Business and Commerce Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for its Southeast Aquatics Fund to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitats in the southeastern United States and Texas. This grant program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The fund's priorities are informed by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, adopted in 2018 and updated in 2023, which aims to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity across the Southeast. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aquatic ecosystems and the diverse array of species that inhabit them, particularly those identified as focal species in the Conasauga River (GA) and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. These include various endemic and native fishes like the Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, and trispot darter. The impact goal is to advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and other relevant conservation plans, ultimately leading to healthier aquatic habitats. The program prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints, with funding available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Projects benefiting the focal species in these areas will receive priority. The strategic priorities of the NFWF, as evidenced by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, emphasize a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitats in prioritized watersheds, reflecting a theory of change that by protecting these indicator species, the broader ecosystem health will improve. Expected outcomes include the conservation of aquatic habitat, the advancement of specific goals outlined in the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, and positive impacts on focal species populations. While not explicitly detailed as "measurable results" in the provided text, the focus on indicator species suggests that the health and population trends of these species would serve as key metrics for success. Projects are anticipated to have a completion time of 24–36 months, with grant awards ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 from approximately $8.45 million available in 2024.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Cardiovascular Health Unit is requesting proposals to bridge community and clinical sectors among Minnesota adults. The primary goal is to improve heart health and reduce the impact of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, especially within communities disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease. These communities include Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hmong/Asian American populations. The grant duration is 3 years, with an estimated start date of October 1, 2024, and a projected end date of June 30, 2027. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to address health disparities and promote equitable health outcomes across Minnesota. The grant prioritizes organizations that serve the identified disproportionately impacted communities. Project proposals should demonstrate how organizations will create or enhance existing community-clinical linkages to increase referrals to social needs, culturally relevant supports, and/or lifestyle change programs. The target beneficiaries are adults with hypertension, high cholesterol, or other risks of cardiovascular disease in these focus populations. The impact goals are to improve heart health and reduce the impacts of related chronic conditions. Projects must focus on increasing referrals to one or more of three categories of support. Category 1 involves social services and supports addressing areas where individuals live, learn, work, and play. Category 2 focuses on culturally responsive education and/or support for chronic condition prevention, screening, follow-up, and self-management. Category 3 emphasizes evidence-based lifestyle change programs that target hypertension or high cholesterol. These priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health, acknowledging both medical and social determinants of health. The expected outcomes include increased referrals to relevant support programs and improved heart health among the target population. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond "increase referrals," the emphasis on evidence-based programs and social determinants suggests a framework for tracking engagement and health indicators. The funding information indicates an estimated annual award range of $20,000-$60,000, with an estimated total of $60,000 annually awarded, suggesting a focus on impactful, community-level interventions. Eligible applicants are diverse and include clinics or healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, community health boards/local public health, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, tribal governments, and social service organizations. This broad eligibility criteria indicates the MDH's strategic priority to leverage a wide array of community assets to achieve its public health goals. The program's theory of change appears to be that by strengthening community-clinical linkages and providing targeted, culturally relevant support, health disparities in cardiovascular disease can be reduced.

The City of Shreveport, through its Department of Community Development, has announced a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Affordable Rental Housing Proposals. This initiative is primarily funded by the HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME ARP). The core mission of this grant program is to address the critical need for affordable housing within the community by soliciting proposals from experienced agencies dedicated to developing and managing such properties. This aligns with a broader strategic priority to enhance housing stability and accessibility for vulnerable populations. The primary beneficiaries of this program are individuals and families from specific qualifying populations. These include people experiencing homelessness, those at risk of homelessness, individuals fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, and other populations where supportive services would prevent homelessness or serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability. The impact goal is to provide safe, stable, and affordable rental housing, thereby reducing homelessness and housing insecurity for these vulnerable groups. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around the production or preservation of affordable housing through new construction, rehabilitation, and property acquisition, including vacant land, specifically for HOME-ARP rental housing projects. These projects must commit to providing affordable rental housing for a minimum of 15 years. The City of Shreveport aims to fund up to three qualified entities that demonstrate extensive experience in affordable housing development, non-congregate or transitional housing operations, supportive service programs, and federal policy compliance. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of available affordable rental housing units in Shreveport, directly benefiting the identified qualifying populations. Measurable results will likely include the number of new units constructed or rehabilitated, the number of individuals and families housed, and the duration of their housing stability. The City's strategic priority is to leverage federal funding to create a sustainable impact on housing affordability, with a theory of change that posits that by investing in experienced developers to create and preserve affordable housing, they can directly mitigate the effects of housing instability and homelessness in the community.

