Small Business Support for Wake County Businesses
Last Updated: 1/8/2026
Grants
Building Up-fit Grant
The City of Raleigh’s Building Up-fit Grant encourages growth and development by assisting property owners who want to activate their vacant or underutilized commercial building space in Raleigh to create new business use or new jobs.
For more information and to ensure that you are eligible for the program, view:
Program brochure
Up-fit Grant FAQ
This matching reimbursement program helps small business owners invest in property improvements, by matching up to 50 percent of the qualified construction costs.
Residential properties and properties outside of Raleigh are not eligible. Franchises are not eligible. Exterior projects are also not eligible for the grant. Learn More
Q1 Open Date: June 26, 2025
Q1 Close Date: July 20, 2025
Q1 Award Notification Date: August 8, 2025
Q2 Open Date: September 18, 2025
Q2 Close Date: October 12, 2025
Q2 Award Notification Date: October 31, 2025
Q3 Open Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Q3 Close Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Q3 Award Notification Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Q4 Open Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
Q4 Close Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Q4 Award Notification Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Breva Thrive Grand (Formerly Cadence Cash Grant and Equal Access Fund)
Breva (formerly known as Cadence Cash) is a grant geared toward community-driven and impactful entrepreneurs or small businesses. Every quarter, Breva awards a $5,000 grant to an entrepreneur who is having a positive impact in an underrepresented community. Your business must have a demonstrated impact on its community, such as creating new jobs, innovating new products, or making products and services more accessible. Learn More
Q1 Application Open: January 1 | Application Close: January 31
Q1 Award Recipient Notified: March 15 | Grant Program Begins: March 31
Q2 Application Open: April 1 | Application Close: April 30
Q2 Award Recipient Notified: June 15 | Grant Program Begins: June 30
Q3 Application Open: July 1 | Application Close: July 31
Q3 Award Recipient Notified: September 15 | Grant Program Begins: September 30
Q4 Application Open: October 1 | Application Close: October 31
Q4 Award Recipient Notified: December 15 | Grant Program Begins: December 31
Thrive Grant Application
Thrive Grant Official Rules
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund
This fund awarded to organization who will compete in two stages for $50,000 to $200,000 in prizes. The competition is geared toward businesses who contribute to National and Economic Security, Domestic Manufacturing and Production, Sustainability, and Biotechnology. Learn More
Application Opens: 2026 Date TBD
Application Closes: 2026 Date TBD
Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program
This program offers a competitive training grant program that provides eligible employers with monetary awards for upgrading the skills and knowledge of their existing workers. Businesses can receive up to $25,000 per program year. Learn More
Application Opens: Rolling
Application Closes: Rolling
DRA Storefront Upfit Grant
Raleigh Civic Ventures (RCV) offers this grant program to incentivize and attract new retail, restaurant, and service businesses, aid in the expansion of existing retail businesses, direct support to strategic areas, accommodate pop-up uses that may convert to long-term tenants, better support minority and women-owned businesses, and drive a strong storefront economy in Downtown Raleigh. The program is specifically intended to help new storefront businesses and expanding retail businesses with upfit and one-time standup expenses.
This funding opportunity offers reimbursement grants of up to $15,000, depending on location and business use. To support equitable growth for all in the downtown area, a diverse business funding booster of $2,500 is available for businesses with 50%-or-more ownership by individuals who identify as:
Minority
Women
LGBTQ+
Veteran
A person with a disability
Grant applications will be processed upon receipt and reviewed for approval by an external review committee on at least a quarterly basis. Application submission deadlines and tentative committee review calendar are listed below. Final approval and grant agreement will be issued by RCV. Funding provided by the Duke Energy Foundation in support of the Storefront Upfit Grant program. Check to see if you qualify.
Application Opens: Rolling
Application Closes: Rolling
