Employment Labor and Training Grants

The City of Conway Economic Development Grant Program for 2024-2025 is now open for applications, aiming to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life within the Conway, SC community. This grant program is designed to support various projects and activities that stimulate economic activity and benefit local organizations. The overarching mission of the program is to foster a thriving Conway by investing in initiatives that create a positive economic impact. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are local organizations within Conway, SC, including charities, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and similar entities. The program's impact goals are centered on supporting economic development programs, expanding or recruiting new businesses, and facilitating special events that draw attention and activity to the city. By supporting these organizations, the program seeks to strengthen the local economy and improve the community's overall well-being. The program's priorities and focuses include funding for economic development programs such as small business incubators and activities to expand or recruit new businesses. It also covers economic development staff salaries and benefits, special events like festivals, parades, conferences, conventions, sporting events, and arts/cultural events within the City of Conway. Additionally, travel for the purpose of recruiting business is a permissible use of funds, highlighting the program's commitment to attracting new opportunities. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a more vibrant and economically active Conway. Measurable results would include an increase in new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, a rise in local employment, and a greater number of successful community events that enhance the city's appeal. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with fostering a robust local economy through direct investment in growth-oriented initiatives and community enrichment. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that targeted investments in local organizations and economic development initiatives will directly lead to a stronger, more dynamic community. By providing financial support for key activities, the City of Conway aims to create a ripple effect, where initial investments lead to sustained economic growth, increased civic engagement, and an improved quality of life for all residents. This approach emphasizes collaborative efforts between the city and local organizations to achieve shared prosperity.

The CALI Catalyst program, launched in 2021 by the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), provides unrestricted grants of up to $7,500 to California changemakers in the arts and culture sector. This program is designed to offer financial support and validation to individuals and teams who are actively working to disrupt the status quo and advance greater equity and inclusion within the field. The foundation's mission, through this program, aligns with supporting those on the frontlines who are creating tangible change and shifting power to historically underrepresented voices, recognizing the fear of financial risk can silence crucial voices. The target beneficiaries for the CALI Catalyst grant are artists and arts workers, including administrators, cultural producers, and creatives, who reside full-time in California. The program specifically seeks to impact historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more equitable and inclusive arts and culture sector by supporting individuals whose change-making actions have created tangible and measurable results at a local, regional, state, or national level. The program prioritizes and focuses on supporting actions that started on or after January 1, 2020, demonstrating ongoing or recently impactful efforts. Examples of these efforts include challenging capitalist notions of productivity to prioritize self-care for Black leaders, modeling non-hierarchical nonprofit structures led by artists of color, and creating equitable contracting practices between artists and cultural institutions. The program aims to support those who are speaking out against discriminatory practices and disrupting harmful philanthropic norms, ultimately making the arts and culture field better for everyone. Expected outcomes include continued momentum for field-wide change, with changemakers ensuring that historically marginalized communities are not overlooked. Measurable results can be observed through the ripple effects of grantees' work, such as the creation of nourishing spaces for Black leaders, the establishment of precedents for cooperative nonprofit models, and the development of equitable contracting practices. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on the belief that by financially supporting these change agents, they can empower voices, mitigate financial risk, and ultimately drive greater inclusion, access, diversity, and equity across the arts and culture sector.

