State Business and Commerce Grants

The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA), part of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, offers a range of financial programs to support the growth and expansion of businesses, not-for-profits, and economic development authorities within Virginia. These programs include direct loans to businesses and non-profits, credit enhancements for banks lending to these entities, bond financing for businesses and non-profits, and an equity incentive grant program to attract investments in small businesses. Over its 30+ year history, VSBFA has helped many Virginia businesses access the capital needed for expansion and job creation in the Commonwealth.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a grant of over $1 million through its Dairy Plus Program to California dairy farms for implementing advanced manure management practices that reduce methane emissions and manage nitrogen and salt surplus, with a focus on climate-smart practices and product markets.

This program provides financial assistance to New Mexico-based meat processing facilities for modernizing operations and improving environmental compliance through targeted investments in waste management and technology upgrades.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Illinois, provides funds to assist Illinois communities in their economic and community development efforts, particularly focusing on aiding individuals with low-to-moderate income.

Description: The Illinois Grocery Initiative aims to establish new grocery stores in food deserts to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas. This grant, under the funding opportunity number FY24-2 and CSFA number 420-35-3295, anticipates awarding 8 grants with a total program funding of $14,000,000. Eligible projects must involve capital expenditures, as operational costs are not covered. Grants will range from $160,000 to $2,400,000, and applicants are required to meet cost-sharing requirements. The application window opens on 04/09/2024 and closes on 05/24/2024. Indirect costs are allowed but restricted to capital-only expenditures. There are mandatory and optional technical assistance sessions provided to assist applicants, with registration required through provided links.

This program provides funding to support projects that promote business retention, expansion, and attraction by marketing the state as an investment destination and highlighting regional assets.

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is offering the Fiscal Year 2025 Public Art Building Communities (PABC) Grant Program. This program aims to support individual artists and organizations in the creation and installation of new permanent or temporary public art works. The core mission of the PABC grant is to connect artists and their artwork with communities, fostering cultural enrichment and engagement within the District of Columbia. CAH's strategic priorities for this grant align with encouraging high-quality public art, developing meaningful artist-community connections, and promoting diverse artistic expressions that resonate with DC residents. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are experienced individual artists, arts-related professionals (such as presenters, producers, and educators) residing in the District of Columbia, and eligible nonprofit organizations or Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) operating within DC. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to provide exposure and participation to the community in the public art-making process, further learning or discovery opportunities through public art installations, and ultimately contribute to the District of Columbia’s public art collection. The PABC grant program prioritizes the creation of original, high-quality public art works within the District of Columbia. A key focus is on supporting the creation of public art by DC resident artists, ensuring that local talent is nurtured and showcased. The program also emphasizes the promotion of robust and diverse artistic expressions that genuinely connect with and reflect the experiences of DC residents. For organizations, demonstrating a partnership with a visual artist to design, fabricate, and install the proposed artwork in a public space is a crucial requirement. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of high-quality public art installations throughout the District of Columbia, stronger connections between artists and the communities they serve, and enhanced community participation in and appreciation for public art. Measurable results could involve tracking the number of grants awarded, the types and locations of art installations, the number of community members engaged, and the overall contribution to DC's public art collection. CAH's theory of change is that by investing in public art, they can enrich the cultural landscape, foster community engagement, and provide platforms for artistic expression and learning within the District.

The Bioprocessing Research Infrastructure Program is a grant aimed at enhancing Illinois' bioprocessing sector by funding the development of infrastructure, capital equipment, technical staff, and providing affordable access to facilities for businesses and students.

Online Resources for Starting Businesses. Economic inclusion describes the efforts made to bring DBEs into the economic mainstream. For the purposes of BERO, DBE refers to businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; as well as those in areas of chronic high unemployment and low income. BERO was legislatively established within the Department of Economic and Community Development in 1977 by Title 4, Chapter 26 as the office of business enterprise. Serves as a voice for and advocate of economic inclusion; Analyzes, disseminates, and promotes best practices and access to capital to service providers; and Reports on the status of DBEs statewide (disadvantaged businesses).

The EMG program provides early-stage technology-based companies with services and funding to support their efforts in obtaining significant federal grant funding. Additionally, Business Planning services rendered by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) increase the entrepreneurial proficiency of state entrepreneurs and small business owners. WEDC provides funding to the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) to deliver microgrants to clients for the services below: • Small Business lnnovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Assistance program, providing up to $4,500 for assistance to prepare and submit an SBIR/STTR or other federal funding proposal. Applicants awarded federal funding may receive an additional $1,000 funding bonus through the program. • Commercialization Planning Assistance, providing individual and small business applicants up to $4,500 for assistance in completing business validation activities and a comprehensive market study or business plan or commercialization plan to procure Phase ll SBIR/STTR funding or to prepare for angel or venture capital funding. Applicants must utilize an eligible professional services provider. • Entrepreneurial Training Program, providing a grant of up to $750 to entrepreneurs upon successful completion of start-up coursework provided by the SBDC in the University of Wisconsin-System. Eligible applicants must provide at least a $250 match. Eligible coursework may focus on either business modeling or business planning.

