At Grant Ready Kentucky, we know that many small businesses and organizations are not structured as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and some may never pursue that status. Even so, valuable funding opportunities are still within reach. Many grantmakers, agencies, and companies are eager to support small businesses as they grow, innovate, and strengthen their communities. This resource highlights grants, programs, and opportunities available to Kentucky-based entrepreneurs and small businesses. Whether you are just getting started, scaling operations, or looking for stability while waiting on nonprofit status approval, these opportunities can help you take your next step forward.
Government-Backed Programs
Navigating Government Funding
Government funding opportunities can feel overwhelming at first glance. Federal and state programs are often full of technical language, complex requirements, and long application processes. Yet these opportunities are some of the most powerful ways to bring new resources into Kentucky’s communities. Even if your organization is not a nonprofit, you may qualify for certain programs on your own or benefit through partnerships for others.
Kentucky is fortunate to have unique advantages, such as the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program (which doubles federal research awards) and export assistance programs that help small businesses compete in global markets. These resources are not “free money” in the casual sense but are targeted investments to help businesses grow, innovate, and create jobs.
At Grant Ready Kentucky, we want you to see government funding not as a maze but as a pathway. The links below can connect your organization to capital, technical assistance, and partnerships that can accelerate your impact across the Commonwealth.
Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): https://www.sbir.gov
KY SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program: SBIR/STTR Funding and Match - KY Innovation
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): https://www.mbda.gov/
USDA Rural Development Business Programs: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP): https://www.kyexports.com/
KY Small Business Development Center: https://ksbdc.org/
Economic Development Administration (EDA): https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Work Opportunity Tax Credit | U.S. Department of Labor
Kentucky Innovation Hubs
KY Innovation is part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and supports entrepreneurs and small businesses across all 120 counties. The program works through six regional hubs: Awesome Inc in Lexington, Amplify Louisville, CREATE in Central Kentucky, SOAR Innovation in Eastern Kentucky, Blue North in Northern Kentucky, and Sprocket Paducah in West Kentucky. Each hub connects business owners with mentors, investors, funding opportunities, and shared workspaces. Through these partnerships, KY Innovation helps Kentuckians start and grow successful businesses that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build thriving communities.
Along with regional hub support, KY Innovation provides funding and incentive programs that help small businesses and startups move from idea to growth. These programs include seed investment through the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, matching funds for federal research grants through the SBIR and STTR programs, and access to business tax credits, loans, and credit enhancement tools for new and expanding ventures. Whether you are launching a business, developing a new product, seeking capital, or looking for expert guidance, KY Innovation offers a clear and practical path to the resources you need anywhere in Kentucky.
Kentucky Small Business Development Centers
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (Kentucky SBDC) is a statewide network that has supported entrepreneurs and small business owners for more than 40 years. Funded in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Kentucky, the SBDC provides no-cost, confidential coaching and training to help Kentuckians start, manage, and grow successful businesses. Through its regional offices located across the state, business owners can access one-on-one advising, business plan development, market research, financial projections, and assistance with securing loans or investment capital. The program also offers specialized training in areas such as marketing, management, and strategic growth planning to help businesses navigate challenges at every stage.
Whether you are launching a new venture, expanding an existing business, or seeking strategies to increase profitability, the Kentucky SBDC serves as a trusted partner and practical resource. Its advisors combine local knowledge with real-world experience, connecting entrepreneurs to the tools, data, and funding needed to make informed decisions. With a strong focus on personalized support and community impact, the Kentucky SBDC helps businesses build solid foundations, strengthen Kentucky’s economy, and create lasting opportunities in communities across the Commonwealth.
Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) helps farmers, cooperatives, and rural entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable businesses. Funded through partnerships with the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and the USDA, KCARD offers no-cost, hands-on business support across the Commonwealth. Their advisors assist with business planning, financial management, feasibility studies, market development, and organizational structuring for both startups and existing ventures. KCARD’s goal is to help producers and rural business owners build profitable, well-managed operations that create local jobs and strengthen Kentucky’s agricultural economy.
KCARD’s team combines deep agricultural expertise with practical business insight. They work directly with clients to navigate complex funding programs, access grants and loans, and develop strategies for long-term success. Whether someone is launching a new farm enterprise, forming a cooperative, or expanding a value-added business, KCARD provides the tools and guidance needed to grow responsibly and build lasting impact in rural Kentucky communities.
