Business and Commerce Grants

The Kern Community Foundation's Women’s and Girls’ Fund is offering grants between $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kern County, California, that aim to enhance educational attainment and STEM interest for women and girls, with a focus on improving test scores, literacy, graduation rates, and vocational training opportunities.

The Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership Grants, provided by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, offers financial support to nonprofit organizations in Coles County, Illinois, that aim to enhance workforce skills, entrepreneurship, and business development environment, with a focus on projects that build organizational strength and leadership capacity in areas like fundraising, governance, finance, marketing, and technology.

The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers is a collaborative initiative between government and philanthropic organizations, managed by The New York Community Trust, aimed at supporting innovative efforts to improve the lives of migrants who have recently arrived in New York City. This program aligns with the broader mission of ensuring that new arrivals thrive and contribute to a stronger city, recognizing the positive impact immigrants have on New York City. The grant is designed to enhance and fill gaps in existing government programs and funding, rather than replace them. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are newly arrived migrants in New York City. The program's impact goals are focused on facilitating their integration and stability within the city. This includes connecting them to essential services like work, school, legal assistance, public benefits, housing, and general support for city life. The program also aims to build the capacity of service providers to meet the increasing demand for these critical services. The program prioritizes proposals that offer services in three key areas: Case Management, Legal Services, and Community-Based Social Services. For Case Management, the focus is on providing support within shelters (both City-run and nonprofit-run) to connect migrants with necessary resources. Legal Services aim to increase the capacity of providers to assist with benefits applications, work authorization, deportation defense, and achieving lawful status. Community-Based Social Services are designed to help community groups provide or connect newcomers with public education, workforce development, job opportunities, English classes, and other services that aid in their integration. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved efficiency and speed in migrants' path to stability, evidenced by successful connections to shelter, case management, and social services. The program also seeks to foster partnerships between organizations with complementary expertise, and to fund projects that can be adopted and scaled by the government for long-term impact. Prioritization will be given to projects that deliver services with cultural and linguistic sensitivity, and that leverage the existing strengths and experience of organizations. Grants are expected to range from $75,000 to $250,000 per year for up to two years, with larger grants awarded to projects that include a strong, coordinated case management component along with legal and/or community-based social services.

The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is seeking applications for its Kodiak Community Foundation Grants program, targeting charitable organizations and programs within the Kodiak Archipelago Area. This grant opportunity aligns with the ACF's broader mission to support diverse community needs, with a focus on local impact in the Kodiak region. The program aims to address a wide range of needs, ensuring that funding contributes to the well-being and development of the community. The target beneficiaries of these grants are charitable organizations and programs operating in the Kodiak Archipelago. The impact goals are broad, encompassing health and wellness, education, outdoor activities, arts and culture, and community development. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower local initiatives that directly benefit the residents of the Kodiak area, reflecting a theory of change that grassroots efforts are crucial for sustainable community growth. The program prioritizes projects that address a broad spectrum of community needs. While specific outcomes are not rigidly defined beyond these categories, the expectation is that funded projects will contribute to an improved quality of life, enhanced community resources, and increased opportunities for residents in the aforementioned areas. Measurable results would likely be defined by individual grant recipients based on their specific project goals, within the broader framework of the foundation's focus areas. Funding information indicates average awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, with a potential for higher or lower amounts, and grant projects must be completed within one year of the award. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations, faith-based organizations providing social services, federally recognized Tribes or Tribal non-profit organizations, and city or borough governments. This structured approach ensures that resources are directed towards credible and impactful entities capable of delivering on the grant's objectives.

This program provides early-stage companies in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with free mentorship, resources, and support to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

The Inspire Community Grant, offered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, provides financial support ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for arts and cultural projects in Livingston and Monroe Counties, New York, aimed at serving diverse populations and enhancing community vitality, with eligibility extended to non-profit organizations, government entities, Tribal Nations, and individual artists or groups working with a fiscal sponsor or community partner.

Gener8tor is inviting applications for its gBETA Social Impact Accelerator Program, a free, seven-week virtual initiative offering coaching, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies focused on equity in education or criminal justice reform, with the aim to prepare them for investment accelerators or seed funding rounds.

The Hutchinson Community Foundation in Reno County, Kansas is offering Changemakers at Work grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for a year, to fund projects that foster community building, enhance community pride, and promote placemaking, open to 501(c)(3) organizations serving Reno County.

The Somerset County Tourism Grant Program, funded by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, for marketing initiatives and visitor center operations aimed at boosting tourism and overnight stays in the region.

This program provides funding to Iowa-based tourism organizations and entities to promote marketing campaigns that attract out-of-state visitors and boost local economies.

