Grants for For profit organizations other than small businesses - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in South Florida for innovative visual and performing arts programs and K-12 arts education initiatives.

The Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice (SRRJ) Expansion/Growth Grant supports Black-owned restaurants and food businesses across the United States by providing financial assistance aimed at start-up costs, business improvements, and sustainability efforts. Originating in 2020 as a coalition focused on aiding Black-owned restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic, SRRJ has since partnered with The LEE Initiative and has raised over $4 million in corporate funding. The grants are part of an ongoing effort to preserve and promote Black culinary traditions and leadership. For 2024, each grant will be awarded in the amount of $20,000. The deadline for applications is September 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in North Carolina that create innovative programs to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote economic growth.

The Neighborhood STAR program, administered by the City of Saint Paul’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), is a grant initiative established in 1993. It allocates revenue from the city’s half-cent sales tax to fund capital improvement projects that enhance the vitality of Saint Paul neighborhoods. This program offers reimbursement grants of $5,000 or more, aiming to strengthen the community through various physical improvements. The program's mission aligns with fostering neighborhood growth and economic development within Saint Paul. The target beneficiaries of the Neighborhood STAR program include public, private, non-profit, or for-profit entities located in or doing business within Saint Paul. Additionally, city departments, quasi-governmental entities, churches, and religious organizations can apply when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group, provided their projects are non-sectarian, open to the public, and for non-religious functions. The program specifically excludes political groups, federal/state/county agencies, and individual homeowners/condominium/townhome owners. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the vitality of the city's neighborhoods through tangible capital improvements. The program prioritizes a diverse range of capital improvement activities. These include renovation, rehabilitation, and construction of commercial, residential, or industrial properties; fixed interior and exterior improvements such as walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, and HVAC; minor public improvements; and beautification of public or private open spaces with elements like trees, rain gardens, and play equipment with a life expectancy of 7+ years. Creative placemaking/placekeeping activities, including public art, are also encouraged, especially those that promote cultural diversity. Non-profit neighborhood organizations providing funding programs for local businesses and homeowners are also eligible. Expected outcomes of the Neighborhood STAR program include revitalized commercial, residential, and industrial properties, improved public and private spaces, enhanced community aesthetics, and increased accessibility. Measurable results could include the number of properties renovated, the square footage of improved public spaces, the installation of new public art or infrastructure, and the successful completion of projects within the anticipated September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026 timeframe. Grant requests up to $50,000 do not require matching funds, simplifying access for smaller projects and further demonstrating the city's strategic priority to support neighborhood-level improvements directly.

This program provides funding to organizations in Kansas to improve digital literacy and skills training, particularly for low-income individuals, veterans, seniors, and rural residents in economically distressed areas.

Under the broader Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education, Section 225 targets corrections education and education for other institutionalized individuals in Connecticut. This initiative seeks to provide educational services to those likely to leave correctional institutions within five years, aiming to enhance their literacy, employment, and reintegration prospects. It emphasizes the importance of basic skills and literacy for effective societal participation. Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the project promotes collaboration to meet the educational needs of this specific population, with a commitment to multi-year funding that spans from fiscal year 2025 to 2028. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)

ACCESS GRANTED is a grant initiative aimed at supporting and empowering small minority and/or women-owned businesses in Frederick, Maryland. The program targets both start-ups and established businesses needing capital for specific projects that will promote business growth. The City of Frederick has allocated $400,000 for these grants, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA-SLFRF). Eligible businesses can apply for up to $40,000 to cover project costs such as equipment, renovations, inventory, professional services, marketing, and more. The goal is to enhance revenue, profitability, and business opportunities without replacing lost revenues. The application process for ACCESS GRANTED opens on July 15, 2024, and closes on August 12, 2024. Applications will be reviewed competitively, with awards distributed by early fall 2024. To be eligible, businesses must be registered for-profit entities in Maryland, in good standing, and have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. Preferences will be given to minority and women-owned businesses located within The City of Frederick. Award recipients must submit interim and final reports on the project's impact.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to reduce lead exposure among children in high-risk communities in Washington, D.C., particularly targeting vulnerable populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and low-income residents.

