Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding and support to U.S.-based nonprofits that help aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds gain access to resources and opportunities in the technology and startup sectors.

This program provides $10,000 in cash and free business coaching to small businesses in the U.S. that have been operating for at least a year and seek to invest in growth opportunities.

This program provides financial support and strategic guidance to Massachusetts-based startups that have completed federal Phase II research projects, helping them transition their innovations into successful commercial ventures.

This funding initiative provides financial support to women entrepreneurs across the U.S., offering monthly and year-end grants to help them grow and sustain their businesses.

This grant provides $50,000 to diverse-led small businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that meet specific criteria, aiming to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in creating new jobs and fostering business growth.

This funding opportunity provides $50,000 to support diverse-led businesses in Southern California, helping them create new premium wage jobs while offering business development resources.

This grant provides financial support and educational resources to diverse-led businesses in Illinois, helping them grow and create new jobs.

This program provides financial support to women-owned or operated small businesses along Route 66 to help them maintain, reopen, or expand their operations while celebrating their contributions to the local culture and economy.

This program provides financial support and mentorship to diverse-led small businesses in Texas, helping them create jobs and grow in underserved communities.

The United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to design and implement one (seven-day) BOLD (Balkanski Omladinski Lideri, Young Balkan Leaders) Economic Development/Entrepreneurship Workshop for Young Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The goal of the workshop is to develop the skills of young leaders in BiH to create opportunities for economic development in their communities through developing and/or launching their own business plan or developing projects in support of entrepreneurship.Special emphasis should be placed on innovative business model design; project-based collaboration; and leveraging assets within the BOLD network to ensure project success.

The Donor Alliance Foundation is offering grants to organizations in Colorado and Wyoming that support organ and tissue donation and transplantation. This initiative aligns directly with the Foundation's mission to extend the impact of organ and tissue donation and transplantation by fostering partnerships and dismantling obstacles that impede access to these life-saving gifts. The Foundation is committed to acknowledging and supporting all individuals affected by donation, ensuring they have access to vital resources. The program aims to address systemic barriers preventing individuals from receiving organ and/or tissue transplants, focusing on equitable and equal access to donation and transplantation resources. Target beneficiaries include underinsured, vulnerable, socio-economically disadvantaged populations, and those in rural areas of Colorado and Wyoming who are eligible for or awaiting a transplant. Impact goals include increasing access to resources, education, family assistance, and research projects, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of life for those affected. Key priorities for funding include projects that demonstrate equitable access to donation and transplantation resources, consider diversity, equity, and inclusion, and propose innovative educational or assistance methods. The Foundation also maintains a focus on Pancreas research and data collection regarding the benefits of pancreas transplantation. They will support efforts to meet the financial needs of pre- and post-transplant patients, increase living donation, and fund medical and social research through pilot studies or seed grants. Expected outcomes include improved access to donation and transplantation resources for underserved populations, increased awareness and education about donation, enhanced family assistance and grief support, and advancements in transplantation research. The Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on community impact, barrier reduction, and fostering a belief that organ and tissue donation are human gifts that save lives. Their theory of change is that by funding organizations committed to equitable access, innovative education, and critical research, they can positively influence the donation and transplant community, leading to more successful transplants and better support for patients and their families.

The City of Orlando is offering a matching grant program, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, for schools and non-profit organizations to fund youth programs that enhance academic achievement, reduce crime, and promote safe communities, with funds being used for educational, athletic, civic engagement, or mentoring opportunities, excluding certain expenses like computers, office equipment, and in-school programs.

The Mayor’s Matching Grant program, funded by the City of Orlando, offers $500 to $5,000 in matched funding to neighborhood organizations for projects that enhance the neighborhood, such as beautification, crime prevention, and sustainability, with the aim to address community needs and improve quality of life.

