North Carolina grants

North Carolina Small Business Grants 2026

Browse open North Carolina grant programs for small businesses, nonprofits, and founders in 2026, sorted by award size with deadlines and eligibility.

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Forrest Grants

Funding is hiding in plain sight.

From Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham to rural North Carolina, Forrest Grants tracks state, county, city, and foundation programs so you can shortlist the ones worth a real application.

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Forrest Grant keeps the list clean, relevant, and pointed at programs worth a real application.

Open grants

306

Average award

$15,000

Top eligibility tags

NC businessnorth_carolina_businesssmall businessstartup

Featured grants

High-intent funding opportunities

Grants in NC

Where to focus first

Browse open North Carolina grant programs for small businesses, nonprofits, and founders in 2026, sorted by award size with deadlines and eligibility. Use this page as your shortlist, then jump into the intake wizard so Forrest can narrow the list to the programs you are most likely to win.

NCRolling

ApprenticeshipNC Employer Services

Grantor

North Carolina Community College System

Award Amount

Varies

registered_apprenticeshipworkforce_training

North Carolina Small Business Grants 2026

Funding is hiding in plain sight.

High-intent funding opportunities

Where to focus first

ApprenticeshipNC Employer Services

Industrial Development Fund Utility Account

NCVetBiz Vendor Directory

Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative

Luna Launchpad

Charlotte Venture Challenge Student Edition

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber LGBTBE Certification Support

Southern Equality Fund Community Response Grants

North Carolina Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund

NC Passport to Export

NC Small Business Center Network – Restaurant and Food Service Counseling

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce Business Membership

NCDOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification

NC HUB Certification – Food Service and Restaurant Procurement

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of North Carolina Business Support

NCEdge Customized Training Program

NC ROOTS – Rural Organizations Orchestrating Transformation for Sustainability

NC Food Innovation Lab – Food Business Entrepreneurship Support

AARP Foundation Work Resources Hotline

North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind Self-Employment Support

North Carolina Veterans Business Association

NC SBTDC Technology Commercialization Services

NCDOT Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program

NC Rural Health Telehealth Infrastructure Grant – Wave 5 (2026-2029)

NCHSAA Foundation Education-Based Athletics Grants

NCAIED Native American 40 Under 40 Awards

NC DEQ Food Waste Reduction Grant

NC DEQ Food Waste Reduction Grant – Food Service Sector

NC SBTDC Business Advisory and Government Contracting Services

Carolina Small Business Development Fund Loans

Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) – Logistics and Distribution

First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Fellowship

NC SBTDC Creative Business Advisory Services

Sequoyah Fund Business Coaching and Training

UNC 1789 Student Venture Fund

SBTDC Taking the Leap for Military Entrepreneurs

NC SBTDC Government Contracting and Transportation Business Support

ULaunch JUMPSTART Youth Entrepreneurship Competition

DCDEE Salary Supplement Program for Infant and Toddler Teachers

ApprenticeshipNC – Registered Apprenticeship for Construction Trades

North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

NC Business Edge Consulting Services

AMSE Alliance Microgrants for Military Spouse Business Owners

Lumbee Regional Development Association Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program

Lumbee Tribe Economic Development Small Business Services

Women's Business Center of North Carolina

EngageNC Ventures

WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator Program at North Carolina Central University

Native Edge APEX Accelerator

North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs WIOA Section 166 Workforce Development Program

AIANTA Cultural Heritage and Tourism Technical Assistance

Launch Lab Raleigh-Durham for Active Duty Military and Veterans

Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University

One North Carolina Small Business Program – SBIR/STTR Matching Funds

North Carolina HUB Certification

One North Carolina Fund (OneNC) – Transportation Sector

NC SBTDC Business Advisory Services

One North Carolina Fund (OneNC)

NCWorks Workforce Training Grants

Carolina Small Business Development Fund Veteran-Owned Business Lending

Grants by business type

Other states

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