Grants for Small businesses - Arts

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

The Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) is offering a grant opportunity to independently owned convenience stores in Clackamas County, Oregon. The program's core mission is to mitigate the adverse public health effects of tobacco by incentivizing retailers to cease tobacco sales and transition to a business model that actively supports community health. This initiative aligns with broader public health goals of reducing tobacco use and promoting healthier environments, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage economic incentives for positive health outcomes within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are independently operated convenience stores located in Clackamas County that are not part of a corporate franchise. These stores must hold a valid Oregon Tobacco Retail License and actively sell tobacco products as of the application deadline. The impact goal is to transform these retailers into pillars of community health by fostering environments that offer healthier product choices and reduce access to tobacco. This change is expected to lead to improved public health indicators within Clackamas County, particularly concerning tobacco-related illnesses and youth access. The program prioritizes supporting the transitioning retailers through various mechanisms. In addition to grant funding of up to $20,000, TPEP offers ongoing technical assistance from LivelihoodNW for business plan development, assistance with becoming authorized to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, connections to local producers for new product categories, professionally designed promotional materials, and earned media/community outreach. These comprehensive support services are designed to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the new, healthy business models. Expected outcomes include retailers experiencing increased profits from higher mark-up products, an expanded customer base, savings on tobacco licenses, and enhanced public perception. Measurable results will likely involve a reduction in tobacco sales outlets in Clackamas County, an increase in the availability of healthy food options in participating stores, and heightened community awareness of the benefits of healthy retail. The theory of change posits that by empowering individual retailers with financial incentives and robust support, a ripple effect will occur, positively influencing community health and inspiring other businesses to consider similar transitions.

The 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant, offered by Texas Woman's University, aims to foster economic development in rural Texas by empowering woman-owned small businesses to undertake innovative projects. This grant aligns with the university's mission to support women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, contributing to the overall economic well-being of Texas communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing rural, woman-owned small businesses in Texas. These businesses must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who also reside in Texas. The grant focuses on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships located and operated within eligible rural Texas counties. The impact goal is to encourage and enable these businesses to undertake new and innovative projects, thereby creating greater economic development activity in rural Texas. The grant prioritizes projects that involve the purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology; farm implements or machinery; the addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; the purchase and installation of fixtures or display units; property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue; and marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity deemed aligned with the program's purpose by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) is also eligible. This focus ensures that funding directly supports tangible growth and operational enhancements for the recipient businesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of new projects by ten woman-owned businesses, each receiving a $5,000 grant. Recipients are required to complete a small business training course, engage in three hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submit an approved business plan with three years of financials. These requirements are designed to not only provide immediate financial support but also equip business owners with the knowledge and resources for sustainable long-term success and growth, leading to increased sales and revenue for their businesses.

This grant provides financial support to organizations hosting family-friendly events in Downtown Hagerstown to strengthen community ties and stimulate the local economy.

The Cambridge Small Business E-Commerce Grant is a program initiated by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to provide relief to local businesses significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant's primary objective is to assist Cambridge businesses in maintaining competitiveness, addressing the increased reliance on online ordering and shopping that emerged during the pandemic restrictions. This program directly aligns with a mission to support local economic resilience and adapt to evolving market demands, particularly for small businesses that may lack the resources to pivot effectively to digital operations. The City of Cambridge, as the donor, is strategically investing in its local economy to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on its small business community. The target beneficiaries of this grant are non-franchise businesses located and operating in Cambridge, MA, with 25 or fewer full-time employees, established on or before March 3, 2021, and still in operation. A key criterion for eligibility is the demonstration of lost sales or revenue between 2019 (pre-COVID-19) or 2020 and 2021 through business tax returns or profit and loss statements. The program also specifically targets businesses that need a website, an e-commerce or online ordering/booking system, or a new point-of-sale, scheduling, or register system that can connect to a website, or those that have recently upgraded these systems after March 3, 2021. This focus ensures that the grant reaches businesses most in need of digital transformation to remain viable. The grant prioritizes improvements in e-commerce, software, and point-of-sale systems, offering up to $4,000 for these upgrades. Additionally, it supports training to empower business owners to manage and update their e-commerce websites independently. The expected outcomes include enhanced online presence for local businesses, increased capacity for online sales and operations, and a more competitive small business sector in Cambridge. Measurable results would include the number of businesses that establish or upgrade their e-commerce capabilities, the adoption rates of new software and POS systems, and potentially, the ability of these businesses to demonstrate a recovery or increase in sales/revenue post-grant utilization by December 31, 2024. The underlying theory of change for this program is that by providing targeted financial assistance and support for digital transformation, the City of Cambridge can directly address the economic challenges faced by its small businesses due to the pandemic. By enabling these businesses to adapt to the shift towards online commerce, the grant aims to not only prevent closures but also foster long-term growth and stability. The strategic priorities of the City of Cambridge, as evidenced by this grant, include local economic development, community resilience, and ensuring that its small businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