The Learning Landscapes Challenge, sponsored by Siegel Family Endowment (SFE) and the Walton Family Foundation (WFF), aims to integrate social, digital, and physical infrastructure to bridge current and future learning paradigms. This initiative aligns with the foundations' broader missions to support changemakers and foster innovative approaches to education. By focusing on infrastructure, the challenge seeks to create more connected and effective learning environments, reflecting a strategic priority to enhance educational ecosystems through systemic improvements. The challenge targets "changemakers," including individuals, groups, or entities with innovative ideas, particularly those operating in the United States, as lead individuals or entities must maintain a primary place of operations there to be eligible for monetary prizes. The impact goal is to achieve tangible, transformative effects in learning, extending beyond single communities. The program prioritizes solutions that incorporate multiple dimensions of infrastructure or utilize infrastructure in novel ways to create scaled impact. The Learning Landscapes Challenge is structured in three phases to identify and support infrastructural concepts. Phase 1 is open to all eligible entrants, with up to 40 winners receiving $5,000 and an invitation to the Phase 2 accelerator. Phase 2 is exclusively for Phase 1 winners, with up to five recipients each receiving $200,000 and an invitation to the Phase 3 incubator. Finally, Phase 3 is for Phase 2 winners, with up to two grand-prize winners each receiving $500,000. These phased awards, totaling up to $2.2 million, are designed to progressively refine and scale solutions. Expected outcomes include the development and implementation of innovative learning solutions that integrate various infrastructures, leading to more accessible and effective learning experiences. Measurable results are tied to the progression through the phases and the successful scaling of these solutions beyond initial communities. The foundations' theory of change suggests that by supporting the development of robust and integrated learning infrastructures, they can catalyze significant improvements in educational access, quality, and adaptability, ultimately preparing learners for future challenges and opportunities.

The City of La Porte’s Office of Community Development is seeking proposals for its Public Services Program, funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This program, which began in 2004 in La Porte, aims to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income citizens. Funded projects must align with national objectives set by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which include benefiting low- and moderate-income persons, preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or addressing urgent community needs where existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to health or welfare and other financial resources are unavailable. The target beneficiaries of this program are primarily low- and moderate-income residents of La Porte. The impact goals are centered around enhancing their quality of life, fostering self-sufficiency, and promoting self-reliance. This aligns with a broader strategic priority of community development that addresses fundamental societal needs and empowers individuals within the community. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted services and support in key areas, the overall well-being and economic stability of vulnerable populations in La Porte will improve. Funding priorities are categorized into three main areas: Homelessness, Non-housing Community Development, and Non-homeless Special Needs. Under Homelessness, objectives include coordination and outreach, rental assistance, supportive services, and prevention. For Non-housing Community Development, the focus is on providing support services to seniors, health services (including mental health), emergency assistance, and activities that promote self-reliance, employment, and education. It also aims to strengthen local housing organizations through fair housing outreach and education, and to collaborate with institutions to ensure access to mortgages and insurance. Non-homeless Special Needs focuses on special needs coordination and accessibility improvement. The expected outcomes and measurable results, while not explicitly detailed with specific metrics, can be inferred from the stated objectives. For homelessness, successful outcomes would include increased access to housing, reduced homelessness, and improved coordination of services. In non-housing community development, anticipated results include improved health and well-being for seniors, increased employment and educational attainment, enhanced fair housing access, and greater availability of financial services. For non-homeless special needs, outcomes would involve better coordination of services for individuals with special needs and improved accessibility within the community. The program implicitly seeks to demonstrate a clear and positive impact on the lives of low- and moderate-income residents through these various initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations for solar energy projects that benefit their communities, particularly focusing on reducing energy costs for low-income households and enhancing tribal facilities.

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is offering grants to Santa Clara County municipalities, jurisdictions, arts, cultural, education, nonprofit, and community organizations to advance its vision of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC). This program aims to foster innovative and robust partnerships between VTA and local public agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders. The overarching mission alignment is to support the implementation of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities within Santa Clara County, focusing on creating sustainable, inclusive, and transit-friendly environments. The grant program targets communities and organizations located within a half-mile radius of existing and planned VTA light rail stations, VTA transit centers, BART stations, and commuter rail stations served by Caltrain, ACE, and/or Capitol Corridor. The primary beneficiaries are residents and businesses within these transit-rich areas, particularly those with limited incomes, and community organizations striving to make these areas more equitable. Impact goals include empowering and strengthening communities, increasing transit ridership, reducing reliance on car trips, and supporting intensive mixed-use, mixed-income development around transit hubs. The program prioritizes projects that support collaboration and fall under four key areas: Planning and Policy Implementation, Community Resilience, Education & Engagement, and Placemaking, Arts, and Activation. Planning and Policy Implementation focuses on advancing policies and regulations for equitable TOCs, including station area planning and equitable development plans. Community Resilience emphasizes anti-displacement efforts, affordable housing preservation, small business support, and promoting transit use among low-income individuals. Education & Engagement aims to increase community leadership and participation in TOC implementation through advocacy, capacity building, and culturally relevant engagement practices. Placemaking, Arts, and Activation seeks to improve the transit rider and community experience through public arts, cultural projects, and beautification initiatives that enhance safety and accessibility. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the adoption and implementation of equitable TOC policies and plans, tangible progress in anti-displacement efforts and affordable housing, enhanced community capacity and participation in transit-oriented development, and improved public spaces around transit stations. Measurable results will include the number of selected projects (14-20 projects are anticipated), the amount of funding distributed (up to $15,000 to $175,000 per project), and the commencement of projects between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The VTA's strategic priorities are clearly centered on fostering equitable development, encouraging transit ridership, and building strong community partnerships as a core theory of change to achieve sustainable and inclusive transit-oriented growth in Santa Clara County.

