If you’re an Idaho entrepreneur, you know that funding is one of the essential ingredients for starting a new business. However, traditional funding methods can be time-consuming and cost-prohibitive, especially when you factor in elements like interest rates and down payments. Fortunately, you can apply for multiple state and federal grants to get the capital you need to thrive without the adverse side effects of a loan.
With the right planning and preparation, you can apply for various small business grants throughout the state. To help you get a leg up on the competition, we’ve compiled a list of the top grants available for Idaho entrepreneurs and how to apply. Whether you’re a fresh startup looking to get off the ground or an established business trying to expand, here’s everything you need to know about small business grants for 2025 in Idaho.
A small business grant works much differently than other traditional funding sources. Unlike a loan, you don’t have to repay grant money. As long as you follow the parameters of the grant’s requirements, you can spend the funds freely. Also, unlike capital investment, you don’t dilute your ownership of your company by sharing it with investors or cosigners.
Typically, small business grants are designed for a specific project or objective. For example, in Idaho, you can secure a grant to expand broadband internet access to remote and underserved areas of the state. The grant aims to pay for infrastructure to ensure that every Idaho resident has access to high-speed internet, regardless of economic status or location.
In Idaho, most grant money is used for infrastructure development and maintenance. For example, the Community Development Block Grant can help small cities expand infrastructure to attract more residents and businesses to the area. However, there are a few small business grants you can apply for, depending on your industry and business model.
With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, states were awarded funding to increase broadband internet in underserved areas of the country. Idaho received over $580 million for this program, and it works with local businesses to build the necessary infrastructure and network to increase broadband access.
So, if your business is based in an underserved area of Idaho and you specialize in internet access, you may be able to secure grant money to pay for equipment and labor. However, if you’re in a more well-populated area, you likely won’t be able to apply for this grant.
Overall, this grant has a very narrow scope, so most businesses won’t be able to apply. However, if you fit within the grant’s parameters and are excited about expanding broadband access, you can likely get approved.
Technically, the STEP program is a national grant provided by the Small Business Administration. However, each state has its own agency that acts as a liaison between the SBA and local businesses. In Idaho, the Department of Commerce is in charge of handling applications and awarding grant money.
The purpose of this grant is to empower local American businesses to be more competitive when shipping products to international markets. Funds from this grant can be used for various projects, such as traveling to foreign countries to establish trade deals, marketing goods for international audiences, and upgrading e-commerce services to reach consumers in other nations.
The Idaho Commerce Department breaks STEP funds into four categories. First, you can get money to increase your online presence in other countries (including country-specific content and products). Second, you can secure general funds to improve your international trading ability. Third, you can participate in state-sponsored trade shows, meaning you’ll act as part of a network of local Idaho businesses. Finally, you can go on state-led trade missions to establish trade relationships alongside other Idaho entrepreneurs.
Because of how this grant is structured, focus your attention on a single project. Having a narrower focus lets you showcase your company’s capabilities and illustrate why you’ll help Idaho become more competitive internationally.
Idaho is known for having some of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the country. The state accumulates funds from the sale of Idaho Wild Rivers specialty license plates. Then, it disperses these funds as grant opportunities for businesses to promote whitewater rafting tourism in the state.
This grant is ideal for any company that offers whitewater rafting tours or boat rentals. Because tourism is essential for your bottom line, you can leverage these funds to market your services to travelers both in and out of state. These grant funds can also be used to help upgrade infrastructure used on these rivers or to assist with cleanup projects to keep the rivers as pristine as possible.
Because tourism is a big part of Idaho’s economy, you need to illustrate how your company can promote the state’s wild rivers. The better your sales pitch to tourists, the more likely you can secure funds. Again, your business should be directly related to whitewater rafting or something similar to ensure you get approved.
The Idaho Workforce Development Council is a state-sponsored agency that uses state, federal, and private funds to help with Idaho’s economic development. This agency offers multiple grant programs to help small businesses strengthen their bottom lines and improve job creation within the state.
