Private Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding to organizations that support innovative initiatives aimed at empowering under-served entrepreneurs in North Carolina, particularly those in rural areas, women, and minorities.

This grant provides financial support to U.S.-based for-profit businesses with at least one Latino/x founder, celebrating their contributions and fostering economic growth within the Latino/x community.

This program provides financial support to small-scale, sustainable farms in metro Atlanta to improve their operations and enhance their contributions to the local food system.

The DeMayo Bright Futures Innovation Award, presented by The Fund for Williamstown, seeks to identify and honor innovative approaches that address community challenges and enhance life within Williamstown. This award is specifically designed to recognize organizations, institutions, businesses, or individuals who introduce new programs or methods that are not currently present in the community. The core mission of the Fund for Williamstown, as evidenced by this award, is to foster creativity and new solutions for local issues, aligning with a strategic priority to support community-driven progress and enhance local well-being through inventive means. The primary beneficiaries of this award are those who are actively passionate about solving community challenges in Williamstown, Massachusetts, through innovative practices. This includes a broad spectrum of entities such as organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals. The overarching impact goal is to stimulate the creation and implementation of programs that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation and creativity, ultimately resulting in significant positive community impact. The award implicitly supports the development of non-traditional solutions that bring about tangible improvements in the quality of life within Williamstown. The award prioritizes and focuses on innovation and creativity in addressing community needs. It seeks out initiatives that represent new approaches to existing problems or introduce entirely new ways of enriching community life. The emphasis is on programs that currently do not exist in Williamstown, promoting the introduction of novel concepts rather than the continuation of established ones. The Fund for Williamstown's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by recognizing and financially supporting innovative endeavors, they can catalyze positive change, empower local innovators, and foster a more vibrant and responsive community. The expected outcomes of the DeMayo Bright Futures Innovation Award include the identification and recognition of groundbreaking work within Williamstown, the provision of financial support ($1,000) to further these innovative initiatives, and ultimately, a measurable enhancement in community life and problem-solving capabilities. While specific metrics for "significant community impact" are not detailed, the award's focus on programs that address challenges and enhance life implies outcomes such as improved social cohesion, increased access to services, or the development of more sustainable community practices, all driven by the innovative work of the recipients.

Grant Opportunity: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) Funding Organization: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. Contact Information: - Email: T4GCommunity@toyota.com Award Details: Toyota partners with nonprofit organizations in the U.S. to support programs in various areas, including education, inclusive mobility, community resilience, health and human services, arts and culture, and civic and community. The organization prefers to support program-based requests but may also consider fundraising activities where most of the proceeds go directly to the organization. Funding requests should benefit a large number of people, offer participation in local educational programs, have clear and measurable goals, establish means for evaluation and reporting, provide leadership and development programs, target youth, and include financial commitments from other funding organizations. Toyota does not fund organizations that discriminate or requests from individuals, political organizations, fraternal organizations, churches, labor organizations, non-charitable organizations, athletic organizations or sports teams, individual and/or private schools, or requests covering institutional expenses or deficits. The geographic scope includes specific counties in West Virginia, with limited consideration for statewide programs and additional counties where Toyota team members live. Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations that meet the geographic and funding missions of Toyota, as well as the general limitations mentioned above, are eligible to apply. Application Deadlines: - May 1st (Notification in July) - October 1st (Notification in February) Application Process: Interested organizations can apply for funding using Toyota's online tool. For resuming an application that was started earlier, applicants can email T4GCommunity@toyota.com. Apply for a Grant: [Link to Application] (https://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?x_gm_id=7170&x_quiz_id=8520&x_order_by=1) Resume Application: [Link to Resume Application] (https://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/ao_login.login?x_gm_id=7170&x_proposal_type_id=52178)

This grant provides financial support to Vermont-based nonprofits focused on youth development, economic independence for working adults, senior care, and community enhancement initiatives.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to small businesses in Richmond, Virginia, that have experienced economic losses due to water outages, specifically targeting those in water-dependent industries.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston that serve marginalized communities by addressing essential needs such as food, shelter, legal aid, and support for vulnerable populations.

