Grants for Salon and Beauty Businesses: 2025 Funding Guide
Salon and beauty businesses have growing grant options in 2025, from private foundation programs to state economic development grants to corporate diversity initiatives. The beauty industry has seen an increase in corporate-backed grant programs targeting minority, women-owned, and community-based salon businesses. This guide covers the most relevant programs.
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Grant Programs for Salon and Beauty Businesses
| Program | Amount | Eligibility | Source | |---|---|---|---| | Ulta Beauty Diversity and Inclusion Fund | Varies | Minority-owned beauty businesses | ulta.com/company/social-responsibility | | Comcast RISE | $10,000 + resources | Minority/women salon businesses | comcastrise.com | | Hello Alice Business Grant | $10,000–$25,000 | Small beauty businesses | helloalice.com | | Amber Grant | $10,000/month | Women-owned salons and beauty businesses | ambergrantsforwomen.com | | State small business grants | $5K–$100K | Licensed beauty businesses | State economic development | | SBA Microloan | Up to $50,000 | Salon startups and small businesses | sba.gov | | CDFI salon grants | Varies | Underserved community beauty businesses | cdfifund.gov | | Local economic development grants | $2K–$50K | Businesses in revitalization districts | City/county economic dev offices | | NMSDC corporate programs | Varies | MBE-certified beauty businesses | nmsdc.org | | IFundWomen grants | $10K–$25K | Women-owned beauty businesses | ifundwomen.com |
Private and Corporate Grants for Beauty Businesses
The beauty industry has seen growth in private grant programs, particularly those targeting minority and women-owned salons.
Ulta Beauty Foundation: Ulta Beauty has established programs supporting diverse-owned beauty businesses. Programs vary annually—check ulta.com for current initiatives. Ulta's corporate social responsibility program prioritizes minority and women-owned beauty entrepreneurs.
Professional Beauty Association (PBA): The PBA (probeauty.org) administers scholarship and grant programs for licensed cosmetology professionals and beauty business owners. Membership in the PBA opens access to these programs.
L'Oreal USA: L'Oreal has operated grant programs for professional salon owners, particularly through their professional products division. Check loreal.com/en/usa for current programs.
National Association of Beauty Professionals: Industry associations often administer grants for member businesses. Contact your state cosmetology association and national associations like the PBA, American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), and Salon Association for current member grant programs.
Booth rental to suite transition grants: Some state and local economic development programs specifically support salon professionals transitioning from booth rental to salon ownership. Contact your local SBDC about programs available in your area.
SBA Resources and State Programs for Beauty Businesses
State economic development agencies and SBA programs provide the most accessible public funding for salon and beauty businesses.
SBA Microloan Program: Up to $50,000 with terms up to 6 years. Administered through CDFI lenders with flexible qualification standards. Ideal for salon startups and small expansion projects. Find a Microloan lender at sba.gov/microloan.
Women's Business Centers: WBC advisors specialize in women-owned businesses including salons and beauty businesses. WBCs can identify state women's business grants currently accepting applications and help with application preparation. Find your WBC at sba.gov/wbc.
State programs targeting salons: - Downtown revitalization grants (if your salon is in a designated district) - Small business equipment grants for businesses creating jobs - Workforce training grants for cosmetology training programs - Minority business grants for minority-owned salons
CDFI lenders for beauty businesses: CDFIs often serve beauty and personal service businesses that don't qualify for conventional bank loans. Many CDFIs offer below-market loans with grant components for underserved business owners. Find CDFIs in your area at cdfifund.gov.
Building a Grant Strategy for Your Beauty Business
Beauty businesses succeed with grants by targeting multiple smaller programs rather than one large program.
Recommended grant strategy for salon owners: 1. Get certified: WOSB (women-owned), MBE (minority-owned), or SDVOSB (veteran-owned) certification opens multiple program doors 2. Apply to accessible programs first: Amber Grant (monthly), Hello Alice, Comcast RISE 3. Engage your SBDC: Find local and state programs you would not discover independently 4. Pursue downtown programs if applicable: If in a Main Street or revitalization district 5. Join industry associations: PBA, state cosmetology association membership opens grant programs
Documenting community impact: Salon and beauty businesses have strong community impact stories—employees hired from the local community, training provided to new cosmetologists, services to underserved clients. Document this impact with numbers and stories. Funders are drawn to businesses that demonstrate genuine community investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there grants specifically for opening a new salon?
SBA Microloans (up to $50,000), CDFI startup loans with grant components, and state small business startup grants are the most relevant options. Some states have specific programs for women-owned or minority-owned business startups. Contact your local SBDC (americassbdc.org) for state startup grant programs in your area.
Can a booth renter (independent contractor) apply for salon grants?
Most business grants require you to have a formal business entity (LLC, sole proprietorship). Booth renters can qualify as sole proprietors. However, many grants require minimum revenue or operational history. Check each program's eligibility carefully. SBA Microloans are available to sole proprietors.
What grants target Black-owned salons specifically?
Comcast RISE specifically serves Black and minority-owned businesses. The MBDA Business Center network serves Black beauty entrepreneurs. Ulta's diversity programs and NMSDC corporate supplier programs are relevant. Many community foundations have grants for Black-owned small businesses. MBE certification through NMSDC opens the widest range of these programs.
How long does it take to receive a salon business grant?
Private grants (Hello Alice, Amber Grant) typically take 1–3 months from application to award. State small business grants take 2–5 months. SBA Microloan applications process in 30–60 days. Plan your funding timeline accordingly—do not count on grant funds for urgent capital needs.
Can a salon use grant funds for renovation?
Many state economic development grants and downtown revitalization programs specifically fund commercial renovation. Some private grants allow capital expenses including buildout. SBA loans can fund renovation. Read each grant's eligible use requirements carefully—some restrict funds to equipment or operating costs rather than construction.
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