Small Business Grants for New Hampshire Business Owners
Live Free Business Alliance is launching its first Small Business Grant Program in 2027 with a goal of providing three $500 grants to eligible New Hampshire businesses.
Three $500 Small Business Grants
- Applications OpenJanuary 1, 2027
- Applications CloseMarch 31, 2027
- Awards PresentedApril Connect Live
The Three 2027 Grants
Each category has a goal of one $500 award.
Technology & Equipment Grant
For approved technology, equipment, software, tools, cybersecurity, accessibility, and other essential business needs.
Startup Grant
For approved expenses that help newly established New Hampshire businesses build a strong foundation.
Your business must already be legally registered in New Hampshire and have a valid EIN before applying.
Marketing Grant
For approved marketing expenses that improve the visibility and communication of an eligible New Hampshire business.
The 2027 Grant Cycle at a Glance
First grant cycle begins January 1, 2027.
- 1January 1, 2027Applications Open
- 2March 31, 2027Applications Close
- 3April 2027Eligibility Review, Scoring, Conflict Review, Verification & Board Selection
- 4April Connect LiveGrant Recipients Recognized and Awards Presented
First grant cycle begins January 1, 2027. All award decisions and payment amounts remain subject to final funding availability and completion of Live Free Business Alliance's year-end financial close.
Our 2027 Grant Goal
For the first Live Free Business Alliance Small Business Grant Program, our goal is to award $1,500 directly to New Hampshire small businesses. We are working toward funding three $500 grants.
Our goal for the inaugural 2027 grant cycle is to award three $500 grants, for a total of $1,500. Final grant availability and award amounts remain subject to available funds and approval by the Live Free Business Alliance Board of Directors.
Each annual grant pool is established based on unrestricted funds available after Live Free Business Alliance completes the financial close for the preceding year. For the 2027 grant cycle, the organization will review its financial position after closing the 2026 fiscal year. Before designating funds for grants, Live Free Business Alliance will account for outstanding obligations, operating expenses, appropriate reserves, organizational needs, and approved commitments. The Board of Directors will then determine the amount, if any, available for the 2027 Small Business Grant Program. The number and size of grant awards will depend on the final amount approved for the grant pool.
Who Can Apply
Businesses must be registered in New Hampshire and have a valid EIN before submitting a grant application.
To apply, a business must:
- Own an eligible business legally registered to do business in the State of New Hampshire
- Have a valid Employer Identification Number, EIN, issued by the IRS
- Provide the legal business name associated with the registration
- Provide New Hampshire business registration information
- Provide accurate business and contact information
- Identify the grant category being requested
- Describe the specific business need for which funding is requested
- Provide a proposed budget or estimated cost
- Explain how the requested grant would support the business
- Agree to use awarded funds only for the approved purpose
- Provide invoices, receipts, vendor information, or other supporting documentation when required
- Agree to complete required grant follow-up or reporting
- Meet all conflict-of-interest and program eligibility requirements
Apply for a Small Business Grant
2027 Applications Open January 1
Live Free Business Alliance will begin accepting applications for its first Small Business Grant Program on January 1, 2027.
How Recipients Are Selected
Applications are reviewed after the March 31 deadline. Grants are competitive and not guaranteed.
- Step 1
Eligibility Review
- Step 2
Application Scoring
- Step 3
Conflict-of-Interest Review
- Step 4
Verification
- Step 5
Board Approval
- Step 6
Grant Agreement
- Step 7
Awards Presented at April Connect Live
Eligibility Review
Applications are reviewed to confirm that required information has been submitted and that the applicant meets program eligibility requirements.
Application Scoring
Eligible applications are reviewed using the approved scoring rubric.
Conflict Review
Reviewers disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves where necessary.
Grant Recommendations
Qualified applications are ranked or recommended based on scoring, available funds, grant category, and charitable program objectives.
Board Approval
The Board of Directors reviews and approves final grant recipients after applications close. Any Board member with a conflict involving an applicant must recuse themselves.
Final Funding Confirmation
Awards remain contingent on completion of the organization's year-end financial close and confirmation of the final annual grant pool.
Distribution
Approved grant awards are presented at the April Connect Live event, after all eligibility verification, Board approval, and Grant Agreement requirements have been completed.
