Small Business Grant Programs in California 2026

The California Employment Training Panel (ETP) and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) announce the availability of up to $1,000,000 in California State General Fund dollars for California Small Businesses impacted by the Paid Family Leave Program.

The Yéego Action Grant supports Native artists and culture bearers facing a specific professional opportunity or a hardship hindering their creative practice, offering encouragement to “keep going.”

The Shophand $5k Small Business Boost Grant is designed to help non‑techie small business owners solve their biggest tech or operational challenge, pairing cash with hands‑on Shophand support.

Hivers & Strivers in not a grant but provides early-stage financing to ventures led by U.S. military veterans, backing founders with capital plus introductions, strategic guidance, staffing help, and operational support.

Ontario’s Downtown Façade Program offers 50/50 matching grants up to $25,000.
The City of Ontario offers a 50/50 matching grant (up to $25,000) to revitalize commercial storefronts in the Historic Downtown, improving signage, lighting, windows, and overall pedestrian appeal. Funding comes from HUD CDBG.

California STEP supports small businesses entering global markets with events and vouchers.
The California STEP program, overseen by GO‑Biz and partially funded by the U.S. SBA, helps small California businesses expand exports through subsidized trade event participation and reimbursable export promotion expenses.

The R4R program provides post-disaster relief grants to small businesses (≤500 employees) that pre-register and meet program criteria. Activation occurs only for qualifying, state-declared emergencies within a set timeframe.

A monthly small‑business grant supporting underrepresented and overlooked U.S. entrepreneurs, plus feedback, mentorship, and community through the Freed Studio.
Rolling applications are considered for a given month; please apply by 11:59 PM ET on the last day of that month.

A quarterly disaster relief grant for active U.S. Etsy sellers impacted by a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, administered with nonprofit CERF+ to help rebuild operations.

Non-dilutive federal R&D funding for US-based startups developing high‑risk, high‑impact deep‑tech with strong commercial potential. Process begins with a short Project Pitch, then (if invited) a full proposal.