Grants for Nonprofits - Business and Commerce

The City of Athens is soliciting proposals from eligible organizations to fund activities that serve a public purpose, acting as a reimbursing grant program. This initiative aligns with the City's mission to support its residents, businesses, and visitors by leveraging the services of local organizations. By providing targeted financial support, the City aims to achieve its objectives more efficiently, particularly when these organizations address public purposes not met by the City or supplement existing services, thereby reducing the City's operational costs. The program prioritizes activities that assist the City in accomplishing its strategic goals. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents, businesses, and visitors within the Athens city limits. The impact goal is to enhance public services and quality of life within the community by supporting organizations that can effectively deliver these services. The program seeks to empower local entities to address community needs, ensuring that essential services are available and appropriate for the public on an equal basis. Funding priority is given to activities that assist the City in accomplishing its strategic goals. Key priorities include ensuring all funded activities serve a public purpose, are provided by legally capable organizations with sound governance and financial standing, and directly benefit the Athens community. The emphasis is on organizations located within city limits that can demonstrate the availability and appropriateness of their funded activities to the public on an equal basis. Expected outcomes include an improved delivery of public services, increased community well-being, and a more efficient use of public funds through partnerships with local organizations. Measurable results would involve the number of residents, businesses, and visitors served, the types of services provided, and the extent to which these services address identified public needs. The program implicitly operates on a theory of change where targeted financial support to qualified local organizations leads to enhanced public services and community benefits, ultimately contributing to the City's strategic objectives and the overall betterment of Athens.

The Regional Site Readiness Program is a grant aimed at providing flexible funding for planning, due diligence activities, and infrastructure improvements to prepare various sites across 10 Economic Development Regions for future industrial development.

The Mayer Economic Development Authority (EDA) Local Business Improvement Grant Program aims to stimulate private investment in high-quality improvements, thereby strengthening the local business economy and enhancing community vitality. This grant program is aligned with the EDA's mission to foster economic prosperity within the community by assisting private business owners in making broad improvements. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are owners or tenants of commercial properties located within the corporate limits of the City of Mayer, Minnesota. The program specifically targets businesses that are current on all applicable taxes, licenses, permits, in good standing with the State of Minnesota, and current on their utility accounts with the City of Mayer. Ineligible applicants include home-based or primarily residential businesses, churches, schools, or other similar institutions. The impact goal is to enhance the economic prosperity of the community through these business improvements. The program prioritizes improvements that contribute to the overall strength and community vitality of the local business economy. A key focus is to encourage private investment through a matching grant system. Program grants are up to a $10,000 match, requiring a minimum of a 1:1 match for funding. This ensures that the businesses are also invested in the improvements. Expected outcomes include an increase in high-quality improvements to commercial properties, leading to a more robust local business environment. Measurable results will include the number of grants awarded, the total private investment stimulated, and the types of improvements made. Applicants are limited to one grant per property per 12-month period, ensuring a broader distribution of funds and impact across the community over time.

FY2025 Weather Program Office Research Program Announcement - Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBES): This grant aims to fund interdisciplinary research that integrates social and behavioral sciences with meteorology to enhance public responses to hazardous weather events and improve community safety and resilience.

This grant provides federal funding to local agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in Washington to rehabilitate and maintain recreational trails for various outdoor activities, ensuring a sustainable backcountry experience.

This grant provides funding to qualified firms for creating guidance documents and resources that assist cities and counties in developing effective transit-oriented projects to promote housing growth and community resilience in Washington.

