Business Startup, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Assistance and Grants for Single Mothers in Florida

Last updated: September 2025

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Emergency help right now

If a storm, flood, fire, or sudden loss of income just hit your business, act first and sort paperwork later.

• Call now: 2‑1‑1 for local emergency resources and small business referrals.
• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan during a declared disaster — short‑term, 0% loans to bridge you until insurance or other funds arrive. Check activation status and apply through FloridaCommerce. (floridajobs.org, floridajobs.org)
• SBA Disaster Loans — low‑interest federal loans for physical damage and economic injury after a declared disaster. Apply online and watch deadlines. (apnews.com)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Call your nearest Florida SBDC office for one‑on‑one help with disaster paperwork and options. See regional phone numbers below. (floridasbdc.org)

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Quick help box

• Start here: book free one‑on‑one coaching with your nearest Florida SBDC or Women’s Business Center. These teams fix business plans, budgets, lender packets, and certifications. (floridasbdc.org, thecentre.org, weventure.fit.edu)
• Need money: try Florida SSBCI‑backed loans via participating lenders, SBA‑guaranteed loans, community lenders (CDFIs), or a 0% Kiva microloan. Details below with exact caps, rates, and timelines. (floridajobs.org, sba.gov, liftfund.com, kiva.org)
• Keep your costs down: register the right entity, file your Annual Report by May 1, and know your sales tax. Late fees pile up fast. (dos.fl.gov, floridarevenue.com)

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Table A. Florida startup costs and tax must‑knows

Reality check: set calendar alerts for the May 1 deadline and quarterly reemployment tax filings to avoid surprise penalties and cash‑flow hits. (dos.fl.gov, floridarevenue.com)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you miss a deadline, file immediately to stop more damage. For dissolutions or reinstatements, use Sunbiz instructions and call the Division of Corporations for guidance. (dos.fl.gov)

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Your fastest free help in Florida

Florida SBDC Network

• Phone: 866‑737‑7232 state office, or your regional office below. Request free consulting for business plans, pricing, cash‑flow, lender introductions, exporting, government contracts, and disaster support. (floridasbdc.org)
• Impact numbers show regular access to capital, jobs retained, and sales growth across Florida. These centers are Florida’s principal provider of small‑business assistance by statute. (floridasbdc.org)

What to bring to your first session:

• Two months of bank statements, draft budget, a one‑page description of your business, and any quotes for equipment or marketing.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Ask for a second opinion through another SBDC region or SCORE mentor via the SBA district office hotlines below. (sba.gov)

Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)

• weVENTURE WBC at Florida Tech — Space & Treasure Coasts. Phone: 321‑674‑7007. Free coaching, low‑cost classes, IGNITE 360 mentoring. (weventure.fit.edu)
• Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre (The Centre for Women) — serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Manatee. Phone: 813‑251‑8437. English and Spanish services. (thecentre.org)
• Florida Women’s Business Center (TED Center) — Palm Beach & Broward. Phone: 561‑265‑3790 x114. Frequent “Money for Your Business” lender‑prep series. (flwbc.org, flwbc.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Contact the SBA district office for alternative partners or to be matched with a microlender. North Florida 904‑443‑1900. South Florida 305‑536‑5521. (sba.gov)

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Florida public capital you can actually access

Florida SSBCI 2.0 capital programs

• FloridaCommerce administers federally‑funded capital programs that work through participating lenders to support loans and investments for startups and growing firms. In January 2025, the state announced $167million\ast \ast inadditionalSSBCIfunds;by\ast \ast August15,2025\ast \ast ,over\ast \ast$250 million had been approved to Florida small businesses. Typical tools include collateral support, loan participation, capital access, and venture programs. Eligibility generally requires Florida‑based firms and employee limits (<500 to <750 depending on the component). Application goes through participating lenders. (floridajobs.org)

Action steps:

• Ask your bank or CDFI to check Florida SSBCI options and handle the application on your behalf.

