Grants & Loans
Access to capital is the most common barrier Maryland business owners raise with us. There is no single application and no single source. What exists is a set of State programs, federal loan guarantees, county funds, and community lenders, each with its own eligibility rules.
This page organizes them by who provides the money. Programs marked as grants do not require repayment. Everything else is a loan or a loan guarantee.
DoSEM does not make loans or award most of the grants listed here. Contact the administering organization directly for applications and current terms.
Social equity licensee funding
Capital programs for Maryland social equity cannabis licensees
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Cannabis Business Assistance Fund
Conditional grants and loans helping new social equity licensees reach operational status. Administered by Maryland Commerce. -
Social Equity Partnership Grant Program
Up to $5 million to support partnerships between social equity licensees and experienced operators. Not yet launched; coming soon. -
Social equity licensee resources
Training, technical assistance, and mentorship available to Maryland social equity licensees at no cost.
Community lenders and local funds
Mission driven lenders and county programs serving Maryland businesses.
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Maryland Capital Enterprises
Community lender providing microloans and small business training, with a focus on the Eastern Shore and underserved borrowers. -
Meridian Management Group / MMG Capital Group
Baltimore based fund manager since 1995. Over $239 million financed to 761 Maryland small businesses, 70 percent minority-owned.
Federal loan programs
Small Business Administration loan programs and lender matching.
Describe your financing need and get matched with SBA approved lenders within two business days.
Overview of 7(a), 504, and microloan programs, including what each is used for and typical terms.
Full range of federal small business funding, including loans, investment capital, disaster assistance, and grants.
Local SBA staff serving most of Maryland, including counseling and lender referrals.
SBA office serving Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
County and municipal business funds
Grouped by DoSEM region. Not every jurisdiction runs its own fund; where none exists, the county's State and regional referrals are noted instead.
Baltimore City: Baltimore Development Corporation loan programs, for capital projects, working capital, business acquisition, leasehold improvements, and equipment. No single named program; apply through BDC's intake form.
Baltimore County: Boost Fund, financing for small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
Carroll County: No dedicated county fund found. The county's financing and incentives page routes businesses to State Commerce programs instead.
Harford County: Economic Development Opportunity Fund, up to $50,000 at a risk based interest rate for equipment and working capital.
Garrett County: Tri-County Council for Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund, a regional fund covering Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties together.
Allegany County: Covered by the same Tri-County Council for Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund, plus its own Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program.
Washington County: Covered by the same Tri-County Council for Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund.
Frederick County: EmPOWER Loan Program, microloans up to $10,000. Applicants must first complete the EmPOWER Mentorship Program through the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
Prince George's County: EDI Fund, a $50 million county fund that includes $1 million set aside specifically to help small businesses secure lines of credit.
Montgomery County: Montgomery County Economic Development Fund, plus a County Council approved microloan program for entrepreneurs.
Anne Arundel County: VOLT Fund and VOLT Microloan Fund, loans starting at $25,000 for small, minority owned, and women owned businesses.
Howard County: Catalyst Fund and Collateral Assistance Fund, both administered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Charles County: Business Development Loan Fund for Women, Minorities, and Veterans, microloans up to $35,000.
St. Mary's County: No dedicated county fund found. Southern Maryland JobSource's Financing Assistance page routes businesses to the Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's economic development departments together.
Calvert County: Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant Fund, grants up to $50,000. Currently closed to new applications.
Cecil County: No dedicated county fund found.
Kent County: No Kent-only general fund found. The county's incentives page lists the regional Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center Revolving Loan Fund alongside State and federal options.
Caroline County: Caroline County Small Business Loan Program.
Queen Anne's County: Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF), a grant and incentive fund reviewed by the EDIF Commission, with an online application.
Talbot County: No current dedicated fund. Only COVID era relief grant programs were found, and those have closed.
Dorchester County: No dedicated county fund found. The county offers local tax incentives and abatements, plus State program referrals, instead.
Wicomico County: City of Salisbury Revolving Loan Program.
Worcester County: No dedicated county fund. The county's share of the State VLT Fund is managed through a partnership with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation.
Somerset County: No dedicated county fund found. The county's own site references a general "Financing Program" with no published details.
Not sure which program fits your business?
Maryland's Small Business Development Centers provide free one on one counseling, including help preparing loan applications and financial projections.
State funding and incentive programs
Capital programs administered by Maryland State agencies.
State tool with a searchable database of nearly 250 government incentive programs, plus local market data for entrepreneurs.
Federally funded State program expanding access to capital for small businesses, with a focus on underserved borrowers.
Grants and loans for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses located near Maryland casinos.
Central resource for finding and applying to State and federal grant opportunities available to Maryland organizations.
Overview of State programs that help businesses grow, organized by stage and need.
Department of Housing and Community Development programs supporting business development in Maryland communities.
Support for businesses located in designated Main Street commercial districts across Maryland.
Grants for businesses occupying vacant retail or commercial space in Maryland communities. Applications are currently closed; a next round has not been announced.