Small Business Grants in Montana
The funding programmes below are administered mainly by the Montana Department of Commerce. Some of it is not free money.
Which Montana grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 12 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
Montana Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Montana small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant
Montana Department of Commerce, Office of Indian Country Economic Development
Up to $40,000 per business
Deadline Sep 30, 2026Grants for startup or expanding Native American businesses in Montana. Awards run up to $40,000 per business and you must match the award dollar for dollar in cash or in kind, documented in the application. A total of $320,000 is available for the year. Applicants must be enrolled members of one of Montana's eight federally recognized tribes and must show a Certified Indian Blood Form or Tribal ID.
Status check, The official Montana Department of Commerce page listed the 2025 application window as Aug 18 through Oct 31, 2025. No 2026 application window has been announced. The program appears ongoing annually but is not currently accepting applications.
Last verified, Aug 6, 2026
Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program
Montana Department of Commerce
Up to $30,000 per phase
RollingProvides state matching grants to technology-based Montana companies that have received federal SBIR or STTR awards. Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come first-served basis.
Status check, Page states applications can be submitted at any time. Grants of up to $30,000 per phase are available on a yearly basis. Rolling deadline confirmed.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
CDBG Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Program
Montana Department of Commerce
Up to $25,000 per job created
RollingStimulates economic development through grants and fixed-rate business financing to local governments for job creation and retention. At least 51% of jobs must benefit low-to-moderate income workers.
Status check, Page states CDBG-ED applications are accepted on an open-cycle basis. Rolling applications with no specific deadline mentioned.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Program
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Varies by employee count
RollingA reimbursement-based program that helps Montana businesses cover costs of training existing employees. Businesses must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State's Office and provide matching funds.
Status check, Grant funding is open for Fiscal Year 2027 for training beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to training start date. Rolling quarterly funding until exhausted.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF)
Montana Department of Commerce
$5,000–$7,500 per job created
ClosedProvides grants to local and tribal governments on behalf of basic sector businesses for job creation and economic development planning. Reimbursement rates are up to $7,500 per job in high-poverty counties or $5,000 in non-high-poverty counties.
Status check, Commerce is not accepting applications at this time. Program guidelines are available but no current deadline is posted.
Last verified, Aug 6, 2026
Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant (WTG)
Montana Department of Commerce
Varies by project
Deadline Mar 17, 2021Provides grant funds to primary sector businesses for training full-time and part-time workers in net new jobs. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis or until all funds have been obligated.
Status check, The page shows a specific past opportunity (FY 21-04) with application deadline of March 17, 2021. This is an archived grant round, not the current rolling program.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Planning Grant
Montana Department of Commerce
$1,990–$30,000
Deadline Dec 7, 2025Supports businesses and nonprofits in completing planning and feasibility projects such as energy audits, site studies, and pilot programs to accelerate economic development in rural Montana.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Native American Business Advisor (NABA) Grant
Montana Department of Commerce, Office of Indian Country Economic Development
Up to $20,000 per tribal area
Deadline Jul 31, 2026Funds Native organizations that provide business counseling, credit counseling, and application support to Native American businesses in Montana. Up to eight tribal nation areas can receive funding annually.
Status check, Grant application period is open from July 1 through July 31, 2026. Up to $20,000 per year available to fund up to eight NABA applications in each tribal nation area.
Last verified, Aug 6, 2026
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Status check, This is a loan program, not a grant. The 7(a) Loan Program provides loan guarantees to lenders for small business loans up to $5 million. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through participating SBA lenders.