Small Business Ready for Resiliency
The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) program, created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helps small businesses prepare for and recover from natural disasters. It offers free tools, templates, and checklists that walk business owners through building a practical disaster plan. By completing a short online assessment, a business can join a national network that connects owners to recovery resources when disaster strikes. The program’s main goal is to help businesses protect their operations, care for their employees, and reduce downtime during emergencies.
When a federally declared disaster occurs, businesses that have completed the R4R steps can qualify for $5,000 recovery grants. These funds can be used for urgent needs such as repairs, equipment replacement, or temporary relocation. R4R encourages preparation as the key to resilience, giving small businesses a clear path to stay ready and recover quickly. For Kentucky business owners, especially those in rural or disaster-prone areas, the program offers practical support to plan ahead and keep their doors open when challenges arise.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in Kentucky
Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs, are local organizations that exist to expand economic opportunities in underserved communities. They receive funding from the federal CDFI Fund and then provide affordable loans, technical assistance, and support to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
What makes CDFIs different is their mission-driven approach. They are not traditional banks focused only on profit. Instead, they reinvest in communities, helping business owners who may not qualify for conventional financing. For many small businesses, a CDFI can be the bridge to affordable capital.
CDFI Fund: https://www.cdfifund.gov/
LHOME: https://www.lhomeky.org/ - located in Louisville
Mountain Association: Home - Mountain Association - located in Berea with branches in Appalachian Kentucky
Community Ventures: https://www.cvky.org/ - located in Lexington, Kentucky
Park Community: https://www.parkcommunity.com/ - located in Louisville, Lexington, Richmond and Berea, Kentucky
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation: Loan Programs - KHIC | Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation - located in London, Kentucky
The Catalytic Fund: Resources -located in Covington, Kentucky
More information can be found on the Kentucky page on the CDFI Coalition’s website for more information about Kentucky’s CDFIs. - Kentucky – CDFI Coalition
Free Guidance for Government Contracting
Kentucky APEX Accelerator is a free, statewide support program that helps Kentucky small businesses win government contracts. With service in every county, KY APEX offers no cost, one on one coaching and clear, practical training for businesses that want to sell to federal, state, or local agencies, or to prime contractors as subcontractors. Their team can walk you through the full process, including registration in the right systems, understanding procurement rules, finding bid opportunities, preparing strong proposals, meeting required compliance standards, and managing work after an award. If government contracting feels complicated or out of reach, KY APEX is a reliable partner ready to guide you step by step at no charge.
Contracting Programs for Small Businesses
Not every opportunity comes in the form of a grant. The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, and every year billions of dollars in contracts are set aside specifically for small businesses. These contracts can be just as valuable as direct funding because they create steady revenue streams and long-term partnerships.
Through the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies, programs exist to ensure small businesses in Kentucky get a fair shot at these opportunities. Whether you are a veteran, a woman entrepreneur, located in a historically underutilized business zone, or operating as a socially and economically disadvantaged business, there may be a program designed to open doors for you.
For small businesses that are ready to grow, contracting with the federal government can be a pathway to scaling your operations, creating jobs, and contributing to Kentucky’s economy while delivering products and services that meet national needs.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: https://www.va.gov/osdbu/
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program
8(a) Business Development Program: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program
HUBZone Program: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program
Private and Nonprofit Small Business Grants
Private companies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations are playing an increasingly important role in supporting small businesses. Grants from these funders are usually smaller in dollar amount than federal programs, but they are often more flexible, less technical, and have quicker, easier application processes. For entrepreneurs in Kentucky, these opportunities can provide critical funding to cover essentials like inventory, marketing, rent, or technology.
The strength of private and nonprofit grant programs is their variety. Some are nationwide contests that highlight innovation and leadership. Others are recurring microgrants designed to boost grassroots ideas. Many are tied to specific industries such as retail or digital readiness. Together, they create a steady stream of chances to secure additional support without taking on debt.
For Kentucky small businesses, whether in rural communities or urban centers, these grants can serve as stepping stones, helping you test ideas, build resilience, and keep moving forward while pursuing larger sources of funding.
