Private Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial support to local Chamber members for projects and events that enhance the Polson-area business community and promote economic engagement.

This initiative provides $1,500 in funding, training, and mentorship to first-time entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area, helping them turn their business ideas into reality.

This program provides financial support to small retail businesses in downtown Baltimore for professional consulting services and interior renovations to enhance their storefronts and attract more customers.

This program provides an 18-month fellowship for experienced leaders in health-related nonprofits and public agencies in western and central New York, focusing on collaboration and equity to address health challenges for young children and older adults.

This program provides financial assistance to commercial property owners and tenants in Clay and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia, for exterior improvements that enhance the appearance and accessibility of businesses along the Elk River Trail.

This program provides in-kind donations of Cisco technology to nonprofit organizations worldwide, helping them improve productivity and efficiency while aligning with social impact priorities.

This program provides financial assistance for energy audits to help New Hampshire's agricultural producers and rural small businesses improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program focused on enhancing economic mobility within Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity. It aims to support diverse-owned small businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The grant can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory, and real estate, and does not require repayment. Administered by FFTC Partners For Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of the Foundation For The Carolinas, and funded by the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund, Beyond Open has awarded over $10 million in grants to nearly 300 small businesses during its first two rounds. The third round will distribute approximately $5 million in grants. The program aims to retain jobs, encourage job growth, and inspire new entrepreneurial endeavors in areas with low economic mobility and among historically underrepresented groups. It also seeks to create opportunities for small businesses to provide goods or services in affluent areas where minority business owners have been under-represented.

This grant provides funding to qualified firms for creating guidance documents and resources that assist cities and counties in developing effective transit-oriented projects to promote housing growth and community resilience in Washington.

This grant provides $5,000 to small businesses looking to innovate and improve their operations through new products, renovations, or equipment purchases.

The Bay Mini-Grants, offered by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, are competitive awards designed to fund environmental restoration and education projects within the Tampa Bay watershed, with a strong emphasis on community-led initiatives. This program is rooted in the broader mission of stimulating environmental stewardship and science literacy among the residents, workers, and visitors of Tampa Bay. The funding directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priorities by focusing on local action to address critical environmental challenges and fostering a more engaged and informed public concerning the health of the bay. The program targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies, particularly those with strong volunteer or community involvement. Past award recipients have included neighborhood associations, artists, and researchers, highlighting a broad reach. Projects that are led by, empower, benefit, or engage underserved and/or overburdened communities are specifically encouraged, indicating a commitment to equitable impact. The primary impact goal is to enhance the environmental health of the Tampa Bay watershed through tangible restoration efforts and increased public awareness and participation. The grant prioritizes projects that address one or more of the objectives outlined in the Tampa Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). These priorities include improving water quality and reducing contaminants, increasing and preserving healthy bay habitats, protecting and enhancing fisheries and wildlife, improving spill prevention and response, reducing invasive species, increasing public education and involvement, improving responsible public use of the bay, improving the resiliency of bay habitats to climate change, and incorporating CCMP goals into local land use plans. These focus areas reflect a holistic approach to environmental management and community engagement. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in water quality, expanded healthy habitats, and a more robust and protected ecosystem. Measurable results could involve specific reductions in pollutants, acres of restored habitat, increased biodiversity, and a higher level of community participation in environmental initiatives. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support to community-led initiatives focused on these key priorities, it will empower local stakeholders, drive direct environmental improvements, and ultimately cultivate a more environmentally conscious and active citizenry, leading to a more resilient and healthy Tampa Bay. The grant period for projects is January 1 to December 31, 2025, with a maximum award of $5,000 per project.

