The Best Veteran Business Grants and Funding Opportunities

Veterans own over 1.6 million businesses across the United States, employing approximately 3.2 million workers and contributing more than $1 trillion to the economy annually.¹ The numbers are significant, but veterans still face challenges when seeking capital to start or grow a business.

This guide on veteran business grants explains:

• How to find government and non-profit veteran business grants
• What to know before applying for a veteran business grant
• Best practices for managing your grant funding

A 2021 survey conducted by Syracuse University found that access to capital was the top obstacle facing new and existing veteran-owned business ventures.² Thankfully, there are dedicated veteran business grants, loans, and support programs specifically designed to help our service members succeed in the business world.

What Are the Top Veteran Business Grants from Government Agencies and Non-Profits?

Many startups in the United States would not have launched without acquiring grants for veteran-owned business ventures. Grants, unlike loans, don’t require repayment. That makes them more appealing to entrepreneurs with good ideas and limited funding. The top 2026 grant programs for veteran business owners are listed below:

Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program

Small businesses with majority veteran ownership (51% or more) and 3 to 20 employees could qualify for a Hiring Our Heroes grant. The program awards five grants per year: four for $10,000 each, and one for $25,000. The FedEx Founders Fund finances the program, which is open to all veterans and spouses of veterans who own a business.

Warrior Rising

The grant amounts for the Warrior Rising program range up to $20,000, making this an ideal solution for veteran-owned businesses looking for sustainable growth. The program also offers business support through its six-step business development pathway, combining mentorship, training, and veteran grants for business funding.

NASE Growth Grants

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers $4,000 quarterly veteran small business grants to members operating for-profit businesses. Veterans also receive a 15% discount when they join the organization, with no waiting period for approval. NASE has awarded over $1 million in grants to veteran-owned businesses since 2006.

Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship

With food shortages a very real problem in parts of the United States, agriculture has become a primary focus for many grant programs. The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund offers veteran start-up business grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The funds can be used for equipment and supplies to help launch or grow farm operations.

Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur Challenge

The Second Service Foundation sponsors a live pitch competition that awards grants to veterans, spouses, and Gold Star Family members who own small businesses. The program specifically supports military-connected entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their ventures. Application instructions are available on their website.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources for Veterans

The U.S. Small Business Administration is not a lender, but it sponsors several programs that offer active and disabled veteran business grants. These include the Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), which provide free training, mentorship, and help with funding preparation. Veterans in need of funding should make it their first stop.

Other useful SBA resources include the Boots to Business program, which offers entrepreneurship training to transitioning service members, and the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification, which opens doors to federal contracting opportunities. There are billions of dollars available in those contracts.

SBA Express loans are available to veterans who need fast funding. The SBA waives the upfront guarantee fee for veteran businesses, making financing more accessible. Regardless of your situation, it’s best practice to check your approval status for these funds. Small businesses should always have backup funding sources.

What to Know Before Applying for a Veteran Business Grant

It’s important to understand the process before applying for a grant. Veteran small business programs are not like private-sector grant providers. To start with, applicants are more closely scrutinized. Knowing what makes you unique will help you navigate the process more effectively and set realistic expectations. Here’s what you need to know:

• Veteran status opens doors: The U.S. government and non-profits offer dedicated support for veterans starting or expanding businesses. There are programs available at the federal, state, and local levels. Your veteran status can accelerate the application process and give you a better chance of business grant approval.
• Grant funding is highly competitive: Veteran-owned small business grants are available only to military members and their spouses, but don’t think that makes them more available to you. Competition for these grants is fierce, and approval criteria are strict. Be prepared to answer hard questions about your business model and intent.
• Funds are often restricted: Most small business veteran grants must be used for specific purposes outlined by the funding organization. You'll typically need to document how every dollar is spent and submit regular progress reports. Misusing grant funds can result in demands for immediate repayment.
• Documentation requirements are substantial: You’ll need proof of veteran status (DD-214), business registration documents, financial statements, and a solid business plan for most service-disabled veteran-owned small business grants and general veteran programs. Gathering these materials takes time, so start early.

