Last verified October 24, 2026 · How we verify

Pennsylvania small business grants: state and city programs

As of October 2026, a Pennsylvania small business can be matched against 165 programs: 13 Pennsylvania state programs, 7 multi-state programs that include Pennsylvania, 62 national programs open to PA businesses, and 83 federal grants via Grants.gov.

We track 13 Pennsylvania state programs. 10 are open or verified right now and named below. City and county grants are listed too, for Philadelphia. Most of these programs never run an ad. The money is real, but nobody tells you it exists. That's the part we fixed.

Pennsylvania state programs

National programs open to PA businesses

Federal grants via Grants.gov

Pennsylvania programs by the numbers

Who funds them: 7 funders: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (3), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (2), Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (Pennsylvania Creative Industries), administered by Bridgeway Capital (1), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (1), and 3 more.
Award size: Most awards $14K to $500K.
Timing: 9 open now, 3 of them rolling. Soonest deadline: Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant, Nov 6, 2026. 1 between cycles; Community Conservation Partnerships Program lists its next window as “Applications reopen second Monday of January 2027, close last business day of April 2027”.
What they fund: Agriculture (4), Manufacturing (3), Technology (2), Arts & Creative (1), Food & Restaurant (1); 3 open to any industry.

All 10 Pennsylvania state programs we can name

Only Pennsylvania's own programs, open ones first. Each names its funder and links to the official page. Annual programs spend most of the year between windows; the date tells you when to be ready.

Program	Amount	Status	Built for	Official link
RISE PA Small-scale Award Track (Manufacturing Facilities) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (RISE PA, administered by PennTAP) Verified Oct 16, 2026	50% of project costs, up to max $500K	Closes Dec 15, 2026	Pennsylvania's RISE PA Small-scale Award Track pays 50% of the cost of energy efficiency and emissions-cutting upgrades at Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities with fewer than 500 employees, up to $500,000, for projects costing $50,000 to $1 million. A completed site assessment is required before you apply (PennTAP arranges it). Round 5 is open September 15 to December 15, 2026, with about three rounds a year through 2029.	Official page ↗
Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Verified Oct 15, 2026	Up to $100,000 per applicant	Closes Nov 6, 2026	Pennsylvania reimburses very small meat and poultry processors for the costs of opening a new processing operation, expanding an existing one, or getting USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection. Up to $100,000 per applicant. Apply through the DCED Electronic Single Application by November 6, 2026.	Official page ↗
Environmental Education Grants Program Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Verified Oct 20, 2026	Seed: up to $5,000; Grow: $5,001–$30,000; Impact: $30,001–$65,000	Closes Nov 13, 2026	Pennsylvania's annual environmental education grant program funded by pollution fines, open to schools, nonprofits, universities, conservation districts, and businesses to develop environmental education projects addressing land use, air quality, water, climate change, and environmental justice.	Official page ↗
WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) Verified Oct 17, 2026	Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company)	Rolling, apply anytime	WEDnetPA reimburses Pennsylvania companies for training existing employees: up to $2,000 per eligible employee and up to $50,000 per company. Companies must be primarily in manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, energy, or robotics and technology. The 2026-27 year has been accepting applications since August 1, 2026.	Official page ↗
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Biosecurity Grant Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Verified Oct 15, 2026	Up to $25,000 per premises (reimbursement)	Closes Nov 30, 2026	Pennsylvania reimburses poultry farms, integrators and allied businesses hurt by bird flu for biosecurity upgrades, up to $25,000 per premises, from a $2 million fund. Round six closes November 30, 2026 and round five closes December 31, 2026.	Official page ↗
Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (Pennsylvania) Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (Pennsylvania Creative Industries), administered by Bridgeway Capital Verified Oct 20, 2026	Growth Grant up to $4,000 or Impact Grant up to $17,000 (lump sum)	Closes Dec 31, 2026	Pennsylvania's Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program gives for-profit creative businesses a lump-sum grant (not a reimbursement) plus business planning resources. Growth Grants are up to $4,000 and Impact Grants up to $17,000; Impact awardees join a short virtual cohort and coaching before payment. You need $10,000 to $2 million in annual revenue (Impact: $50,000 and up), at least one year in business, and one year of Pennsylvania residency. Sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships and corporations can apply. The 2026-2027 application is open October 1 through December 31, 2026. Startups are not eligible this cycle.	Official page ↗
Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Verified Oct 10, 2026	$15,000	Rolling, apply anytime	A Pennsylvania grant that funds professional services for farms planning for succession, transition, business planning, or diversification. Grants cover 75% of eligible costs (up to $15,000) for business consultants, accountants, attorneys, appraisers, facilitators, and other ag professionals.	Official page ↗
Small Business Advantage Grant Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Verified Oct 10, 2026	up to $7,500 to up to $12,000	Closes Mar 19, 2027	Reimbursement grants of 50–80% of project costs for Pennsylvania small businesses adopting energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention upgrades (equipment, lighting, HVAC, waste reduction).	Official page ↗
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Verified Oct 24, 2026	A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget	Rolling, apply anytime	Provides grants, loans, and equity investments to entrepreneurs and established companies for access to capital, business expertise, and technology commercialization services to advance alternative and clean energy technologies. Offered through four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partners.	Official page ↗
Community Conservation Partnerships Program Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Verified Oct 10, 2026	$50,000 - $500,000	Reopens, date not announced yet Applications reopen second Monday of January 2027, close last business day of April 2027	A Pennsylvania state grant program supporting recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and community revitalization efforts through multiple project categories including park development, trails, land acquisition, and forestry initiatives. Open to nonprofits, governments, and for-profit businesses (limited options).	Official page ↗