Reality check:

• Lenders still underwrite you; SSBCI reduces their risk. Come prepared with clean bookkeeping and a realistic budget.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Try a CDFI (see BBIF, LiftFund, Accion below) or SBA Microloan/Kiva for smaller amounts that move faster. (liftfund.com, nerdwallet.com, sba.gov, kiva.org)

Florida Microfinance Guarantee Program

• State guarantees of up to 50% on private loans $50,000–$250,000 for very small firms (≤25 employees; gross revenue ≤$1.5 million in each of the last two years). Contact Enterprise Florida/FloridaCommerce for current lender list. (floridajobs.org, floridajobs.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Ask your bank to pair an SBA 7(a) or CAPLines with SSBCI instead, or move to a CDFI that partners with these programs. (sba.gov)

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan

• During declared disasters, FloridaCommerce activates 0% short‑term loans (commonly up to $50,000\ast \ast ,sometimes\ast \ast$100,000 for agriculture) to keep payroll and operations moving until insurance or longer‑term funds land. Watch activation notices and deadlines; apply online. (floridajobs.org, floridajobs.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Apply for SBA Disaster Loans simultaneously and ask SBDC to help you stack timelines so repayments align with your recovery cash‑flow. (apnews.com)

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SBA financing — what fits and how long it takes

Quick comparison table

Timelines you can plan around:

• Microloan underwriting varies by intermediary; SBA notes max term 7 years and typical rates 8–13%. Many close within a few weeks. (sba.gov)
• Kiva US approval often 10–15 business days, then a private‑to‑public crowdfund phase that typically needs 20–30 days. It’s 0%, no fees. (kiva.org)
• 7(a) and 504 timing depends on lender, collateral, and your paperwork. Expect several weeks; ask for a checklist on day one so you don’t lose time to back‑and‑forth. (sba.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Ask your lender about pairing SSBCI credit support, shifting to Microloan/Kiva, or right‑sizing the request so you can build a repayment history and refinance later. (floridajobs.org, sba.gov, kiva.org)

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Community lenders and 0% options

• Kiva U.S. — 0% microloans up to $15,000, no fees, no collateral, no minimum credit score. Approval often 10–15 business days, then crowdfund 20–30 days, repay up to 36 months. (kiva.org)
• BBIF Florida (CDFI) — Minority‑focused statewide lender. Offices in Orlando 407‑649‑4780, Jacksonville 904‑257‑2002, Tampa 813‑771‑0378, Miami Gardens 305‑570‑2681. Provides working capital, equipment, real estate, and contract‑finance loans, plus technical assistance. (investors.bbif.com)
• LiftFund (CDFI) — Nonprofit serving Florida with startup and small business loans; also offers real‑estate loans up to $500,000 in a multi‑state program. Phone: 888‑215‑2373. (liftfund.com)
• Accion Opportunity Fund (CDFI) — Term loans $5,000–$250,000, simple interest starting around 8.49%, terms 12–60 months; no prepayment penalty; often works with underserved founders. (nerdwallet.com)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Book a lender‑ready review with your WBC/SBDC coach. They’ll adjust your ask, clean up financials, and direct you to lenders saying yes to your profile this quarter. (floridasbdc.org, thecentre.org)

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Local grant windows that actually open (Florida examples)

Grant money moves by county and district. Here are frequent, real programs single moms use — with recent dollar caps so you can gauge fit. Always check the current cycle dates and rules.

Miami‑Dade County “Mom & Pop” Small Business Grants

• District programs typically offer up to $1,620–$5,000 depending on the commissioner’s district and budget. Examples from 2025 cycles: District 11 up to $1,620\ast \ast ,\ast \ast Districts4and8upto$2,500, Districts 1, 6, and 10 up to $5,000\ast \ast ,and\ast \ast District5upto$2,500. Deadlines vary by district and run throughout spring and early summer. (miamidade.gov, wwwx.miamidade.gov)
• Funds can cover marketing, equipment, insurance, minor renovations, rent, or training. Home‑based businesses are often eligible. Workshops are usually required. (miamidade.gov)

City of Orlando small‑business matching grants

• Business Assistance Program provides a 50‑50 match up to $20,000 to offset certain development and right‑of‑way costs for new or expanding small businesses inside Orlando city limits. (orlando.gov)
• The City also maintains MWBE certification and vendor registration to improve access to local contracts. (orlando.gov)

St. Petersburg — South St. Pete CRA

• The City routinely offers site improvement and small‑business assistance inside the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area. Check the CRA grants page for current windows and maximums, which change by fiscal year. (Search “South St. Petersburg CRA Grants” on the City site before you plan.)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Ask your SBDC regional office for a “local grants and CRA directory” in your county, and set calendar alerts — most cycles are short and competitive. (floridasbdc.org)

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Get paid through contracts — certifications and vendor setup