The City of Savannah's 2025 Arts & Cultural Enrichment Grant Program aims to provide high-quality, innovative, and creative art and cultural programs that serve as catalysts for achieving the City's broader goals. This program is aligned with the City's mission to increase economic growth, improve built environments, strengthen community, engage and inspire young people, and enhance access to art and culture for residents. The program seeks to integrate the creative sector strategically to address these priorities in a measurable way, contributing to a vibrant and thriving Savannah. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include the residents of Savannah, particularly those who will experience increased access to art and culture in their communities, as well as young people who will be engaged, developed, and inspired through imaginative approaches. The impact goals are to foster economic growth through skill-building, employment, and entrepreneurship within the creative sector; improve the aesthetics of built environments; build and reinforce a strong sense of community; and reestablish, enrich, and/or preserve vibrant neighborhoods and the quality of life in Savannah. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined to address key city objectives. These include increasing economic growth through skill-building, employment, and entrepreneurship; improving the aesthetics of built environments through creative programs; expanding art and cultural experiences to new and diverse audiences and participants; building and reinforcing a strong sense of community throughout Savannah; engaging, developing, and inspiring young people through imaginative and innovative approaches; reestablishing, enriching, and/or preserving vibrant neighborhoods; and increasing access to art and culture in close proximity to where residents live. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in economic growth attributed to arts and cultural initiatives, enhanced visual appeal of public and private spaces, broader participation in arts and cultural activities across diverse demographics, a stronger sense of community cohesion, and positive developmental impacts on youth. Proposals are sought that strategically position the disciplines of the creative sector to address these City priorities in a measurable way, with funding contingent on the annual availability of funds and the strength of the proposals in demonstrating alignment with these outcomes.

The City of West Haven's American Rescue Plan Act Storefront Façade Improvement Grant Program aims to enhance the character and attractiveness of the downtown area and other public shopping and pedestrian areas. This initiative seeks to improve West Haven’s overall aesthetic and vibrancy by preserving or upgrading existing storefront facades, contributing to the economic revitalization and community well-being of the city. While the prompt mentions "foundation mission alignment" and "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," the provided text describes a city-run grant program rather than a foundation. Therefore, the alignment is with the city's goal of urban improvement and economic development for its small businesses. The program primarily targets for-profit small businesses located within the City of West Haven, defined as having no more than 50 full-time employees and meeting the criteria of a small business concern as per the Small Business Act. These businesses must be in good standing with the City and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Service, and cannot have received alternate funding for the same intended costs. The grant also has specific eligibility for property owners or businesses with lease terms extending through June 2026 if they lease their space. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more inviting and safer urban environment, encouraging local commerce, and supporting the financial health and longevity of West Haven's small businesses. Key priorities and focuses of the grant program include exterior improvements such as new windows, doors, awnings, painting, attached signage, siding, brick appointing, and exterior lighting. It also covers HVAC installation/upgrades and outdoor dining/patio space (if affixed to the building). The program explicitly excludes work completed prior to agreement execution, new construction, temporary improvements, neon signs, interior improvements, roofs (unless part of a larger project), and the removal of architecturally significant features. This selective approach ensures that funds are directed towards improvements that directly contribute to the facade's visual appeal and the overall streetscape. Expected outcomes of the program include a noticeable improvement in the appearance of storefronts, leading to increased foot traffic and commercial activity in the downtown and other public shopping areas. The addition of safety measures like enhanced lighting is anticipated to create a more secure environment for pedestrians and patrons. By providing financial assistance for these upgrades, the City of West Haven expects to stimulate local economic growth, retain existing businesses, and attract new investments, thereby reinforcing the city's identity as a vibrant and thriving community for its residents and visitors.

The City of San Antonio's Small Business Construction Support Grant Program aims to provide financial assistance to eligible micro and small business owners whose enterprises are negatively affected by city-initiated construction projects. This initiative, funded by the City of San Antonio and managed by LiftFund, allocates $1,459,168 to support for-profit small businesses, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000. The program's core objective is to mitigate the financial hardship experienced by businesses due to construction-related disruptions, thereby fostering economic stability and continuity within impacted commercial zones. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are micro and small retail or service businesses that rely on customer foot traffic for their operations and are situated within designated construction zones. To be eligible, businesses must have generated a minimum of $10,000 in gross sales in 2022, meet the SBA Size standard for small businesses based on their NAICS code, and demonstrate a net profit/loss in 2022 that is at least $5,000 greater than in 2023. This focus ensures that the support reaches businesses that are actively contributing to the local economy and have experienced a measurable decline in profitability due to construction. The program specifically excludes non-profits, gambling/gaming businesses, franchisors, sexually oriented businesses, payday & auto loan providers, liquor stores, and businesses with a City employee or officer having a financial interest, ensuring the funds are directed towards a specific segment of the business community. The program prioritizes businesses that are currently operational, have not filed for bankruptcy, and are committed to remaining in their eligible construction zone for at least one year from the grant award date. This ensures the grants support resilient businesses that are integral to the community and will continue to operate in the affected areas. A key focus is on demonstrating financial impact, requiring applicants to show a significant difference in net profit/loss between 2022 and 2023, directly linking the need for support to the construction-related challenges. Expected outcomes include the sustained operation of small businesses within construction-impacted areas, job retention, and the overall economic recovery of affected commercial corridors. Measurable results will likely include the number of businesses receiving grants, the total amount of grant funds distributed, and potentially, tracking the survival rate of these businesses post-grant. The program's success will be measured by its ability to alleviate financial stress on small businesses, allowing them to weather construction periods without significant long-term negative impacts, and contributing to the vibrancy of San Antonio's local economy.