The Grants for the Arts Arts Programming grant supports arts and culture organizations in San Francisco. This program is designed to foster economic investment in the city through robust and diverse programming, demonstrating a commitment to artistic quality and community engagement. The overarching goal is to deliberately improve San Francisco by integrating arts and culture with communities to understand needs and cultivate lasting, equitable change. This aligns with a strategic priority to leverage arts for social good and community development, serving as a catalyst for positive transformation within the city. Target beneficiaries for this grant are arts and culture organizations, specifically those that are nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) entities, or those using a fiscal sponsor. The impact goals are broad, focusing on economic investment, professional employment within the arts, high artistic quality, and deep community engagement. Expected outcomes include well-attended events, a demonstrated commitment to improving San Francisco through arts, and evidence of responsible operational and fiscal management from grantee organizations. These outcomes contribute to a theory of change where a vibrant arts sector directly enhances community well-being and economic stability. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate economic investment through diverse programming and well-attended events, employ professionals for high artistic quality, and utilize arts and culture to deliberately improve San Francisco through deep community engagement. There is also a focus on organizations with a strong track record of responsible operational and fiscal management. This ensures that the grants support sustainable and impactful initiatives that can effectively deliver on their promises to the community. Funding amounts vary based on the organization's budget size, ranging from $10,000 for first-time grantees or those with previous low-scoring applications, up to $265,000 for "Mega" organizations with budgets exceeding $15 million. The grant duration is two years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. Eligibility also requires the applicant organization to be San Francisco-based, with non-fiscally sponsored organizations needing to demonstrate a San Francisco corporate address through verifiable documentation. This local focus underscores the foundation's strategic priority to directly benefit its immediate community and strengthen the local arts ecosystem.

The Asian Community Fund (ACF) at The Boston Foundation is offering grants for its 2024 cycle to organizations and/or projects that primarily serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Massachusetts. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to develop, strengthen, and support AAPI community power, galvanize diverse ethnicities within this community, and build a stronger advocacy voice. The ACF's overarching goal is to advocate for equal access for AAPI individuals in all aspects of society and to collaborate with other communities of color and oppressed communities to overcome injustice and racism. The grantmaking approach is rooted in strengthening the broader AAPI community ecosystem across Massachusetts and advancing policy and systems change, reflecting the foundation's strategic priority to foster systemic impact. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations based in Massachusetts, or those with a qualifying fiscal agent, that primarily serve the AAPI community. The impact goals are multi-faceted, focusing on catalyzing new partnerships, expanding the capacity of local AAPI nonprofit and business sectors, and responding to emerging community needs. Expected outcomes include increased AAPI visibility, belonging, and narrative change through convening activities, innovative solutions to systemic gaps facing AAPI residents, and expanded reach and impact of programs that advance policy and systems change. Organizations will be evaluated based on their mission, impact, and alignment to ACF’s goals of strengthening the AAPI community ecosystem and advancing systems change. The program prioritizes several key areas of focus. These include supporting general operating costs for eligible organizations and projects. Funding will specifically support three types of work: Convening, which brings communities together to elevate AAPI visibility and foster solidarity; Catalyzing, which fuels new collaborations and innovations to address systemic gaps; and Capacity Building, which expands the reach of programs focused on policy and systems change. Priority will also be given to organizations serving underrepresented AAPI ethnicities and geographical regions, those not previously funded by ACF/TBF, and grassroots community organizations. This targeted approach demonstrates the foundation's strategic commitment to equitable distribution of resources and empowerment of diverse AAPI segments. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its emphasis on strengthening the AAPI community ecosystem and driving policy and systems change. The ACF believes that by investing in convening, catalyzing, and capacity building initiatives, it can create a ripple effect, leading to increased community power, stronger advocacy, and ultimately, greater equity for AAPI residents in Massachusetts. The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, are designed to support organizations in achieving these objectives. While the initial grant size was advertised as $10,000 to $100,000, the funding considerations specify a range of $5,000 to $15,000 for general operating support. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in June 2024 and will be expected to share their experiences and impact in summer 2025, providing measurable results and demonstrating the effectiveness of the foundation's theory of change.