• State of Florida vendor registration — Register in MyFloridaMarketPlace’s Vendor Information Portal and file your Substitute W‑9 with the Department of Financial Services. Help desk: 866‑352‑3776. (floridadisaster.org)
• Florida Office of Supplier Diversity certification — Woman/minority/veteran‑owned firms can apply for state CBE certification through the Vendor Information Portal to boost visibility for state contracting. (floridasturnpike.com)
• City of Orlando MWBE directory and workshops — Keep an eye on certification events and directory listings; some pages note temporary program updates while the city ensures compliance with federal law, but workshops and vendor tools continue. Phone: 407‑246‑2623. (orlando.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Look at private‑sector certifications to reach corporate buyers — WBEC Florida (WBENC partner) for Women’s Business Enterprise certification and FSMSDC for MBE. Use these for corporate supply chains. (wbecflorida.org, fsmsdc.org)

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Table B. Where to get free expert help in Florida

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Costs and compliance — set up right the first time

Form your entity and stay active

• New Florida LLC filing is $125\ast \ast onlinethroughSunbiz;optionalcertifiedcopy\ast \ast$30 and certificate of status $5. (dos.fl.gov)
• File your Annual Report by May 1 each year to avoid the $400\ast \ast latefee;LLCannualreportis\ast \ast$138.75. Filing after the third Friday in September leads to administrative dissolution. (dos.fl.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If dissolved, submit reinstatement and pay all fees; Sunbiz provides step‑by‑step instructions and amounts due for your entity. (dos.fl.gov)

Sales and use tax, surtax, and reemployment tax

• Florida’s sales tax base rate is 6%. Many counties add a discretionary surtax; check the state’s current year rate table or address lookup before you charge customers. (floridarevenue.com, pointmatch.floridarevenue.com)
• New employers start at 2.7% reemployment tax on the first $7,000 of each employee’s wages; rates adjust with your experience after 10 quarters. 2025 min 0.1%, max 5.4%. (floridarevenue.com)

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you fall behind, file zero‑wage reports rather than miss a deadline, then amend later. Call the Department of Revenue to set a plan before penalties snowball. (floridarevenue.com)

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Diverse communities

• LGBTQ+ single mothers: Orlando maintains an MWBE vendor directory and related resources and notes an option to be recognized as an LGBTQ+‑owned business in city procurement tools. Use it to get into buyer lists while you pursue private certifications. Phone: 407‑246‑2623. (orlando.gov)
• Single mothers with disabilities or raising children with disabilities: ask your SBDC or WBC to coordinate reasonable accommodations for counseling and training; all listed centers provide accommodations on request. (thecentre.org, weventure.fit.edu)
• Veteran single mothers: Veterans Florida entrepreneurship partners run no‑cost cohorts, workshops, and pitch funds for veterans and spouses across multiple campuses. Check eligibility and local cohorts. (veteransflorida.org, business.fau.edu)
• Immigrant and refugee single moms: Prospera offers bilingual startup orientations, consulting, and underwritten expert services (business plan, branding, QuickBooks, legal/accounting assessments) at no cost to approved clients. Phones: Central 407‑428‑5872, South 786‑329‑5830, West 813‑634‑6246, NE 904‑999‑1929. (prosperausa.org)
• Tribal citizens: many tribal areas are rural. Pair the Florida SBDC with USDA Rural Development’s Business & Industry loan guarantee program (80% guarantee in FY 2025) to lower bank risk on projects located in eligible rural areas. (rd.usda.gov)
• Rural single moms: call the USDA area office that serves your county for B&I and other rural business programs; Florida has area offices in Crestview 850‑682‑2416, Marianna 850‑526‑2610, Ocala 352‑732‑7534, Champions Gate 863‑420‑4833, Royal Palm Beach 561‑792‑2727, and a North Fort Myers sub‑office 239‑997‑7331. (rd.usda.gov)
• Single fathers: every SBDC, WBC, SBA, and CDFI resource above serves all eligible entrepreneurs; bring a co‑parenting schedule to planning meetings to design realistic hours and cash‑flow.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Ask your coach to tailor a capital plan that respects childcare or caregiving. They can schedule evening or virtual sessions — several centers note after‑hours appointments by request. (weventure.fit.edu, thecentre.org)

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Table C. Local grant snapshots you can calendar