The Legacy Business Recovery Grant Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to the City of Los Angeles, offers grants of up to $20,000 to eligible Legacy Businesses. This initiative is designed to provide crucial financial assistance to aid these businesses in their recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program's core mission aligns with broader efforts to support local economies and preserve established community businesses, recognizing their historical and cultural value. It underscores a commitment to helping businesses adapt, reopen, and sustain operations in a challenging economic landscape. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Legacy Businesses listed on the Legacy Business Registry, operating within Los Angeles city limits, and functioning from commercial, industrial, or manufacturing locations with a valid commercial lease. Home-based businesses are not eligible, and annual revenue cannot exceed $3 million. The impact goal is to facilitate the recovery and continued operation of these vital businesses, ensuring their survival and contribution to the local economy and community fabric. Businesses must demonstrate how the funds will be used for COVID-19 recovery expenses, with a focus on necessary expenditures. Funding priorities emphasize equitable distribution across finalists, with a particular focus on City of Los Angeles geographic diversity and low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Grant application submissions from businesses located in or owned by individuals in low- and moderate-income communities (50% and 80% of Area Median Income as defined by HUD) are more heavily weighted, as are businesses facing an imminent threat of displacement. This weighted selection process reflects a strategic priority to support businesses in areas with greater need and vulnerability, aligning with a theory of change that targeted investment can produce more equitable and impactful recovery outcomes. Expected outcomes include the sustained operation of Legacy Businesses, job retention, and economic stabilization within affected communities. Measurable results will be tied to how grant funds are utilized, with eligible uses encompassing employee payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, working capital for reopening or continued operations, adapting to new technologies, payment of outstanding business expenses incurred after March 3, 2021, adaptive business practices, and legal fees for lease negotiations. Grant amounts are tiered based on employee count: $10,000 for businesses with one to five employees and $20,000 for those with six or more. This structure ensures that assistance is tailored to the operational scale of the businesses, contributing to their effective recovery and resilience.

This funding opportunity is designed to support initiatives that promote tourism and enhance infrastructure in Delaware County, aimed at increasing visitor numbers and spending.

This program provides $200 million in competitive funding to improve broadband access in underserved areas lacking reliable internet service of at least 25/3 Mbps.

The Chautauqua County Tourism Product Development Grant Program, with a deadline of 10/01/2024, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that enhance tourism and recreation opportunities, increase visibility, and promote overnight stays in the county, with a focus on event development, marketing, and attraction enhancement.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.

This program provides financial assistance ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Santa Rosa Improvement Vitalization Enterprise (StRIVE) Grant, administered by the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, is designed to offer financial assistance to commercial property owners and business owners within Santa Rosa County, Florida. The program's core mission is to facilitate façade improvements and signage upgrades, aligning with a broader goal of enhancing property appearance, increasing property values, and stimulating local economic activity. This initiative directly supports community revitalization and sustainable economic growth within the county. The primary target beneficiaries of the StRIVE Grant are commercial property owners and business owners operating within Santa Rosa County. The program aims to positively impact the aesthetic and economic vitality of commercial areas. By providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with a required 100% match, the program intends to encourage significant investment in commercial properties. The overarching impact goal is to create a more attractive business environment, which in turn draws more customers, supports local businesses, and fosters a sense of community pride. The grant prioritizes a wide array of exterior improvements, including exterior painting, lighting, new windows and doors, awnings, architectural feature restoration, parking improvements, screening and fencing, sprinkler systems, and signage. It also covers soft costs like licenses and permit fees. The focus is on tangible upgrades that visibly improve the commercial landscape. Eligible properties must be commercially zoned within Santa Rosa County and not exempt from ad valorem property tax. Applicants must possess all necessary business licenses and permits, and any legal or land-use issues must be resolved or explained. Expected outcomes of the StRIVE Grant include a measurable increase in property values, a visible enhancement of commercial building exteriors, and a stimulated local economy. The program anticipates an improvement in the overall appeal of commercial districts, potentially leading to increased foot traffic and business revenue. While specific measurable results like the exact percentage increase in property value or business revenue are not detailed, the focus on "upgrading the appearance of property" and "stimulating economic activity" implies a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the county's commercial health. The requirement for projects to comply with local codes and obtain certificates of occupancy ensures that improvements are sustainable and legally sound.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to technology incubators in Illinois to improve their facilities and services, ultimately promoting economic growth and innovation in the state.