First, there’s the Industry Sector Grant. This grant is designed to help businesses with training programs to fill in gaps among Idaho’s workforce. For example, if your business operates in a specialty industry, you may be able to secure funds to expand your training program and create more skilled workers for both your organization and other Idaho businesses.
Next, there’s the Employer Grant. This grant aims to help small businesses expand their workforce by paying for training programs and additional infrastructure elements to help them create more high-paying jobs.
The primary objective of the Idaho Workforce Development Council is to increase the skills and earnings of Idaho workers. The more you can showcase how your business is aligned with that goal, the easier it will be to secure funding. These grants are offered on a non-competitive, rolling basis, so you can apply once you have all your details organized.
Various federal agencies offer grant money to businesses across the United States. The best way to determine whether your company qualifies for a federal grant is to check out the full list of opportunities on Grants.gov. This way, you can browse grants and requirements based on industry, agency, and other defining factors.
That said, there are two nationwide grant options that can work for many different small businesses and startups. Here’s a breakdown of how each grant works.
Innovative technology can help transform the economic and industrial landscape of the country, so the Small Business Administration (in partnership with the American Seed Fund), have created the SBIR Grant. This grant aims to help small companies fund technological developments and bring those innovations to market.
However, while the SBIR Grant is overseen by the SBA and ASF, funding actually comes from various federal agencies. You can browse a list of participating agencies and their grant requests. For example, the USDA offers grants for technology that can help with forest management or farming practices.
The best way to get approved for an SBIR grant is to work with local resources. The Lab to Market (L2M) Hub allows you to connect with nearby administrators who can help you work on your application and find grant opportunities. Also, government agencies tend to favor big innovations with significant impacts. So, the bolder your tech idea, the more likely you’ll get funding.
The STTR Grant is a separate but similar funding opportunity to the SBIR Grant. However, in this case, rather than develop and market your own technology, you must partner with a nonprofit research institute (i.e., a college lab). This partnership can work in two ways. First, the research facility must be developing technology and needs a for-profit business to bring the new tech to market. Alternatively, you can leverage the research facility to bring your own tech ideas to life. Basically, you’re outsourcing a proprietary R&D department.
Partnering with a research institute (RI) is essential for this grant, so that should be your first priority. Look at nonprofit RIs that are already working on technology that can help your business. This way, you can get the ball rolling that much sooner.
While state and federal agencies are often valuable sources of grant funding, they can be slow and complicated. Fortunately, many enterprise-level companies in the United States also offer grant programs, although the funding amounts are generally lower than what you can get from the government. Here are some of the top private grant opportunities for Kansas businesses in 2025.
FedEx offers traditional small business grants, but this Boost Camp Program takes it a step further. Yes, you can qualify to receive up to $10,000 in grant money, but you must also go through a 12-week accelerator course. This course is designed to help your business grow and thrive, so it’s a valuable experience even if you don’t wind up with grant money by the end.
Verizon has committed to helping one million small businesses by 2030, using the Small Business Fund to supply grants and other business tools. To qualify for a $10,000 grant, you must go through two grant-eligible programs or events before applying. These programs are also aimed at helping you overcome challenges within your business, so they’ll help set you on a path to success if or when you receive the grant money.
SecretSOS is a company that helps small businesses through learning programs, coaching, and consultations. The brand also supplies $2,500 grants to small businesses with no restrictions on how they can use the money. However, if you really want to stand out from the rest of the applicants, you should have a bold strategy for how the money will help you accelerate your brand.
Securing small business grants in Idaho doesn’t have to be a challenging process. With the right mindset and business goals, you should be able to receive funding from one or more organizations and agencies. Plus, the added benefit of applying for grants and business funding is that it enables you to network with investors and other entrepreneurs. This way, even if you don’t receive direct funding through a grant, you can still build strong relationships that can help your company thrive.
This portion of our website is for informational or educational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and the information on this website does not constitute legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos on this page.
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