Grants for Small businesses - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

CHEJ's Small Grants Program for Tier 2 is designed for mid-sized grassroots organizations with annual budgets between $50,000 and $250,000. Grants available in this tier range from $5,000 to $10,000 and support projects that promote strategic environmental health efforts at the local or statewide level. This tier funds initiatives such as organizational development, strategic planning sessions, educational activities linked to environmental health, and community-specific campaigns, aiming to bolster the groups' influence and effectiveness in their advocacy and community engagement.

The Iowa Arts Council, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, administers Art Project Grants to support high-quality arts and cultural projects in Iowa. These grants are available to individual artists and various organizations, including nonprofits, schools, and government agencies located in Iowa. For artists, the grants support a range of arts-related activities, prioritizing projects that exhibit artistic excellence and serve Iowans. Organizations can apply for grants to fund arts events, performances, exhibitions, and other arts-related activities, with a focus on community engagement and public value. Applications are accepted online, with a deadline of May 15, 2024, for the funding period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Grant renewed every year.

Gener8tor is accepting applications for its gBETA Wyoming Accelerator Program, a free seven-week program offering coaching, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies based in Wyoming, aimed at fostering growth and investor readiness.

Name of Funding Organization: ViiV Healthcare Grant Program: Positive Action Community Grants (PACG) Program Intent: PACG supports community-led efforts to increase engagement in prevention and care, address stigma, and build trust in HIV care among communities most disproportionately impacted by HIV. Eligibility: Organizations based in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply. Funding Options: Organizations can request funding for general operating support or project support. Application Deadline: The deadline for multiyear proposals is March 8, 2024. Contact Information: For more information, applicants can download the request for proposal from the provided link or access the online grantee portal. All questions and inquiries should be directed to the ViiV Healthcare Help Desk at viiv@tccgrp.com.

This funding opportunity provides additional financial support to active health services research projects facing unforeseen costs, helping researchers continue their work effectively.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering grants through its relaunched Materials Management grants program, now named the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants Program. This initiative aims to support statewide efforts in reducing the environmental and human health impacts of materials throughout their entire life cycle. The program's core mission is to build local capacity and foster community-driven solutions that address the environmental, social, and health consequences arising from the production, consumption, use, and disposal of materials. This aligns with a broader strategic goal of promoting sustainable consumption and material use, creating environmental and health benefits, and inspiring innovative projects. The program primarily targets a diverse range of eligible applicants, including local governments, nonprofit organizations (501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status) or fiscally sponsored organizations, organizations created by an Oregon public entity, Tribal nations, public schools, public universities, community colleges, and small businesses of 50 people or less. The impact goals are centered on empowering community action to reach environmental solutions, advancing equity, and ensuring environmental justice by providing resources to historically underserved and underrepresented communities across Oregon. The program seeks to fund projects that offer promising solutions to reduce material impacts, ultimately aiming for a more sustainable future. For the 2024 grant cycle, the program's annual funding area is specifically focused on waste prevention. This priority reflects an environmentally centered approach to reduce the consumption of natural resources and the generation of waste before items become trash or pollution. Waste prevention activities encompass changes in product design, reduced usage, extended product life, or repair. Examples of eligible activities include farmers markets purchasing reusable dishes, establishing or expanding community tool libraries, small businesses adopting new technologies to reduce plastic labels, and stores investing in bulk storage for low-waste products. Eligible activities also include education and outreach, training, research, program/policy development, and workforce development. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants Program include a tangible reduction in the environmental and human health impacts of materials. This will be measured by the successful implementation of innovative projects and programs that embody waste prevention principles. The program anticipates creating environmental and health benefits through more sustainable consumption and material use practices. Furthermore, it aims to advance equity and environmental justice by ensuring resources reach communities that have historically been underserved, fostering localized solutions and building capacity within these communities. The total funding available for the 2024 grant cycle is up to $1,000,000, with individual grant awards ranging from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $125,000, providing significant resources for impactful initiatives.

