Grants for Small Businesses

The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development in New York is offering a matching grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for a duration of 3 years to not-for-profit organizations, schools, governmental agencies, businesses, and landowners for the development of tourism events and attractions, with a focus on increasing visibility and visitor numbers.

The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) is a competitive state grant program that provides funding to interested parties for the development and implementation of measures to protect water of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain, enhance, and restore river and riparian resources throughout Arizona (including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources), and measures to increase water availability and supply. Financial Notes: Matching funds are not required to be eligible for AWPF funding; however, projects that do include matching funds typically receive higher consideration.   Administrative costs must be limited to a maximum of 5% of the total AWPF project funds requested.  Subcontractors or consultants working on your project must also conform to the 5% administrative cost limit if you are paying them out of AWPF funds.   Payments are made on a cost reimbursement basis.  Appropriate documentation (e.g., receipts, invoices, reports, data, and photographs) will be required in order to receive reimbursement.   Adequate accounting practices and record keeping will be required.

The Roanoke County Economic Development Authority’s Business Equipment Acquisition Program (BEAP) Grant is designed to support eligible for-profit businesses within Roanoke County by providing funding for the acquisition of new capital. This program aligns with the Authority's mission to foster economic growth and strengthen local businesses by enabling them to bolster their operations. The grant directly addresses the need for capital investment, which is crucial for business expansion and modernization. The primary target beneficiaries of the BEAP Grant are for-profit businesses located in Roanoke County that meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, businesses must employ more than three full-time employees at a physical location in the county, have operated for at least one year, hold a current County or town business license, and be in good standing with all local ordinances and tax requirements. The program's impact goal is to stimulate economic activity by encouraging businesses to invest in new equipment, thereby enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and contributing to the overall economic vitality of Roanoke County. The program prioritizes the acquisition of new capital that falls under taxable business personal property or business machinery and tools, as defined by the Roanoke County Code. Examples of eligible acquisitions include tangible personal property such as furniture, fixtures, office and business machines, tools, and equipment used in various professions. Computer equipment (excluding software) and machinery and tools used in manufacturing, mining, processing, broadcasting, dry cleaners, commercial laundry, and dairy businesses are also specifically eligible. This focus ensures that funding supports tangible assets that directly contribute to operational improvements and business growth. The expected outcomes of the BEAP Grant include increased capital investment by local businesses, enhanced operational capabilities, and ultimately, job retention and creation within Roanoke County. Measurable results will be tied to the number of grants awarded, the total value of capital acquisitions facilitated, and the subsequent economic impact, such as growth in business personal property tax rolls. By providing financial incentives, the program aims to accelerate the modernization and expansion of local enterprises, reinforcing the Authority's strategic priority of nurturing a robust and competitive business environment through direct support and strategic investment.

This grant provides financial assistance to local agencies and organizations in California for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities that help recreational boaters properly dispose of sewage waste, promoting cleaner waterways and safer boating experiences.

This funding provides financial support to build free broadband networks for low-income communities, including public housing and mobile home parks, ensuring residents have access to high-quality internet service.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to operate a national hotline that assists victims of human trafficking by offering emergency help, information, and referrals across the United States.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based small businesses to develop innovative health-related technologies that require clinical trials, with a focus on projects that align with the missions of the NIH and CDC.

This funding opportunity is designed for U.S. small businesses to develop and commercialize innovative health-related technologies through clinically informed research projects that include a clinical trial.

