How to find business support grants for economic development managers in 2026

Learn how economic development managers can prepare, search, compare options, and find business support grants for the businesses in their region.

By CDings · 2026-10-17

CDings is published by the makers of Raise Buddy and ProductCost, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Economic development managers can prepare the details of the businesses in their region, decide what support those businesses need, search several sources, and check every funder's rules before applying. Raise Buddy is one option that lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for after you paste your website or describe what you do. ^[1]

Option	What it does	Cost
Raise Buddy Free plan ^[1]	Opens programs up to $1,000. ^[1]	Free. ^[1]
Raise Buddy Plus plan ^[1]	Opens programs up to $5,000. ^[1]	$14.99 a month. ^[1]
Raise Buddy Pro plan ^[1]	Opens every program, with advisors' review and AI connection. ^[1]	$199 a month. ^[1]

What you need before you start

Prepare the facts a grant program may ask for before looking for business support grants. Keeping these details together makes it easier to review opportunities.

Business details. Know which businesses are in the region, their type and size, and where they are located.
Region description. Write a short explanation of the businesses the region supports and who they serve.
Community and economic goals. Note what the region wants to achieve, such as starting new businesses, expanding existing ones, or keeping businesses in place.
Tax information. Gather recent tax returns and any tax agency letters for the businesses involved. Check each funder's own document list.
Funding purpose. Decide whether the money is for starting, expanding, or retaining businesses in the region.
Location and registration. Record the registration location and operating location of each business.
Ownership details. Note who owns the businesses because some programs have specific ownership rules.

A simple summary page with these facts can help keep applications consistent.

Step by step

Define the funding goal. Decide what the money will support, such as a new business, an expansion, or a retention effort, and whether a grant, loan, or another funding type matches that goal.

Set basic search rules. Note the location, business type, business age, ownership details, and other requirements that matter for eligibility.

Search reliable sources. Review government programs, regional economic development offices, lenders, and other organizations that offer funding opportunities.

Read eligibility rules carefully. Check who can apply, what the money can be used for, deadlines, and required documents before spending time on an application.

Build a shortlist. Separate opportunities into ones that match now, ones that need preparation, and ones that need more information.

Confirm unclear details. Contact the funder or lender when rules, documents, or spending limits are not clear.

Prepare each application. Adjust answers to the specific program and provide the requested information.

Track applications. Record where each application was sent, when it was submitted, and what action comes next.

Review results and update the search. Funding programs change, so keep business details ready for future opportunities.

Tools that can do it

Different sources can help with different parts of finding business support grants.

Government program lists. Government websites can show grant programs for businesses. Check each program's own rules, documents, and deadlines.

Regional and state economic development offices. Regional offices may provide information about programs in a specific area. Check what services they provide and whether there are costs.

Banks, credit unions, and community lenders. These organizations can explain loan options, required documents, and costs for borrowing.

Raise Buddy. Raise Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site. You paste your website or describe what you do, and it lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for. ^[1] Each match says whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, with the funder's own words. ^[1] Its program list includes the UK's Find a Grant, Australia's GrantConnect, France's Aides-territoires, Japan's jGrants, Spain's BDNS and Austria's Transparenzportal. ^[1] It can read a Schedule C, Form 1120, 1065 or 990, or an IRS letter, from a photo or PDF into a draft profile you confirm, and it does not keep the EIN or the papers. ^[1] It includes private foundations that take applications, read from their own Form 990-PF tax returns. ^[1] It covers 25 ways to raise money, such as angel investors, SBA loans and equity crowdfunding, each with its official rules and a first step. ^[1] It keeps track of where each of your applications stands, but you apply on the funder's own site. ^[1]

The Free plan opens programs up to $1,000, Plus is $14.99 a month and opens programs up to $5,000, and Pro is $199 a month with every program, advisors' review, and AI connection. ^[1] The first three matches in each section open on every plan. ^[1] A guest's search list ends after 5. ^[1] The app works on the web and on phones. ^[1] The web app needs nothing installed; you connect an AI assistant by adding Raise Buddy's address to it. ^[1] Only English is shown for now. ^[1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying without checking eligibility. A funding opportunity only helps when the businesses in the region meet the stated rules.

Ignoring spending limits. Some funding can only be used for certain purposes, so check the allowed uses before accepting money.

Relying on a list without checking the source. Confirm deadlines and requirements with the funder or lender.

Confusing grants and loans. Grants and loans have different repayment expectations and costs.

Waiting until the last minute. Documents, registrations, and answers can take time to prepare.

Using different business details in different places. Keep financial and business information consistent across applications.

Not tracking follow-ups. Missing a request for information can slow down the process.

Frequently asked questions

How can economic development managers find business support grants for the businesses in their region?

Economic development managers can search government programs, regional economic development offices, and lenders that offer funding for businesses. Having the details of the region's businesses, their locations, and the funding purpose ready before searching makes the review easier. Check each funder's own rules, documents, and deadlines before applying.

Does Raise Buddy apply for business support grants for a business?

No. Raise Buddy keeps track of where each application stands, but the business applies on the funder's own site. ^[1] The business still needs to review the requirements, prepare answers, and send the application through the required process.

How much does Raise Buddy cost?

Can Raise Buddy show whether a business qualifies for a grant?

Yes. Raise Buddy gives each match a statement about whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, using the funder's own words. ^[1] The business still needs to review the requirements and prepare the application through the required process.

What documents are needed to find business support grants?

Each funder sets its own document list, so check it before applying. Some funders or lenders may request additional information, and requirements can differ between funding sources. Read each program's rules before gathering papers, since gathering them too early can waste time on a program that does not fit.

Free plan opens programs up to $1,000; Plus is $14.99 a month (up to $5,000); Pro is $199 a month (every program, advisors' review, AI connection). The first three matches in each section open on every plan. ^[1]

Try Raise Buddy

Sources

Raise Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)