The New American in the Long-Term Care Workforce grant, administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Minnesota through its Grants, Equity, Access, and Research (GEAR) Division, aims to support New Americans in obtaining, maintaining, and growing within the long-term care (LTC) workforce. This initiative directly aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the LTC sector by addressing workforce shortages and promoting diversity and inclusion. The grant is designed to provide specialized services and supports to New Americans, fostering their professional development and contributing to the stability and quality of LTC organizations across all counties in Minnesota. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are New Americans seeking to enter or advance in the LTC workforce. The program's impact goals include increasing the number of New Americans in LTC, enhancing their skills and career pathways, and ultimately improving the capacity and cultural competency of LTC organizations. By focusing on this specific demographic, the grant seeks to create a more inclusive and robust workforce, which is a critical component of ensuring high-quality care for residents. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include offering onsite Occupational English classes and training, establishing in-house mentorship programs, providing cultural competency and humility training for LTC employers and staff, and offering hiring bonuses and incentives. Furthermore, the program emphasizes digital skills training, developing mentorship and career-pathways programs for employee retention, career navigation and education, financial literacy coaching, and training stipends or tuition reimbursement. Crucially, it also provides wraparound support services such as mental health assistance, medical career education, childcare, and transportation, recognizing the holistic needs of New American workers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of New Americans successfully placed and retained in LTC positions, improved career progression and skill development among participants, and enhanced cultural competence within LTC facilities. The grant anticipates awarding up to $12 million in the first round of applicants, indicating a significant investment in these outcomes. The grant period from August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2026, allows for a two-year window to implement and measure the effectiveness of these programs, with an emphasis on creating sustainable pathways for New Americans in the LTC sector. Eligible applicants for this grant include nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, educational institutions, LTC employers, and government entities that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving New Americans. This broad eligibility ensures that a diverse range of organizations can contribute to the grant's goals. The strategic priorities of DHS, as evidenced by this grant, include fostering equity and access within critical sectors like long-term care, leveraging grant contracts to achieve workforce development goals, and supporting underserved populations. The theory of change behind this program is that by providing targeted support, training, and resources to New Americans, the state can simultaneously empower individuals, strengthen the LTC workforce, and enhance the quality of care provided to its residents.

The 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Rural Health program, overseen by the Rural Maryland Council, aims to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural aspects of rural life. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster economic and community development through targeted investments and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. The underlying theory of change is that by facilitating strategic investments and leveraging additional non-state resources, local and regional public and nonprofit organizations can achieve sustainable rural development objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Maryland's rural areas, particularly those facing challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The program specifically seeks to address health workforce shortages in primary care, surgical specialties, dentistry, mental health, and other medical specialty areas. The impact goals are to improve overall health outcomes, enhance access to a variety of healthcare services, and reduce health disparities in rural populations. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, encompassing improvements in health and medical/dental/behavioral health care access, expansion of tele-medicine and telehealth networking, and the development of programs for healthcare planning and coordination. It also prioritizes addressing rural population health needs, ensuring health care insurance and treatment enrollment, and implementing components of the state’s rural health plan. Additionally, the grant focuses on rural nonemergency medical transportation, recruitment and retention of health care and public health professionals, and addressing behavioral and mental health issues such as substance use disorder, depression, and domestic abuse. Expected outcomes include improved access to health services, a stronger rural healthcare workforce through recruitment and residency programs, and enhanced behavioral and mental health support. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to increased access to care (e.g., number of new patients served, reduction in travel distances for care), improvements in health outcomes (e.g., reductions in chronic disease prevalence, improved mental health indicators), and the number of healthcare professionals recruited and retained in rural areas. The program also anticipates better coordination of nonemergency medical transportation and a reduction in health impacts on minority populations.