This program provides financial assistance to business owners and tenants in Newberry's historic downtown to improve the appearance of their building facades, promoting preservation and aesthetic enhancement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers recover and improve resilience after major disasters.

The City of Goshen's Community Relations Commission (CRC) offers the Neighborhood Block Party Grant to foster community-building activities within Goshen city limits. This grant aligns with the CRC's mission to develop and maintain programs that build positive relations among the community and enhance problem-solving skills among residents. The program is designed to support one-time events such as block parties and special celebrations, aiming to strengthen neighborhood bonds and improve the overall quality of life. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are neighborhood-based organizations within Goshen, which are groups whose members primarily reside or do business in a recognized neighborhood and whose purpose is to improve the area's quality of life. The grant's impact goals include promoting neighborhood community-building, fostering positive relations, and enhancing residents' problem-solving skills. By supporting events that bring neighbors together, the CRC aims to create more cohesive and engaged communities. The grant prioritizes projects that demonstrate neighborhood benefit and support one-time events that facilitate community interaction. Funds can be used for supplies, print, and promotional materials, and activities for a neighborhood block party. The CRC's strategic priority is to build positive relationships within the community, and the Neighborhood Block Party Grant serves as a direct mechanism to achieve this by empowering local groups to organize unifying events. Expected outcomes include an increase in neighborhood engagement, improved social cohesion, and a greater sense of community ownership among residents. Measurable results would involve the number of block parties and community events hosted, the participation rates at these events, and qualitative feedback on improved neighborly relations. The theory of change is that by providing small grants for accessible community events, the CRC can directly facilitate positive interactions, leading to stronger, more resilient neighborhoods and enhanced problem-solving capabilities at a local level. The maximum annual grant total per neighborhood is $200, making it accessible for a wide range of neighborhood groups. Applicants must be neighborhood-based organizations within Goshen city limits, and groups can be formed specifically for the purpose of a grant-funded project. The application requires details such as the proposed event's date, location, and proof of property owner's permission, ensuring responsible and well-planned community activities.

The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, a program of the nonprofit California Restaurant Foundation, aims to support independent restaurants in California. This initiative is a clear alignment with the foundation's mission to strengthen the restaurant community by providing crucial financial aid. The fund, powered by generous gifts from PG&E, SoCalGas, and SDG&E, is set to award 278 independent restaurants with grants of $5,000 in 2024. The primary beneficiaries of this program are independently owned, for-profit restaurants or commercial caterers in California. Specifically, eligible entities must be owned by a CA resident, operate 1-5 units, earn no more than $3 million in annual gross revenue (combined for all units), and be a commercial customer of either PG&E, SoCalGas, or SDG&E, while currently being open and active for business. Franchises, home businesses, food trucks, and meal prep companies are not eligible, ensuring the grants directly support small, independent operators. The impact goal is to bolster the resilience and sustainability of these businesses, particularly in areas of operational improvement, employee welfare, and recovery from unforeseen hardships. The fund prioritizes several key areas for grant utilization. These include investments in energy-efficient kitchen equipment, which also qualify for rebates, thereby maximizing the grant's value. Technology upgrades are another focus, supporting the adoption of essential systems like POS, website, accounting, HR, inventory management, and loyalty programs. Employee training, covering areas like program design, ServSafe certifications, and participation in industry training councils, is also a priority, recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce. Additionally, the grants can be used for retention bonuses to reward employees and for addressing unforeseen hardships such as robbery, vandalism, fire, flood, or natural disasters experienced within the last 12 months. The expected outcomes are a more resilient and modern independent restaurant sector in California. Measurable results will include the number of restaurants receiving grants, the types of investments made (e.g., number of energy-efficient equipment purchases, technology upgrades implemented, employees trained, or retention bonuses distributed), and the number of businesses recovering from hardships. While not explicitly detailed as a strategic priority or theory of change within the provided text, the foundation's approach appears to be a direct intervention model, providing financial resources to address immediate needs and foster long-term stability and growth for small businesses within the restaurant industry. This strategy directly contributes to economic stability and community welfare by supporting a vital sector.