You know better than anyone that running a small business is challenging. The great news is that you don’t need to do it alone: there’s a wide range of small business support organizations available to help you strengthen and grow your business! They offer various services, most of which are free or low-cost.
You’ll find staff and volunteers with expertise in business coaching and mentoring, financial management, marketing, and more within each organization. No matter what stage your business is in, you’ll find assistance, from pre-launch planning through expansion.
In this overview, you’ll learn what small business support organizations are available throughout the U.S., along with tips on where to look for additional help specific to your small business or industry.
Find small business support organizations near you
Small business support organizations throughout the U.S.
Numerous small business support services have local and regional offices throughout the country. If you need assistance, you’ve got options! And, if you don’t find exactly what you need at one organization, you can easily try another. These organizations are here for you, and you can access any and all that you need.
The most well-known small business support organization is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – the federal agency that supports small businesses through affordable financing and educational resources. State and local government agencies also offer support through funding and programming, and corporate, foundation, and individual donors often make these programs possible.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SBDCs are a national network that provides free counseling and advisement for small businesses. SBDC staff and volunteers can help you find lenders, strengthen your business plan and financial-management skills, provide insight into human resources challenges, and much more. You’ll often find them on college campuses in your community or region.
SCORE
The national network of SCORE volunteers provide free mentoring and coaching services for small businesses, from one-time meetings to ongoing advisement. Their services can be accessed online and through local offices.
Minority and/or Women’s Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
Business centers that focus on targeted assistance for minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and/or women entrepreneurs provide the same types of services as SBDCs and often have additional resources available.
Certification is not required for many support services, although specific programs, contracting opportunities, grants, and certifications may have their own eligibility requirements.
Chambers of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce are found in communities across the U.S. They help businesses of all sizes build professional and industry networks and often offer a variety of low-cost resources. Many Chambers of Commerce advocate for local business interests and provide networking, educational programs, and member resources. Some chambers also offer member-only benefits, discounts, and other business services.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)
CDFIs are mission-driven financial institutions that provide financing and other financial services to underserved communities. Depending on the organization and program, they may offer small business loans, financial education, technical assistance, and connections to local resources.
Additional small business support organizations that may be available in your area
If you need help with specific challenges related to your industry, you may need to look for additional services. It can take a bit of time to research where they are, but once you find the help you need, the assistance will be invaluable. Here are some ideas:
Research and development assistance
Some colleges and universities have research and development or manufacturing programs that can provide free or low-cost assistance with issues related to manufacturing. This includes the development of product prototypes or locating industry-specific suppliers or equipment. An example is OriginLab at Penn State University. With some research, you may find similar services in your area.
Scaling challenges
In addition to research and development, some colleges and universities offer help with industry-specific challenges like how to scale up food or beverage production, safety or nutrition information, and labeling requirements. For example, the Food Venture Center at Cornell University provides entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industries with a range of services and information.
Support for import/export challenges
While many SBDC, SCORE staff, and volunteers have knowledge about imports/exports, if you have specific questions, look to your state or local economic development agencies. Even other businesses in your field can be a great resource – some industries treat competitors as colleagues, recognizing that an industry’s strength depends on having many thriving small businesses within it.
Find Help Near You
You can find small business support organizations for your business. Here are just some of the many organizations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, and Delaware.
New York
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)
- The Women’s Business Center at Canisius University (Buffalo)
- BOC Women Business Center (Brooklyn/NYC)
- Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) (Westchester/Hudson Valley)
- Center for Women & Enterprise (serves parts of NY virtually)
Minority Business Support
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center – New York
- Empire State Development Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development
- New York City Department of Small Business Services (NYC businesses)
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- VetBizNYC map (NYC)
Chambers of Commerce
- New York State Chamber of Commerce directory
New Jersey
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers
- New Jersey Women’s Business Center
- UCEDC Women’s Business Center
- Rising Tide Capital
Minority Business Support
- New Jersey Business Action Center
- New Jersey African American Chamber of Commerce
- African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
- Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
- Boots to Business
- Boots to Business Reboot
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- Military Spouse Entrepreneur Program
- New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Chambers of Commerce
- New Jersey Chamber of Commerce directory
Pennsylvania
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers
- Women’s Business Center at Chatham University
- Women’s Business Center of Northeast Pennsylvania
Minority Business Support
- Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
- African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
- Boots to Business
- Boots to Business Reboot
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- Military Spouse Entrepreneur Program
- Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Chambers of Commerce
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce directory
Connecticut
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers
- Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)
Minority Business Support
- Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
- Minority Construction Council
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
- Boots to Business
- Boots to Business Reboot
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- Military Spouse Entrepreneur Program
- Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
Chambers of Commerce
- Connecticut Chamber of Commerce directory
Illinois
Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers
- Women’s Business Development Center (Chicago)
- Women’s Business Development Center of Central Illinois
Minority Business Support
- Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Veteran Businesses Outreach Centers
- Boots to Business
- Boots to Business Reboot
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- Military Spouse Entrepreneur Program
- Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Chambers of Commerce
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce directory
Delaware
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SCORE
Women’s Business Centers
- Women’s Business Center at True Access Capital
Minority Business Support
- Delaware Division of Small Business
- Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Delaware
- African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
Veteran Businesses Outreach Centers
- Boots to Business
- Boots to Business Reboot
- Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
- Military Spouse Entrepreneur Program
- Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
Chambers of Commerce
- Delaware State Chamber of Commerce directory
Pursuit is a resource for small business financing and much more
If you’re overwhelmed by the challenges of owning and running a small business, remember this: Being a successful entrepreneur doesn’t require expertise in every aspect of business management. There are valuable resources and guidance available to help.
Pursuit is a small business lender that offers financing and other assistance for small businesses in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, Illinois, and Delaware. We encourage you to take a look at our available resources, as well as our financing options, to learn more.
Contact us today to learn how we can work together to keep your business growing!