The West Haven ARPA Grant, administered by The Arts Council of Greater New Haven (ACGNH) in partnership with ArtsWest CT, aims to rapidly stimulate arts and culture activity in West Haven, CT. With $116,250 of ARPA funds from the City of West Haven, the program seeks to distribute microgrants of $2,500-$10,000 to artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses within the city. This initiative aligns with the ACGNH's mission to support and foster arts and culture within the greater New Haven area, extending its reach to West Haven to ensure a vibrant creative economy and community engagement. The target beneficiaries for these microgrants are individuals over 18 years of age, or organizations/collectives with a representative over 18, who are either based in West Haven or proposing a project that directly serves the West Haven community. The primary impact goal is to stimulate artistic, historical, and/or culturally-specific activities within West Haven during the project period of July-August 2024. The program prioritizes proposals that demonstrate feasibility and can be easily executed within the short timeframe, with a strong emphasis on projects that foster equity and inclusion, and strengthen community ties within West Haven. The grant focuses on two main categories for the use of funds: General Operating Support (GOS) and Project Support. GOS includes expenses like rent, equipment purchases/rentals, subscriptions, printing/mailing, and contract labor (e.g., graphic designers, consultants). Project Support covers physical materials, ground transportation, commissions, contract labor (e.g., performers, consultants, designers), advertising, and venue rental. Notably, expenses for salaried employees paid via payroll (W-2 employees) are not eligible, and recipients will receive a 1099, responsible for their own income taxes. Expected outcomes include a rapid increase in arts and culture activities within West Haven during the summer of 2024, with measurable results tied to the feasibility, equity, and community impact of the funded projects. The evaluation criteria, Feasibility, Equity + Inclusion, and Community, are designed to guide applicants towards projects that are not only achievable within the project period but also actively incorporate, serve, and support historically marginalized residents and activate and elevate the broader West Haven community through partnerships. This strategic approach reflects a theory of change where targeted financial support, with an emphasis on local engagement and accessible execution, leads to a flourishing local arts scene and enhanced community well-being.