The FY24 BCRP Clinical Research Extension Award is designed to enhance the impact of previously funded breast cancer clinical studies by extending or expanding data collection, follow-up, and analysis. This mechanism directly aligns with the broader mission of maximizing the value of breast cancer patient participation in clinical research, thereby addressing knowledge gaps that may arise from early trial termination, limited patient follow-up, or insufficient data collection and analysis. By ensuring that the invaluable contributions of patient tissues, serum, other biological specimens, and data are fully utilized, the BCRP aims to ensure that scientific efforts truly value these contributions and maximize their impact in saving lives. The primary target beneficiaries of this award are breast cancer patients and the scientific community. The impact goals are to increase the clinically relevant impact of breast cancer patient participation, accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer, and generate meaningful hypotheses or support valid conclusions. The program prioritizes research that extends or affects the impact of previous clinical trials or studies, or creates new impact in the fight against breast cancer. It specifically encourages innovative research in nuclear medicine to support early diagnosis, more effective treatment, and improved health outcomes for active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public. Key focuses for the research scope include deeper molecular analysis of clinical samples, initiation of new correlative studies, biomarker validation, or continued clinical follow-up of patients in open, ongoing, or completed clinical trials. The proposed research can be hypothesis-testing or -generating, and may also be designed to create clinically annotated and molecularly characterized experimental platforms, such as patient-derived models or tissue arrays. Innovation is not a primary criterion for this award, and projects proposing new clinical trials will not be supported. A critical focus is on meaningful and productive partnerships between investigators, with a Partnering PI Option available to accommodate two Principal Investigators who bring distinct and equally intellectual contributions to the project. Expected outcomes include increased understanding of breast cancer through extended data analysis, validation of biomarkers, improved patient follow-up, and the development of new experimental platforms. Measurable results are tied to valid conclusions from appropriately sized study samples and a clear data-sharing plan to ensure the scientific community has access to generated platforms and molecular data. The program also emphasizes robust research teams with relevant expertise and mandatory involvement of two or more breast cancer consumer advocates who provide objective input on the research's potential impact for individuals with, or at risk for, breast cancer. The overall strategic priority is to accelerate clinical and translational research, especially for advanced state and recurrent patients, and to improve health outcomes for military service members and the public through relevant collaborations and innovative techniques.

The City of San Carlos is offering a Childcare Grant Program, providing funding between $10,000 to $100,000 for local childcare centers, family childcare homes, and non-profit centers to fund capital improvement projects aimed at increasing childcare spaces, particularly for infants and children with special needs, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

This funding opportunity supports businesses and non-profit organizations in Lewis County, NY, by providing financial assistance for creative projects that enhance their visibility in the community.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.

The 2024-25 Physical and Digital Infrastructure Security Grant (DF) Program for Health Care Facilities, offered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), aims to enhance physical and digital security for healthcare facilities in California. This program aligns with the foundational mission of protecting vital health services and ensuring the safety of facilities that provide abortion-related and reproductive healthcare, which are often targets of violence and vandalism. The grant seeks to mitigate these threats, thereby supporting the continuity and accessibility of critical healthcare services across the state. The target beneficiaries of this grant are currently licensed community health centers, tribal health programs, non-profit hospitals not part of large health systems, and non-profit organizations whose membership includes such licensed facilities. All eligible applicants must be located in California and provide abortion-related services (or referrals) and reproductive healthcare services. The impact goal is to strengthen the security infrastructure of these facilities, creating safer environments for both patients and staff, and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential healthcare. The program's priorities and focuses include providing funding for physical facility enhancements, such as improved security measures for buildings, and digital security enhancements to protect against cyber threats and data breaches. The grant specifically targets facilities that may be vulnerable to violence and vandalism due to the nature of the services they provide. The funding aims to directly address these vulnerabilities, thereby safeguarding the operational capacity of these crucial healthcare providers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a demonstrable improvement in the physical and digital security posture of funded facilities. This could involve a reduction in incidents of vandalism or violence, enhanced data protection, and increased patient and staff safety. The grant period is from September 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026, during which time facilities are expected to implement and integrate these security upgrades. Applicants can request up to $750,000 from the total available funding of $7,798,822. While specific "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed for Cal OES in the provided text, the underlying theory of change for this grant program appears to be that by providing targeted funding for security enhancements, the state can directly reduce risks to essential healthcare infrastructure. This proactive investment is expected to lead to greater resilience for healthcare facilities, particularly those offering sensitive services, thereby upholding public health and safety and ensuring that all Californians have access to necessary medical care without fear or disruption.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a grant of over $1 million to public, private, and nonprofit owners of heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Minnesota to replace their old vehicles with new, cleaner models, aiming to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.

This program provides funding and support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that are historically disadvantaged, helping them access capital and improve their participation in public contracts.