The educate2elevate (e2e) Grant is a collaborative funding initiative bringing together resources from across New Mexico for high-impact grantmaking, with the Albuquerque Community Foundation as the Donor Name. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission by focusing on education and school-based partners, specifically targeting Central New Mexico. The e2e funding area's original intent to support educational initiatives and address food insecurity among students and families remains the core focus for this year's RFP. The target beneficiaries of this grant are students and their families in Central New Mexico, encompassing Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties. The program aims to address food insecurity and enhance educational opportunities for these populations. Impact goals include expanding equitable access to nutritious meals, fostering community partnerships to provide food resources, and supporting early childhood education settings to ensure young children have access to nutritious meals and snacks during crucial developmental years. The grant prioritizes programs that provide enhancement of school meal programs, community partnerships, and early childhood education initiatives. For school meal programs, projects expanding equitable access to nutritious meals for students, including out-of-school time meal programs, nutrition programs, and school-based gardens, are emphasized. However, funding for free and reduced lunch programs will not be considered. Community partnerships involve collaborative efforts between local organizations, businesses, and stakeholders to expand food access and reduce food insecurity among students. Early childhood education initiatives aim to address food insecurity among young children and their families in settings like preschools and daycare centers. Expected outcomes include improved access to nutritious meals for students, enhanced community collaboration in addressing food insecurity, and better nutritional support for young children in early childhood education settings. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on expanding access, providing resources, and supporting initiatives implies a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the reach and effectiveness of the funded programs in reducing food insecurity and supporting student well-family well-being in Central New Mexico. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to support education and food security, particularly in Central New Mexico, through collaborative and impactful grantmaking.

The Mini-Grants for Community Impact, offered by the United Way of the Golden Triangle Region, aim to strengthen local initiatives within Choctaw, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston Counties in Mississippi. This grant program aligns with the United Way's mission to address human needs through united community efforts, including human services planning, community-wide fundraising, and citizen-reviewed fund allocation. The grants are designed to foster a clear understanding and mutual acceptance of roles between the United Way and participating organizations, ensuring a collaborative approach to meeting the human needs of the specified counties. The target beneficiaries for these grants are registered 501(c)3 non-profits, organizations, businesses, programs, or community groups actively working in the designated regions. The overarching impact goal is to advance key areas such as Education, Health, Financial Stability, Children/Family well-being, and Disaster relief. By supporting these entities, the program seeks to improve the quality of life for residents across these six Mississippi counties. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly fulfill a specific community need within the identified impact areas. While the grant size is stated as $1,000 to $10,000 in one section, the funding information later specifies an awarded amount ranging from $500 to $1,500, with a maximum of $1,500 per entity. This suggests a focus on smaller, targeted interventions. Crucially, funds cannot be allocated towards salaries, reimbursements, matching funds, capital campaigns, operational expenses, consulting fees, or lobbying, ensuring that resources are directed exclusively to direct program implementation and community benefit. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in education, health, financial stability, family support, and disaster preparedness or recovery within the target counties. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the emphasis on fulfilling "a specific community need" implies that successful applicants will demonstrate how their projects contribute to these broader goals. The United Way of the Golden Triangle Region's strategic priority is to address human needs effectively and efficiently, and their theory of change relies on the collective efforts of various community segments to achieve lasting positive change.

