Private Business and Commerce Grants

The Community Project Grants program, offered by the Arts Council for Long Beach, is designed to support the artistic, cultural, and arts educational projects and programs of arts and cultural organizations within Long Beach, California. This program aligns with the Arts Council's mission to foster a vibrant cultural landscape by partnering with local organizations to deliver impactful programming. The target beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit or non-incorporated arts and cultural organizations in Long Beach, particularly those with a successful track record of planning and managing effective programs. The program aims to encourage innovative, creative, diverse, and unique programming that meets community needs and identifies specific audiences. Key priorities and focuses of the grant include supporting projects that reflect the rich cultural diversity of the community and demonstrating a clear understanding of local needs. The Arts Council seeks to fund initiatives that contribute to the cultural enrichment of Long Beach residents through well-planned and effectively managed programs. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and innovative arts and cultural programming available to the Long Beach community, a stronger network of supported local arts organizations, and projects that effectively engage identified audiences. Measurable results would likely involve the number of projects funded, the reach of those programs, and the demonstrated community impact, though specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as separate sections, the program's goals implicitly reveal the Arts Council for Long Beach's strategic priorities. These include promoting creativity, diversity, and community engagement through the arts, and supporting established local organizations. The theory of change appears to be that by funding well-designed and culturally relevant projects, the Arts Council can enhance the overall cultural vitality and community well-being in Long Beach.

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center is offering Business Builder Subawards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support small food and farm businesses in selected states and counties, aiming to expand local and regional food markets, increase business acumen, and strengthen food systems in response to COVID-19, with projects to be completed within a year.

The Olive Smith Browning Charitable Trust provides grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational pursuits. The Trust's mission is aligned with fostering community well-being and development through support for a diverse range of program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animal welfare; health; human services; public/society benefit; and religion. This broad scope reflects a commitment to addressing various societal needs and enriching the lives of individuals and communities. The primary beneficiaries of the Olive Smith Browning Charitable Trust's grants are organizations operating within Twin Falls, Idaho, reflecting a strong commitment to local impact. The Trust prioritizes supporting initiatives that demonstrably contribute to the betterment of this specific geographic area. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed for individual grants, the overall goal is to empower organizations that provide essential services and foster positive change within their respective program areas. The Trust's grantmaking priorities are clearly focused on supporting organizations within Twin Falls, Idaho, indicating a strategic preference for concentrated local impact. This geographic focus allows the Trust to cultivate deeper relationships with grantees and potentially observe more direct and tangible results of its funding. The average grant size ranges from $2,500 to $10,000, with an average total giving per year of $35,000, suggesting a model that supports multiple smaller-to-medium sized projects annually. To be eligible for funding, organizations must hold exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications are required to be submitted through an online grant application form, or an accessible alternative for assistive technology users. The Trust's strategic priorities are centered on consistent support for established non-profits within its focus areas in Twin Falls, contributing to the sustained health and vitality of the local community. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the practice of supporting a diverse array of foundational program areas within a specific geographic region suggests an implicit theory that targeted, consistent funding in these areas will lead to overall community improvement and resilience.

This grant provides funding and support to early-stage entrepreneurs in the USA who are developing innovative solutions to address climate change and improve healthcare access.

This funding initiative provides $5,000 to support independent animation worker cooperatives in California that focus on creating inclusive stories and promoting equity in the creative industry.

In alignment with the Square mission of economic empowerment, we began the Black Equity Grant Program to support the growth of Black developers after recognizing that many technologies founded by historically underrepresented communities were also underresourced, lacking the necessary funding and resources to build on Square. This program will provide Black-led platform partners with both financial support as well as increased exposure and visibility.

The Impact 100 Ozark grant program seeks to provide transformational grants to organizations serving eastern Christian County, Missouri. The foundation's mission is deeply aligned with this program, aiming to empower women to significantly improve community lives through generosity and by funding impactful grants. This strategic approach ensures that the grants have a lasting positive effect within the specified geographic area, reflecting Impact 100 Ozark's commitment to community betterment through focused financial support. The target beneficiaries for these grants are 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS-approved entities, including government entities, school districts, and churches, that specifically serve the eastern Christian County area. The primary impact goal is to fund significant initiatives that dramatically improve lives. While not explicitly stated as a "theory of change," the foundation's approach suggests that by empowering local organizations with substantial funding, they can address critical community needs and foster sustainable improvements. The program prioritizes proposals that avoid funding day-to-day operations, scholarships, or the start-up of new nonprofit agencies, indicating a focus on established organizations and projects with a clear, transformative scope. This ensures that the grants are directed towards initiatives that can create a significant, rather than incremental, impact. The available funding includes two grants totaling $49,000, with one grant of $35,000 and another of $14,000, underscoring the "significant grants" aspect of their mission. Expected outcomes and measurable results are inherent in the program's design, aiming for "lasting impact." While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on "transformational grants" implies a desire for substantial and demonstrable change within the community. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to harness generosity to fund these impactful projects, thereby improving the lives of individuals and families in eastern Christian County.

