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Grants for Sole Proprietors and Home-Based Businesses (2026)

Can a sole proprietor or home-based business win a grant? Yes, if the rules allow it. Three programs open to one-person businesses, checked today.

By MCAFax · Published October 15, 2026

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Last verified: October 14, 2026.

Can a one-person business win a grant? Yes, but the funder's rules decide. Many city microgrants are written for businesses with a few employees. Some private grants only need a registered business or an EIN. Federal grants rarely pay for everyday costs. Here are three programs a sole proprietor can enter now.

Grants are only one option. See every way to fund your business.

See the small business grants hub and how to apply for a small business grant.

Why federal grants rarely fit a solo business

The SBA says it does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business. Federal grants mostly fund research (SBIR and STTR) or go to nonprofits and governments. For a solo or home-based owner, the realistic money is local and private.

Being small is not the problem. Missing the eligibility line is.

Programs open now, verified today

NASE Growth Grants

Amount: up to $4,000. NASE says it has awarded over $1M since 2006.
Who qualifies: members of the National Association for the Self-Employed in good standing when they apply and until the award. Annual, Veteran and Gold members are eligible right away; monthly members after 90 days. Membership has a cost, so check it first.
Deadline: ongoing. NASE lists 4 award cycles each year.
Official page: https://www.nase.org/become-a-member/member-benefits/business-resources/growth-grants

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

Amount: $10,000 grants, with 10 businesses picked each month from June to December 2026.
Who qualifies: owners 18 or older of a for-profit business in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Finish two free courses or events on Digital Ready to unlock the application.
Deadline: courses and events must be done by Monday, December 7, 2026.
Official page: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding/details

Coach K Legacy Grant

Amount: $1,000, given away each month. The page says it is free to enter.
Who qualifies: aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners. The page says the process is open to all.
Deadline: this round closes Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The cutoff moves each month.
Official page: https://thelegacygrant.com/grant

Tips: where solo owners find local microgrants

Check your city or county economic development office. Read the employee and location rules. Some programs accept home-based businesses with local approval; others require a storefront.
Ask your nearest SBDC or SCORE mentor what opened this season. Use the SBA local assistance locator.
Keep your business license, tax return and a one-page plan ready.

Some grants ask for an EIN. The IRS Form SS-4 instructions cover how a sole proprietor applies for one.

Here's a hypothetical.

Here's a hypothetical. Jen runs Porch Light Pet Sitting (a made-up business) from her home. She is the only worker. She finishes two Digital Ready courses and applies for the Verizon grant. She enters this month's Coach K round. Then she asks her county small business office whether its next microgrant accepts home-based businesses.

Are paid grant-finder sites worth it?

You can search official sources yourself for free: Grants.gov, your state and city sites, and SBA resource partners. If a site charges to list grants, compare it to what those free sources show.

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. See Grants.gov on grant fraud and our grant fee scams guide.

Next steps if no grant fits

Read about SBA microloans and our guide on how to get an SBA microloan. Then compare every way to fund your business.

Sources

SBA, Grants: https://www.sba.gov/loans/additional-funding-opportunities/grants/
SBA, Local assistance: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/local-assistance/
SBA, Microloans: https://www.sba.gov/loans/microloans/
IRS, Instructions for Form SS-4: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4
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.

Questions readers actually ask

Can a sole proprietor get a small business grant?

Yes, when the program's rules allow it. Read the eligibility section first.

Do I need an LLC or EIN to apply for a grant?

It depends on the funder. Some ask for an EIN; many do not require an LLC. Check the official rules.

Are there grants for home-based businesses?

Some local and private programs accept them. Others require a commercial location.

What is a microgrant?

A small grant, often from a city, county or private group, for a specific use.

Where do I find city or county microgrants?

Your city or county economic development office, and SBA resource partners nearby.

Are grant-finder sites that charge a fee worth it?

Official sources are free to search. Compare before you pay.

How do I avoid grant scams as a one-person business?

Never pay to release a grant, and never give bank logins to someone who says you won.

What funding fits if I don't qualify for a grant?

A small loan such as an SBA microloan, or the options on our funding guide.

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