Small Business Grants to Apply For in August 2025

As summer winds down, August brings a wave of grant opportunities for small business owners across the U.S.—from fresh startups to seasoned entrepreneurs. Whether you’re seeking funds to scale, invest in marketing, or bring innovation to life, here are five active grants worth applying for this month:

Grant Opportunities Available:

• Intuit QuickBooks & Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

  Intuit is spotlighting small business resilience and innovation with its Small Business Hero Program. Each quarter, three U.S.-based businesses will be awarded $20,000 each to help fuel their growth. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least one year with no more than 99 employees. Applications for the current round are open through August 14, 2025.

• Secretsos™ Small Business Grant

  Secretsos™ is offering a $2,500 grant to support U.S.-based entrepreneurs. This one-time award is open to business owners aged 21 and older, with some state exclusions (Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and Rhode Island). It’s a simple opportunity with a modest award—and perfect for early-stage founders. Applications close on September 30, 2025.

• Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs

  The Amber Grant continues to champion women entrepreneurs by awarding $10,000 each month to a woman-owned business, with an additional $25,000 annual grant awarded to one of the monthly winners. To qualify, your business must be at least 50% woman-owned and based in the U.S. The application deadline for the August cycle is August 31, 2025.

• NASE Growth Grant

  The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers quarterly grants of up to $4,000 to support business growth. This opportunity is exclusive to NASE members and is ideal for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses looking to fund marketing, hiring, or expansion. Applications submitted in August will be reviewed in October 2025.

• NC IDEA MICRO Grant (Fall 2025 Cycle)

  NC IDEA is investing in early-stage, innovative startups through its MICRO grant program. Awardees typically receive $10,000 in funding along with access to business-building workshops and mentorship. The program is designed to support entrepreneurs with scalable ideas. Applications for the Fall 2025 cycle close on August 25, 2025, at 5 PM EST.

From $2,500 boosts to $20,000 windfalls, these grants are designed to support small businesses on the move. Whether you’re a woman-led team, an early-stage founder, or a seasoned self-employed professional, now’s the time to apply and fuel your next phase of growth.

Pro tip: Set calendar reminders and tailor your applications to each grant’s mission—stand out by showing how funding will drive impact.