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Region‑by‑region phone list

Florida SBDC regional hubs

• Panhandle — UWF: 850‑474‑2528. (floridasbdc.org)
• Big Bend — FAMU: 850‑599‑3407. (floridasbdc.org)
• Northeast — UNF: 904‑620‑2476. (floridasbdc.org)
• East Central — UCF: 407‑420‑4850. (floridasbdc.org)
• Tampa Bay — USF: 813‑396‑2700. (floridasbdc.org)
• Treasure Coast — IRSC: 772‑336‑6285. (floridasbdc.org)
• Southwest — FGCU: 239‑745‑3700. (floridasbdc.org)
• South — FAU: 954‑762‑5235. (floridasbdc.org)
• Miami‑Dade/Monroe — FIU: 305‑779‑9230. (floridasbdc.org)

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Table D. Funding paths single moms told us work best

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Real‑world examples

• Catering startup needing $8,000 for permits, small wares, and marketing: coach pairs a 0% Kiva loan and a county “Mom & Pop” grant cycle for signage, with coaching on menu pricing and a child‑care plan for weekends. (kiva.org, miamidade.gov)
• Mobile salon building to an enclosed trailer, budget $42,000: WBC cleans up the plan and connects to a CDFI using Florida SSBCI for a partial guarantee. Closing in about a month, with a two‑month ramp budget baked in. (thecentre.org, floridajobs.org)
• Small manufacturer leasing a $650,000 facility: SBDC and a CDC structure a 504 project with fixed‑rate CDC financing and bank first lien; 10% equity and 25‑year term stabilize payments. (sba.gov)

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Common mistakes to avoid

• Rushing the entity: don’t file before you know your tax setup; changing structure later costs time and money. Use SBDC/WBC to pick the right path first. (floridasbdc.org)
• Missing the Sunbiz May 1 deadline: the $400 late fee is automatic. Put it on your calendar now. (dos.fl.gov)
• Underestimating sales tax: some counties have surtax; check the exact rate before you price. (floridarevenue.com)
• Applying too big: if lenders hesitate, downshift to Microloan or 0% Kiva, then refinance after six on‑time payments. (sba.gov, kiva.org)
• Ignoring procurement: free certifications and vendor registration open steady revenue. Use state CBE and your local MWBE. (floridasturnpike.com, orlando.gov)

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Application checklist

• Business plan basics: one‑page model, target customer, pricing, 12‑month budget.
• Financials: last 2 months bank statements, startup budget, quotes, personal budget.
• Entity & registrations: Sunbiz filing receipt, EIN, local tax receipt, state sales tax account.
• Supplier and permit list: costs and timelines.
• Child‑care plan: realistic working hours, backup coverage.
• Emergency plan: where you’d apply for Florida Emergency Bridge Loan and SBA Disaster Loans if a storm hits. (floridajobs.org, apnews.com)

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Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

• SBA North Florida: 904‑443‑1900. (sba.gov)
• SBA South Florida: 305‑536‑5521. (sba.gov)
• Florida SBDC state office: 866‑737‑7232. (floridasbdc.org)
• weVENTURE WBC: 321‑674‑7007. Tampa Bay WBC 813‑251‑8437. Florida WBC 561‑265‑3790 x114. (weventure.fit.edu, thecentre.org, flwbc.org)
• BBIF Florida: Orlando 407‑649‑4780, Jacksonville 904‑257‑2002, Tampa 813‑771‑0378, Miami Gardens 305‑570‑2681. (investors.bbif.com)
• USDA Rural Business Programs (B&I): 352‑338‑3412; area offices by county. (rd.usda.gov)
• Sunbiz Annual Report deadline: May 1 every year. (dos.fl.gov)

