Grants for County governments - Business and Commerce

This grant provides financial support to grocery stores and small food retailers in Minnesota to improve their facilities and equipment, making healthy and affordable food more accessible in underserved communities.

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) application for program year 2023-2024 will open on October 02, 2023 at 8am EST. Indiana residents can apply for utility bill assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The application period closes on May 20, 2024 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants can apply online via the online portal, by mail, in-person, or by calling 2-1-1. To apply in-person or request a paper application form, applicants must contact their Local Service Provider. The EAP provides a one-time benefit to assist with the high cost of electricity and heating for homes. However, it is important to note that this benefit is not intended to cover all heating and electricity costs, so applicants should continue to pay their bills regularly. Eligibility and benefits are determined by Local Service Providers based on income qualifications. It may take up to 55 days for eligibility determination and an additional 30 days for the utility company to process the benefit. For more information on eligibility and to find contact information for the Local Service Provider that serves your area, visit http://eap.ihcda.in.gov. If you have any questions or need to follow up on an application, please be sure you contact your Local Service Provider directly rather than contacting IHCDA. For general inquiries about the Energy Assistance Program, please contact the Community Programs team at [email protected].

The Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program and the Low-Density Population Pilot Program, established by the Minnesota legislature in 2014 and continued in 2023, are aimed at promoting broadband infrastructure expansion in Minnesota's unserved or underserved areas. Managed by the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), these programs provide grants to assist broadband providers with the costs of infrastructure installation. The 2024 grant application cycle, announced by DEED, will open on March 12, 2024, with an application deadline of May 10, 2024. Applicants must register and submit applications via DEED’s Grants Management System, following the detailed instructions on DEED's website. The announcement of awards is anticipated in Summer 2024, with project completion required by December 31, 2026. DEED also hosts an information webinar to guide applicants through the application process.

This grant provides financial and volunteer support to nonprofit organizations in the Sacramento area that focus on youth development and promote diversity, equity, and community empowerment.

This program provides $50,000 grants to small nonprofit arts organizations in select states to strengthen their operational sustainability and enhance their community services.

The BARN grant program aims to preserve Kansas barns, reviving underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated structures while fostering new economic activity through agritourism ventures. These building grants are specifically designed to rescue barns from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into spaces conducive for new or expanding agritourism businesses. The types of projects we are looking for with the BARN grant are those that will encourage people, particularly from out of state, to visit agritourism locations in Kansas. All projects should have an accountable tie to the tourism industry. The future uses of the barn, transformed through the BARN program, are not solely about preserving historical structures. Rather, they are about repurposing these spaces into vibrant hubs for agritourism activities, thereby injecting new life and economic opportunities into communities. Agritourism ventures capitalize on the appeal of agricultural experiences, offering visitors opportunities to engage with farming, local food production, and rural culture in immersive and educational ways.

The Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF) aims to enhance Nebraska's industrial readiness by supporting the development of industrial-ready sites and buildings. The plan, effective from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, targets projects that address immediate community needs for site and building development, promote job creation and investment, and leverage private dollars. Eligible projects include land and building acquisition, construction or rehabilitation, site preparation, and related infrastructure improvements.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace Pilot Program, launched by the Maryland Department of Labor, aims to create a supportive environment for employees recovering from substance use disorders. The program encourages employers to adopt workplace policies that assist in employee recovery, provides stigma-reducing education, and facilitates research on recovery-friendly practices. It seeks to promote workplace well-being and recovery for employees and their families while fostering community awareness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to individuals, organizations, and businesses looking to improve the community of Rancho Cordova through various projects and programs.

The National Press Foundation (NPF) is offering a professional development fellowship designed to equip journalists with enhanced skills and knowledge, and to reinvigorate their reporting, particularly concerning the 2024 election cycle. This program directly aligns with the NPF's mission to support and improve journalism, especially in critical areas of public interest. By focusing on election reporting, the NPF reinforces the importance of a well-informed populace and a robust democratic process, which are foundational to their overarching strategic goals of fostering high-quality, impactful journalism. The target beneficiaries for this fellowship are U.S. journalists, with a particular emphasis on fostering diversity. NPF specifically seeks applications from local and nonprofit news organizations, Black, Indigenous, and other journalists of color, and those engaged in public interest reporting in undercovered areas. The impact goal is to better prepare these journalists for the unique challenges of reporting on elections, thereby strengthening the quality and accuracy of election coverage across the country. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its topical areas, which include election infrastructure, election safety and security, voting rights and changes in voting laws, ranked choice voting, voter disinformation, and lessons learned from the 2020 election. This comprehensive approach addresses the multifaceted nature of modern election reporting. The NPF's theory of change appears to be that by providing in-depth training from expert speakers and instructors on these critical topics, journalists will be better equipped to provide fair, accurate, and resilient coverage, which in turn will help maintain public confidence in the democratic process. The expected outcomes include journalists who are more knowledgeable and skilled in navigating complex election-related issues, better prepared to counteract disinformation, and more resilient in the face of threats and harassment. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantitative metrics, the qualitative outcome is a significant improvement in the caliber of election reporting, especially in key battleground states and undercovered regions. The mandatory attendance for all sessions and the requirement for editors to free reporters from daily obligations underscore the NPF's commitment to ensuring a deep and impactful learning experience for participants.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Illinois for water and sanitary system projects that improve public health and safety in communities with significant low-to-moderate income populations.

This grant provides financial support to established livestock farmers in select New England counties to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.

This funding opportunity provides financial support and mentorship to U.S.-based businesses focused on innovative, sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

This grant provides financial support to Indiana-based charitable organizations focused on transforming the industrial workforce through education and training in various technical and leadership fields.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is offering a grant program for local government planning departments to increase their capacity and expedite the review process for affordable housing projects, with funds potentially used for implementing new technologies, regulatory changes, planning efforts, and other strategies that align with the program's goals.

The Inspire Community Grant, offered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, provides financial support ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for arts and cultural projects in Livingston and Monroe Counties, New York, aimed at serving diverse populations and enhancing community vitality, with eligibility extended to non-profit organizations, government entities, Tribal Nations, and individual artists or groups working with a fiscal sponsor or community partner.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in North Carolina that create innovative programs to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote economic growth.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offers Simplified Equipment-Only Grants under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, aimed at strengthening food system infrastructure. These grants provide financial support solely for equipment purchases necessary for food production and processing. Each grant ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 and does not require cost-sharing or matching. Recipients must substantiate equipment costs through documentation such as contracts or quotes. The program emphasizes enhancing the capabilities of small and mid-size producers and benefits diverse groups including underserved and veteran farmers. Projects must be completed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026.

This grant provides financial support to Iowa businesses and farmers for projects that increase the use of local agricultural products, create jobs, and promote long-term economic growth in the farming sector.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.