Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) Small Business Capitalization Grant
Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT)
$7,500–$10,000
Miami-Dade county grants for small business expansion
Miami-Dade County grants for small businesses to support expansion and long-term sustainability. The 2026 cycle offers $10,000 to established businesses (3+ years) that did not receive a 2025 MDEAT grant, and smaller awards for newer businesses. Program is countywide, for-profit, and designed to increase access to capital for businesses that have limited access to traditional financing. Applications submitted through an online platform.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $2,500 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Established businesses (3+ years) consistently receive $10,000 if eligible. Newer businesses (6 months–3 years) typicall…
- Deadline
- Annual cycle — 2026 cycle applications were open earlier in 2026. Next cycle typically opens in Q1 of each year.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- FL
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Business must operate in Miami-Dade County and hold a valid Miami-Dade Local Business Tax Receipt
- For the $10,000 Capitalization Grant (2026 cycle): business must have been operating for at least 3 years
- Must not have received a 2025 MDEAT Capitalization Grant (one award per business per cycle, with one-year lookback)
- Only one business per owner or affiliated group (common ownership or management) may receive funding in a given cycle
- Must be in good standing with all Miami-Dade County loan and grant programs (no defaults on prior County programs)
- Must provide 3 most recent years of signed business federal tax returns and/or Schedule C
- For-profit businesses only
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: Miami-Dade County, Florida — valid Local Business Tax Receipt required
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and operating expenses
- Equipment and machinery purchases
- Inventory
- Marketing and advertising
- Technology and software
- Professional development and training
- Business process modernization (per MDEAT program language)
Ineligible expenses
- Real estate purchase or construction
- Personal expenses
- Paying off personal or business debts
- Businesses not located in Miami-Dade County
- Businesses that received an MDEAT grant in the prior year
How to apply
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1
Confirm cycle availability and eligibility
Visit miamidade.gov/global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy and check whether the current cycle is open. Confirm you did NOT receive a 2025 MDEAT grant and that your business has been operating in Miami-Dade for 3+ years with a valid Local Business Tax Receipt.
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2
Gather required financial documents
Prepare 3 years of signed business federal tax returns (Schedule C if sole proprietor, or corporate return if incorporated). Locate your Local Business Tax Receipt. MDEAT verifies current standing with County loan and grant programs internally.
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3
Submit application through the MDEAT online platform
MDEAT transitioned to an online application platform for the 2026 cycle. Submit the completed application with all required attachments before the cycle deadline. Applications are reviewed in the order received.
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4
Receive award and funds
Successful applicants receive written notification and a grant disbursement. MDEAT historically issues funds within 4–8 weeks of approval.
The prior-year exclusion is strict — if you received ANY MDEAT grant in 2025, you are categorically ineligible in 2026. Plan your multi-year cadence around the 1-year lookback.
Deadline & timing
MDEAT runs an annual grant cycle. The 2026 cycle opened in early 2026. Applications for the 2027 cycle are expected in Q1 2027. Businesses that received a 2025 MDEAT grant are not eligible for 2026 (idempotency rule). Monitor miamidade.gov/global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy for cycle announcements.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.