Faire Small Business Grant: Get $5,000 to stock your new store
Awesome Foundation: https://www.awesomefoundation.org/
Freed Fellowship Grant: https://freed.studio/
ZenBusiness $5K Grant: https://www.zenbusiness.com/
Small Business Hero Program: Intuit Small Business Hero Program
Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant: https://www.startpivotgrow.com/
Verizon Small Business Digital Readiness: Small Business Training | About Verizon
Veteran-Owned Business Resources
Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and resilience to entrepreneurship. Many have faced challenges in service that translate into strong problem-solving and mission-driven business practices. Across Kentucky and beyond, programs exist to honor that commitment by providing veterans and their families with tailored funding opportunities, mentorship, and connections.
Veteran-specific resources can include grants, pitch competitions, business training, and even franchise discounts. These programs are designed to help veterans translate the skills learned in the military to the skills needed to build successful companies. For small and midsized businesses, these supports can provide the capital and confidence to grow while continuing to serve communities.
In Kentucky, veteran-owned businesses strengthen both rural and urban economies. By tapping into resources created for veterans, business owners can access networks that understand their unique experiences and are dedicated to helping them thrive.
Second Service Foundation: https://secondservicefoundation.org/
VetFran: https://www.vetfran.org/
Warrior Rising: https://www.warriorrising.org/
Women-Owned Business Resources
Women are driving growth in entrepreneurship across the United States. Of the 33.2 million small businesses nationwide, nearly 13 million are women-owned. Women have also been responsible for starting close to half of all new businesses in recent years. Current data from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy confirms this momentum, showing more than 12 million women-owned firms operating across the country.
Even with these successes, women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers in accessing capital, mentorship, and markets. That is why specialized programs exist to provide targeted funding, certification, and networks that support women-led ventures. By connecting with these resources, women entrepreneurs in Kentucky can expand their reach, strengthen their businesses, and build lasting impact in both rural and urban communities.
These resources include grants, business directories that raise visibility, certification programs that open doors to contracting opportunities, and coaching platforms that combine funding with hands-on guidance. By taking advantage of these supports, women-owned businesses can expand their reach, build stronger networks, and compete more effectively.
In Kentucky, women are creating companies that fuel local economies and strengthen communities. Whether you are just beginning your journey or ready to grow into new markets, the programs below are designed to connect women entrepreneurs with funding and support that matches their goals.
The Women’s Business Center of Kentucky: Women's Business Center of Kentucky
National Association of Women Business Owners, Kentucky Chapter: Welcome to NAWBO Kentucky
Center for Women & Enterprise: https://cweonline.org/
GrantsForWomen.org: https://www.grantsforwomen.org/
IFundWomen: https://ifundwomen.com/
National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC): https://www.nwboc.org/
Tory Burch Foundation Funding Finder: Tory Burch Foundation | Increasing Economic Power
Her Suite Microgrant: https://hersuitespot.com/
Secretsos Small Business Grant: https://secretsos.com/
Women’s Business Center: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers
The Bottom Line
Small and midsized organizations are the backbone of Kentucky. From rural counties where a single new business can transform a downtown to urban centers where diverse entrepreneurs create jobs and innovation, access to funding matters. These opportunities help level the playing field for businesses that are just starting, waiting for nonprofit approval, or operating as for-profit companies with a community-centered mission.
Next Steps for Kentucky Small Businesses
Finding the right funding source is only the beginning. The most successful businesses are the ones that take action. Here are practical steps you can take after reviewing these opportunities:
- Identify your fit. Review the eligibility requirements for each program and focus on the ones that align with your stage of growth, your industry, and your ownership structure.
- Prepare your materials. Gather business basics such as your financial statements, tax returns, business plan, and any certifications. Having these ready will make applying much smoother.
- Reach out locally. Contact Kentucky CDFIs, Small Business Development Centers, or the Women’s Business Center to schedule a coaching session. These partners can help refine your applications and connect you with the right opportunities.
- Build a calendar. Many of the private and nonprofit grants have recurring deadlines. Add them to a grant calendar so you never miss a chance to apply.
- Start small, think big. Even a $1,000 microgrant can build momentum. Use smaller grants or contracts to strengthen your operations, then leverage those wins to pursue larger funding sources.
At Grant Ready Kentucky, we encourage you to treat funding as part of your growth strategy rather than a one-time fix. Explore these resources, take one step at a time, and know that every dollar you bring in can help build stronger businesses and stronger communities across the Commonwealth.