Private Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding to Massachusetts-based clean technology startups and academic institutions for projects that advance innovations in areas like high performance buildings, clean transportation, offshore wind, and net zero grid technologies.

The Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture (GJCAC) has announced the timeline and guidelines for its 2025 grant cycle. This funding opportunity supports arts and culture projects that align with the Commission's goals and provide meaningful community impact. Applications are open from December 9, 2024, and must be submitted by January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM. After submission, organizations may receive follow-up questions, with responses due by February 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Presentations will occur on February 24 or 25, 2025, with grant decisions finalized by February 26, 2025. Notifications will be sent during the week of March 3, 2025, and funding will be distributed throughout March, contingent on completed paperwork. Applicants must communicate effectively with the GJCAC Liaison via email and ensure accurate and frequently monitored contact information. Submissions should be clear, concise, and free from spelling or grammatical errors. Applications should address each question fully while aligning the proposed project with GJCAC’s criteria and goals. Financial details must be precise, including an explanation of any deficits or profits. Multiple funding sources are encouraged, though GJCAC does not fund scholarships or provide rewards as honorariums. Presentations play a critical role in the application process. Applicants are expected to deliver a compelling 3-minute presentation covering five key points: a meaningful anecdote about the organization, unique aspects of the project, specific uses for grant funds, the project’s community impact, and the potential effects of not receiving GJCAC funding. Applicants should engage the audience and avoid reading directly from their application, while also being prepared for a brief Q&A session. Grantees are required to use the GJCAC logo on all promotional materials and register with the City’s Artist and Arts Business Registry if not already listed. Additionally, a GJCAC member will adopt each funded project to assist with promotion and evaluation. For ticketed events, grantees must provide at least two complimentary tickets for the adopter to attend and provide feedback. Post-event responsibilities include submitting a final report within 60 days of project completion. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from applying for GJCAC grants for two years. For assistance, applicants can contact Haley Van Camp at haley.vancamp@gjcity.org or 970-254-3876. More details, including the required final report form, can be found on the Commission’s website.

This grant recognizes and supports young entrepreneurs and new business owners who demonstrate trustworthiness and positively impact their communities through ethical business practices.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to document and preserve the oral histories of local residents, focusing on community collaboration and culturally significant themes.

The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, is offering grants of $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations led by and serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability communities, to support programs in leadership development, economic advancement, health and wellness, and stories of Black and Brown excellence and success.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and governmental bodies in select Wisconsin counties to improve health and prosperity in their communities.

The Platteville Community Fund, established in 2002 by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, is a permanent, unrestricted charitable endowment dedicated to enhancing various aspects of community life in the Platteville area. Its mission aligns with supporting projects that enrich the arts, education, health and human services, the environment, and historic preservation. This broad focus allows the fund to address a diverse range of community needs and contribute to the overall well-being and cultural vibrancy of Platteville. Annually, a portion of the Fund's earnings is distributed back to the community in the form of grants. These grants target non-profit organizations, the local school district, and/or local government agencies that provide charitable programs or projects serving the community. The impact goals are centered on fostering community development and addressing specific concerns within Platteville, as evidenced by entities like the PHS Scholarship Fund, created in 2010, and the Platteville Excellence in Education Endowment Fund. The fund's strategic priorities include empowering local citizens to support charitable interests through various focused funds, as well as providing essential funding for the Platteville School District's educational needs not covered by the regular budget, exemplified by the EIE fund's inception in 2021. The theory of change suggests that by providing accessible grant funding and facilitating community-driven initiatives, the fund can significantly strengthen the social, cultural, and educational infrastructure of Platteville. The expected outcomes of these grants include improved access to arts and cultural programs, enhanced educational opportunities, better health and human services, a healthier environment, and preserved historical assets. While specific measurable results for all grant categories are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the existence of funds like the EIE fund with an initial grant of over $30,000 indicates a commitment to substantial financial support and measurable educational impact within the school district. The advisory board, composed of volunteer citizens, plays a crucial role in initiating fundraising and determining grant awards, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to achieve these community-focused goals.

This program provides financial support and resources to small businesses in select U.S. cities that are dedicated to community upliftment and have been impacted by COVID-19.

This program provides funding to organizations in Illinois to develop and expand apprenticeship opportunities, particularly for underrepresented populations, by fostering collaboration among employers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

This grant provides financial support to small for-profit businesses in central Maryland that are BGE customers, helping them grow and better serve their communities.

The Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) is currently accepting applications for its fall grant cycle, inviting projects that aim to make a positive impact on Huron County, Michigan. As a nonprofit community corporation, HCCF's mission is deeply rooted in supporting the people of Huron County by fostering prosperity. This is achieved through a focus on Community & Economic Growth, aligning the grant program directly with the foundation's core purpose of enhancing the well-being and development of the region. HCCF's strategic priorities are designed to cultivate a thriving environment within Huron County. These include retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce, creating vibrant and dynamic communities, and cultivating an environment conducive to business development. Projects addressing these areas are given preference for unrestricted grantmaking dollars. This focus reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in these key areas, they can catalyze broader community and economic growth, leading to a more prosperous future for all residents. Beyond the strategic priorities, the HCCF also encourages applications for projects that address numerous other interest areas, indicating a broad scope for potential beneficiaries. These areas include Arts and Culture, Education, Health & Medicine, Basic Needs Services, Beautification of Huron County, Natural Areas Preservation, Disadvantaged Youth, Recreation, and Women in STEM. This diverse range of focus areas ensures that a wide array of community needs and interests can be supported, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and impact. Applicants are required to submit a detailed project narrative, outlining the project's description and purpose, including its location and the number of people it will serve. This narrative should also address the project's long-term impact and measurable results, demonstrating how the grant from HCCF would be recognized. Furthermore, applicants must describe their evaluation methods to determine if their purpose was accomplished, and provide a budget with estimated income and expenses. These guidelines are designed to ensure accountability and to help the HCCF assess the potential effectiveness and sustainability of each proposed project, ultimately aiming for impactful and measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's mission.