We track 3 more Pennsylvania programs that are not open, dated or verified closely enough to name here yet. The quiz still checks your business against them.

City and county programs in Pennsylvania

Open only to businesses in one city, county or local area, so they are not counted in the Pennsylvania totals above.

Ida Business Assistance Program
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
City of Philadelphia only
$20,000 to $150,000 · Official page ↗
Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
City of Philadelphia only
Up to $50,000 plus advisory services · Official page ↗
Merchants Fund Emergency Grants
The Merchants Fund
City of Philadelphia only
Up to $20,000 · Official page ↗
Business Security Camera Program
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
City of Philadelphia only
Up to 75% of costs, up to $3,000 per property · Official page ↗
Merchants Fund Stabilization Grants
The Merchants Fund
City of Philadelphia only
Not stated on the program page · Official page ↗
PWD Stormwater Grants Program
Philadelphia Water Department (with PIDC)
City of Philadelphia only
pays for the design and construction of stormwater retrofit projects · Official page ↗
Storefront Improvement Program
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
City of Philadelphia (approved commercial corridor blocks) only
Up to 50% of costs; up to $20,000 per property ($30,000 for corner or multiple-address property) · Official page ↗
Scranton 2026 Facade Grant Program
City of Scranton, PA
Scranton only
50% of exterior project costs, max $10,000 per business · Official page ↗
BLOOM Women-owned Small Business Grant 2026 (York County, PA)
BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, York County Economic Alliance
York County only
up to $1,500 · Official page ↗

Multi-state programs that include Pennsylvania

Each of these covers more than three states, so we list them here instead of counting them as Pennsylvania state programs.

Closes in 2 days
Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant Program
Northeast SARE
Covers 12 states (plus DC), including PA
Typically $250,000 to $500,000 per project; approximately $1,500,000 allocated this cycle · Closes Oct 26, 2026 · Official page ↗
Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
National Park Service
Covers 6 states (plus DC), including PA
$10,000–$50,000 · Closes Nov 4, 2026 · Official page ↗
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant
Northeast SARE
Covers 12 states (plus DC), including PA
Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 · Closes Dec 8, 2026 · Official page ↗
Young, Beginning, and Small Farmer Grant Program
Horizon Farm Credit
Open in 5 states, including PA
Ten $20,000 grants per year · Reopens, date not announced yet · Official page ↗
Northeast Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets)
Open in 11 states, including PA
Amount not stated · Reopens, date not announced yet · Official page ↗
Northeast Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets)
Open in 11 states, including PA
Total funds available: $1,000,000 · Reopens, date not announced yet · Official page ↗

We track 1 more multi-state program that includes Pennsylvania and is not open, dated or verified closely enough to name here yet.

