MBDA Business Center Program

MBDA Business Center Program

Funds intermediary groups that strengthen minority business support through MBDA Business Center resources on finance, capital, and contracts.

The MBDA Business Center Program (CFDA 11.805) is a federal cooperative agreement program administered by the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency, a bureau of the Department of Commerce operating under permanent authorization established in the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 (15 USC 9521, Public Law 117-58). The program awards five-year cooperative agreements to intermediary organizations — including for-profits, nonprofits, universities, state and local governments, tribal governments, and quasi-governmental entities — to operate MBDA Business Centers that deliver one-stop technical assistance services to Minority Business Enterprises. Services delivered through funded centers include capital opportunity identification, contract facilitation, partner matchmaking, and export-readiness support. Historical annual award range per center: $375,000 to $415,000, with an average of approximately $397,857 based on FY25 SAM.gov estimates. Total FY24 program obligation was $12,765,000 across the national center network.

As of June 2026, SAM.gov formally declares that the MBDA Business Center Program is not funded for FY26, with $0 obligated. This follows the FY25 funding drop to $2,785,000 from the FY24 high of $12,765,000 and reflects the program's wind-down following Executive Order 14238 and associated litigation. Eligible applicants who apply as intermediary organizations — not as minority-owned businesses, which are the service beneficiaries — would be required to provide a 33 percent non-federal cost share in years three through five of the five-year agreement. Recipients expending $750,000 or more in federal funds must complete a single audit per 2 CFR 200 Subpart F.

No open funding opportunity announcement (FOA) exists for this program as of June 2026. Organizations that previously operated MBDA Business Centers or that serve minority business communities should monitor SAM.gov CFDA 11.805 for any future FOA publication. Program officer Lester Purnell (lpurnell@mbda.gov, 202-738-6362) at 1401 Constitution Ave, C300, Washington, DC 20230 is the formal contact for status inquiries.