Free Grants and Loans for Minority and Women Owned Businesses in Washington DC

Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Hannah Stevens

Non-profits, corporations, banks, and charities offer free grants and/or low-cost loans to women, veterans, LGBTQ, and other disadvantaged business owners in Washington DC. Financial assistance is available as well as coaching, counseling and networking. 

Financial aid and other services for small businesses are available to female entrepreneurs, MWBE, or BIPOC entrepreneurs. It is designed to help people start or grow businesses. The agencies can help with everything from financial assistance to website development and marketing to capital raising.

Grant and Loan Programs for Minority and Women Owned Businesses in Washington DC

These financial assistance programs are available throughout the District of Columbia, either monthly or all year. They are available to all business owners, regardless of their race, religion, and ethnicity. However, there will be funds or priority given to women and/or minorities-owned small businesses. This includes veterans, Asian, Black and LGBTQ, among others. Banks, government agencies, charities, and other services can provide funds, low-cost loans or grants for women owned businesses.

Year Round Free Financial Assistance Programs, Grants, Loans and Coaching Programs in the District of Columbia

DSLBD’s Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)

In partnership with Kiva, they offer interest-free loans. CBE helps women, veterans, minorities, and veterans get capital (in the form of Kiva loans), as well as getting certified as a MWBE company. This government-affiliated agency also offers many other services.

This is quite similar to one of the free grants and loans for minority and women owned businesses in Virginia, the Richmond Metropolitan Business League (MBL).