Private Business and Commerce Grants

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau has launched the Beautification Grant Program to support and enhance the quality of life in communities throughout the Pocono Mountains. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to bolster the region's appeal for both residents and visitors by investing in local infrastructure and aesthetics. The grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 with a cap request of $20,000, aims to foster community pride and economic vitality by improving public and hospitality areas. The primary beneficiaries of this program are local governments, including cities, boroughs, and townships, as well as municipal and redevelopment authorities and agencies within Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania. The impact goals are centered on creating more attractive and welcoming environments, which in turn supports local hospitality and tourism businesses. By beautifying public spaces, the program seeks to enhance the overall experience for those living in and visiting the Pocono Mountains. The program prioritizes projects that beautify outdoor areas surrounding local hospitality and tourism businesses, improve existing gateways and signage, and enhance overall beautification and facades throughout the participating communities. Eligible projects are diverse and include landscaping, outdoor seating, planters, trash cans, benches, recycling programs, trash removal, removal of overgrown weeds/brush/trees, and upgrades to signage and facades. This focus ensures a comprehensive approach to community improvement. The expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the aesthetic quality of public spaces and business fronts, leading to increased community satisfaction and potentially greater tourism revenue. Measurable results could include the number of projects completed, the visible impact of these projects on community appearance, and feedback from local residents and businesses regarding the improved environment. This program reflects a strategic priority to leverage beautification as a tool for sustainable community development and economic growth within the Pocono Mountains region.

The Boston Creator Incubator + Accelerator, a joint initiative by Boston XChange and Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH Social Impact Fund, is designed to empower visionary creators from underinvested communities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by actively working to bridge funding gaps and invest in the success of these creators, thereby fostering innovation and stimulating the local economy. A key component of its strategic priorities is to address the significant $5 billion racial wealth gap in Massachusetts by supporting businesses that have a positive impact on underinvested communities. The program's target beneficiaries are passionate entrepreneurs leading for-profit companies within the Greater Boston area. Eligibility criteria specify that founders must be 18 years or older and hold a majority stake (51%) in their company. The overarching impact goal is to turn creative ideas into reality by providing essential business resources and support, ultimately contributing to economic equity and growth in previously underserved areas. The primary focus of the Boston Creator Program is to equip these creators with the resources they need to thrive. This includes offering grants of up to $100,000, with the JLH Social Impact Fund contributing up to $35,000 per year over a three-year period, based on the achievement of specific milestones. This structured funding mechanism is a core part of the foundation's theory of change, which posits that sustained financial and developmental support will propel businesses forward and create lasting positive change. Expected outcomes include the successful launch and growth of businesses led by entrepreneurs from underinvested communities, leading to increased economic activity and job creation within Greater Boston. Measurable results will likely be tracked through the achievement of milestones by grant recipients and the overall impact these businesses have on closing the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts. By investing directly in these creators, the program aims to generate both individual success stories and broader community-wide benefits, embodying the foundation's commitment to social and economic justice.

This initiative provides $10,000 grants to over 100 LGBTQ small businesses in the U.S. that are owned by and serve LGBTQ people of color, women, and the transgender community, particularly those facing financial challenges due to COVID-19.

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana (ARTSWIN) recognizes individuals, groups, businesses, projects, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the arts in Southwestern Indiana. This grant program, specifically focused on various awards, aligns with ARTSWIN's mission to support and promote the arts within the community. The awards aim to celebrate artistic excellence, long-standing commitment to the arts, and the positive impact of arts activities on the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. The target beneficiaries for these awards include individual artists (visual, performing, film, literary), young artists (rising high school juniors or seniors), arts educators, and community projects that utilize the arts for advancement. The impact goals are to acknowledge and encourage artistic talent, foster community engagement through the arts, and recognize the vital role the arts play in community, economic development, and quality of life. The program prioritizes and focuses on several categories: the Mayor’s Art Award for exceptional, long-standing impact; Visual Arts Award for outstanding visual artists; Performing Arts Award for exceptional performing artists; Young Artist Award for promising high school students; Arts Educator Award for influential educators; and the Arts Project Award for projects advancing community goals. A key focus is on current residents of Vanderburgh County for the Mayor's Art Award, and generally on those whose arts activities have had a significant impact on the City of Evansville or Southwestern Indiana. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the public recognition of significant contributions to the arts, the encouragement of emerging talent, and the celebration of arts-led community development initiatives. While specific quantitative measures are not detailed, the prestige of the awards and the public recognition serve as a form of measurable impact, elevating the profile of the arts and inspiring further artistic endeavors within the region. The repeated emphasis on impact within the community underscores ARTSWIN's strategic priority to integrate the arts as a core component of regional identity and development.

BBB Cleveland Spark Award for Young Entrepreneurs is a $2,000 cash prize available to entrepreneurs aged 35 and younger with new businesses in Northeast Ohio. The award recognizes businesses less than three years old that demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and social impact within their community. Eligible organizations must be located in selected counties within BBB Serving Greater Cleveland's service area and have earned a "B" rating or higher from BBB. The deadline for application is 01/31/2024. For more information and to apply, visit the Better Business Bureau website.

This program provides funding to Destination Marketing Organizations in Virginia to develop outdoor recreation projects that enhance local tourism and community engagement.

This funding initiative provides financial support to small food businesses in specific cultural corridors of Washington, DC, helping them grow and thrive while preserving the community's cultural identity.

