Business and Commerce Grants

The Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) offers a Tourism Grant program aimed at increasing tourism-related offerings and visitor numbers in Yazoo County. This initiative directly aligns with the CVB's mission to promote tourism, which in turn fosters economic growth for all local businesses. The grant program is designed to support organizations that contribute to these goals, offering both financial reimbursement and expert guidance to ensure the success and growth of events, sites, attractions, or projects that enhance the county's tourism appeal. The CVB's strategic priority is to leverage grant funding to create a measurable increase in visitor traffic and the quality of tourism experiences. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations within Yazoo County that are involved in promoting tourism or preserving tourism-related sites. The impact goals are to significantly boost visitor traffic to Yazoo County and to enrich the quality and diversity of tourism offerings. The CVB offers two main types of grants to achieve these goals: Advertising & Promotion and Historical/Cultural Enhancement. The Advertising & Promotion grant focuses on attracting visitors from outside the immediate area (over a 100-mile radius or out-of-state) through paid advertising and public relations efforts. The Historical/Cultural Enhancement grant is dedicated to the repair and improvement of tourism or tourism-related sites and the placement of historical and/or cultural markers, such as Blues or Freedom Trail markers. The priorities and focuses of the grant program are clearly defined. For Advertising & Promotion, the emphasis is on external marketing, requiring organizations to purchase ads in various media, create brochures, and develop PR kits. Entertainment, labor, and clothing items are explicitly excluded. For Historical/Cultural Enhancement, the focus is on physical improvements to sites and historical preservation through markers, specifically excluding "bricks and mortar projects," salaries, or operating expenses. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate additional funding from other sources, indicating a strategic approach to maximizing the impact of the CVB's contributions and ensuring broader community and financial support. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in visitor numbers and an enhancement of Yazoo County's tourism infrastructure and attractions. Organizations receiving grants are expected to contribute to these outcomes, with requirements such as recognizing the CVB as a sponsor in all advertising and submitting proofs for approval. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in targeted advertising and the improvement of tourism assets, Yazoo County will become a more attractive destination, leading to greater visitor engagement and economic benefits for the entire community. Measurable results are derived from these efforts, with final reports and reimbursement requests required within 60 days of project completion, ensuring accountability and tracking of project success in relation to the CVB's tourism goals.

The Classic Center Cultural Foundation's 2024 Community Grant program aims to support performing, visual, or culinary arts efforts and workforce development initiatives in Athens-Clarke County, specifically those aligning with the hospitality industry. This grant directly supports the Foundation's broader mission to provide resources that entertain and educate the local community and foster economic growth. The Foundation achieves this by supporting diverse arts programs and workforce development initiatives, while also maintaining The Classic Center as a state-of-the-art venue. The target beneficiaries for this grant include organizations and initiatives within Athens-Clarke County that are actively involved in the performing, visual, or culinary arts, or are developing workforce skills relevant to the hospitality sector. The primary impact goal is to enhance the cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity of the local community through arts and hospitality-related development. By investing in these areas, the Foundation seeks to create a more engaged and skilled community. The grant prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear alignment with both arts and hospitality. This focus includes, but is not limited to, programs that offer educational opportunities, public performances, exhibitions, or culinary training that can lead to employment within the hospitality industry. The Foundation seeks proposals that will contribute to both community enrichment and economic stability. Expected outcomes include an increase in high-quality arts programming and a more skilled workforce in the hospitality sector within Athens-Clarke County. Measurable results could involve the number of participants in workforce development programs, attendance figures for events, or the number of impressions generated by supported projects. Grant funding is available up to $5,000, with proposals needing to clearly outline an itemized project budget and the amount requested, not exceeding this limit. The Classic Center Cultural Foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in a theory of change that posits by investing in arts and workforce development, especially within the hospitality industry, they can contribute to a thriving local economy and an enriched cultural landscape. The Foundation believes that supporting these initiatives directly leads to a more educated, entertained, and economically stable community, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in Athens-Clarke County.

The City of Stockton and Stockton Arts Commission are offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for local artists and art organizations to fund projects that promote public engagement and access to various forms of art within the city, with funds being used for artist compensation, production, exhibit costs, marketing, rental cost, and supplies.

The Chautauqua County Tourism Product Development Grant Program, with a deadline of 10/01/2024, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that enhance tourism and recreation opportunities, increase visibility, and promote overnight stays in the county, with a focus on event development, marketing, and attraction enhancement.

The Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program, initiated by the City of Chicago and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to provide financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits. This program is designed to help these entities recover from economic losses sustained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Chicago, through its Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), is seeking a qualified organization to administer this $21.5 million grant program. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are eligible small businesses and nonprofits located within Chicago. The impact goals are centered around stabilizing their operations, supporting their workforce, and mitigating the long-term economic effects of the pandemic. By providing these funds, the program intends to foster economic resilience within the local business and nonprofit ecosystem. The program's priorities and focus are clearly on economic recovery and stability for the most vulnerable sectors affected by the pandemic. The selection of an administering organization will be based on their understanding of the city contractor's needs, the local small business and nonprofit landscape, and the City of Chicago's processes, ensuring efficient and effective distribution of funds. Expected outcomes include a stabilized small business sector and a stronger nonprofit presence in Chicago, both equipped to navigate future economic challenges. Measurable results would likely involve tracking the number of businesses and nonprofits served, jobs retained or created, and the overall economic recovery indicators within the city. While the specific foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are not explicitly detailed here, the underlying theory is that direct financial support to these entities will lead to broader economic stability and community well-being.

The 2024 Beautification Awards, offered by the City of Livermore, aim to enhance and increase the aesthetic attraction of Livermore. This program is designed to recognize community members' efforts in promoting creativity, community pride, and economic vitality through improvements to their properties. The awards align with the city's broader mission of fostering a visually appealing and vibrant community. The target beneficiaries of this program are property owners within the corporate limits of the City of Livermore who undertake projects to improve their outdoor spaces. The impact goals include beautifying the city, encouraging community engagement in local aesthetics, and boosting local economic vitality through enhanced visual appeal. The program implicitly promotes a theory of change where local beautification efforts directly lead to increased community pride and economic benefits. The program prioritizes various types of projects, including residential site improvements, retail or commercial upgrades, water-wise or native plant landscapes, historical renovations, and other structural renovations, restorations, and new builds with noteworthy landscape design. Projects must be visible from a public street or trail, have the consent of the owner, and not have won in the previous five years. Self-nominations are encouraged. Award selection criteria focus on how a project visually enhances the property, how the home or business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization, and creativity to complement and enrich the visual appeal of the existing community, and how the structure, architectural design, and landscaping are combined for maximum visual effect. The expected outcomes are a more aesthetically pleasing Livermore and increased community pride, with measurable results being the number and quality of beautification projects undertaken and recognized.

This grant provides funding for research and projects that develop climate change predictions and analyses to help industries adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate-related challenges through 2050.

This grant provides funding for research and initiatives that address the impacts of drought and climate change, aiming to enhance resilience and inform decision-making for communities and ecosystems across the United States.

The Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) is currently accepting applications for its fall grant cycle, inviting projects that aim to make a positive impact on Huron County, Michigan. As a nonprofit community corporation, HCCF's mission is deeply rooted in supporting the people of Huron County by fostering prosperity. This is achieved through a focus on Community & Economic Growth, aligning the grant program directly with the foundation's core purpose of enhancing the well-being and development of the region. HCCF's strategic priorities are designed to cultivate a thriving environment within Huron County. These include retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce, creating vibrant and dynamic communities, and cultivating an environment conducive to business development. Projects addressing these areas are given preference for unrestricted grantmaking dollars. This focus reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in these key areas, they can catalyze broader community and economic growth, leading to a more prosperous future for all residents. Beyond the strategic priorities, the HCCF also encourages applications for projects that address numerous other interest areas, indicating a broad scope for potential beneficiaries. These areas include Arts and Culture, Education, Health & Medicine, Basic Needs Services, Beautification of Huron County, Natural Areas Preservation, Disadvantaged Youth, Recreation, and Women in STEM. This diverse range of focus areas ensures that a wide array of community needs and interests can be supported, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and impact. Applicants are required to submit a detailed project narrative, outlining the project's description and purpose, including its location and the number of people it will serve. This narrative should also address the project's long-term impact and measurable results, demonstrating how the grant from HCCF would be recognized. Furthermore, applicants must describe their evaluation methods to determine if their purpose was accomplished, and provide a budget with estimated income and expenses. These guidelines are designed to ensure accountability and to help the HCCF assess the potential effectiveness and sustainability of each proposed project, ultimately aiming for impactful and measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's mission.

This grant provides funding to early-career researchers focused on developing and applying Earth system models to address urgent climate challenges and promote diversity and inclusion in climate science.

This grant provides funding for researchers and organizations to enhance understanding of solar radiation modification through integrated observations and modeling, addressing climate change challenges.