This program provides funding for research that explores the causes of housing affordability issues in the U.S. and helps shape effective policy solutions.

The SB 1 Grant Program offers funding to local, regional, and tribal governments for planning and implementing projects to adapt to sea level rise and climate change impacts, with additional technical assistance available for those representing Environmental Justice communities.

This initiative supports U.S.-based startups with innovative solutions in Earth Observation for supply chains and Off-World Production, providing mentorship and resources to help them scale their space-based technologies.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in developing storytelling and communication strategies to promote a pilot program that boosts wages for child care workers in King County, ultimately advocating for sustained investment in early childhood care.

This program provides financial support to Native-led arts and cultural organizations in the U.S. to strengthen their operations and promote Indigenous arts and culture.

Main Street Ventures offers Launch Funding to emerging, pre-revenue businesses that have a prototype or product. This grant program aims to support the growth and scaling of businesses within the Greater Cincinnati region, aligning with the foundation's mission to foster economic development and innovation in the area. The funding is specifically designed to cover key direct costs associated with growth projects, rather than general operating expenses, reflecting a strategic priority to provide tangible support for business acceleration. The primary target beneficiaries are business entities (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN) located in the Greater Cincinnati region, which includes specific counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Businesses must demonstrate customer demand and strong progression since their founding. The program focuses on specific growth projects that will accelerate business growth, with examples of suitable direct expenses including key equipment, packaging support, and technology product development. This targeted approach ensures that the grant funds directly contribute to measurable business expansion. Special consideration is given to women and minority-owned businesses, as well as businesses that can show matching funds from other sources. This reflects the foundation's strategic priorities to promote inclusivity and leverage additional investment, thereby maximizing the overall impact on the regional economy. The expected outcomes include the scaling of businesses, job creation, and increased economic vitality within the Greater Cincinnati region, with successful applicants demonstrating a clear impact of the grant funds on their business or the region. The Main Street Ventures' theory of change is rooted in providing early-stage, direct financial assistance to promising businesses to help them overcome critical growth hurdles. By focusing on direct costs and specific growth projects, the program aims to create a ripple effect, enabling these businesses to achieve significant milestones that would otherwise be out of reach. The emphasis on local businesses and underrepresented founders further amplifies the foundation's commitment to building a robust and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Greater Cincinnati area. The grant duration of three years allows for sustained support and monitoring of the businesses' progress.

Under the broader Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education, Section 243 focuses on Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE). This program supports English language learners in improving their literacy and understanding of American civics, aiming for better integration, employment, and educational opportunities. Eligible providers are encouraged to propose projects that combine IELCE educational services with integrated education and training (IET), reflecting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) objectives. This funding opportunity, spanning fiscal years 2025 through 2028, promotes collaborations to fulfill the educational needs of English language learners in Connecticut. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)

This grant provides funding for community-driven projects to design and create outdoor spaces like parks and playgrounds in Colorado, focusing on promoting health equity for low-income families, communities of color, and rural areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, territorial, and tribal organizations for cancer prevention and control initiatives, focusing on improving access to screening, building coalitions, and enhancing cancer data collection to reduce disparities and promote health equity.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Dearborn for the rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of damaged porches and outdoor steps.

The Northwestern STEM Network Grant VI, administered by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology (OSIT), aims to support innovative initiatives that align with the objective of developing a diverse talent pool to meet the employment needs of Northwestern Nevada’s evolving STEM industries. Projects should address equity in STEM, raise awareness about STEM opportunities, and ensure high-quality STEM education with engaged business partners across all counties, cities, and districts. Funding is available up to $50,000, with applications due by June 28, 2024. Eligible projects include pilot programs, scaling up existing programs, or extending successful initiatives from other regions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.