This grant provides funding to Maine-based agricultural producers, processors, and organizations to enhance the capacity and resilience of the food supply chain through the purchase of essential equipment.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to selected lending partners in Arizona to help expand and improve child care services through microbusiness development and training for small-scale providers.

This grant provides funding to counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and local promotion groups in Cook County to promote tourism and increase overnight stays in paid accommodations through marketing and promotional activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in Minnesota to deliver job training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial skills development for individuals from communities of color and low-income backgrounds, focusing on high-growth industries.

NetWork Kansas, in partnership with K-State 105, is offering a one-time grant of $100,000 to $500,000 to support new or early-stage projects focused on entrepreneurship and small business development, with a maximum funding request of $125,000 per project and a 25% match required, open to for-profit businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and municipalities in Kansas.

The 2025 Arts and Humanities Education Projects (AHEP) grant, offered by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), seeks to support non-profit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations. This program aligns with CAH's mission to foster a vibrant arts and humanities ecosystem within the District of Columbia by directly investing in educational initiatives. The grant duration is less than one year, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, and a maximum of $30,000 for organization awards. The performance period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The AHEP grant targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including students in grades pre-K to 12, older adults aged 50 and up, and teachers, educational staff, and teaching artists from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools (DCPCS). The primary impact goals are to provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences that advance student academic achievement, strengthen the value of arts and humanities education, and support activities consistent with local and national learning standards. The program prioritizes various project types, including In-School Projects, Out-of-School-Time Projects, Professional Development Projects, and Older Adult Projects. The focus is on delivering exemplary programs that align with current state standards in non-arts content areas where appropriate. This strategic approach ensures comprehensive engagement across different age groups and educational settings within the District. Expected outcomes include enhanced student academic performance, increased appreciation for arts and humanities, and improved professional development for educators and teaching artists. Measurable results will likely include participation rates in various project types, student achievement data, and feedback from older adult participants and professional development attendees. CAH's strategic priority is to ensure that at least 51% of the organization's activities and 100% of the grant award dollars support programming within the District of Columbia, reflecting a theory of change that localized investment in arts and humanities education directly leads to improved community well-being and academic success.

The 2024 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards, presented by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is an annual program designed to recognize companies and individuals throughout Kansas for their significant positive impact on their communities and the state's economy. While the provided text doesn't explicitly detail the "foundation's mission alignment" or "strategic priorities and theory of change" in a traditional philanthropic sense, the program's very existence aligns with a governmental department's mission to foster economic growth, community development, and business excellence within the state. The "awards and prizes" grant type indicates a focus on acknowledging past achievements and incentivizing future contributions rather than funding new projects. The target beneficiaries of this program are a diverse group of companies and individuals across various sectors in Kansas. The impact goals are clearly to acknowledge and celebrate those making a positive difference, thereby indirectly encouraging continued innovation, community engagement, and economic contributions. The program aims to highlight success stories, which can serve to inspire other businesses and individuals, contributing to a more vibrant and prosperous Kansas. The program's priorities and focuses are outlined through its specific award categories. These include AgriBusiness for agricultural excellence; Apprenticeship Champions and Partners for entities excelling in registered apprenticeship programs; Business Innovation for companies incorporating innovative technologies; Healthcare/Nonprofit for noteworthy services; Manufacturing/Distribution for outstanding achievement in these sectors; Non-Traditional Talent Pools for companies hiring individuals with justice system involvement, youth, seniors, or individuals with disabilities; Retail/Service for exceptional performance; Under 30 Entrepreneurs for young business successes; and Welcome Back for entrepreneurs who have returned to Kansas. These categories demonstrate a broad interest in supporting a diverse and inclusive economic landscape. The expected outcomes and measurable results, while not explicitly quantified in the provided text, can be inferred from the nature of an awards program. Success would be measured by the number and quality of nominations, the recognition of deserving entities, and the positive publicity generated for the awardees and the state's business environment. The program implicitly aims to strengthen the Kansas economy by promoting excellence and showcasing successful models, which could lead to increased investment, job creation, and overall economic vitality.

TWC is re-issuing Statewide Family Child Care Network under RFA 32025-00067 to allow more inclusive Applicant eligibility requirements than the prior issued RFA 32024-00046. TWC is seeking Applications from entities that demonstrate experience working with child care providers, including facilitating or convening early childhood entities or providing technical assistance, training or professional development. In partnership with local or regional collaborative efforts, the Grantee selected under this RFA will develop one (1) statewide FCCN in Texas. The FCCN shall be designed to provide specialized services and technical assistance to address the needs of FCC Providers. The FCCN developed by the Applicant will increase the availability and quality of FCC Providers, particularly as related to TWC’s focus areas for this initiative that aim to increase supply of FCC Providers offering high-quality child care for infants and toddlers, offering Non-Traditional Hour Care, and operating in Child Care Deserts. Through this initiative, TWC also intends to strengthen the quality and supply of FCC Providers with funding for FCC Providers seeking to become newly permitted or permitted at a higher level, while also improving the quality of provided care.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts for reentry programs aimed at helping young adults transition successfully from incarceration to the community, thereby reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for individuals or organizations that create educational programs aimed at improving safety for workers and the public during excavation activities in Colorado.