The 2025 Agriculture Farm Expansion Grant, offered by the Kauai County Office of Economic Development (OED), seeks to support the growth of Kauai’s agricultural industry. The program provides targeted funding to projects that aim to expand farming operations across the island. The funding period spans from March 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, and proposals must be submitted via the Amplifund system by Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 4:00 PM Kauai Standard Time. Late submissions or proposals sent via mail, email, or fax will not be considered. The grant is open to organizations proposing projects or programs that advance the agricultural sector. Proposals will be reviewed, and funding recommendations will be made, with recipients notified during the week of February 3, 2025. Applicants must ensure their proposals align with the program’s goals and meet all submission requirements outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The full RFP can be accessed through the Kauai County OED website, and the Amplifund system provides the portal for proposal submissions. Questions about the grant must be submitted in writing to oedgrants@kauai.gov by November 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM. Applicants requiring auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations due to disabilities must contact Therilynn Martin-Haumea at 808-241-4299 or tmhaumea@kauai.gov by November 23, 2023, to ensure adequate time for requests to be fulfilled. Alternate formats for notices, such as large print or Braille, are available upon request. This grant provides a strategic opportunity to invest in Kauai’s agricultural infrastructure, promote industry growth, and foster sustainable farming practices. Eligible organizations are encouraged to review the RFP and submit detailed proposals that align with the program’s objectives before the deadline.

This grant provides funding to organizations and individuals in Georgia to empower female entrepreneurs by offering essential business training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help them launch or grow their businesses.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources administers the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to strengthen the local food system, enhance equitable access to locally produced food, and improve resilience to supply and distribution disruptions. The program connects farmers, fishermen, and local producers to markets and builds the infrastructure required to produce and distribute healthy food efficiently and safely. Eligible projects are capital in nature and may include equipment purchases, contracted labor for implementation, and planning and design costs directly tied to capital improvements. Projects must address systemic inequities and expand access to fresh local food while improving the resiliency of the Commonwealths food system. Maximum funding per applicant is 500,000 dollars in both agriculture and local food system tracks. Applicants may be individuals, for profit entities, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, or other governmental entities that can meet application requirements and enter into contracts with the department. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and projects must be located within Massachusetts with benefits to residents statewide. Applications are due May 2, 2024. Additional information is available from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) offers the GO TEXAN - Event Grants as part of the Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance Program. These grants aim to support Associate-level GO TEXAN partners who organize public events such as festivals and farmers markets, promoting Texas-made products and businesses under the GO TEXAN program. Eligible events must focus on advertising expenses and can only include one event per applicant within the designated timeline. Applications are accepted until May 16, 2024, and the projects can run from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Grant awards are determined based on the event’s adherence to GO TEXAN participation and program recognition, with funding available up to $20,000 depending on past participation and the extent of promotional activities.

The Bay Mini-Grants, offered by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, are competitive awards designed to fund environmental restoration and education projects within the Tampa Bay watershed, with a strong emphasis on community-led initiatives. This program is rooted in the broader mission of stimulating environmental stewardship and science literacy among the residents, workers, and visitors of Tampa Bay. The funding directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priorities by focusing on local action to address critical environmental challenges and fostering a more engaged and informed public concerning the health of the bay. The program targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies, particularly those with strong volunteer or community involvement. Past award recipients have included neighborhood associations, artists, and researchers, highlighting a broad reach. Projects that are led by, empower, benefit, or engage underserved and/or overburdened communities are specifically encouraged, indicating a commitment to equitable impact. The primary impact goal is to enhance the environmental health of the Tampa Bay watershed through tangible restoration efforts and increased public awareness and participation. The grant prioritizes projects that address one or more of the objectives outlined in the Tampa Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). These priorities include improving water quality and reducing contaminants, increasing and preserving healthy bay habitats, protecting and enhancing fisheries and wildlife, improving spill prevention and response, reducing invasive species, increasing public education and involvement, improving responsible public use of the bay, improving the resiliency of bay habitats to climate change, and incorporating CCMP goals into local land use plans. These focus areas reflect a holistic approach to environmental management and community engagement. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in water quality, expanded healthy habitats, and a more robust and protected ecosystem. Measurable results could involve specific reductions in pollutants, acres of restored habitat, increased biodiversity, and a higher level of community participation in environmental initiatives. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support to community-led initiatives focused on these key priorities, it will empower local stakeholders, drive direct environmental improvements, and ultimately cultivate a more environmentally conscious and active citizenry, leading to a more resilient and healthy Tampa Bay. The grant period for projects is January 1 to December 31, 2025, with a maximum award of $5,000 per project.

