require such. Thus, you can grow your business in Missouri without paying back the grant after some time.

Conclusion

Starting a business from scratch requires hard work, research, and funding. As such, many people need more funding to maintain or even launch a business. With business grants, the state government will take care of the capital you need or the fund you need for your business research.

As such, you only need to worry about your business structure and do the work to keep it growing. With this information, we hope you find a business grant in Missouri and get approved for one to help you grow your business.

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Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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