Funding and Duration: Grant amounts for the conventional program range from $100,000 to $500,000. The maximum grant duration is two (2) years, eight (8) months, and grant funds cannot be expended before November 1, 2025, or after June 30, 2028.   Projects submitted through the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Program requirements and submission deadlines differ for Additional Assistance Program applicants. Please reference the 2025 Request for Concept Proposals - Additional Assistance Program or email grants@cdfa.ca.gov for more information.   CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount different than the amount requested.    

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Maine to educate and outreach to women aged 18 to 54 with low incomes about available health coverage options and services.

This program provides $5,000 each to ten minority-owned businesses in Columbia, Missouri, to promote inclusivity and support underrepresented entrepreneurs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that will help improve diabetes prevention and management for underserved populations by offering expertise, training, and resources to enhance health equity.

This program provides funding for projects that reduce emissions and enhance sustainability in San Miguel, San Juan, and Ouray counties, targeting individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations and local entities in Bergen County, New Jersey, to promote and preserve local history through various programs and projects.

The CASF Broadband Public Housing Account provides grants and loans to build broadband networks offering free broadband service for residents of low-income communities including, but not limited to, publicly supported housing developments, farmworker housing, and other housing developments or mobile home parks with low-income residents that do not have access to any broadband service provider that offers free broadband service that meets or exceeds state standards for the residents of the low-income community. The allocated funding for the Broadband Public Housing Account is $15 million for fiscal year 2022-2023.  The Broadband Public Housing Account will finance up to 100 percent of the costs to install inside wiring and broadband network equipment.

This grant provides funding for collaborative, arts-based projects that improve community livability and cultural vibrancy in Pennsylvania, focusing on diversity, equity, and local engagement.

East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program As part of her Juneteenth announcement, and in response to the May 14, 2022 racially motivated mass murder of 10 persons at Tops Friendly Markets in the Jefferson Avenue Business District in East Buffalo, Governor Hochul committed to making $50 million in community investments in housing, business, and other types of relief available. The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program is part of this investment. The $3 million program will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority-owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this year. We thank Governor Hochul for the East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program - another step in the State’s long-term commitment to the East Buffalo community. East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program As part of her Juneteenth announcement, and in response to the May 14, 2022 racially motivated mass murder of 10 persons at Tops Friendly Markets in the Jefferson Avenue Business District in East Buffalo, Governor Hochul committed to making $50 million in community investments in housing, business, and other types of relief available. The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program is part of this investment. The $3 million program will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority-owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this year. We thank Governor Hochul for the East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program - another step in the State’s long-term commitment to the East Buffalo community. None Apply for the East Buffalo Grants Qualifying small businesses must be located in East Buffalo within the target area delineated on the map below. We will begin accepting applications on March 15, 2024, on a first come first served basis. APPLY NOW None East Buffalo Grants FAQ Eligibility, requirements, andapplication process questions can be found here. LEARN MORE About the Grants Grants will be calculated based upon the business’s gross receipts: Annual gross receipts: $5,000 -$49,999: Award is $5,000 / business Annual gross receipts: $50,000 -$99,999: Award is $10,000 / business Annual gross receipts: $100,000 -$1,000,000: Award is 10% of gross receipts (maximum grant is $50,000) Qualifying businesses must be located in the area designated below. Area bounded by: Main Street (properties fronting on both sides) south to North Street; North Street (properties fronting on south side) east to Michigan Avenue; Michigan Ave (properties fronting on east side) south to I-190; I-190 east to the Norfolk-Southern RR overpass and the Buffalo River; Buffalo River east to the City of Buffalo border; and City of Buffalo border north to Main Street, (excluding the University at Buffalo South campus). Ineligible businesses, specified by ESD include the following: Home-based businesses which are primarily oriented to serve customers and clients outside of the region. Examples: retail shops and online marketplaces that sell to a statewide or national customer base are not eligible Business that received funding through ESD’s $800M Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program are not eligible. Applicants must attest that they have not received funding from this program. Business that received funding through ESD’s $200M flexible grant program for early-stage businesses are not eligible. Applicants must attest that they have not received funding from this program and do not intend to apply for funding through this program Religious organizations, lobbying organizations, and elected officials who are the owner of a small business are ineligible to receive grants under this program.