The Ellensburg Community Grant Program offers a water quality-focused grant to support community-based projects aimed at improving or protecting surface water quality. Funded by the Stormwater Utility, this grant aligns with the broader mission of fostering a healthy environment where water quality sustains diverse organisms and safeguards public health. The program provides funding for community groups to engage in outreach, education, assessments, planning, implementation, prevention, and control initiatives specifically targeting the city's surface water. The grant targets eligible volunteer groups, including youth, seniors, non-profit organizations, and educational organizations. While business and governmental partners are encouraged to participate, they cannot be the primary applicants. The overarching impact goal is to improve stormwater quality within Ellensburg city limits. Projects are expected to demonstrate tangible improvements in surface water quality, educate a significant and diverse portion of Ellensburg's population about water quality and protective actions, and promote best practices to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts on water quality. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrably improve surface water quality, educate residents on water quality and actions to protect it, and teach best practices to minimize water quality impacts. Examples of eligible projects include public outreach and education, yard care initiatives, and litter pickup, all aimed at benefiting stormwater quality within the city. Projects must be situated within city limits, and if on publicly owned property, an agreement addressing various terms, including the use of minors as volunteers and hold harmless clauses, will be required. A total of $10,000 is available for this grant cycle. Expected outcomes include a more informed community regarding water quality issues, a reduction in pollutants impacting surface waters, and a greater adoption of environmentally sound practices. The program’s theory of change is that by empowering and funding community groups to engage in direct action and education, Ellensburg can achieve measurable improvements in its surface water quality, thereby enhancing ecological health and public well-being. Grant funds explicitly prohibit projects that involve or promote the use of alcohol.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to rural communities for projects that create jobs and promote economic development, such as establishing business centers, training programs, and infrastructure improvements.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering the INDIGO Program grant to support the deployment of advanced decarbonization and/or grid support technologies at California industrial facilities. This initiative aims to promote electrification and significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the industrial sector. The program aligns with the CEC's mission to advance clean energy and reduce climate-warming pollution, specifically targeting the industrial sector's environmental impact. The grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries within California's industrial sector, including existing industrial facilities, utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service companies, project aggregators, and project developers. The impact goals are multi-faceted, focusing on reducing fossil fuel and thermal energy usage, decreasing criteria air pollutants and carbon footprints, and supporting electrical grid reliability, especially during net peak periods. Projects are particularly encouraged to benefit priority populations by reducing air pollutants and engaging directly with low-income or disadvantaged communities. The program's priorities and focuses include deploying cutting-edge, emerging industrial decarbonization technologies that demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalability. Key project goals include electrifying industrial processes, maximizing GHG emission reductions, driving the scalability of project technology to other facilities and industries, reducing electrical demand during net peak periods, and providing air pollution benefits to priority populations. Entities associated with oil and gas production or processing are ineligible, as are food and beverage industries already receiving funding for the same projects from CEC’s Food Production Investment Program (FPIP). Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the adoption of electrification and other eligible decarbonization technologies, leading to quantifiable reductions in annual GHG emissions and other criteria air emissions at industrial processing facilities. Additionally, the program anticipates improved grid reliability through the adoption of commercially available and emerging technologies. Successful projects are expected to demonstrate the potential for widespread adoption across multiple industrial facilities, fostering increased confidence in these advanced technologies. The CEC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by the INDIGO Program, center on accelerating California’s transition to a clean energy economy by supporting technological innovation and deployment in key sectors. The theory of change behind this grant is that by providing significant funding for the demonstration and deployment of cutting-edge decarbonization and grid support technologies in industrial settings, the CEC can catalyze widespread adoption, leading to substantial reductions in GHG emissions, improved air quality, enhanced grid stability, and equitable benefits for all Californians, particularly in vulnerable communities. With up to $46,200,000 available for grants, individual projects can receive between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000. This substantial funding aims to incentivize large-scale, impactful projects that can serve as models for future industrial decarbonization efforts across the state.