How to Apply for a Veteran Business Grant: Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Business Foundation

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. For grant applications, that means drafting a comprehensive business plan before you do anything else. Make sure it outlines your business concept, provides a thorough market analysis, lists your management team's qualifications, and contains realistic financial projections.

Be specific about how much funding you require and exactly how the grant money will help achieve measurable business goals. Organizations offering veteran small business startup grants want to see that you've thought through your immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Gather financial statements and tax returns to back up your numbers.

Step 2: Research and Identify Suitable Grant Opportunities

Applying for a grant you’re not qualified for is a waste of everyone’s time. Review the eligibility criteria for each program before you apply. For example, most veteran grant issuers require that applicants be either active or honorably discharged. They’ll also want to know how long your company has been in operation and your current financial status.

Ensure the grant's purpose aligns with your actual needs, and state that clearly in your grant application. It’s okay to copy and paste some language from the grant description, but don’t just submit that. Discerning reviewers see a lot of that. Your application should offer clear explanations, in your own words, of what you need the money for and why you need it.

Step 3: Craft a Compelling Grant Proposal

Avoid boilerplate language on your grant application. A compelling story will sell it for you, provided you have accurate financial documentation to back it up. Tailor each application to address the specific objectives and language of that grant program. Highlight the leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and resilience you developed during military service

Complete all sections of the application meticulously, as incomplete applications are often rejected immediately, regardless of how strong your business concept might be. For best results, have someone with some business experience review your application before your submission to catch errors and ensure clarity.

How to Maximize Your Grant Funds: Understanding Grant Fund Usage and Reporting

Winning a veteran grant to start a business is just the beginning. Managing those funds properly is essential for maintaining good standing with the funding organization and potentially qualifying for future funding opportunities.

• Adhere to restrictions: Grant funds typically have specific usage rules outlined in your award agreement. Misusing funds can lead to repayment demands and disqualification from future programs. If you're uncertain whether an expense qualifies, contact the funding organization before making the purchase.
• Maintain detailed records: Keep precise records of all expenditures made with grants for veteran-owned small business funds. Save receipts, invoices, and bank statements showing exactly how funds were used. This documentation will be essential for required reporting and potential audits.
• Prepare for reporting: Many grants for veteran business owners require regular financial and progress reports to the funding organization. Set calendar reminders for reporting deadlines well in advance and track metrics that demonstrate how grant funds contributed to your business growth throughout the grant period.

How Wise Supports Your Grant-Funded Business Growth

Once you secure veteran business loans and grants, managing those funds efficiently becomes critical, especially if your business involves international transactions for supplies, services, or customer payments.

• Seamless international transactions: Wise offers fast and cost-effective international money transfers for sourcing materials, software, or services. This is particularly valuable for e-commerce, consulting, and manufacturing firms.
• Transparent pricing: Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and shows one clear, upfront fee for all transactions. This transparency helps you stay within your grant budget and avoid hidden banking costs that can eat into your grant funding.
• Simplified financial management: Clear transaction histories and multi-currency accounts make it easier to track grant money usage, prepare for reporting requirements, and manage your business finances efficiently.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in multiple currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. You can also send money to 140+ countries.

Wise Business is trusted by over 600,000 businesses worldwide, for good reason. Here's what makes it valuable for veteran-owned business grant recipients and veteran entrepreneurs managing grant funds:

Open a Wise Business account online

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Whether you're applying for women veteran business grants, disabled veteran business grants, or general veteran small business grants, having the right financial infrastructure makes managing your award funds simpler and more transparent. This can help you focus on what matters most: growing and scaling your business.

Sources
¹ SBA Office of Advocacy - Veteran Ownership Statistics 2025
² George W. Bush Presidential Center - Scaling Businesses Within the Veteran Ecosystem
³ Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program
⁴ Warrior Rising
⁵ Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
⁶ Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur Challenge
⁷ SBA - Veteran-Owned Businesses
Sources checked March 2026