COVID-19 Loans & Grants

Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment. These are the cornerstones of Comcast RISE, a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to small businesses owned by people of color. If your business qualifies, you’ll have the opportunity to receive marketing consultations, media placements, commercial creative production services, or technology services from Effectv and Comcast Business.

On March 24, the Small Business Administration has authorized the increase in loan amounts from $150,000 to $500,000, starting on April 6, 2021.

The mentorship program offers a structured online curriculum and active learning pedagogy to help Black and African American entrepreneurs get clarity on the fundamentals of their business, review their business model, define their financial projections, create a growth plan for their venture and much more.

States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will award subgrants to eligible child care providers. The child care stabilization subgrants will provide financial relief to child care providers to help defray unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic, and to help stabilize their operations so that they may continue to provide care.

No current or previous farm ownership requirements and 100 percent financing available make FSA direct farm ownership loans a valuable resource to help farmers and ranchers become owner-operators of family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations. FSA’s Direct Farm Ownership loans are used to: buy a farm or ranch, enlarge an existing farm or ranch, make a down payment on a farm, purchase of easements, construct, purchase or improve farm dwellings, service buildings or other facilities and improvements essential to the farm operation, promote soil and water conservation and protection, pay loan closing costs.

An alternative loan option for those seeking commercial lending assistance is the Guaranteed Farm Loan Program. Farm Service Agency works with USDA-approved banks and other commercial lenders. You apply for these loans through the approved lender and agree to their terms and conditions. Guaranteed Farm Loans are only available for family farmers or ranchers and must be used for farm ownership and operating expenses.

The maximum loan amount for this loan is $400,000. There is no down payment requirement. Interest rates are calculated monthly and are posted on the 1st of each month. The purpose of the loan must be essential to the success of the farming or ranching operation. The funds may be used to purchase equipment, seed, livestock, and other necessities. They can be used to refinance certain farm-related debts (excluding real estate). Repayment terms vary from 1 to 7 years. The length of the loan depends on the amount and purpose of the loan. Collateral is required. Collateral for farm operating loans may be required up to 150% of the value of the loan.

When IFundWomen brokers a grant with a partner, IFundWomen matches the partner’s grant criteria to those businesses who have applied through their Universal Grant Application. If you’re a match, they may request that you apply for that partner’s specific grant program, and you will be notified.

RCAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. RCAC’s Small Business Loan Program assists businesses to retain or create jobs and thus improve the economic condition of rural communities. This program offers short-term loans (up to $250k) for working capital and lines of credit as well as long-term loans for real estate and equipment. Most small businesses rely on lenders to provide the capital they need for acquisitions, capital improvements, business expansions and to bridge cash flow gaps. Without loans, many small business owners would be unable to realize their dreams of running their own business or expanding their operations. RCAC’s business loans are tailored to the needs of the particular business with flexible terms and requirements.

Intuit Aid Assist—a free service for everyone—helps U.S.-based businesses, self-employed, contractors, freelancers, and gig workers understand different business relief programs available due to the COVID-19 crisis. Start with a loan eligibility assessment or get an estimate with loan calculators.

Black women entrepreneurs receive less than .5% of venture capital funding. We are standing up to help change that.

SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, and other sponsors to make a small step towards progress by providing several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs. Awardees will also receive tactical help navigating the fundraising environment at large so that they will have a more equitable opportunity at scaling the next billion dollar idea. They will also receive lifetime “ask-me-anything” access to the SoGal Foundation and SoGal Ventures teams.