Approved Scoring Rubric
Eligible applications are scored against the approved rubric.
- Demonstrated Business Need25%
- Clear and Eligible Use of Funds25%
- Expected Business Impact20%
- Readiness to Use the Grant15%
- Benefit to the NH Business or Community Ecosystem15%
- Total100%
Fair and Independent Review
To keep the program fair, certain individuals and their businesses are not eligible, and conflicted reviewers must recuse themselves.
Not eligible to apply
- Current members of the Board of Directors
- Officers
- Key employees
- Members of the grant selection or review committee
- Immediate family members of any of the above
- Businesses owned, controlled, or substantially financially benefited by an ineligible individual
Immediate family members include
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parents
- Children
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
- Spouses or domestic partners of those family members
Conflicted reviewers and Board members must recuse themselves from reviewing or approving any application involving a relationship described above.
Funds Must Be Used Only for the Approved Purpose
Selected recipients must sign a Grant Agreement before funds are distributed. Grant funds must be used only for the purpose approved by Live Free Business Alliance.
Grant Agreement commitments
- to use the grant only for the purpose approved by Live Free Business Alliance
- not to redirect the money to another use without written approval
- to provide receipts, invoices, proof of purchase, or other documentation when required
- to maintain records showing how grant funds were used
- to provide follow-up information or a grant report when requested
- to return unused funds when required
- to repay funds that are knowingly used for an unauthorized purpose
- to notify Live Free Business Alliance if the approved project or purchase cannot be completed
- that receipt of a grant does not create an employment, partnership, endorsement, or investment relationship with Live Free Business Alliance
Documentation that may be required
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Contracts
- Proof of payment
- Vendor information
- Photographs of purchased equipment where appropriate
- Proof that the approved service was delivered
- A short follow-up report
Ineligible uses
- Personal expenses
- Owner draws or distributions
- Unrelated personal purchases
- Repayment of personal debt
- Fines or penalties
- Political campaign activity
- Lobbying
- Illegal activity
- Gift cards or cash equivalents
- Expenses unrelated to the approved grant purpose
- Purchases for a Board member, officer, employee, committee member, or an ineligible family member
- Another purpose substituted after approval without written authorization
Unauthorized use may result in repayment requirements or future program ineligibility.
Recipients Recognized at the April Connect Live Event
Recipients of the inaugural Live Free Business Alliance Small Business Grants will be recognized at our April Connect Live event. The event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the selected New Hampshire small businesses and recognize the community support that helps make the grant program possible. Selected recipients will receive additional information about the April Connect Live event after award decisions are finalized.
Approved grant awards will be presented at the April Connect Live event. Payment will be issued at or in connection with the award presentation after all eligibility verification, Board approval, and Grant Agreement requirements have been completed.
Help Us Reach Our $1,500 Goal
Our goal is to fund three $500 small business grants in 2027. Your support helps make that possible.
Donations support the overall grant program and do not give donors control over recipient selection. Grant recipients must be selected through the established eligibility, review, scoring, conflict-of-interest, and Board approval process.
Live Free Business Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 42-3247737.
Grant Program FAQs
Businesses that are legally registered to do business in New Hampshire, have a valid EIN, submit a complete application, identify a specific eligible use, meet conflict-of-interest requirements, agree to required verification, and sign a Grant Agreement if selected. See the Full Grant Program Rules below for complete details.
Applications for the inaugural 2027 Small Business Grant Program open January 1, 2027 and close March 31, 2027.
Three grant categories: Technology & Equipment, Startup, and Marketing. Our goal is to award one $500 grant in each category, for a total 2027 goal of $1,500.
Yes. Your business must be legally registered to do business in New Hampshire before you submit an application.
Yes. A valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS is required. A Social Security Number is not accepted as a substitute.
Grant funds must be used only for the specific purpose approved by Live Free Business Alliance. See the 'What Can Grant Funds Be Used For?' section above for examples, and the Full Grant Program Rules below for ineligible uses.
Applications are reviewed for eligibility, scored against the approved rubric, checked for conflicts, verified, and approved by the Board of Directors. Grants are competitive and not guaranteed. See 'How Recipients Are Selected' above for the full process.
Selected recipients are recognized and awards are presented at the April 2027 Connect Live event, after all eligibility verification, Board approval, and Grant Agreement requirements are completed.
