Grants and Funding for Social Enterprises: Resources for Your Business

Building a social enterprise takes more than passion and purpose—it requires resources, structure, and strategic funding. Whether you’re creating employment opportunities for underrepresented communities, tackling environmental challenges, or reimagining how business can serve people first, access to capital can accelerate your impact. Unlike traditional startups, social enterprises often operate at the intersection of mission and market, which can limit access to some conventional funding routes. Thankfully, a growing number of grants, fellowships, and financing tools are tailored specifically for businesses that prioritize people and the planet alongside profits.

Understanding Social Enterprise Funding

Social enterprises often blend commercial activities with a social mission, which makes their funding needs unique. Some operate as nonprofits with earned revenue; others as for-profits with clear social goals. This hybrid nature means that many social enterprises aren’t a fit for traditional venture capital or bank loans, especially in the beginning.

Grants and fellowships, on the other hand, are ideal for mission-driven ventures. They don’t require equity or repayment and are often designed to support entrepreneurs building businesses that tackle real-world problems. That said, competition for funding is real—and the application process can be rigorous. Strong storytelling, clear metrics, and demonstrated traction are often key.

It’s also worth noting that some funders focus specifically on issue areas: sustainability, economic inclusion, health equity, and disability inclusion, to name a few. Identifying the overlap between your mission and a funder’s goals will increase your chances of success.

Government and Federal Grants

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA doesn’t offer grants specifically for starting a business, but it does administer and connect entrepreneurs to programs that support innovation and underserved communities. Programs like the Community Advantage Loan Program and Microloan Program are accessible to social enterprises, especially those operating in low-income or rural areas. In addition, the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development and Office of Women’s Business Ownership provide targeted funding and training.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs also fund research and development efforts with commercial potential—ideal for social ventures in health, sustainability, and tech-for-good sectors.

Grants.gov

This is the centralized hub for federal grants. Although most federal funding is awarded to nonprofits or educational institutions, social enterprises with a nonprofit structure or partnerships may be eligible. A careful review of eligibility criteria is essential here, but subscribing to updates and keyword alerts is a smart move.

State and Local Programs

Many state and local governments have small business development centers, grant programs, and incentives tailored for socially responsible businesses.
For example, California’s Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) initiative offers grants to mission-based businesses led by immigrants and limited-English proficient entrepreneurs. States like New York and Massachusetts also offer innovation vouchers and matching funds for impact-driven companies.
Look into your local Economic Development Corporation (EDC) or Department of Commerce to discover region-specific programs. Many cities also have competitions or funds tied to urban renewal, workforce development, or sustainability—areas that often align well with social enterprises.

Private Foundations and Philanthropic Grants

Many private foundations offer catalytic funding to social entrepreneurs. These are not always well-publicized, so networking and relationship-building often play a big role in discovering and securing these grants.

The Skoll Foundation

Focused on driving systemic change, the Skoll Foundation awards $1.5 million over three years to social entrepreneurs leading innovative models of change. Recipients have strong track records and proven scalability, but the foundation also supports earlier-stage efforts through its ecosystem-building partners.

Echoing Green

Echoing Green is one of the most prestigious fellowships in the social impact world. Its Fellowship Program provides up to $90,000 in seed funding over 18 months, along with training, mentorship, and access to a global network of peers. It’s open to early-stage entrepreneurs tackling urgent challenges through bold, innovative solutions

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

DRK provides unrestricted capital to early-stage social ventures, often investing $300,000 over three years. Their model is hands-on and mentorship-driven, and they are particularly interested in organizations that demonstrate both scale potential and leadership capacity.

Other funders to watch include:

• The Ford Foundation
• Kresge Foundation
• MacArthur Foundation
• Surdna Foundation

Each of these institutions has specific priority areas—so tailoring your proposal to align with their focus will greatly improve your application.

Corporate and Mission-Aligned Funding

Many corporations now offer social impact grant programs or innovation challenges. Some operate through CSR departments, while others have internal venture arms that back mission-aligned businesses.

Google for Startups

The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and Latino Founders Fund provide equity-free capital, training, and technical support to underrepresented entrepreneurs building impactful companies. These programs are not only funding sources but also powerful platforms for exposure.

Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund

Salesforce’s impact investment arm supports companies that address pressing social and environmental issues. While technically a venture fund, their focus on measurable social outcomes makes it a viable option for growth-stage social enterprises.

Patagonia and REI

Both outdoor brands have grant programs and incubation initiatives focused on environmental justice and community resilience. Patagonia’s Action Works platform is one way to connect with their ecosystem and access grassroots-level funding.

Crowdfunding and Community Capital

Crowdfunding is not just a tool for raising funds—it’s a way to build community. Platforms like IFundWomen, StartSomeGood, and Kiva are specifically designed for mission-driven businesses. These platforms allow social enterprises to validate their ideas, grow brand awareness, and raise early-stage capital from aligned supporters.

Kiva, in particular, offers 0% interest crowdfunded microloans up to $15,000. Their process is community-driven and available to both nonprofit and for-profit social ventures around the world.

Meanwhile, WeFunder and Mainvest enable community members to invest in businesses they believe in, creating local buy-in and long-term loyalty.

Business Accelerators and Incubators

Accelerators provide more than funding—they offer coaching, connections, and accountability. Many include non-dilutive grants as part of their programs.

Unreasonable Group

Focused on scaling ventures that address global challenges, Unreasonable connects entrepreneurs to investors, mentors, and partners through their highly selective accelerator programs.

Seed Spot

Seed Spot offers programs for early-stage social entrepreneurs, including both virtual and city-based incubators. They focus on inclusive entrepreneurship and often include grants, pitch competitions, and alumni support.

Acumen Academy

Acumen runs fellowships and accelerator programs for social entrepreneurs committed to moral leadership. Their focus is on long-term system change, and their community is global and deeply mission-driven.

A Note on Mission, Structure, and Storytelling

One of the biggest hurdles social entrepreneurs face isn’t just finding funding—it’s being ready for it. Funders want to see more than a good idea; they want to see thoughtful execution, measurable outcomes, and a plan for sustainability.

Crafting a strong narrative around your mission, who you serve, and why your approach works is crucial. Clear financials, user testimonials, and partnerships can strengthen your case.

That’s something we keep top of mind at BlueJ Cleaning. We designed our “business in a box” model not just to provide services, but to unlock employment for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and offer local entrepreneurs a meaningful franchise opportunity. Our franchise partners benefit from clear systems, brand support, and a mission that resonates—making them strong candidates for local grants and social enterprise support programs.

Where to Find Opportunities

Finding the right funding source often takes persistence. Here are a few ways to stay connected to opportunities:

• Subscribe to newsletters like SOCAP, NextBillion, and Social Enterprise Alliance
• Follow funders and accelerators on LinkedIn and Twitter
• Join platforms like Changemakers.com, ImpactAlpha, and Skoll.org
• Partner with local universities, innovation hubs, or co-working spaces with social impact initiatives

Keep a rolling calendar of application deadlines and make time each month to update your pitch materials. Often, the difference between getting funded and not is just being ready when the right opportunity appears.

Funding a social enterprise isn’t always easy, but it’s increasingly possible. As more people look to support meaningful business models, the resources and allies available to social entrepreneurs continue to grow. Whether you’re just starting or already scaling, there are grants, programs, and networks designed to help you build a business that works—for your community, for the environment, and for the future.

If you’re looking to launch your own impact-driven business with proven tools and community backing, consider exploring a BlueJ Cleaning franchise. We’re more than just a cleaning company—we’re building pathways for independence, inclusion, and local leadership.