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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support underrepresented populations in the commercial real estate sector through employment training, entrepreneurship resources, and investment education.

This program provides $5,000 grants to small businesses and non-profits in Oyster Bay with up to 50 employees and annual revenues between $35,000 and $5 million to help them recover from pandemic-related losses.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity offering $100,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years to researchers, educators, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture, with the aim of improving economic viability, environmental quality, and quality of life in the North Central Region's agricultural sector.

The gBETA AgBioScience Accelerator is a free, seven-week pre-accelerator program designed for early-stage companies focusing on agriculture innovations, or "AgBioScience." It aims to help these companies achieve rapid growth and/or raise venture capital. The program is hosted by Gener8tor, a nationally ranked accelerator, and runs multiple times a year across the United States. While the AgBioScience program is based in Indianapolis, it incorporates both in-person and virtual components, making it accessible to a national pool of applicants. Gener8tor's broader mission aligns with fostering innovation and economic development by supporting promising startups through individualized coaching, mentorship, and access to resources. The primary target beneficiaries of the gBETA AgBioScience Accelerator are early-stage companies with a focus on agriculture innovations. These companies can range from those with just an idea to those with significant revenue, though most are typically post-product and pre-scale. The program seeks out entrepreneurs who are committed to their business, even if not yet full-time, and are ready to grow. The impact goals are centered on accelerating the development and market readiness of these AgBioScience companies, thereby contributing to advancements in agriculture and potentially creating new economic opportunities. The program's priorities and focuses include providing individualized coaching and mentorship on company growth and investor readiness. This is complemented by weekly "Lunch & Learns" and "Mentor Swarms," which offer opportunities for learning and networking. A significant focus is also placed on preparing companies for investor and accelerator pitches, crucial for securing funding. Furthermore, participants benefit from over $1 million in deals and perks from various vendors, providing valuable resources for their operations. The program also emphasizes ongoing post-program support and involvement within the gener8tor community. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the rapid growth of participating companies and their increased readiness to attract venture capital. Success can be measured by the number of companies that secure funding, the rate of their customer growth, and their overall advancement towards scaling their operations. The program also aims to build a stronger network within the AgBioScience sector. Gener8tor's strategic priorities are to identify and nurture high-potential startups, and their theory of change posits that intensive, individualized support, coupled with access to a robust network and resources, will significantly increase a startup's chances of success and contribute to regional and national economic vitality.

This program provides coaching and community support for fundraisers of color at small nonprofits in Sacramento and Yolo counties, focusing on those addressing health and racial disparities.

This grant provides funding for community organizations and local governments to engage in environmental outreach, education, and restoration projects aimed at improving water quality and ecological health in the Jones Falls watershed of Maryland.

The Toolbox grant, offered by the Live Music Society, is specifically designed to support venue owners in implementing one-time, practical projects that enhance their spaces for performers, staff, and visitors. This grant directly aligns with the foundation's mission to elevate the live music experience by addressing essential, practical needs of music venues. Unlike the Music in Action grant, which focuses on broader audience development and community building, the Toolbox grant is strategically focused on tangible venue improvements. The primary beneficiaries of the Toolbox grant are live music venue owners in the United States and its territories who operate venues with a legal capacity of 50-300 and present a minimum of 50 music performances annually. The impact goals are to empower venues to improve safety and comfort, modernize operations through innovative technology, address practical challenges with expert consultants, and invest in staff training and education. The Live Music Society's theory of change is that by supporting these specific, practical improvements, venues can significantly enhance the overall live music experience for musicians, staff, and audiences. The priorities and focuses of the Toolbox grant are clear: supporting practical projects that lead to concrete improvements. This includes initiatives like enhancing safety and comfort, incorporating innovative technology, engaging consultants for specialized challenges (e.g., acoustics, ticketing, fundraising, branding), and providing staff training and education. While examples are provided, the funding is not limited to these, encouraging venues to propose any practical challenge they believe qualifies for support, thereby fostering a responsive and needs-driven approach. Expected outcomes include more comfortable and safer environments for all venue occupants, more efficient and modern operations, and improved capacity through specialized expertise and staff development. Measurable results could include the successful completion of specific projects, enhanced venue features (e.g., new sound systems, improved accessibility), and demonstrable improvements in staff capabilities or operational efficiency. Applicants can request up to $10,000 per application, with projects taking place between December 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, ensuring a focused and timely impact on the recipient venues.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is offering the ArtsNOW Schools Advancement Grants of $10,000 to $100,000 over three years to ArtsNOW Partner Schools in South Carolina, to support arts integration, professional learning, curriculum mapping, and planning through innovative practices.