This competition provides financial support and resources to Brooklyn residents looking to start or grow community-focused businesses.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering the INDIGO Program grant to support the deployment of advanced decarbonization and/or grid support technologies at California industrial facilities. This initiative aims to promote electrification and significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the industrial sector. The program aligns with the CEC's mission to advance clean energy and reduce climate-warming pollution, specifically targeting the industrial sector's environmental impact. The grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries within California's industrial sector, including existing industrial facilities, utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service companies, project aggregators, and project developers. The impact goals are multi-faceted, focusing on reducing fossil fuel and thermal energy usage, decreasing criteria air pollutants and carbon footprints, and supporting electrical grid reliability, especially during net peak periods. Projects are particularly encouraged to benefit priority populations by reducing air pollutants and engaging directly with low-income or disadvantaged communities. The program's priorities and focuses include deploying cutting-edge, emerging industrial decarbonization technologies that demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalability. Key project goals include electrifying industrial processes, maximizing GHG emission reductions, driving the scalability of project technology to other facilities and industries, reducing electrical demand during net peak periods, and providing air pollution benefits to priority populations. Entities associated with oil and gas production or processing are ineligible, as are food and beverage industries already receiving funding for the same projects from CEC’s Food Production Investment Program (FPIP). Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the adoption of electrification and other eligible decarbonization technologies, leading to quantifiable reductions in annual GHG emissions and other criteria air emissions at industrial processing facilities. Additionally, the program anticipates improved grid reliability through the adoption of commercially available and emerging technologies. Successful projects are expected to demonstrate the potential for widespread adoption across multiple industrial facilities, fostering increased confidence in these advanced technologies. The CEC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by the INDIGO Program, center on accelerating California’s transition to a clean energy economy by supporting technological innovation and deployment in key sectors. The theory of change behind this grant is that by providing significant funding for the demonstration and deployment of cutting-edge decarbonization and grid support technologies in industrial settings, the CEC can catalyze widespread adoption, leading to substantial reductions in GHG emissions, improved air quality, enhanced grid stability, and equitable benefits for all Californians, particularly in vulnerable communities. With up to $46,200,000 available for grants, individual projects can receive between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000. This substantial funding aims to incentivize large-scale, impactful projects that can serve as models for future industrial decarbonization efforts across the state.

This grant provides financial support to Oregon-based organizations addressing urgent needs for women and girls, prioritizing those led by or serving BIPOC communities and with smaller operating budgets.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is inviting applications from organizations committed to building inclusive and welcoming entrepreneurial environments that expand equitable opportunities for all. This grant aims to empower communities in southern Minnesota to support diverse and traditionally underserved populations in pursuing entrepreneurship. By strengthening local ecosystems that remove barriers to participation, SMIF seeks to drive lasting economic vitality and ensure that prosperity is shared across racial and cultural lines. The foundation is particularly focused on initiatives that cultivate equitable access to entrepreneurial resources and that foster collaboration among community members to create long-term change. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and public institutions that provide direct services or resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Grassroots and informal organizations may also apply, provided they have an eligible fiscal sponsor. Proposed initiatives might include entrepreneurial education programs designed for BIPOC or underserved populations, community dialogues promoting inclusivity in business, or systems that expand access to funding, mentorship, and professional development. Successful proposals will articulate how their projects create tangible economic opportunities and address the systemic inequities faced by entrepreneurs of color in the region. The foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 per project, with a grant duration of up to 18 months for implementation. Each recipient is required to provide a 10% cash match and to submit both interim and final reports detailing progress and outcomes. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with SMIF’s mission, show measurable community impact within its 20-county region, and present a plan for sustaining efforts beyond the grant period. Proposals that show strong collaboration and innovation in addressing racial and economic disparities will be viewed favorably. Certain activities and applicants are not eligible for funding. Exclusions include individuals, for-profit businesses, and general operating expenses unrelated to the project. The grant will not support capital purchases, real estate investments, feasibility studies without implementation, or re-granting activities. Likewise, projects already underway or completed before application are not eligible, nor are those focused on research or school-based internships. Organizations with an open Inclusive & Equitable Communities Grant from SMIF are also ineligible until the previous project concludes. Through this program, SMIF continues its mission to advance equitable economic growth across southern Minnesota. By investing in community-led efforts to uplift diverse entrepreneurs and dismantle barriers to opportunity, the foundation is helping to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous regional economy.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's Shaping a Healthy and Inclusive Future Together (SHIFT) Grant Program aims to transform fragmented communities in Kentucky into inclusive environments for individuals engaging in substance use or experiencing chemical dependence. This program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to build a healthy, inclusive, and connected Kentucky by addressing the critical need for harm reduction and racial equity. The foundation seeks to foster a culture of acceptance and support, moving away from punitive approaches and integrating more compassionate, effective strategies into mainstream services. The SHIFT program targets community-based organizations that primarily serve under-resourced communities of color. These organizations must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through BIPOC leadership within their staff and board. A crucial eligibility criterion is that applicants must not mandate sobriety for individuals to receive services, emphasizing an inclusive approach. The primary impact goal is to shift communities towards greater inclusion and better support for individuals with substance use challenges, particularly those who have experienced systemic oppression due to the War on Drugs. The grant program prioritizes the integration of harm reduction programming into communities. This includes a variety of project examples such as distributing naloxone, safe use kits, syringe exchanges, and testing strips, as well as community organizing and advocacy that empower individuals with lived experiences. Stigma reduction trainings are also a focus, aimed at helping the public understand and articulate the importance of harm reduction models. Other priorities include developing coalitions of local businesses to provide harm reduction supplies, building partnerships with medication-assisted treatment providers, and integrating peer support professionals into staff positions. Expected outcomes of the grant program include the introduction of new harm reduction service modalities into mainstream services and the increased inclusion of people who use substances into these services. The program offers 10-15 grants, ranging from $10,000 for piloting new programming to $50,000 for supporting ongoing harm reduction and racial equity work. This funding structure supports both innovative new initiatives and the sustained growth of existing effective programs, demonstrating the foundation's strategic commitment to long-term impact and systemic change within Kentucky's communities.