The Riverton Charitable Fund (RCF) has announced a new 2024 grant opportunity, established in 2021 in collaboration with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. RCF's mission is to foster charitable interests among Riverton Pointe residents, members, and friends to enhance community spirit and leverage resources for greater impact. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission by providing a structured avenue for giving that benefits the local community, specifically Jasper County. The program's purpose is to provide grants that assist neighbors in Jasper County, respond to those in need, and offer resources to improve residents' lives, reflecting a clear commitment to local well-being and community development. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are families and individuals in Jasper County who are affected by poverty. The impact goals are to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on critical areas such as food insecurity, education, and community support. By providing grants to qualified area non-profits, RCF aims to create tangible improvements in the lives of these residents. The program is designed to be a direct response to identified community needs, with a clear intention to uplift and support the most vulnerable populations within Jasper County. The priorities and focuses of these grants are specifically directed towards interventions that address the effects of poverty. This includes initiatives combating food insecurity, programs enhancing educational opportunities, and efforts that build and strengthen community support networks. RCF’s theory of change appears to be that by strategically funding non-profits working in these critical areas, they can catalyze positive change, reduce the burdens of poverty, and ultimately improve the quality of life for families in Jasper County. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable outcomes, the program emphasizes providing grants up to $5,000 to non-profits that can demonstrate an ability to address the stated needs. The expected outcomes include a reduction in food insecurity, improved educational access and attainment, and a more robust community support system for those experiencing poverty. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its exclusion criteria, which clearly define what it will not fund (e.g., fellowships, scholarships, religious/political programs, individual grants, overhead costs), thereby ensuring resources are directed towards direct community benefit and program implementation rather than administrative or non-charitable endeavors.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) is offering Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grants (“Climate Training Grants”) to increase access to modern, relevant training equipment and infrastructure. These grants provide direct funding and technical assistance to organizations that can build and scale career pathways and upskilling programs. The core mission alignment is to help Massachusetts residents access and advance in climate-critical priority occupations, thereby addressing clean energy and climate tech employer needs and providing high-quality training and support opportunities across the Commonwealth. The target beneficiaries for these grants are Massachusetts residents who can benefit from career pathways and upskilling programs in climate-critical priority occupations. The impact goals are to fill workforce gaps in climate-critical sectors, expand recruitment pipelines, and create new or expand existing technical and job readiness training opportunities. This initiative also aims to create and expand career advancement programming and upskilling training for incumbent workers, ensuring businesses can grow to support the state’s climate goals. The program prioritizes several key areas, including expanding recruitment pipelines to broaden access to climate-critical priority occupations, creating and expanding technical and job readiness training, and fostering career advancement and upskilling opportunities. It also focuses on leveraging effective workforce development models like registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, developing new relationships with employers for job placements, and establishing wraparound and retention support services to address barriers to entry and advancement. Furthermore, a significant focus is on expanding the availability and effectiveness of climate-critical training by securing modern equipment and infrastructure resources. Expected outcomes include a more robust workforce for climate-critical sectors, increased access for residents to high-quality training and job opportunities, and businesses expanding their capacity to meet climate goals. Measurable results will likely involve the number of residents trained, placed in climate-critical occupations, and upskilled, as well as the expansion of training programs, equipment, and infrastructure. The overall theory of change is that by investing in workforce development, equipment, and infrastructure, MassCEC can directly support the state's clean energy and climate tech employer needs while creating equitable access to career advancement for Massachusetts residents.

The Tustin Cares program, offered by the City of Tustin in partnership with the Orange County-Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presents the Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program. This initiative aims to provide vital training and funding to retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits within Tustin, specifically targeting an increase in their social media presence and overall revenue. While not explicitly stating a "foundation mission alignment," the program's focus on local business development and recovery suggests an alignment with broader community economic well-being and resilience, particularly in the wake of financial hardships. The target beneficiaries of the Main Street Digital Program are for-profit commercially-zoned brick-and-mortar retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits physically located in Tustin. Eligibility criteria specify that businesses must have had an active Tustin business license since the first quarter of 2023, possess a minimum of 2 employees and no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees as of December 31, 2023, and be in good standing with the City. Businesses that have participated in previous Main Street Digital Programs are ineligible, but those that received alternative COVID-19 related funding, such as EIDL or PPP loans, are eligible. The program's priorities and focuses are squarely on digital presence and revenue generation for small businesses and nonprofits. The SBDC has developed a virtual training program specifically designed to assist businesses with "Creating a Digital Presence." This emphasis highlights the City of Tustin's strategic priority to empower local enterprises with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace, thereby fostering economic growth and stability within the community. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an enhanced social media presence and increased revenue for participating businesses and nonprofits. The program's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted digital marketing training and financial assistance, local businesses will be better equipped to reach customers, expand their operations, and ultimately contribute to the economic revitalization of Tustin. The requirement for businesses to certify financial hardship due to COVID-19 and the $500 grant amount, which cannot exceed the amount of lost revenue, also suggest an immediate goal of alleviating pandemic-related economic strain.