The Boating Infrastructure Grant program is designed to provide infrastructure and services for recreational boats 26 feet or more in length. Goals of the program include: 1. enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources; 2. strengthen community ties to the water’s edge and economic benefits; 3. promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities; 4. provide continuity of public access to the shore; and 5. promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has launched the 2024-2025 Downtown Creative Collaborators Grants (DCCG) program. This program is designed to support projects and events that will take place in Downtown Miami during the fiscal year 2024-2025 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025). The DDA's mission, as aligned with this grant, is to strengthen Downtown Miami's appeal as a global destination and stimulate demonstrable economic impact within the area through innovative projects and events. The DCCG program targets organizations producing and implementing activations in Downtown Miami. The goal is to benefit the Downtown community by fostering connections, attracting tourism, and providing affordable, family-friendly programming. The program also aims to promote Miami as an international and diverse cultural center, a culinary destination, and an innovation hub, while also highlighting its rich history, art, culture, and natural resources. Funding priorities for the DCCG include activating outdoor venues, creating community-building opportunities, offering family-friendly programming, promoting Miami as a global city, providing cultural and historic education, raising public transportation awareness, and offering free or discounted projects and events. The grant specifically encourages content that features the communities, history, and natural resources in Miami-Dade County. Priority will be given to projects that clearly and visibly state free or discounted admissions for area residents, families, and students in their marketing and promotional materials. Expected outcomes include a measurable economic impact in Downtown Miami, increased appeal of the area as a global destination, enhanced community engagement, and greater awareness and ridership of Downtown Miami's multimodal transportation options. By supporting diverse and innovative projects, the DDA aims to further establish Downtown Miami as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, entertainment, and innovation, contributing to the overall strategic development and economic growth of the city center. Grant awards can range from $5,000.00 up to $50,000.00, and applicants must secure additional funding commitments, as the DCCG cannot be the sole funding source.

This grant provides funding to U.S. small businesses for research and development projects that aim to advance health-related technologies and facilitate their commercialization.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that enhance energy storage technologies to improve grid reliability and support California's transition to 100% clean energy.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund demonstrations of community-based virtual power plant (VPP) approaches and demonstrations of innovative energy management systems (EMS) in commercial buildings with the goal of increasing demand flexibility. Demand flexibility refers to comprehensive programs and strategies that align electricity consumption with dynamic grid conditions. These can include both event-based demand response (DR) and load shifting strategies. Accelerating demand flexibility is a key strategy for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals reliably and affordably.    VPPs are portfolios of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, rooftop solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and smart water heaters that are actively controlled by software to benefit the power system, consumers, and the environment. While these resources have the potential to meet grid needs as reliably as conventional alternatives such as gas-fired generators, their advantages extend further, offering greater affordability and substantial decarbonization benefits.[3] However, research and development of both technologies and business models is needed to fully capitalize on and understand VPPs’ potential, especially the systems that feature predictive controls and require minimal consumer engagement. The examples of predictive controls relevant to this research include, but are not limited to, the use of artificial intelligence or model predictive controls for EV load shifting or building pre-cooling applications.   Projects will be funded in two groups. Group 1: Virtual Power Plants: Demonstrations that showcase community-based demand flexibility programs as a long-term (10 or more years) grid resource. Project teams must partner with local governments or non-profits to facilitate customer participation and smart device installations. Projects must evaluate the benefits and cost-effectiveness of community-based VPP approaches that use state-of-the-art DER management software (DERMS).   ·       Group 2: Commercial Building Energy Management in Low-Income or Disadvantaged Communities: Demonstrations of innovative EMS in commercial buildings focused on specific characteristics such as interoperability and adherence to open-source standards. Demonstrations require participation in electric investor-owned utility (IOU) or third-party DR programs and partnerships with device and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These projects must showcase the latest advancements in energy management in the commercial sector and ensure technology adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration within the broader energy landscape.       

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based small businesses in health-related fields to develop innovative technologies, with a focus on projects that can successfully transition to commercialization.

The Ethanol Blender Pump Grant, offered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, aims to assist South Dakota fuel retailers in promoting the state's ethanol production. The grant provides funding for the installation of ethanol blender pumps at gas stations, allowing motorists to choose their preferred gasoline-ethanol blends. A total of $500,000 has been allocated for this program, with businesses eligible to receive up to $25,000 for the first pump and $10,000 for each additional pump. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be submitted by August 31, 2024.

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions.

This grant provides funding to organizations and individuals in Maine to foster community connections through arts, culture, and environmental initiatives that promote equitable access and celebrate diverse local histories.

This grant provides funding to Colorado-based nonprofits focused on innovative solutions that improve the economic well-being of marginalized older adults by addressing systemic challenges and promoting equity in aging.

This program provides financial support to innovative housing manufacturing businesses in Colorado to help alleviate the housing shortage by reimbursing operating expenses and offering incentives for each unit produced and installed in the state.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and small businesses in Michigan to enhance training and education for the clean energy workforce while improving access to support services for participants.