Economic resources, by the block

Find what our communities need, where they live.

Enter a zip code to surface funding, banking, homeownership, jobs, and financial coaching serving African and African American neighborhoods — anywhere in the country.

Browse by state

Resources across the country

Pick a state to see what serves it. States glowing gold already have local organizations listed on top of the nationwide programs.

AK ME VT NH WA ID MT ND MN WI MI4 NY MA RI OR NV WY SD IA IL3 IN OH PA1 NJ CT CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD2 DE AZ NM KS AR TN1 NC SC DC2 OK LA3 MS AL GA7 HI TX3 FL
Has local resources Nationwide only
Alaska 28 resources · no local yet + nationwide
Clear ✕

Nationwide

Grants & free funding

9

Money for your business, home, or education that you never pay back.

A grant is money you do not repay. Applying is always free — a real grant will never ask you to pay a fee first.

How to claim a grant
  1. Find one you qualify for — check the who qualifies note on each.
  2. Gather your basics: photo ID, and business or tax info if it's a business grant.
  3. Apply free on the official site. A real grant never asks you to pay a fee to apply.
Nationwide

Grants.gov

The official portal for every federal grant. Search by keyword, then apply directly to the agency running the program.

Who qualifiesNonprofits, businesses, and governments
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

Benefits.gov

Answer a few questions and it lists the government benefits and assistance programs you may qualify for.

Who qualifiesIndividuals and families
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

SBA Grants

Federal grants for small businesses in areas like research, exporting, and community navigation — no repayment.

Who qualifiesSmall businesses in specific programs
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

Hello Alice

A funding platform that runs frequent small-business grants, many aimed at Black and other underrepresented founders.

Who qualifiesSmall business owners
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

Comcast RISE

Grant packages of money, marketing, and technology for small businesses, with a focus that has included BIPOC-owned firms.

Who qualifiesSmall business owners
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

Amber Grant for Women

Awards cash grants to women entrepreneurs every month, plus a larger year-end grant, with one simple application.

Who qualifiesWomen-owned businesses
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

iFundWomen

Connects women-owned businesses to grants from major brands and to crowdfunding, with coaching along the way.

Who qualifiesWomen entrepreneurs, incl. women of color
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

NASE Growth Grants

Grants to help self-employed people and micro-businesses cover a specific need, from equipment to marketing.

Who qualifiesNASE members with a small business
Check eligibility & apply
Nationwide

Down Payment Resource

A free tool that finds down-payment and closing-cost assistance grants and programs available where you want to buy.

Who qualifiesHomebuyers seeking down-payment help
Check eligibility & apply

Business funding & capital

3

Loans and microloans to start or grow a business.

These are loans you pay back over time, often on fairer terms than a big bank, to help you start or grow a business.

Nationwide

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Federal agency backing small-business loans, disaster help, and free local counseling through district offices nationwide.

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Nationwide

Grameen America

Microloans, training, and savings support for women entrepreneurs living on low incomes.

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Nationwide

Kiva — 0% microloans

Crowdfunded loans at 0% interest for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional financing.

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Banking & credit

4

Black-owned banks, credit unions, and community lenders (CDFIs).

A safe home for your money. Community lenders (CDFIs) and Black-owned banks reinvest locally and often approve people big banks turn away.

Nationwide

CDFI Fund — find a community lender

U.S. Treasury program; use its directory to find Community Development Financial Institutions that lend in underserved areas.

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Nationwide

HOPE Credit Union

Community bank and credit union serving the Deep South with accounts and loans built for economic equity.

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Nationwide

National Bankers Association

Voice of minority-owned banks; find Black-owned and minority depository institutions to bank with.

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Nationwide

FDIC Minority Depository Institutions

Official FDIC list of minority-owned banks, including Black-owned institutions, searchable by state.

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Entrepreneurship & mentoring

4

Coaching, training, and networks for business owners.

Free or low-cost help to plan, launch, and grow a business — mentors, classes, and connections.

Nationwide

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Federal agency with Business Centers that help minority-owned firms win contracts, access capital, and grow.

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Nationwide

U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

National network of Black chambers of commerce with tools, advocacy, and access to capital for Black businesses.

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Nationwide

SCORE — free business mentoring

Nonprofit offering free, confidential mentoring and workshops for new and growing businesses.

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Nationwide

Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)

Connects the smallest businesses to capital, coaching, and markets through a nationwide member network.

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Homeownership & housing

2

Down-payment help, counseling, and the path to owning.

Help becoming a homeowner — grants toward your down payment, and counselors who walk you through buying.

Nationwide

LISC — Local Initiatives Support Corp.

Invests in affordable housing, small business, and economic development in local neighborhoods.

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Nationwide

NAREB — Black homeownership

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers works to expand and protect Black homeownership.

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Jobs & workforce

2

Career centers, training, and workforce programs.

Free training, job placement, and career coaching to start or move up in work.

Nationwide

National Urban League

Civil-rights organization whose local affiliates run jobs, housing, and entrepreneurship programs.

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Nationwide

CareerOneStop — American Job Centers

U.S. Department of Labor locator for free job search, training, and career help near you.

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Financial education & coaching

4

Free help with credit, budgeting, and building wealth.

Free, trustworthy help with credit, debt, and budgeting to build lasting financial stability.

Nationwide

Operation HOPE

Free financial coaching on credit, homeownership, and starting a business, delivered inside communities.

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Nationwide

Prosperity Now

Research and tools focused on helping families of color build savings, credit, and long-term wealth.

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Nationwide

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Free government tools for credit, debt, mortgages, plus help resolving complaints against financial companies.

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Nationwide

211 — United Way

Call or search 211 to get connected to local help with work, housing, food, and financial assistance.

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Why this exists

Economic power belongs in the neighborhood.

Too often the capital, banking, and know-how that build wealth sit far from the blocks that need them most. The Afro Resource Center gathers the real programs — federal, community, and nonprofit — and points them to your zip code, so the next loan, first home, or first hire is one search away.

  1. 1
    Enter your zipAny US zip code. We find your city, state, and community.
  2. 2
    See who's nearNationwide programs, plus local ones added for your area.
  3. 3
    Reach outEvery listing links straight to the real organization.

Help the community

Know a resource we’re missing?

Add a real organization that helps our communities build wealth. We check that the link works and review every submission before it goes live.