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Florida‑specific FAQs

1. What’s the cheapest valid way to start my LLC: The state charges $125\ast \ast tofileonline.Youdon’tneedpaid“rush”services—Floridadoesn’tofferstateexpedite.Add\ast \ast$138.75 each year for the Annual Report due May 1. (dos.fl.gov)
2. I got denied by a bank: Ask that bank and your SBDC to run the file through Florida SSBCI or a CDFI. SSBCI reduces lender risk and can flip a no to a yes when the plan and cash‑flow make sense. (floridajobs.org)
3. Can I get a grant just to start: True startup grants are rare. In Miami‑Dade, “Mom & Pop” district grants help existing microbusinesses with small needs ($1,620–$5,000 typical caps in 2025), not full launches. Time your application to the district calendar. (miamidade.gov)
4. What’s faster — Microloan or 7(a): Microloans and Kiva are usually faster for small amounts; Kiva decisions often in 10–15 business days before crowdfunding. 7(a) timing depends on lender and collateral. (kiva.org, sba.gov)
5. What are typical 504 terms: Fixed‑rate, 10/20/25‑year maturities for major fixed assets; CDC portion commonly up to $5.5 million. Expect about 10% borrower equity. (sba.gov)
6. How do I register to sell to the state: Create a Vendor account in MyFloridaMarketPlace and file your Substitute W‑9. Help desk: 866‑352‑3776. Then pursue state CBE certification through the Office of Supplier Diversity. (floridadisaster.org, floridasturnpike.com)
7. How is sales tax handled for my county: Florida is 6% statewide plus county surtax; check the current rate table or address lookup before pricing or invoicing. (floridarevenue.com)
8. What’s my unemployment tax as a new employer: 2.7% on the first $7,000 wages per employee; rate adjusts after 10 quarters. 2025 min 0.1%, max 5.4%. (floridarevenue.com)
9. I’m a veteran or spouse — any free programs: Veterans Florida partners run tuition‑free cohorts, workshops, and pitch events across Florida. Check your nearest university partner’s schedule. (veteransflorida.org)
10. I need Spanish: Tampa Bay WBC offers WBC en Español services, Prospera runs full Spanish programming statewide, and SBDC can connect you to Spanish‑language workshops. Phones: 813‑251‑8437 and 888‑PROSPERA. (thecentre.org, prosperausa.org)

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How this guide beats the first‑page results

• We include real dollar caps and phone numbers for Florida‑specific money and help (SSBCI totals, Mom & Pop district caps, exact Sunbiz fees, reemployment tax rates, and 504/7(a)/Microloan limits), and we link to official sources or established nonprofits only. Many listicles skip these numbers or use outdated figures. (floridajobs.org, miamidade.gov, dos.fl.gov, floridarevenue.com, sba.gov)

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What to do if none of this is clicking yet

• Book one hour with SBDC or a WBC. Bring your calendar, budget, and childcare constraints. Ask for a 90‑day action plan that ends with one lender submission and one sales pipeline milestone.
• If a lender declines you, request a written reason and fix only those points before reapplying elsewhere. Your coach can help you pick the right next lender rather than “shotgunning” applications that hurt your credit.

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About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team

This guide’s method: we use only official state and federal sources and established nonprofits, with direct links to application portals and offices. See our Editorial Policy for how we verify, archive, and update. (floridajobs.org)

Source scope: FloridaCommerce, Florida SBDC Network, SBA, USDA Rural Development, City and County grant portals, and established CDFIs and WBCs.

Last verified: September 2025, next review April 2026.

Corrections: email info@asinglemother.org — we investigate and update verified errors within 48 hours per our standards. (floridajobs.org)

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Disclaimer

Information accuracy: Program amounts, deadlines, and eligibility change. Always confirm details with the agency or lender before you spend money or make commitments.

Security note: Never email full Social Security numbers, bank logins, or voided checks to anyone. Use official portals and verified phone lines listed above. Enable multi‑factor authentication on lender and government accounts.

Not legal advice: This guide provides general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your specific situation.

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🏛️More Florida Resources for Single Mothers

Explore all assistance programs in 34 categories available in Florida

• 📋 Assistance Programs
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• ♿ Disabled Single Mothers Assistance
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• 🦷 Dental Care Assistance
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• 📊 EITC and Tax Credits
• 🍎 SNAP and Food Assistance
• 🔧 Job Training
• ⚖️ Legal Help
• 🧠 Mental Health Resources
• 🚗 Transportation Assistance
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• 🤝 Community Support
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• 🛋️ Free Furniture & Household Items
• 🏫 Afterschool & Summer Programs
• 🍼 Free Baby Gear & Children's Items
• 🎒 Free School Supplies & Backpacks
• 🏡 Home Buyer Down Payment Grants
• 🤱 Postpartum Health & Maternity Support
• 👩‍💼 Workplace Rights & Pregnancy Protection
• 🛡️ Domestic Violence Resources & Safety
• 💻 Digital Literacy & Technology Assistance
• 🤱 Free Breast Pumps & Maternity Support
• 📈 Credit Repair & Financial Recovery