Small Business Funding - PA Business One-Stop Shop

Complete Your Business Plan

• Essential before applying for funding.
• Includes:
  • Financial projections
  • Cash flow and industry analysis
  • Competitor and market conditions research
• Resources:
  • Business plan template: Writing a Business Plan
  • Assistance: Small Business Development Center

Find Small Business Funding

• Available at federal, state, county, and local levels.
• Resources:
  • Small business funding guide

State Funding

• PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
  • Programs listed on DCED Programs and Funding webpage
  • Review PDF guidelines for each program.

Regional Funding

• Certified Economic Development Organizations (CEDO)

  • Regional lenders partnering with the state.
  • Find your CEDO: CEDO webpage

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)

  • Provide financing and assistance in all 67 counties.
  • First statewide collaboration for economic prosperity.
  • Find CDFIs: Small Business Credit Initiative webpage

• The Merchants Fund (TMF)

  • Supports small businesses in Philadelphia.
  • Provides stabilization and emergency grants.
  • Offers business coaching services.
  • More info: The Merchants Fund

County and Local Funding

• Contact county and municipal offices for economic development initiatives.
• Most counties have economic development offices.

Federal Funding

• SBA-Backed Funding
  • SBA provides loan guarantees.
  • Use SBA Lender Match tool to find lenders.

Other Funding

• Grants

  • Typically for specific industries/projects, e.g., health, science, clean energy.
  • Highly competitive.
  • Resources:
    • PA Grants
    • PA Department of Environmental Protection
    • Grants.gov
    • Federal Small Business Administration
    • Pennsylvania First Program
    • PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

• Small Diverse Business Resources

  • Opportunities for minority, woman, veteran, disabled, and LGBT+-owned businesses.
  • Resources:
    • Small Diverse Business Capital Access Program
    • Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority
    • Business Opportunities Fund