Top Small Business Grants for 2025 in New Hampshire

If you run a small business in New Hampshire (or plan to soon), then you already know that money is more than a nice advantage that can help things along. It’s necessary fuel. Money and funding make it possible for you to pay your employees, cover the cost of necessary equipment, and keep the lights on.

Money is also the key to helping your ideas become more than just sketches and notes scribbled on paper. But identifying and landing the right funding opportunities is also one of the hardest parts of running or even just forming a small business.

Traditional financing routes versus small business grants

Traditional funding options, like lines of credit and loans, can be intimidating, especially for newer entrepreneurs without long-standing credit histories or collateral to fall back on. Naturally, having these options available is incredibly useful, but they also bring challenges to the table that might not be right for your business:

• Loans and lines of credit come with repayment obligations that can be hard to manage for a company still trying to establish its footing
• Venture capital is a possibility for some, but it also requires sacrificing equity and business control, a choice that isn’t necessarily right for every business owner

That’s where small business grants come in. Unlike loans, grants don’t require repayment. They are essentially no-strings-attached investments in community development, economic growth, and local innovation.

For any of New Hampshire’s over 31,000 established businesses, grants mean real opportunities to expand operations, navigate financial challenges, and bring new products into the mix without having to take on debt. Grant opportunities in New Hampshire aren’t always easy to obtain. However, the potential benefits are transformative for entrepreneurs willing to put in the effort and pursue the right opportunities.

In this comprehensive guide to small business grants in New Hampshire, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including national and state-specific opportunities to explore, application tips, and more.

What are small business grants?

At their core, small business grants are business-focused financial awards that don’t require repayment. In most cases, they’re offered by government agencies, private foundations, corporations, or non-profits to better support local economic development and community growth.

Grants are gifts, not obligations complete with conditions that need to be met. Yes, they come with use restrictions and reporting responsibilities, but they don’t do so in a way that dilutes ownership or requires repayment.

The benefits of pursuing a grant over other funding opportunities in New Hampshire include:

• Reduced financial risk: You can widen your reach and expand operations without accumulating debt
• Validation: Just the act of winning a grant enhances your credibility with future partners, investors, or lenders
• Growth capacity: Grants can open the door to marketing, research, or tech investments that might not otherwise be within reach

So, for early-stage small businesses and budding entrepreneurs, grants present a way to gain essential funding that’s both strategic and safe.

New Hampshire state-specific grants

New Hampshire completely understands how important it is to support its small businesses, which comprise around 99 percent of all businesses in the state and employ roughly 300,000 people. Multiple state agencies and organizations have targeted grant programs in place to assist with this goal.

BEA-managed programs

The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) offers local entrepreneurs access to multiple grant initiatives. Here are a few examples to consider:

• Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Industry Stabilization Program: This grant aims to assist and stabilize one of New Hampshire’s most historic industries.
• State Trade Expansion Program (STEP): STEP reimburses up to 80 percent of applicable export promotion costs. Amounts range from $7,500-8,000.
• Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC): This option supports northern New Hampshire projects focused on infrastructure and economic development.
• Joint Promotional Program (JPP): This opportunity is designed to support tourism-related marketing projects.

Application process, best practices, and tips

Always keep track of application deadlines with BEA grant opportunities, as they’re strict. If applying for STEP, you’ll also need to prepare your document marketing efforts and export budgets in advance.

Consult resources like the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or the SBA NH District Office before applying for current guidelines, forms, portals, etc.

Microenterprise technical assistance (CDBG)

A microbusiness in New Hampshire is defined as a business with five or fewer employees, especially when run by low-to-moderate-income individuals. The state strives to help these businesses via the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG).

Grant amounts typically range from $2,000-2,500 and cover key expenses like team training, resilience prep, and standard working capital.

Application process, best practices, and tips

If you’re interested in pursuing a CDBG grant, you can officially apply through either the Hannah Grimes Center or River Valley Community College.

When drafting your application, be sure to emphasize how the funds will support community contribution and growth in tangible ways. You’ll also want to submit any applications as early in the cycle as possible, as funding is limited.

Community-driven economic empowerment (C-DEE)

The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund’s C-DEE program provides local entrepreneurs with $5,000 capacity-building grants.

Application process, best practices, and tips

When applying for C-DEE funds, make sure your request is specific and well-scoped. Take care to highlight how receiving the grant will help improve the overall sustainability of your business.

Many applicants also find it helpful to approach past recipients or the program’s advisory council for hands-on guidance.