The Culture Connect Legacy Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofits serving US-based immigrant and refugee populations in Georgia, focusing on language access, public benefits access, economic empowerment, and affordable healthcare, with applications open until October 17, 2024.

The NOAA Climate Program Office (CPO) has issued a funding opportunity under its FY2025 Atmospheric Chemistry, Carbon Cycle, and Climate (AC4) Program. This program seeks to fund research that advances understanding of the Earth System, focusing specifically on the urban atmosphere and the impacts of climate and air quality mitigation strategies. Proposals are encouraged to address processes influencing atmospheric trace gases and aerosols and to support carbon and pollution management by contributing to improved models and data. The AC4 Program will accept proposals for research projects with budgets averaging $250,000 per year over a period of 2-3 years, with total anticipated awards ranging from 8 to 10. Proposals may be funded as grants; however, cooperative agreements may be issued if NOAA anticipates substantial involvement in project implementation, such as collaboration between NOAA scientists and recipients. Federal agencies are ineligible to receive these funds, but eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international entities, and state, local, and tribal governments. This opportunity does not have a cost-sharing requirement. Key submission deadlines are as follows: Letters of Intent (LOIs) are strongly encouraged and should be submitted via email by September 18, 2024, though submission of an LOI is not required to proceed with a full application. The deadline for full applications is December 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants are urged to complete all necessary registrations well in advance. Required documents include project narratives, data management plans, diversity statements, budget tables and narratives, current and pending support, and vitae for all principal investigators (PIs). NOAA emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in its funded activities and requires a DEIA statement to highlight how the project will advance participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. NOAA will review applications based on criteria including technical merit, qualifications, project costs, and the significance of expected contributions to NOAA’s climate research goals. Reviews will occur in two stages: an initial technical review by subject matter experts, followed by a program relevance assessment. Selection factors include geographical balance, research priority alignment, and participation of targeted groups. Award notifications are expected in spring 2025, contingent on federal appropriations, with project start dates around September 1, 2025. For questions, applicants may reach out to the CPO or consult specific competition managers listed in the NOFO. Further details on submission requirements, NOAA policies, and guidance on Grants.gov are provided in the official announcement and on the CPO website.

This grant provides funding for researchers and organizations to utilize uncrewed systems data to address urgent climate challenges and enhance NOAA's capabilities in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation efforts.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) offers the Project Grant for Organizations (PGO), a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for less than a year, to support arts and culture projects relevant to Rhode Island communities, with eligibility for nonprofit organizations incorporated in Rhode Island with a community-involved board of directors.

This program provides funding to non-profits and public organizations for projects that improve the community in areas such as arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation within the ISD 88 region.

The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) is offering its Tourism Marketing Fund to support attractions and event organizers. The primary goal is to encourage visitors from outside Rock County, Wisconsin, to generate overnight hotel stays and provide a positive economic impact on the Janesville community. As an independent non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, the JACVB serves as Janesville’s Destination Marketing Organization, aligning its mission with fostering local economic growth through tourism. The grant targets non-profit organizations or those with strong demonstrated partnerships with non-profits. The beneficiaries are attractions and event organizers who aim to market to audiences outside of Rock County. The ultimate impact goal is to create overnight stays in Janesville, leading to a positive economic impact for a wider range of local businesses. The JACVB prioritizes applications that demonstrate potential for creating new or increased business for Janesville, encouraging self-supporting events, and aligning with the "Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside" brand. Key focuses for qualifying projects include promoting special events, developing marketing materials (brochures, videos, website design, direct mail), advertising buys, social media campaigns, and conference and sporting event bidding fees. The JACVB will not fund organizations that discriminate, political entities, building/capital campaigns, organizations benefiting only a few, or requests for staffing/administrative/operational/supplies purposes. This strategic filtering ensures that the grants support initiatives directly contributing to tourism marketing and economic stimulation. Expected outcomes include an increase in out-of-county visitors, a rise in overnight hotel stays, and greater media exposure for Janesville events and promotions at the county, state, or regional level. Measurable results will likely be assessed through the number of overnight stays generated, the economic impact on local businesses, and the reach of marketing campaigns. The JACVB's theory of change posits that by investing in targeted tourism marketing, they can effectively draw visitors, thereby bolstering the local economy and enhancing Janesville's reputation as a destination. Strong consideration is given to proposals that include matching funds from the applicant, further amplifying the potential for a positive economic return.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Kansas that are focused on developing registered apprenticeship programs to attract and retain skilled employees in response to industry demands.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Rhode Island for activities that enhance their operational effectiveness, including strategic planning and anti-racism training, with a focus on those with smaller budgets or addressing critical needs.