The Food Safety Education Fund grants program, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), is designed to enhance food safety throughout Michigan. Funded by assessments on licensed food establishments, the program aligns with a mission to protect public health by providing critical food safety training and education. This initiative directly supports the broader goal of ensuring a safe food supply for all Michigan residents. The foundation's strategic priority is to prevent foodborne illness through proactive education and the empowerment of various stakeholders within the food system. The program primarily targets two key beneficiary groups: Michigan consumers and food service establishment employees, as well as agents of the director who enforce food regulations (e.g., local health department sanitarians and MDARD food safety inspectors). The impact goal is to improve food safety knowledge and practices among these groups, ultimately reducing the incidence of foodborne illnesses. Eligibility is restricted to Michigan governmental and non-profit organizations and entities, ensuring that the grants support organizations deeply embedded in community health and public service. Producers, marketers, processors, and growers are explicitly excluded to maintain the program's focus on education and training. For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, up to $365,600 is available, with a specific allocation of $242,500 for consumer food safety education and $114,100 for food service establishment employees and regulatory agents. This demonstrates a clear prioritization of widespread public education while also fortifying the knowledge base of those directly involved in food handling and enforcement. The grant duration is typically one year, though multi-year proposals are considered on an individual basis, contingent on future funding availability. Proposals should specifically avoid requesting funding for routine or required training, such as HACCP or ServSafe certification, emphasizing a focus on innovative and supplementary educational initiatives. Proposals are evaluated based on several key criteria, including goals and objectives to improve food safety, assessment of statewide need and audience, measurable outcomes, potential for partnering with other organizations, inclusion of matching funds, and opportunities to build upon previously funded projects. These selection criteria reflect the program's theory of change, which posits that strategic partnerships, evidence-based interventions, and quantifiable results are essential for achieving sustainable improvements in food safety. The expected outcomes include a more informed public, better-trained food service professionals, and more effective enforcement of food safety regulations, all contributing to a safer food environment across Michigan.

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. With an estimated total program funding of $25.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. These grants are designed to support equity investment eligible communities, provide on-the-job training, and facilitate the development of projects that benefit low-income households and community-based businesses. The program encourages projects that generate or save energy, with a significant focus on involving equity eligible contractors and workforce from CEJA or FEJA programs. Applicants are encouraged to leverage other funding sources to enhance cost-effectiveness and project impact.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is offering a grant to reduce harmful chemical exposure for individuals in disadvantaged communities and to increase the use of safer and more sustainable cleaning products among Cleaning Service Providers (CSPs) serving or residing in District Wards 5, 7, and 8. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of environmental justice and public health by directly addressing disparities in environmental exposure. The grant, funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) FY 2023 Pollution Prevention Grant, supports the DOEE Green Cleaning Program (GCP), which seeks to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly cleaning practices. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individuals in disadvantaged communities within District Wards 5, 7, and 8, who will experience reduced harmful chemical exposure. Additionally, Cleaning Service Providers (CSPs) in these wards will benefit from financial and technical resources to transition to safer products. The impact goals are to improve public health outcomes by mitigating environmental hazards and to foster a more sustainable cleaning industry within these specific communities. The program’s strategic priorities include outreach, capacity building, networking, and subsidizing initial transition costs to overcome barriers to adoption. The grant's focus is on incentivizing CSPs from or working in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to adopt safer cleaning products. This involves identifying eligible CSPs, developing and implementing an outreach strategy, providing technical assistance, and managing subsidies to facilitate the initial shift. The theory of change is that by supporting CSPs in their transition, the use of safer products will increase, directly leading to a reduction in harmful chemical exposure for residents in the targeted disadvantaged communities. Expected outcomes include effective management of the DC Green Cleaning Program, successful community outreach and engagement, provision of participant support, and enhanced capacity building among CSPs. Measurable results will be reported on the transitioning process and lessons learned, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in achieving its goals. The project aims to contribute to best practices in pollution prevention and environmental justice, with a total available funding of $284,000 for a 24-month project period.

This initiative provides $35,000 grants and mentorship to beauty and wellness entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to help them grow their early-stage businesses.

This funding opportunity supports partnerships between Minnesota educational institutions and MedTech businesses to develop training programs focused on AI and advanced technologies, enhancing workforce skills and job opportunities in the sector.