The Career Pathways grant, accepting applications from May 27 to July 5, 2024, is dedicated to increasing economic mobility and generational wealth by providing access to family-wage jobs, entrepreneurship, and small business ownership. The grant supports programs that facilitate skill development, offer wrap-around services, and support entrepreneurship, especially for minority- and woman-owned businesses. Prioritizing culturally specific and minority-led programs, it aims to serve communities facing systemic barriers, ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in all initiatives.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta's Arts, Culture and Creative Enterprises Grants program aims to bolster nonprofit literary and performing arts organizations by facilitating access to performance venues and facilities. This initiative directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support the cultural vibrancy of the Greater Atlanta area and foster artistic experiences for the public. By addressing the critical need for performance spaces, the program enables organizations to produce and present their work, thereby enriching the community's access to diverse artistic expressions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit professional arts organizations with a core mission in literary or performing arts disciplines such as Creative, Nonfiction, Dance, Fiction, Multidisciplinary, Music, Musical, Theater, Opera, and Poetry. The program specifically targets organizations based in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, or Rockdale counties in Georgia, which conduct most of their local programs and services in metro Atlanta. The impact goal is to empower these organizations to overcome facility access barriers, leading to increased public engagement with performing arts. Priority consideration for 2024 support is given to organizations in alignment with the Foundation's TogetherATL strategy. This includes artistic or cultural activities led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders or organizations directly representing/serving BIPOC communities, as defined by criteria such as artistic or executive leadership, artistic theme, board/staff majority, or population served. Further priority is extended to organizations without their own primary performance space, new organizations that have not previously received an "A Place to Perform" grant, those that did not receive a Metropolitan Atlanta Arts grant in 2023, and organizations with operating budgets below $2 million. This focus highlights the Foundation's commitment to equity, access, and supporting emerging or underserved artistic groups. The expected outcomes include a greater number of performing arts presentations for the public, especially from organizations that traditionally face barriers to facility access. Measurable results will be tied to the utilization of grant funds (up to $5,000) to subsidize direct rental costs for engagements occurring between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The Foundation's strategic priorities, reflected in the TogetherATL strategy, emphasize fostering a more inclusive and accessible arts landscape. By supporting organizations that might otherwise struggle to secure performance venues, the grants contribute to a theory of change where equitable access to resources directly translates into a more vibrant, diverse, and publicly engaged arts community in Greater Atlanta.

The Ripley County Community Foundation has a variety of available grants to benefit nonprofit organizations and their projects that serve Ripley County. The grants program strives to anticipate the changing needs of the community and be flexible in responding to them. It focuses on providing "seed" money or pilot project support, but general operating support grants could also be considered. The program aims to have the greatest benefit per dollar granted and encourages the participation of other contributions through matching, challenge, and other grant techniques. The financial condition of the applying organization will be considered, as well as its strength, community support, leadership, clarity of proposal, and eligibility. To be eligible for these grants, organizations must be a nonprofit operating in Ripley County. Grant applications must qualify as an exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c), or be sponsored by such organizations, or qualify as governmental or educational entities with similar attributes per IRS Code Section 509(a). The purpose of the organization's grant application must fall within one or more of the Community Foundation's four service areas: Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Health & Well-Being, and Environment & Natural Resources. Grants will only be made to organizations that have responsible fiscal sponsors and adequate accounting procedures. Grant recipients and fiscal sponsors must sign and abide by the respective conditions set forth in the Community Foundation's "Grant Award Agreements" and "Grant Report Forms". Organizations or their fiscal sponsors cannot have an outstanding or delinquent Grant Report in order for an application to be considered for future granting. The Large Projects Grants specifically provide assistance for sizable projects needed to support and/or enhance an organization's charitable reach. Nonprofit organizations that serve Ripley County can apply for a maximum request of $5,000.00. The application deadline is August 4th. It is important to note that previous awarded grants must be spent and accounted for before applying for another grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation. No grants will be made to defray travel or lodging expenses, for endowment purposes, for completed programs or already purchased equipment, for the acquisition of weapons or firearms, or exclusively for sectarian religious purposes. The foundation reserves the right to refuse any and all grant applications.