The City of Milwaukee's Fresh Food Access Fund (FFAF) is a 2024 grant program designed to enhance healthy food access in underserved communities. While not explicitly a foundation, the City of Milwaukee's initiative aligns with a broader mission of public health and community well-being, specifically addressing food insecurity and promoting healthier lifestyles among its residents. The program serves as a direct intervention to mitigate disparities in food access within the city. The primary target beneficiaries of the FFAF are residents of underserved communities in Milwaukee who lack adequate access to fresh, healthy food. The impact goals are multi-faceted, aiming to not only increase the availability of fresh food but also to foster community partnerships and support local food-related businesses. The program directly addresses issues identified in the Milwaukee Fresh Food Access Report, indicating a data-driven approach to community needs. The FFAF prioritizes capital expenditures for projects that establish, expand, or improve food-related businesses. This includes a wide range of eligible uses, such as purchasing equipment for food storage and preparation, acquiring furniture and initial inventory for healthy food businesses, developing space for food retail or production, and improving transportation for healthy food. Strategic priorities include attracting grocery stores and mobile markets, developing other retail outlets, increasing the stock of fresh foods in corner stores, boosting the availability of locally grown food, meeting special dietary needs, and improving transportation to food sources. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in fresh food availability and improved access for underserved residents. The FFAF provides 1:1 matching grants, covering up to 50% of cash expenditures up to $25,000, which incentivizes significant project investment. Awards of less than $5,000 are also considered, demonstrating flexibility. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)3 registration and for-profit businesses, ensuring a broad reach for implementation. The program's theory of change posits that by financially supporting the infrastructure and operations of businesses that provide fresh food, the accessibility and consumption of healthy food options within underserved communities will significantly improve, leading to better public health outcomes.

The TSAF supports tribes in asserting control over their energy resources and focuses on making project implementation feasible by leveraging state and federal programs, philanthropic dollars, and partnerships with other tribes across Indian County while working in alignment to identify, develop, finance and implement solar power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for tribal members. TSAF Funding Area- Tribal Energy Capacity Building Grant  At the TSAF, they understand that Indian Country needs more than just project development funding, which is why the Tribal Energy Capacity Building grants are looking to support tribes and tribal organizations with; technical expertise, educational and workforce development training, policy and regulatory guidance, planning, design, and project development, and industry resources. Tribal Energy Capacity Building grants will be intended to support TSAF’s past, current, and new community of tribal partners to invest in building the human capacity needed to advance tribal clean energy programs and projects that build the tribal energy ecosystem of community leaders, experts, cultural knowledge keepers, and everyone in between. These grants will be significant, flexible, multi-year funding for general operating support, capacity building, and enhancing energy and sustainability expertise that reinforces tribal sovereignty. TSAF Grantmaking Priorities  The TSAF supports and encourages solar education, training, and workforce development in tribal communities through leadership programs and industry related opportunities Provide access to funding to support the development of renewable energy projects and the development of long-term energy plans to increase tribal energy security and resiliency Ensure that equity is a driving principle in the national transition to a clean energy economy through learning from the TSAF community and generating awareness in the climate action arena.

The THRIVE Grant program, offered by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation, aims to support artist-led, collaborative visual arts projects across Oklahoma. This initiative aligns with OVAC's dedication to supporting artist-led initiatives and their belief in the power of artists to create a positive impact within communities. The program's mission is to foster innovation among artists throughout Oklahoma by providing project grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The primary beneficiaries of the THRIVE Grants are Oklahoma visual artists, particularly those involved in collaborative projects. While individual artists can serve as lead applicants, the program emphasizes collaboration among artists. The impact goal is to create publicly accessible, community-engaging visual arts projects that push the boundaries of traditional exhibition experiences. This includes fostering new collaborations, connections, and partnerships within the state's artistic landscape. The program prioritizes ambitious, impactful, innovative, and community-driven visual arts projects. Projects must have a central focus on visual arts, excluding dance, theatre, music, or feature filmmaking. A key focus is on public accessibility and audience interaction, encouraging "outside the box" thinking. Preference is given to creative projects that have not received prior funding, though successful applicants can reapply after one year with a new or expanded project. Expected outcomes include the creation of new, innovative visual arts projects that actively engage the public and strengthen community ties across Oklahoma. Measurable results would involve the number and scope of collaborative projects funded, the geographic reach within Oklahoma, audience participation numbers, and the diversity of artistic practices supported. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the emphasis on artist innovation, community engagement, and the development of new artistic collaborations, reflecting a theory of change where targeted funding empowers artists to drive positive cultural and social impact.

