--- {"title": "Find funding programs for local businesses", "description": "Learn how chamber leaders can prepare, search, compare, and review funding programs that local businesses may be able to use.", "url": "https://cdings.com/how-to-find-funding-programs-for-local-businesses-for-chamber-of-commerce-leaders/", "date": "2026-10-17"} --- Learn how chamber leaders can prepare, search, compare, and review funding programs that local businesses may be able to use. Prepare local business details, review funding sources, and check requirements before sharing programs with businesses. Raise Buddy 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 Chamber of commerce leaders need clear information about the businesses they support before looking for funding programs. - **Business details.** Keep common business information ready, including industry, location, ownership details, and basic history. - **Funding needs.** Note whether businesses are looking for grants, loans, credits, prizes, or other funding types. - **Program requirements.** Prepare a way to record eligibility rules, deadlines, required documents, and application steps. - **Local focus.** Keep details about the area, industries, and business groups served by the chamber. A simple record of these details can help compare programs and share relevant options with local businesses. ## Step by step 1. **Define the search goal.** Decide which types of funding programs local businesses need and what information will help identify relevant options. 2. **Gather business details.** Collect information about business type, location, ownership, industry, and funding purpose so programs can be reviewed against clear needs. 3. **Find funding sources.** Review government programs, local organizations, lenders, foundations, and other sources that publish funding opportunities. 4. **Read program rules.** Check eligibility, allowed uses, deadlines, required documents, and application instructions before sharing an opportunity. 5. **Compare options.** Organize programs by the businesses they may serve, the funding type, and the preparation needed before applying. 6. **Confirm unclear information.** Contact the funding source when requirements or program details are not clear. 7. **Share useful opportunities.** Provide businesses with the program details, eligibility information, and next steps they need to review. 8. **Track updates.** Keep records of programs reviewed, changes to requirements, and follow-up actions so information stays current. ## Tools that can do it Different sources can help with different parts of finding funding programs for local businesses. **Government program lists.** Government websites can show grant and loan programs. Check each program's own rules, documents, and deadlines. **Local business support organizations.** Local organizations 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] 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 application stands, but the business applies on the funder's own site. [^1] ## Common mistakes to avoid - **Sharing programs without checking rules.** A funding program only helps when a business meets the stated requirements. - **Skipping document checks.** Review the required information before suggesting a program to a business. - **Focusing only on one funding source.** Compare different types of programs because businesses may have different needs. - **Not recording updates.** Funding details can change, so keep program information organized. - **Sending businesses to unclear information.** Confirm details with the funding source when requirements are not easy to understand. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Raise Buddy find funding programs for local businesses? Raise Buddy lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for after a website is pasted or the business activity is described. [^1] It can help organize possible programs for review, while businesses still need to check each funder's rules and application process. ### Can Raise Buddy check whether a business can apply for funding? Each Raise Buddy match says whether a business can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, using the funder's own words. [^1] Businesses should still review the original program information before making an application decision. ### Does Raise Buddy apply for funding programs for businesses? No. Raise Buddy keeps track of where each application stands, but the business applies on the funder's own site. [^1] The business remains responsible for reviewing requirements, preparing materials, and completing the required application process. ### What information can Raise Buddy use to create a business profile? Raise Buddy can read a Schedule C, Form 1120, 1065 or 990, or an IRS letter, from a photo or PDF into a draft profile that the business confirms, and it does not keep the EIN or the papers. [^1] ### How much does Raise Buddy cost? 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] 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] - [Visit Raise Buddy](/go/start) ## Sources [^1]: Raise Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start)