This grant provides financial support to Oregon-based organizations addressing urgent needs for women and girls, prioritizing those led by or serving BIPOC communities and with smaller operating budgets.

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is offering EITAS Grants to support services for Jackson County citizens with developmental disabilities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to provide funding for the services, supports, and capital resources necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities to reside in and belong to their community. For over 35 years, EITAS has consistently funded essential services, demonstrating a long-term commitment to ensuring eligible individuals receive necessary support and care for their satisfaction and well-being. The target beneficiaries for these grants are individuals with developmental disabilities and their families residing within Jackson County, Missouri. The primary impact goal is to enable these individuals to live in and be integrated into their community, with an overarching aim of enhancing their satisfaction and well-being. The program seeks to achieve this by addressing critical needs that promote independence and community participation. The funding priorities for the EITAS Grants are focused on several key areas. These include transportation, inclusion with the community, crisis prevention and support, transition services, and safe, equitable access to housing. These priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, aiming to provide a supportive and inclusive environment. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided description, the expected outcomes are centered on improving the quality of life, fostering community integration, and ensuring access to essential support for individuals with developmental disabilities. The foundation's strategic priority is to continue funding programs that deliver these vital services, operating under the theory of change that by providing targeted financial support, they can directly enhance the well-being and community participation of this vulnerable population in Jackson County.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is inviting applications from organizations committed to building inclusive and welcoming entrepreneurial environments that expand equitable opportunities for all. This grant aims to empower communities in southern Minnesota to support diverse and traditionally underserved populations in pursuing entrepreneurship. By strengthening local ecosystems that remove barriers to participation, SMIF seeks to drive lasting economic vitality and ensure that prosperity is shared across racial and cultural lines. The foundation is particularly focused on initiatives that cultivate equitable access to entrepreneurial resources and that foster collaboration among community members to create long-term change. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and public institutions that provide direct services or resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Grassroots and informal organizations may also apply, provided they have an eligible fiscal sponsor. Proposed initiatives might include entrepreneurial education programs designed for BIPOC or underserved populations, community dialogues promoting inclusivity in business, or systems that expand access to funding, mentorship, and professional development. Successful proposals will articulate how their projects create tangible economic opportunities and address the systemic inequities faced by entrepreneurs of color in the region. The foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 per project, with a grant duration of up to 18 months for implementation. Each recipient is required to provide a 10% cash match and to submit both interim and final reports detailing progress and outcomes. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with SMIF’s mission, show measurable community impact within its 20-county region, and present a plan for sustaining efforts beyond the grant period. Proposals that show strong collaboration and innovation in addressing racial and economic disparities will be viewed favorably. Certain activities and applicants are not eligible for funding. Exclusions include individuals, for-profit businesses, and general operating expenses unrelated to the project. The grant will not support capital purchases, real estate investments, feasibility studies without implementation, or re-granting activities. Likewise, projects already underway or completed before application are not eligible, nor are those focused on research or school-based internships. Organizations with an open Inclusive & Equitable Communities Grant from SMIF are also ineligible until the previous project concludes. Through this program, SMIF continues its mission to advance equitable economic growth across southern Minnesota. By investing in community-led efforts to uplift diverse entrepreneurs and dismantle barriers to opportunity, the foundation is helping to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous regional economy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to states, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities to enhance their capacity to assist businesses in securing government contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense.

This program provides funding to organizations for projects that improve broadband access in underserved and unserved communities across Illinois, promoting digital equity and economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports programs that empower women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia by providing them with essential skills, resources, and networks to start and grow sustainable businesses.