The Fayette County Tourism Grant Program, administered by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, for marketing, tourism enhancement, operational expenses, and visitor center operations, with the aim of boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.

The GO Laurel Highlands is offering a tourism grant ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for marketing, enhancement of attractions, and special events aimed at increasing visitation and economic activity in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with applications to be submitted by October 4, 2024.

This grant provides financial assistance to commercial property owners in Wooster's Central Business District for renovations that enhance downtown activity and preserve the area's visual appeal.

The City of Marfa is offering Historic Restoration and Preservation Grants, funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax, to organizations that promote tourism and the hotel industry through projects enhancing historical restoration and preservation, with priority given to those generating overnight visitors and events held at specific local venues.

The City of San Carlos is offering a Childcare Grant Program, providing funding between $10,000 to $100,000 for local childcare centers, family childcare homes, and non-profit centers to fund capital improvement projects aimed at increasing childcare spaces, particularly for infants and children with special needs, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

This initiative provides funding and resources to early-stage, technology-focused startups from the U.S. and abroad that are willing to relocate to Kansas City, Missouri, to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

The City of Austin's Equity Office is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support community-driven initiatives, particularly grassroots organizations, that address immigrant inclusion, solidarity with unhoused people, and anti-displacement efforts in the Austin-Travis County area, with priority given to applicants with annual operating budgets not exceeding $500,000.

The 2025 gBETA Huntsville Accelerator Program, run by gener8tor, is a free, seven-week accelerator designed for early-stage companies with local roots in Alabama. This program aims to support the growth of new businesses by providing individualized coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for investor engagement. The program aligns with a mission to foster economic development and innovation within local communities by nurturing nascent companies and preparing them for further investment or seed rounds. It operates multiple times a year across various U.S. cities, selecting up to five companies per cohort from a competitive applicant pool. The target beneficiaries of the gBETA Huntsville program are early-stage companies based in Alabama. These companies can range from those with a nascent idea to those with significant revenue, though most are typically post-product and pre-scale. The program prioritizes companies that are committed to growth, evidenced by a five-hour weekly programming commitment and additional time spent developing their business. The impact goal is to propel these companies toward participating in investment accelerators or successfully raising a seed round, thereby contributing to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program's core focuses include individualized coaching and mentorship from gener8tor on company growth and investor readiness. Participants also benefit from weekly "Lunch & Learns" and "Mentor Swarms," as well as investor and accelerator pitches. Another key priority is providing access to over $1M in deals and perks from a network of vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot, and Microsoft. These resources are strategically provided to enhance the companies' operational capabilities and market reach. Expected outcomes include significant advancements in company growth and investor readiness for participating businesses. Measurable results would be the number of graduates that go on to secure investment accelerator placements or successfully raise seed funding. The program's strategic priorities are centered on creating a robust support system for local startups, offering ongoing post-program support, and fostering community involvement. This approach reflects a theory of change where intensive, short-term acceleration, coupled with ongoing community and resource access, leads to sustainable growth and investment for early-stage companies, ultimately bolstering regional economic vitality.

The Gener8tor gBETA Urban League Accelerator Program is a free, seven-week program designed to support the growth of Madison businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color, from high-tech startups to Main Street small businesses. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster economic development and provide opportunities for underrepresented business owners, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem within Madison. The program is offered multiple times a year, selecting up to five companies per cohort from a competitive applicant pool. The target beneficiaries of this program are Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color based in Madison, with a particular focus on those interested in becoming part of the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub. The program aims to address disparities in access to resources and support for these entrepreneurs, ultimately contributing to their success and the vibrancy of Madison's diverse business community. The program's priorities and focuses include individualized coaching and mentorship on company growth and investor readiness, weekly "Lunch & Learns" and "Mentor Swarms," and opportunities for investor and accelerator pitches. Additionally, participants receive over $1M in deals and perks from various vendors, and ongoing post-program support and community involvement. These elements are designed to provide a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs of participating businesses at different stages of development. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the gBETA Urban League program are for graduates to either participate in an investment accelerator or successfully raise a seed round of funding. While companies can range from "idea" stage to "significant revenue," the program is particularly beneficial for those post-product, pre-scale, who are ready to intensely focus on customer growth and investor readiness. The commitment required includes approximately five hours of programming each week, with additional time expected for working on their businesses outside of the program.

The City of Marfa in Texas is offering an Advertising Reimbursement Grant Program, funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax, to groups and businesses that promote tourism and the hotel industry by advertising their events outside the local area, with a maximum award of $3,500, prioritizing those that generate overnight visitors and rent local facilities for their events.