Also open to PA businesses: 62 national programs and 83 federal grants via Grants.gov. They are the same in every state, so we list them by who they fund: women-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, or by industry.

Every verified grant deadline in the next 90 days is on one page: the live deadlines list.

Open right now in Pennsylvania

RISE PA Small-scale Award Track (Manufacturing Facilities): 50% of project costs, up to max $500K, closes Dec 15, 2026
Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant: Up to $100,000 per applicant, closes Nov 6, 2026
Environmental Education Grants Program: Seed: up to $5,000; Grow: $5,001–$30,000; Impact: $30,001–$65,000, closes Nov 13, 2026
WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company), rolling, apply anytime
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Biosecurity Grant: Up to $25,000 per premises (reimbursement), closes Nov 30, 2026
Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (Pennsylvania): Growth Grant up to $4,000 or Impact Grant up to $17,000 (lump sum), closes Dec 31, 2026
Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program: $15,000, rolling, apply anytime
Small Business Advantage Grant: up to $7,500 to up to $12,000, closes Mar 19, 2027
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant: A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget, rolling, apply anytime

Pennsylvania small business grants, program by program

RISE PA Small-scale Award Track (Manufacturing Facilities): 50% of project costs, up to max $500K, closes Dec 15, 2026

Run by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (RISE PA, administered by PennTAP). Pennsylvania's RISE PA Small-scale Award Track pays 50% of the cost of energy efficiency and emissions-cutting upgrades at Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities with fewer than 500 employees, up to $500,000, for projects costing $50,000 to $1 million. A completed site assessment is required before you apply (PennTAP arranges it). Round 5 is open September 15 to December 15, 2026, with about three rounds a year through 2029. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 16, 2026. Official page ↗

Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture): Up to $100,000 per applicant, closes Nov 6, 2026

Pennsylvania reimburses very small meat and poultry processors for the costs of opening a new processing operation, expanding an existing one, or getting USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection. Up to $100,000 per applicant. Apply through the DCED Electronic Single Application by November 6, 2026. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗

Environmental Education Grants Program (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection): Seed: up to $5,000; Grow: $5,001–$30,000; Impact: $30,001–$65,000, closes Nov 13, 2026

Pennsylvania's annual environmental education grant program funded by pollution fines, open to schools, nonprofits, universities, conservation districts, and businesses to develop environmental education projects addressing land use, air quality, water, climate change, and environmental justice. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 20, 2026. Official page ↗

WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company)

Run by Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). WEDnetPA reimburses Pennsylvania companies for training existing employees: up to $2,000 per eligible employee and up to $50,000 per company. Companies must be primarily in manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, energy, or robotics and technology. The 2026-27 year has been accepting applications since August 1, 2026. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Biosecurity Grant (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture): Up to $25,000 per premises (reimbursement), closes Nov 30, 2026

Pennsylvania reimburses poultry farms, integrators and allied businesses hurt by bird flu for biosecurity upgrades, up to $25,000 per premises, from a $2 million fund. Round six closes November 30, 2026 and round five closes December 31, 2026. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗

Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (Pennsylvania): Growth Grant up to $4,000 or Impact Grant up to $17,000 (lump sum), closes Dec 31, 2026

Run by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (Pennsylvania Creative Industries), administered by Bridgeway Capital. Pennsylvania's Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program gives for-profit creative businesses a lump-sum grant (not a reimbursement) plus business planning resources. Growth Grants are up to $4,000 and Impact Grants up to $17,000; Impact awardees join a short virtual cohort and coaching before payment. You need $10,000 to $2 million in annual revenue (Impact: $50,000 and up), at least one year in business, and one year of Pennsylvania residency. Sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships and corporations can apply. The 2026-2027 application is open October 1 through December 31, 2026. Startups are not eligible this cycle. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 20, 2026. Official page ↗

Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture): $15,000

A Pennsylvania grant that funds professional services for farms planning for succession, transition, business planning, or diversification. Grants cover 75% of eligible costs (up to $15,000) for business consultants, accountants, attorneys, appraisers, facilitators, and other ag professionals. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗

Small Business Advantage Grant (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection): up to $7,500 to up to $12,000, closes Mar 19, 2027

Reimbursement grants of 50–80% of project costs for Pennsylvania small businesses adopting energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention upgrades (equipment, lighting, HVAC, waste reduction). Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development): A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget

Provides grants, loans, and equity investments to entrepreneurs and established companies for access to capital, business expertise, and technology commercialization services to advance alternative and clean energy technologies. Offered through four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗

Community Conservation Partnerships Program (Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources): $50,000 - $500,000, closes Apr 30, 2027

A Pennsylvania state grant program supporting recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and community revitalization efforts through multiple project categories including park development, trails, land acquisition, and forestry initiatives. Open to nonprofits, governments, and for-profit businesses (limited options). Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗

Starting a business in Pennsylvania: what grant money exists

Most grant money goes to businesses that already exist. The SBA says it plainly: it "does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business." New owners usually start with savings, a loan, or a narrow grant built for one kind of business.

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant can fund start-up and early-stage companies and entrepreneurs developing new technologies, including clean and alternative energy, through grants, loans or equity investments. Outside tech, Pennsylvania state grants mostly fit businesses already operating.

The Pennsylvania SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting through 15 centers and over 50 outreach locations, including help for people with an idea for a new business.

More small business grant lists

Straight answers

Some of these say "between cycles." What do I do right now?

Get ready before the window opens. Community Conservation Partnerships Program lists its next window as “Applications reopen second Monday of January 2027, close last business day of April 2027”. The owners who win are the ones whose applications are ready the week a window opens, not the ones who find out it existed the week it closed.

Does Pennsylvania have state business grants?

We track 13 Pennsylvania state programs. The 10 named on this page are each checked against the funder's own page, and 9 are open now, including RISE PA Small-scale Award Track (Manufacturing Facilities) and Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant. Most Pennsylvania state grants pay for one purpose, like energy-efficiency upgrades, export marketing, farm planning, or clean-energy technology, not general cash for any business.

Is there a grant to start a business in Pennsylvania?

Rarely, and mostly for technology startups. Through its regional partners, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant funds start-up and early-stage technology companies with grants, loans or equity investments. Philadelphia also runs its own programs, listed above. For a new business, Pennsylvania's Small Business Development Centers offer no-cost advising, including help finding funding.

Are there city or county business grants in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Some cities and counties run their own. Right now we list 9 local programs, in Philadelphia. They are open only to businesses in that area, so they are not counted in the Pennsylvania totals above.

What is the Small Business Advantage Grant?

A state reimbursement grant for small businesses that cut energy use or pollution, for example by upgrading equipment, lighting or HVAC. It covers 50 to 80% of project costs, with a maximum of $7,500 to $12,000 depending on the project's environmental impact and location. Applications close Mar 19, 2027, or sooner if funds run out.

What's the difference between state, national, and federal programs?

State programs are run through Pennsylvania agencies and partners and are limited to PA businesses or projects. Less competition. National programs are run by companies and foundations and are open to businesses in every state. Federal grants come through Grants.gov and tend to be larger and more paperwork-heavy.

Do I pay these back? How current is this list?

No. Grants are not loans. Each row shows the date we last checked it against the funder's own page. How we verify.

Which of these fit your Pennsylvania business?

This page can't read your business. The 3-minute quiz can. It matches your industry, state, and ownership against all 165 programs and shows you where you stand.

See how many grants fit my business