This program provides early-stage life science startups nationwide with free mentorship, networking, and resources to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

This grant provides financial support to small businesses in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region to help them grow and improve their operations through specific projects.

This grant provides funding to professional artists in Sullivan County to support their creative work and encourage community engagement through public exhibitions or performances.

The GrowBoston grant program offers a total of $15,000 to nonprofit organizations to support outreach and community-building events related to urban agriculture. The primary goal of this grant is to engage Boston residents more deeply in existing urban agricultural resources and broader urban agriculture activities. These events must be open to the public and focus on activities such as gardening, farming, food forest stewardship, beekeeping, henkeeping, and the consumption of locally-produced food. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster community engagement and education around sustainable food practices within urban environments, directly contributing to local food production and awareness. The target beneficiaries are Boston residents, with a particular focus on engaging them in various aspects of urban food production. The impact goals include increasing public participation in urban agriculture, enhancing community connection to local food systems, and promoting a greater understanding of sustainable living practices. The program prioritizes events that are planned for spring or summer 2024 and are specifically focused on Boston-based food production or urban agriculture. Examples of eligible events include garden-opening events, farm or food forest "open houses," and farmers market opening days, as long as they highlight urban agriculture. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a more engaged and informed Boston populace regarding urban agriculture. Measurable results could include the number of events hosted, the total attendance at these events, and the diversity of urban agriculture topics covered. While educational components are not mandatory, their inclusion would further support the program's objectives. The overarching strategic priority is to strengthen Boston's urban food ecosystem by encouraging community participation and utilizing existing resources effectively. The theory of change behind this grant program is that by funding accessible, public events focused on urban agriculture, GrowBoston can increase residents' engagement and knowledge, leading to a more robust and sustainable local food system. By supporting community-building initiatives, the program aims to cultivate a sense of collective responsibility and participation in urban food production. Allowable uses of funding include event supplies, food, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and outreach materials, with up to 10% for indirect/administrative costs. This ensures that the grants directly facilitate event execution and community outreach, reinforcing the program's core objectives.

This grant provides $5,000 to women entrepreneurs across various industries to help them grow or scale their businesses.

The Zoo Labs: FUND, administered in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), is a funding and investment initiative designed to support Bay Area entrepreneurs who are launching or growing businesses centered around music. With a strong emphasis on culturally-rooted artist teams, the program offers unrestricted funding to music ventures that align with values of cultural preservation, innovation, economic empowerment, and community enrichment. In 2025, the FUND will distribute a total of $230,000 in grants, prioritizing artist teams that face barriers to accessing capital and are committed to contributing to the Bay Area's creative ecosystem. Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants in four tiers: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, with award size contingent upon the team’s business development stage. Eligibility requires applicant teams of at least two individuals, including one culturally-rooted artist, who all reside full-time in specified Bay Area counties. Teams may include various roles such as content creators, producers, engineers, and advisors, and must be operating a music-centered business, whether as a nonprofit, sole proprietorship, or for-profit organization. Prior grantees may reapply if they meet reporting and mentorship obligations from previous awards. Applicants must complete an online submission through CCI’s Submittable platform between May 19 and July 7, 2025. Required materials include a team pitch video, business matrix, one work sample, and a budget with notes. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the team, artistry and craft, entrepreneurship, and internal and external community impact. An independent panel reflecting diverse backgrounds will review the materials and recommend grantees. The notification of awards is scheduled for September 8, 2025. In addition to receiving financial support, awardees gain access to mentorship opportunities through Zoo Labs: LEARN. These include on-demand courses, virtual networking sessions, and for higher-tier recipients, a strategy session with Zoo Labs Co-Founder Vinitha Watson. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation on October 15, 2025, and participate in at least one one-on-one business mentorship session. Recipients of $25,000 or $50,000 grants are also invited to serve as voluntary mentors to future applicants. The grant supports activities from September 2025 through September 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact CCI via email at grants@cciarts.org or phone at 415.288.0530. Additional technical support is available through Submittable. Information sessions and office hours are scheduled throughout June and early July to assist prospective applicants in preparing strong submissions. All applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines, FAQs, and application preview before seeking support. The Zoo Labs: FUND is made possible with support from Vinitha and David Watson and individual donors. Contributions are welcomed to expand the program’s reach. The FUND continues to invest in artistic legacies that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Bay Area communities.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

This contest provides financial support and promotional opportunities to small businesses in the U.S. with 50 or fewer employees, helping them grow and gain visibility through AT&T's network.