This funding opportunity provides up to $20 million to nonprofit organizations and collaborative newsrooms in the U.S. to develop innovative solutions that enhance local journalism's audience engagement, operational efficiency, workforce diversity, and revenue generation.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is offering grants to libraries within Herkimer and Oneida counties. These grants are specifically designed to support program-related expenses, physical structure updates, or technology upgrades, all with the overarching goal of enhancing the services provided to patrons. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen community resources and improve the quality of life for residents by investing in vital local institutions like libraries. The grants aim to foster more dynamic and accessible library services, directly contributing to community enrichment and educational opportunities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are libraries located in Herkimer and Oneida counties. Indirectly, the patrons of these libraries, including individuals and families seeking educational resources, technological access, and community programs, will also benefit significantly. The impact goals include improving the quality and accessibility of library services, fostering innovation in library programming, and ensuring that libraries can meet the evolving needs of their communities. By supporting these institutions, the foundation seeks to strengthen the educational and cultural infrastructure of the region. The grant program prioritizes new programs or projects that begin no earlier than June 2024, or existing/ongoing programs that incur expenses from June 2024 onwards. Emphasis is placed on projects with identifiable and measurable outcomes and a clear timeline for completion. This focus ensures that the funded initiatives are purposeful, accountable, and designed to achieve tangible results. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in projects that demonstrate a clear potential for positive community impact and sustainable improvement in library services. Applicants can request a maximum of $2,500 in Community Foundation funding. Eligibility is restricted to libraries in Herkimer or Oneida counties that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or affiliated with a governmental institution. The expected outcomes include a measurable enhancement in library offerings, improved patron engagement, and modernized facilities or technology. Through this targeted funding, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties operates on a theory of change that posits that strategic investment in local libraries will directly lead to stronger, more resilient communities with increased access to knowledge and resources.

The Systems Change grants from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina are designed for organizations committed to influencing and guiding change in structural factors and systemic policy issues that have caused, reinforced, or worsened poverty in South Carolina. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to address the root causes of poverty by supporting initiatives that aim for long-term, systemic solutions rather than just addressing symptoms. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on understanding and disrupting the underlying issues that perpetuate poverty, emphasizing a comprehensive and collaborative approach. The target beneficiaries of these grants are people experiencing poverty in South Carolina, and the impact goals are to disrupt, reduce, or eliminate specific barriers and issues within the structural factors associated with poverty. Organizations seeking funding must be addressing one or more of these structural factors and have identified clear issues they intend to tackle. The foundation's theory of change appears to be centered on the belief that by addressing systemic problems through research, policy reform, advocacy, and collaborative solutions, lasting improvements in health, safety, and economic mobility can be achieved for vulnerable populations. The program prioritizes organizations that bring diverse people together to understand the entire system, coordinate various interventions, and work collaboratively across multiple sectors, including government, faith-based groups, social service agencies, funders, and the business community. This focus underscores the foundation's commitment to holistic and integrated solutions. Furthermore, organizations are expected to demonstrate long-term goals and strategies, grounded in extensive research, planning, evaluation, continuous learning, and the integration of diverse perspectives. Expected outcomes and measurable results include fostering systems-level change, informing government policy for more effective and equitable practices, and creating innovative solutions through advocacy and collaboration. Examples of funded nonprofits include those conducting research to undergird systems-level change, informing government policy for more equitable practices, and engaging in advocacy to address structural issues affecting the health, safety, and economic mobility of people experiencing poverty. The grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with a typical median of $15,000-$20,000, suggesting a focus on impactful, yet often specific, interventions.