The Creative Youth Development program, a cornerstone of the California Arts Council (CAC), is fundamentally rooted in the belief that arts learning is crucial for healthy human development and should be universally accessible to all young people across California. This includes, but is not limited to, those whose lives have been impacted by the justice system. The program's mission aligns with the CAC's broader vision of ensuring that all California youth receive meaningful, culturally responsive arts-learning experiences, enabling them to achieve their full potential. This initiative underscores a commitment to nurturing young people's stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression, while deeply respecting their lived experiences. The program targets young people throughout California, with a particular focus on those who have faced interruptions or impacts from the justice system. The impact goals are to foster environments that promote Creative Youth Development through the integration of three core concepts: Racial Equity and Social Justice, Youth Voices, and Collective Action. Projects are encouraged to take place in a variety of settings, including arts and culture venues, community centers, court/school sites, juvenile halls and camps, county-operated correctional facilities, social services agencies, and other youth-oriented settings, during or outside of traditional school hours. The program prioritizes projects that address one or more of its key goals. These include providing social-emotional creative experiences in safe and healthy learning environments, fostering creative abilities through culturally and linguistically responsive arts learning, and supporting arts programs that activate youth voices, narratives, and perspectives. Other focuses involve utilizing cultural assets for positive self-identification and respect for diverse cultures, empowering youth through cultural preservation and revitalization, and cultivating transferable life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration. The grant seeks to support hands-on learning in various artistic disciplines, from dance and literary arts to media arts, music, theater, traditional/folk arts, and visual arts. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the successful implementation of projects that fulfill the program's purpose within the grant activity period (January 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025). Applicants are expected to design projects that provide safe, healthy, and appropriate learning environments and include sustained activities. For tuition-based projects, a robust equity and accessibility plan with full scholarships and reduced fees is required. The program anticipates increased creative abilities, enhanced social-emotional well-being, and developed life skills among participants. Projects are also expected to demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and social justice, amplify youth voices, and promote collective action within communities. Furthermore, artists involved must have at least two years of relevant experience, be California-based, and not be full-time students in a degree program, ensuring high-quality instruction and mentorship.

This funding opportunity supports university researchers in developing and commercializing life sciences inventions to advance their practical applications and attract potential investors.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local taxing districts and governments affected by the closure of the Colstrip power plants, helping them maintain essential services and mitigate tax revenue losses.

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas - typically rural states.

The non-Entitlement competitive grant program component prioritizes assistance to persons experiencing or At risk of homelessness and investments that increase the supply of housing to households with incomes of 60 percent or less of area median income. A. Eligible Applicants. An Applicant must be a Non-Entitlement Local Government. A Non-Entitlement Local Government means a Local Government in an area which is not a metropolitan city or part of an urban county, a Local Government that, as of September 1, 2017, was an incorporated city with a population of less than 50,000 or a county with an unincorporated area population of less than 200,000 persons, which had not entered into a three-year Urban County Cooperation Agreement, or a Local Government that was not otherwise entitled to receive CDBG funds directly from HUD. See Appendix A for a list of eligible Applicants for Non-Entitlement Local Government for fiscal year 2019-20. For applications that include the development of a Rental Housing project, the Sponsor must be a co-Applicant with the Non-Entitlement Local Government, pursuant to Guidelines Section 400. Sponsor includes the general partner(s); if there are two general partners, both must submit all the required co-Applicant documents. B. Eligible Activities. Pursuant to Guidelines Section 401, eligible activities under this PLHA competitive NOFA are limited to the following and must take place within the jurisdiction of the Applicant Local Government: 1. Development of new multifamily rental housing that is Affordable to households at or below 60 percent of AMI or substantial rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing that will be Affordable to households at or below 60 percent of AMI, but which is not currently restricted as Affordable housing. In order to be eligible as “substantial rehabilitation”, a project must complete a minimum of $40,000 per unit in hard construction costs; or 2. Assistance to persons who are experiencing or At risk of homelessness, including, but not limited to, through rapid rehousing, or rental assistance, supportive services and case management services that allow people to obtain and retain housing, operating and capital costs for navigation centers, or new construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of permanent or transitional rental housing C. Funding Limits The maximum application amount, including administrative costs, for the development of new multifamily rental housing or substantial rehabilitation of a multifamily rental housing project, or development of a navigation center is $3 million. The minimum application amount shall be $500,000.  