The Community Grants program, offered by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, invites applications from eligible entities for projects across all counties. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to support charitable initiatives within the community by providing financial assistance to organizations that are in good standing with the IRS, including 501c(3) charitable entities, educational institutions, churches, and government entities. The grants typically range from $2,500 to $5,000, with a broader size of $1,000 to $10,000 also mentioned, suggesting a flexible approach to funding based on project scope and need. The target beneficiaries for these grants are diverse groups and communities served by eligible organizations. The program aims to achieve significant impact by addressing various community needs as identified by local Community Fund Committees. While some areas like Berthoud have no additional priorities, Estes Valley focuses on Food Security and Music & Arts, Fort Collins prioritizes Water and Workforce, and Loveland emphasizes Community Engagement. These specific priorities indicate the Foundation's strategic approach to addressing localized challenges and fostering community well-being, aiming for measurable results in these key areas. The Foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on supporting established charitable entities and its encouragement of fiscal sponsorship for groups that do not meet the direct eligibility criteria. This demonstrates a commitment to broad community impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local organizations to implement projects that directly address identified community needs, thereby creating positive and sustainable change. The expectation is that funded projects will lead to improved food security, enhanced cultural experiences, better water resource management, stronger workforces, and increased community participation, all contributing to a more vibrant Northern Colorado. The Community Grants program is designed to generate expected outcomes such as increased access to essential services, enrichment of local culture, development of critical community infrastructure, and strengthening of civic engagement. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of metrics, the outlined priorities suggest that successful projects would demonstrate tangible improvements in the respective focus areas. For instance, a food security grant would aim for increased access to nutritious food, and a workforce grant would aim for improved job readiness or employment rates. The Foundation's emphasis on eligibility and its clear delineation of what it typically does not fund further refine its strategic priorities, ensuring resources are directed towards impactful charitable work rather than individual ventures, political campaigns, or debt retirement.

This funding opportunity provides $2,500 to U.S. small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them grow their ventures through various initiatives, marketing, or operational improvements.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Idaho that focus on environmental protection, conservation, and education initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports arts education projects in public schools and community settings within Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing hands-on learning experiences for students through collaborative artistic initiatives.

The City of Canby's 2024 Business Enhancement Grant Program aims to support local businesses within Canby city limits. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to improve and enrich the Canby community by funding projects, programs, and events that contribute to its overall vitality. The program is designed to foster a thriving local economy and enhance the quality of life for Canby residents through strategic investments. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are local businesses situated within Canby city limits, with a focus on those whose projects directly engage and support the Canby community. The impact goals include capacity building, program creation, equipment investments, and innovative or expansion programming. The program seeks to ensure that the funded activities provide tangible benefits to the community, promoting growth and engagement. The grant prioritizes projects that build capacity, encourage innovation or expansion, and create new programming. Furthermore, eligible activities must enhance and support Canby’s unique history, culture, education, diversity, arts, needed services, or community involvement. The program also encourages and fosters advances in civic engagement or community leadership and promotes community involvement with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the forefront. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant local business sector, enhanced community services, and increased civic participation. Measurable results will be assessed based on how well projects meet the stated eligibility criteria and contribute to the program's objectives. The City of Canby has budgeted $50,000 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, allowing eligible applicants to receive up to $2,500 for their projects, programs, or events. The focus is on ensuring that these funds generate a positive and lasting impact on the Canby community.

The Granville Community Foundation in Ohio is offering grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies for projects that enrich the lives of Granville residents, with a focus on arts, culture, education, and social services, and prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, cultural opportunities, historical preservation, social support, public spaces, and youth experiences.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

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 Madison Community Foundation's Community Impact grants are designed to advance initiatives that create long-term positive impact on the community and the lives of its residents. This aligns with MCF's broader mission to strengthen innovative or high-performing nonprofits and invest in initiatives and natural and cultural assets that foster a thriving community. The grants are aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in greater Madison through five key focus areas: Arts & Culture, Community Development, Environment, Learning, and Organizational Capacity Building. The target beneficiaries of these grants are primarily residents and organizations within Dane County, Wisconsin. For example, Arts & Culture grants support Dane County's vibrant arts scene, while Community Development grants enhance quality of life by strengthening local assets and building community bonds. Learning grants support K-12 academic achievement and out-of-school programs, and Organizational Capacity Building grants aim to strengthen the infrastructure and long-term impact of Dane County nonprofits. The overarching impact goal is to create a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate a long-term impact on residents or physical environments in Dane County, with meaningful, reasonable, and measurable outcomes. Innovative approaches to community issues are encouraged, as are projects that strengthen community assets, build self-sufficiency, attract additional funding, and utilize partnerships or collaborations. The foundation's strategic priority is to support programs that are sustainable beyond the scope of the initial grant, fostering lasting change within the community. This indicates a theory of change that emphasizes empowering organizations and initiatives to create enduring positive effects. Grants are categorized into three broad types: Program Grants for new or expanding successful programs, Capital Grants for facility and land acquisition or renovation, and Endowment Challenge Grants to build capacity and sustainability by leveraging additional funds. Eligibility requires organizations to be public charities or governmental bodies (501(c)(3) exempt), located within Dane County (with an exception for endowment challenge grants if the fund resides at MCF), and to conduct business without discrimination. This ensures that the grants support a diverse range of impactful projects while adhering to strong ethical and operational standards.

This grant provides funding to support projects that empower historically underserved farming communities in the Northeast U.S. by addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable agricultural practices.

This grant provides funding to support projects that enhance the economic viability of farmers in New York by improving operational practices, fostering innovation, and developing marketing strategies.

This grant provides financial support to female visual artists in the Houston area to help fund their creative projects in contemporary art.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small business owners in New York City who have been operating for at least two years, to support projects that positively impact their local communities.