We recognize that not every small business may be eligible for funding through Open for Business. Or, you may be interested in working with additional organizations who can help you grow your business. Below we provide an overview of the top places for information on small business growth in South Florida.
At the bottom of this page, you will also find optional financial templates to use when applying for Open for Business funding.
Axis Helps Miami is an online platform that connects Miami-
Dade residents and small business owners to financial and knowledge
resources. On their website you can find a calendar of upcoming
events, deadlines for grant and loan programs, and ways to sign up
for workshops, classes, and seminars that will help you grow
your business.
The Miami-Dade Business Navigator program, led by the FIU Small Business Development Center, partners with deeply trusted community-based
organizations to guide small businesses to community
resources, services and programs that are available for your business.
Below is a list of community-based lenders, also known as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
These organizations specialize in lending money to traditionally underserved business owners so you can explore ways to get financing for your business.
- Ascendus
- Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF)
- Central County Community Development
Corporation (CCCDC) through the Urban League of Broward - Community Fund of North Miami-Dade
- Grameen America
- Miami Bayside Foundation
- RISE Loan Fund Powered by Dade County
- Self Help Credit Union
- South Florida Regional Planning Council
- Tools for Change
Below is a list of organizations that support a business through activities such as consulting, training, and workshops.
The topic areas they can help with include accounting, marketing, staffing, and business plan development.
- Beacon Council
- Black Professionals Network
- Center for Black Innovation
- Center for Social Change
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
- Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, ScaleUp 305 Program
- Idea Center at Miami-Dade College
- Legal Services of Greater Miami
- Neighbors And Neighbors Association
- The Oasis in Miami Gardens
- Prospera
- SBA/SCORE Miami-Dade
- South Florida Anchor Alliance
- Urban League of Broward – Entrepreneurship center
- Women’s Business Development Center
(WBDC) of Florida
Additional Resources for OFB Applicants
Apply for your Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax (LBT) license here.
If your business is located in a specific municipality, such as City of Miami, Miami Gardens or Opa Locka, you may need to apply for a license in that community as well.
Download Templates for OFB Applications:
Collective Real Estate Ownership (CREO)