The Washington State Department of Commerce's Blended Capital Enhancement Grants are part of the Community Reinvestment Project (CRP), a new initiative aimed at reducing wealth disparities within Black, Latine, and tribal communities through asset building. The program seeks to support by-and-for lending agencies, businesses, and organizations that serve these specific communities. The overarching mission is to make it easier for these communities to access financial support from local organizations and businesses, fostering economic empowerment and equity. The grant program targets Black, Latine, and tribal communities across Washington state, as well as the lending agencies, businesses, and organizations that are either led by and for these communities, or are partnered with such entities. The impact goals are centered on facilitating homeownership, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, providing money management and business training, assisting with the acquisition of commercial property and business assets, and helping individuals reduce debt and increase savings through matching funds. These goals directly address key areas of wealth accumulation and financial stability. The program prioritizes funding for a variety of initiatives including new construction loans ($5 million), home expansion loans (including Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs) ($6 million), business startups and expansions ($5 million), and consumer loans (such as credit consolidation, car refinancing, or emergency expenses) ($1 million). The total funding available is $42 million. The focus is on creating accessible financial pathways and resources that have historically been less available to the targeted communities. Expected outcomes include an increase in homeownership rates within Black, Latine, and tribal communities, the growth and sustainability of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, improved financial literacy and money management skills among individuals, and a reduction in personal debt coupled with increased savings. These measurable results align with the broader strategic priorities of the Washington State Department of Commerce to foster economic development and reduce disparities. The theory of change suggests that by empowering local, by-and-for organizations with capital, they can more effectively deliver essential financial services and support, thereby directly addressing systemic inequalities and building lasting wealth within these communities.

Rising Restaurateur: A Community Grant Program is an innovative microgrant program that offers $200,000 in microgrants to New York City Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian American and/or Pacific Islander restaurateurs. From brick-and-mortar establishments to food trucks and carts, BIPOC/AAPI+ entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry can apply for microgrants of up to $10,000 to uplift their businesses. Selected participants will also have access to additional business development opportunities through Oyate Group. Rising Restaurateur is a partnership between Oyate Group, Grubhub and the New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association. To participate, restaurateurs must be Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian American and/or Pacific Islander, based in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Westchester County (Mt. Vernon and Yonkers), operating as a single business with 30 or fewer employees and a revenue of $2 million or less. Members of the New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association are encouraged to apply. Grant funding is made possible by Grubhub and Oyate Group.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farmers in the Northeast to improve their milk storage and handling systems, enhancing efficiency and food safety.

This grant provides $4,250 to support U.S.-based women and minority entrepreneurs in growing their businesses through funding, resources, and mentorship.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is seeking a technical consultant and project manager for its On-Street Charging Program. This program, funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided by the Healey-Driscoll administration in January 2024, aims to improve access to affordable electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for residents in multi-unit dwellings. The core mission of the program aligns with increasing the supply of overnight curbside parking, with a strong emphasis on generating positive impacts for Low Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC) within Massachusetts. MassCEC's overarching mission to promote wide-scale adoption of innovative On-Street Charging options across the Commonwealth is evident through this initiative. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are residents in multi-unit dwellings, particularly those residing in LIDACs, who currently face barriers to EV adoption due to limited charging infrastructure. The program is designed to address these inequalities by increasing access to on-street charging options. MassCEC also encourages the involvement of small and diverse MA-based businesses, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Minority, Women, Veteran, LGBTQ, Portuguese, and/or Disability-Owned Business Enterprises), thereby fostering Massachusetts workforce development and ensuring meaningful compensation for these entities. The program's priorities and focuses include piloting innovative On-Street Charging technologies, models, and ownership structures in close collaboration with the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER). A significant focus is on demonstrating successful deployments of these innovative solutions to encourage replication and scalability across Massachusetts. Additionally, the program prioritizes the development of resources for municipalities, empowering them to independently implement On-Street Charging solutions. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a demonstrable increase in access to On-Street Charging options, leading to a reduction in barriers to EV adoption for LIDACs. The program also aims to successfully pilot innovative On-Street Charging models that can be effectively replicated and scaled throughout the Commonwealth. Success will also be measured by the development of comprehensive resources for municipalities and the meaningful inclusion and compensation of small and diverse MA-based businesses, contributing to local workforce development. With a total funding of $11,250,000 available, MassCEC's strategic approach involves not only expanding EV infrastructure but also fostering economic growth and equitable access to clean energy solutions. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in accessible and innovative on-street charging, particularly in underserved communities, and by supporting local diverse businesses, Massachusetts can accelerate EV adoption, reduce carbon emissions, and build a more inclusive clean energy economy.