REDC equipment and child care center grants

The Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) specializes in grants for a couple of specific purposes.

Equipment grants of up to $5,000 for small businesses with five or fewer employees can be used to purchase tools, machinery, and other essential equipment. Child care center grants of $5,000-10,000 are also available for licensed centers in Manchester to cover working capital and essential supplies.

Application process, best practices, and tips

When applying for funding through REDC, always include information like equipment quotes and supplier estimates. Child care centers, in particular, should be prepared to clearly demonstrate how funding will increase enrollment or improve overall service offerings.

Agriculture-focused grants

The NH Department of Agriculture is home to helpful programs like the Agricultural Development Grant Program that help support local farms and other food-related enterprises. Additional agriculture-based opportunities can be further explored via GrantWatch.

Application process, best practices, and tips

Maximize your chances of acceptance by clearly outlining how your project or business endeavor benefits general sustainability or the well-being of the local food system. Be sure to also keep an eye on grant databases (like GrantWatch) for seasonal opportunities, as well as collaborate with local extension offices.

Federal grants available to New Hampshire businesses

There are also multiple federal grant opportunities available to New Hampshire small business owners. Let’s dive into some key examples to know.

SBIR/STTR (America’s Seed Fund)

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs via America’s Seed Fund provide small businesses with over $2.5 billion in funding every year. The SBA’s FAST Partnership also funds support for New Hampshire entrepreneurs through the UNH FOSTER Program.

Application process, best practices, and tips

Before applying, fully review current agency solicitations on SPIR.gov. Refine any proposals you’re considering through UNH FOSTER, and be sure to thoroughly highlight the potential for commercialization and innovation.

USDA SBIR/STTR for agriculture

Looking for a federal grant to fund a business related to ag-tech innovation, food science, or modern sustainable farming? The USDA NIFA SBIR/STTR Program specializes in grant funding for all of these areas of interest.

Application process, best practices, and tips

Keep track of current deadlines and developments via Grants.gov. Partner with any applicable research centers or universities when it makes sense, and always emphasize the public benefits of your projects and business endeavors (e.g., food security or improved sustainability).

FAST partnership program

The SBA’s FAST Program specializes in state-level support for SBIR and STTR applicants. Within the state of New Hampshire, this program is managed through UNHInnovation.

Application process, best practices, and tips

If interested in this program as an option for your business, consider attending training sessions hosted by UNH. Mentorship. Professional proposal review services can also be valuable ways to present your request in the best possible light.

Corporate and private foundation grants

There are also multiple nationwide foundation-based and corporate grant programs out there that are fully accessible to New Hampshire business owners and entrepreneurs. Here are some important examples to look into:

• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: This is an annual competition aimed at assisting small businesses and supporting innovation of all types throughout the country.
• Visa Everywhere Initiative: Many startup business endeavors face financial and digital commerce challenges. This initiative is designed to offer key support.
• NH Charitable Foundation: This New Hampshire foundation frequently offers small business grants and funds with a community development focus.

Application process, best practices, and tips

When applying for corporate or private foundation funding, always be aware of current requirements, timetables, deadlines, and participation criteria. Follow any that you find to the letter, and consider seeking out professional assistance to help your application stand out in all the right ways.

Tailor Brands grant

Tailor Brands’ Tailor AID Fund is all about turning setbacks into fresh starts. If you have recently been impacted by an AI-related layoff, this program can help you get back on track by providing a business kit valued at $1,000 with tools, resources, and a professionally crafted business plan to guide you as you launch your next big idea.

To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen and have been laid off within the last 90 days due to AI adoption. Proof of the layoff is required, such as a termination notice, confirmation from a manager, or a public announcement.

For entrepreneurs in New Hampshire, this is more than just a grant. It is a chance to reset, bring your vision to life, and start building something meaningful for yourself and your community.

Conclusion

New Hampshire’s small business ecosystem is diverse, important, and growing, so the decision to start a small business of your own is naturally an exciting one. However, funding access is a challenge for every entrepreneur, especially for anyone new to the business ownership game.

Both national and state-level small business grant opportunities in New Hampshire help bridge the gap and provide viable options to explore outside of the standard loan, line of credit, and venture capital trio. The keys to success are persistence, well-tailored applications, and smart use of key resources like NH SBDC and UNH’s FOSTER program.

Every application is more than just a request for essential funding. It’s also a chance to showcase the potential impact your business can have on your community and to further refine your vision for its future.