Learn moreLast verified, Aug 3, 2026
SBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sba.gov. Rates run 8 to 13 percent. The longest term allowed is seven years. Your lender sets both, not the SBA, so two owners can be quoted very different deals. There is no deadline. You apply through an SBA approved lender in your area.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
SBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sbir.gov. Two different figures get quoted for this program and both are real. As of April 2026 an agency may award up to $323,090 at Phase I and up to $2,153,927 at Phase II without SBA approval, and anything above that needs a waiver. Those are ceilings, not typical awards. Each agency sets its own amounts in its own solicitation, and the sbir.gov agency table currently runs from $50,000 to $300,000 at Phase I and $400,000 to $1.83 million at Phase II. There is no single deadline. You apply through a participating agency.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Status check, The business centers still run. The grants are a different story. Those windows are short, and they fund groups rather than single businesses. The last one we could find closed in February 2025. We found no open MBDA grant that a small business can apply for today.
View program pageLast verified, Jul 29, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Montana grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Montana grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Montana.
Rural Business Grants
Montana's largely rural landscape means many businesses qualify for rural-focused programs. The CDBG-ED and ORE Planning Grant specifically target rural communities and economic development projects outside the state's three largest cities.
- ›CDBG-ED Program
- ›Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Planning Grant
Minority-owned Business Grants
Montana's Office of Indian Country Economic Development administers multiple grant programs exclusively for enrolled members of Montana's eight federally recognized tribes. The Indian Equity Fund provides up to $14,000 for startup or expanding Native American businesses.
- ›Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant
- ›Native American Business Advisor Grant
- ›Office of Indian Country Economic Development
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Technology-based Montana companies that have received federal SBIR or STTR awards can access state matching grants of up to $30,000 per phase. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal.
- ›Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program
- ›Montana Department of Commerce
Tips for Applying in Montana
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Submit applications through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal at funding.mt.gov. You will need to register with OKTA to access the portal.
- 2For CDBG-ED and Big Sky Trust Fund programs, work with your local government or a Certified Regional Development Corporation (CRDC), as these entities must submit applications on your behalf.
- 3Emphasize job creation and retention metrics in your application, particularly for low-to-moderate income workers earning less than 80% of area median income, since award amounts are often tied to the number of jobs created.
- 4Prepare a Preliminary Architectural Report (PER) or financial feasibility documentation before applying for CDBG-ED funds. If your application is unsuccessful, request a meeting with Commerce staff to identify areas for improvement.
- 5Contact the Montana Department of Commerce at 406-841-2700 or visit your nearest SBDC regional center for free one-on-one advising on grant readiness and application preparation.
State Economic Development Agency
Montana Department of Commerce
Delivers programs and resources through technical assistance, funding, training, consulting, and outreach to promote sustainable business growth and community vitality across Montana.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Montana can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Montana offers several true grants that do not require repayment. The Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant provides up to $14,000 for Native American-owned businesses. The Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program offers up to $30,000 in matching grants for technology companies with federal SBIR/STTR awards. Additionally, the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund provides grant funding for job creation projects through local governments.
The CDBG Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Program is one of the most widely used funding sources for Montana small businesses. Administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, it provides grants and low-interest financing to local governments on behalf of businesses that create jobs for low-to-moderate income workers. The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund is another frequently accessed program, supporting job creation and economic planning across the state.
Most Montana grant programs do not require minority or women-owned business certification. However, the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant specifically requires applicants to be enrolled members of one of Montana's eight federally recognized tribes, with documentation of tribal enrollment in the form of a Certified Indian Blood Form or Tribal ID. For broader programs like CDBG-ED or the Workforce Training Grant, eligibility is based on job creation, sector, and community impact rather than ownership demographics.
Processing times vary by program. Programs like CDBG-ED and the Big Sky Trust Fund operate on open or rolling cycles, meaning applications are reviewed as they come in. Many programs are reimbursement-based, so funding is disbursed after expenses are documented. For planning and feasibility grants like the ORE Planning Grant, competitive review periods apply. Contact the Montana Department of Commerce at 406-841-2700 for specific timelines on the program you are applying for.
About the Author
Senior Finance & Banking Editor
Richard is the veteran anchor of the site's financial content. Raised in the Midwest and starting his career in Chicago's commercial banking sector, he spent over a decade underwriting small business loans before moving into financial journalism. He doesn't get swept up in startup hype; he cares about unit economics, APYs, and fee structures.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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