Last verified: October 14, 2026.
A $100,000 beauty grant for underrepresented founders closes Friday, November 6, 2026. Grants for minority-owned businesses are real, but most are private, local and short-lived. Many lists online are out of date. The federal government does not hand out race-based startup cash. Check every deadline on the official page.
Grants are only one option. See every way to fund your business.
For the big picture, see the small business grants hub. For the steps, see how to apply for a small business grant.
Why federal help here is contracts and counseling
The SBA says it does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business. Two federal tools matter more:
- The SBA 8(a) Business Development program. It gives contracting access, not cash. SBA says it fits socially and economically disadvantaged owners who have been in business at least two years. Firms get one-on-one help for a nine-year term. Certification does not guarantee contracts.
- The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Its Business Centers help minority business enterprises reach capital, contracts and markets. See mbda.gov.
Most lists of minority grants are older than the grants on them.
Programs open now, verified today
Sephora Beauty Grant (Fifteen Percent Pledge)
- Amount: $100,000 in grant funding to one recipient, plus pro-bono consulting and a chance to meet Sephora merchants.
- Who qualifies: a U.S. business that sells a consumer product in beauty, haircare, makeup or makeup tools, skincare, fragrance or bath and body, with $100K in annual revenue, at least 1 year in business, and 51% or more ownership by an underrepresented founder. The page lists Black, Hispanic and Latino, AAPI, Indigenous and other founders.
- Deadline: applications close Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Official page: https://15percentpledge.org/award/sephora
Galaxy Grant (Hidden Star)
- Amount: $2,500 for the current grant. Free to apply, per the page.
- Who qualifies: new, experienced or aspiring owners. Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, says it supports women and minority business owners.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026 (a Saturday).
- Official page: https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants/
Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant (Montana)
- Amount: up to $10,000 per business with no match required. Montana lists $240,000 in total and about 24 awards.
- Who qualifies: enrolled citizens 18 or older of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana, starting or growing a tourism business.
- Deadline: the application period closes Monday, November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Official page: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Indian-Country/Indian-Country-Financial-Assistance/Tribal-Tourism-Small-Business-Grant
How to find grants for Black-owned businesses
Start local. City offices run short windows. Ask your nearest SBDC or MBDA Business Center what opened this month. National programs like the two above that name Black founders are worth a calendar reminder each season.
How to find grants for Hispanic- and Latino-owned businesses
Ask your local Hispanic chamber and city economic development office. Many city programs publish in English and Spanish. The Sephora grant above names Hispanic and Latino founders in its eligibility.
Tips: free help near you
The SBA local assistance locator finds SBDCs, SCORE mentors and Women's Business Centers. Federal research grants are on Grants.gov.
Here's a hypothetical.
Here's a hypothetical. Marisol runs Casa Lumbre Botanicals (a made-up business), a skincare line she has sold for three years. She owns all of it. She applies to the Sephora grant before November 6 and enters the Galaxy Grant the same night. Then she meets an SBDC advisor to ask about 8(a) for later.
Scam red flags
- Grants.gov says applying for a federal grant is completely free.
- Nobody legitimate asks for a fee to release a grant you won.
- The SBA only emails from addresses ending in @SBA.gov.
- Report it at reportfraud.FTC.gov. Read Grants.gov on grant fraud and our grant fee scams guide.
Next steps if no grant fits
Check small business grants open now, then compare every way to fund your business.
Sources
- SBA, Grants: https://www.sba.gov/loans/additional-funding-opportunities/grants/
- SBA, 8(a) program: https://www.sba.gov/certifications/#8a-program
- SBA, Local assistance: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/local-assistance/
- MBDA: https://www.mbda.gov/
- Grants.gov, Search grants: https://www.grants.gov/search-grants
- Grants.gov, Grant fraud: https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-fraud
- FTC: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- Program pages listed above, each checked October 14, 2026.