This program provides matching grants to local businesses in Libertyville to support growth and sustainability through various improvements, excluding general operational costs.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations.  

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. The Eligible Applicants for 2018 MIT-RIP funds are Jurisdictions within the MID. This includes eligible Jurisdictions that have seen 1 percent or more of total structures destroyed by fire and have more that 0.4 percent of total land designated as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard risk that will receive a proportional allocation of program funds. Eligible Applicants with allocations include Butte County, Lake County, Los Angeles County, Malibu, Paradise, Redding, and Shasta County.  

This grant provides funding to local governments without a cannabis retail licensing program to help them create and implement such programs, ensuring safe access to regulated cannabis for consumers.

This program provides funding to empower local organizations and communities in specific countries to lead their own development initiatives, focusing on inclusivity and sustainability.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Jurisdictions within the MID that do not meet the allocation requirements are still eligible to submit Projects towards a 20 percent set aside. Applicants will then be required to submit Project applications which will be reviewed against eligibility thresholds to ensure they meet program requirements. The following Jurisdictions will be eligible to apply towards the 20 percent set aside:o City of Agoura Hillso City of Andersono City of Calabasaso City of Chicoo City of Gridleyo City of Lakeporto City of Los Angeleso City of Orovilleo City of Shasta Lakeo City of Westlake Villageo Tribal Entities located within the MID  

The City of Lafayette, through its Historic Preservation Board (HPB), offers competitive grants aimed at the direct support and preservation of older buildings within Lafayette city limits. These grants are designed to maintain and enhance the historic character of the community, aligning with the broader mission of preserving local heritage and extending the lifespan of significant structures. The program underscores a commitment to fostering a sense of place and historical continuity for current and future residents. Target beneficiaries for this grant program are owners of commercial buildings, houses, churches, outbuildings, and barns that are 50 years old or older and located within Lafayette city limits. The impact goals are to encourage the restoration, repair, and overall improvement of these historic structures. Expected outcomes include the physical preservation of architectural heritage, improved structural integrity of older buildings, and the continued use of historic materials or the use of identical/similar materials when original ones are not feasible. The program prioritizes projects that extend the life of the building, enhance its historic character, and, where possible, involve Lafayette-based businesses or DIY efforts. Projects that remove non-historic features to expose original ones are also encouraged. Urgency of need is a significant factor in assessment, alongside the longevity impact of the project and the appearance achieved through the use of historic materials. Research on the property's history is also encouraged, drawing on local historical resources. Eligible improvements include structural repairs (like foundation work), restoration of original windows and doors, roof repair/replacement, gutter installation, masonry cleaning and restoration, and the reconstruction of original architectural details. Painting is also eligible, with an emphasis on determining original colors. Measurable results include the number of buildings preserved, the extent of historic materials retained or accurately replicated, and the overall improvement in the condition and historic authenticity of funded projects. The underlying theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and clear guidelines, the City of Lafayette can empower property owners to take an active role in preserving the city's unique historical fabric, contributing to community pride and economic vitality.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist California Tribes in creating affordable housing solutions, including new construction and rehabilitation of existing properties, to support Native American communities, particularly those facing homelessness or at risk of it.

The CATALYST Grant aims to enhance the capabilities, efficiency, and competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers in South Carolina by promoting the adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), Quality Management Systems (QMSs), and Lean Manufacturing tools. Eligible manufacturers must have a NAICS code beginning with 31, 32, or 33, be physically located in South Carolina for at least one year, operate within the Department of Defense supply chain, and employ at least four workers. The grant supports consultative assessments to identify opportunities for AMT deployment and funds pilot projects in areas such as augmented reality training, digital work instructions, and robotics. The grant application opens on October 5, 2023, following an informational webinar, and closes on June 30, 2024, or when all slots are filled. The grant provides funding for projects recommended by AMT assessments, as well as QMS and Lean Manufacturing implementations to help manufacturers eliminate waste and reduce rework, improving their effectiveness as DIB suppliers.

This program provides funding to support businesses and organizations involved in processing, storing, and distributing locally produced food in Michigan, helping to strengthen the state's food supply chain.