The 2024 Good Relatives Collaborative Grant Program is designed to support Native-led and Native-serving groups, collaboratives, and organizations. The program aims to foster the growth and development of these entities across various stages, from those exploring non-profit status to established 501(c)(3) organizations. This initiative aligns with the Good Relatives Collaborative's mission to empower Native communities by providing essential funding and guidance, strengthening their capacity to address community needs and achieve their goals. The grant amounts are tiered to reflect the different stages of organizational development, ranging from up to $20,000 for "Exploring" groups to up to $60,000 for "Maturing" organizations, with a total grant size between $10,000 and $100,000. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Native-led, Native-serving organizations with operating budgets under $500,000, and community collaborators or nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) public charity status or fiscal sponsor. These organizations must be serving Native communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. The program specifically targets groups that are 60% Native-led at the board level and have Native senior leadership/ED, ensuring that the initiatives are driven by and truly reflective of the communities they serve. The impact goals are to strengthen new and emerging organizations, help growing organizations manage larger grants, and support mature organizations in providing guidance to younger groups, thereby creating a robust and self-sustaining ecosystem within Native communities. The program prioritizes organizations at different stages of development through its "Exploring," "Emerging," "Growing," and "Maturing" grant stages. "Exploring" grants focus on new organizations considering non-profit status or those with limited grant experience and annual budgets from $0-$25,000. "Emerging" grants support new or currently-applying 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets between $25,000-$75,000, helping them gain more grant management experience. "Growing" grants are for established 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $75,000-$200,000, aiming to enhance their capacity to manage larger grants. Finally, "Maturing" grants are for experienced 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $200,000-$500,000, encouraging them to provide mentorship to younger organizations. These focused priorities ensure tailored support that meets organizations where they are in their development journey. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of formally established Native-led non-profits, enhanced grant writing and management capabilities across all stages of organizations, and the development of a supportive network where experienced organizations can mentor newer ones. Measurable results will include the number of organizations transitioning to 501(c)(3) status, the successful management of grants, and the growth in operating budgets for participating organizations. The Good Relatives Collaborative’s strategic priorities are deeply rooted in a theory of change that posits that by investing in and strengthening Native-led and Native-serving organizations, there will be a direct and positive impact on the well-being and self-determination of Native communities in the designated three-state region and within the 23 Native nations. This comprehensive approach aims to build lasting capacity and foster community-driven solutions.

The APS Fund, in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation, offers competitive grants to eligible nonprofits in Arizona. Since 2001, this partnership has provided funding to qualified agencies that support community growth and address needs in the West Valley. The grant program's mission aligns with the Arizona Community Foundation's broader goal of supporting community development, arts and culture, education, environment, and human services. This initiative reflects a strategic priority to empower local organizations that directly serve the evolving needs of Arizona's diverse population. The target beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations that have been in continuous operation for at least three years, government agencies, and tribal entities operating with fiscal accountability within a specific geographical area: North to Bell Road (extending west when Bell Road ends), West to 459th Avenue, South to Estrella/Gillespie Dam, and East to 19th Avenue. Religious organizations may also apply for non-sectarian programs. The program aims to support agencies that demonstrate a non-discrimination policy and are in good standing with the IRS, ensuring that funding reaches responsible and inclusive organizations that serve a wide array of ethnic, economic, or cultural backgrounds. The APS Fund prioritizes projects that introduce new or creative solutions to community problems, actively involve volunteers and in-kind gifts to demonstrate community engagement, and foster cooperative efforts between different organizations. This focus ensures that the funded projects are innovative, community-driven, and collaborative, maximizing their potential impact. The program encourages proposals that contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities through shared resources and collective action. Expected outcomes include enhanced community support, addressing critical needs in the West Valley, and fostering a collaborative environment among nonprofits. The measurable results for this grant cycle will be the successful implementation of projects that meet the outlined criteria, providing a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 in funding per qualified organization. The strategic theory of change is that by investing in local, innovative, and collaborative nonprofit initiatives, the APS Fund and the Arizona Community Foundation can drive positive, sustainable change and improve the quality of life for residents in the targeted areas of Arizona.