2023 Strengthening Neighborhoods Program offers small grants for community groups in Colorado to support grassroots community development and organizing. Projects should leverage existing community strengths and assets, such as residents' skills or neighborhood institutions. Funding areas include arts, culture, humanities, civic fabric, economic opportunity, education, environment & climate, food & nutrition, health & mental health, housing & homelessness, human services, religious institutions, transportation, and youth development.

Ohio: Call for Applications for Facade Improvement Grant. The Facade Improvement Grant (FIG) program aims to enhance the appeal of commercial areas in Knox County, Ohio, by supporting building improvements. The program prioritizes projects that align with historic preservation standards, design guides, and municipal plans. By investing in fixed assets, the initiative seeks to stimulate business development and downtown growth while creating a more inviting environment for residents and visitors.

The NAACP x BACARDI are working together to provide dedicated support under-represented minorities in the beverage alcohol service, sales and hospitality industries. Backing the B.A.R. is an NAACP initiative that is awarding over $100,000 in acceleration grants, education, support and entrepreneurship solutions for minority-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license. If you are a minority-owned business owner with a liquor license or real liquor license aspirations - and you need financial, educational or mentorship support, please apply here. Ideal grant recipients are looking for support in accelerating their business for the future.

This funding opportunity supports local governments, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota to develop innovative projects that enhance workforce housing and attract and retain workers.

The National Press Foundation is offering the Covering Equitable Community Development Journalism Fellowship, an expenses-paid program designed to enhance journalists' ability to report on equitable community development. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to support and educate journalists, specifically by equipping them to investigate the intersection of policy, public and private financing, and calls for equitable housing, parks, and other community assets. The program aims to address the critical need for comprehensive and nuanced reporting on how resources are allocated and what initiatives receive support within various regions. The target beneficiaries of this fellowship are U.S.-based journalists working across print, TV, radio, or online media, with a particular encouragement for those who cover race and metro beats. The program emphasizes diversity and welcomes applicants from across the nation. The impact goal is to empower these journalists to better understand and report on pervasive racial gaps and the policies and investments in their communities related to health, wealth, and overall community well-being. By providing specialized training, the fellowship seeks to foster a more informed public discourse on community development issues. The fellowship's priorities and focuses include an immersive exploration into community development issues, especially in the context of small and mid-sized cities. The program will delve into how financing and investing institutions—such as community development financial institutions (CDFIs), philanthropic impact investors, private banks, and other investors—prioritize projects. It will also examine how policymakers and public officials can actively involve residents in decision-making and ensure accountability for anti-racist practices in the community development sector. Other key topics include identifying conditions that lead to healthier, more equitable communities with access to essential resources like affordable housing, education, and healthcare, as well as addressing environmental justice as a community development issue. The expected outcomes and measurable results of this fellowship include equipping journalists with the knowledge and context to add breadth to their coverage of community development. By bringing together experts from health equity, nonprofit, policy, financing, and community organizing sectors, the program anticipates that fellows will gain a deeper understanding of complex issues. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated as quantitative metrics, the qualitative outcome is a more capable and informed journalistic body that can investigate and report on community development effectively, potentially leading to increased public awareness and accountability in these areas.

The Thrive Business Grant (TBG) is a program by the Trophy Club Economic Development Corporation aimed at supporting local businesses through reimbursable matching grants. The initiative focuses on enhancing the visual appeal and competitiveness of businesses in Trophy Club, driving economic growth and community prosperity. In 2023, the EDC allocated $300,000 to launch this program, supporting projects like façade improvements, interior renovations, and equipment purchases to maintain the town's charm and stimulate customer growth. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants in Trophy Club who meet specific criteria such as being current on taxes, having no municipal liens, and adhering to local and state regulations. The application process involves Town Council approval, with a timeline starting on May 28, 2024, and deadlines on September 30, 2024, for applications, followed by reviews and tentative approval dates in December 2024. Projects must start within six months of grant receipt and funds are provided as reimbursements post-completion.

This funding opportunity supports Scottsdale-based non-profit arts and culture organizations in delivering diverse programs and events that enhance the community's cultural landscape.

This grant provides opportunities for professional Maryland-based performing artists and groups to gain visibility and support for touring performances across the state.