Small Business Toolbox
Below, NSBA has compiled a collection of resources to connect small-business owners with the help they need. While our forte is federal policy — we were the first small-business advocacy shop in D.C. — we know you may need different resources at different times, and we look forward to further curating this collection!
SBA Backed Loans
Learn about the many different SBA loans, determine which fits your needs and get connected with lenders.
Funding through Venture Capital
Learn more about investment and venture capital options for your small business.
Disaster Assistance
SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters.
SBA HUBZone Program
The HUBZone program supports small businesses in historically underutilized areas.
Small Business Capital Raising Hub
Get all the information you need on investment and raising capital for your small business.
Native American Business Grant Development Institute (NABDI) Grant
Helping tribal leaders evaluate and identify viable economic opportunities.
Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP)
Offering 18 loan guarantees totaling over $125 million.
Working Capital Loan Guarantee Program
Empowering exporters to access capital, fulfill sales, and take on new business abroad.
Loan Guarantee Program
Options for loan financing to creditworthy international buyers purchasing goods and services.
Direct Loan Program
Fixed rate loans to creditworthy international buyers purchasing U.S. goods and services.
Providing equal credit opportunities (ECOA)
Resources for deciphering lending requirements of the ECOA.
IRS Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
Resources for 1040s or 1040-SRs, Schedules C, E, F or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million.
Small-Business Tax Credit Programs
Extending critical tax benefits, like the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit.
SBA Office of Advocacy
The federal watchdog for small business within the regulatory bureaucracy.
Register with the System for Award Management
A requirement for winning contracts, basic ordering agreements, or blanket purchase agreements.
Federal Agency Procurement Forecasts
Explore planned federal contracting opportunities.
Office of Small Business Programs
Designated support for small businesses, including women and minority veterans.
Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Locate your nearest PTACs for no-cost advising on all aspects of selling to the federal, state, and local government.
Government Contracting Factsheets
Finding opportunities and navigating the federal marketplace.
Doing Business with GSA Video Series
Basics and guidance on getting the most from your government contract.
Research and the Federal Market
Find opportunities for your business to become a GSA vendor.
GSA Advantage
Browse the online catalog of products offered through GSA Schedules.
Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier
A requirement for entities registered in the System for Award Management.
Get a North American Industrial Classification System code
NAICS codes are used to communicate your industry and find opportunities through various resources.
Verify your small business status on the Small Business Administration website
Verify the qualifying size of your business, and begin the certification process to be eligible for opportunities in the following socioeconomic groups:
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
Five percent of all federal contracting dollars are awarded to women-owned small businesses each year.
Small Business Vendor Outreach Systems
Providing small businesses a platform to discuss capabilities to learn about DHS procurements and large business subcontracting and partnering opportunities. Ten sessions of 15-minute pre-arranged virtual meetings with small businesses, conducted by DHS Small Business Specialists. Four of the sessions are exclusively reserved for women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, small disadvantaged (including 8(a)), and HUBZone small businesses.
Unison Marketplace
Optimizing the way government buyers source products and services, enabling small businesses to easily bid, win, and manage contracts.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.
Small Business Non-Retaliation Policy
Maintaining an environment where small businesses are free to raise questions or concerns or complain about GSA actions or policies.
New and Small Businesses
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces some of the nation's most comprehensive federal labor laws.
Licenses & Permits
Find out what kind of federal licenses and permits your business is likely to need.
Regulatory Alerts
The SBA Office of Advocacy posts regulatory alerts on any proposed rulemaking that stands to impact small businesses.
Ombudsman's Office
SBA's National Ombudsman works for small businesses to assist them with excessive federal regulatory issues.
Red Tape Hotline
In place to serve as the independent voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA Office of Advocacy launched the Red Tape Hotline to collect real-world feedback directly from small-business owners about regulatory challenges.
HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding coverage, and improving health outcomes.
CMS Small Business Administration Ombudsman
Assisting small entities doing business with, seeking changes in regulations, or pursuing grant or contract assistance from CMS.
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies supporting renewables and energy efficiency in the U.S.
Small Business Solutions and Opportunities
Responsible for the implementation of Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act, ensuring small businesses are afforded maximum practicable opportunities to participate in EPA's acquisitions.
Contracting with EPA
Information on doing business with EPA, including important elements of the contracting process, points of contact and information on the regulations and policies applicable to EPA acquisitions.
Procurement Forecast
Optimizing bidding companies' time searching for procurement opportunities.
Regulatory Flexibility for Small Entities
Providing small entities expanded opportunities to participate in the development of certain regulations.
The Small Business Innovation Research Program
Funding a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets.
The EPA and SBIR
Annual solicitations for Phase I and Phase II research proposals from science and technology-based firms.
The GSA and SBIR
GSA awards and administers Phase I/II/III work on behalf of clients in participating agencies.
Discovering Small Business Opportunities in Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics
Connecting small businesses with people and resources to help them grow.
International Business Innovation Association
Advancing small business incubation and entrepreneurship through information, education, advocacy, and networking.
Schedule B Search Engine | U.S. Census Bureau
Classify your product and its Schedule B number, with the Harmonized System Classification code (HS code).
Health Insurance for your Business and Employees
A resource to learn more about health insurance products and services for your employees.
Starting a Business
Providing technical assistance, training, and funding to help Tribes and Tribal members start their businesses.
Running a Business
Seeking to create a tribal environment for economic progress with training, education, and strategic advice to make the most of business opportunities.
Minority Business Development Agency
The only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises.
Office of Veterans Business Development
Maximizing the availability of administration small-business programs for veterans and their dependents or survivors.
Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (IATF)
Improving opportunities and access for veteran-owned and service-disabled owned small-businesses, including access to capital, federal contracting, counseling, among other business development tools and services.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Apply for and manage VA benefits and services, like health care, disability, education, and more.
NVBDC | An NSBA Corporate Partner
The original certification agency for service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses in the United States.
Export.GOV
Providing practical advice and business tools to help U.S. companies expand in global markets.
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. | NSBA Corporate Partner
Official export credit agency of the United States, unlocking solutions, leveling the playing field and filling gaps in private sector financing.
Export Credit Insurance
Increasing small-business exports by limiting international risk, offering credit to international buyers, and enabling greater access to access working capital funds.
FEMA Small Business Program
Assisting small businesses in the pursuit of federal procurements.
Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions
High-quality mortgage experience and customized loan products specifically for the members of NSBA.
CIS Controls
Cybersecurity best practices and resources for small business.
EX-IM Bank
Collaborating to connect NSBA members with the tools needed to complete in the global marketplace.
Crowdstrike
Advanced cybersecurity protection for your small business.
Dell
Dell Technologies offers NSBA members cutting-edge Laptops, Desktops and All-in-One systems. Contact your Account Manager Amina Bajrovic at amina.bajrovic@dell.com to introduce you to an advisor for exclusive pricing, or call 877-523-6040 and mention your NSBA membership. NSBA Code: NSBAFY27
American Arbitration Association
Alternative Dispute Resolution with AAA.
Wolters Kluwer
Big regulatory solutions for your small business.
