Grants for Exclusive - see details - Business and Commerce

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets (RDMS) Capital Grant Program to support capital projects aimed at revitalizing commercial corridors and downtown areas in Illinois. This initiative is part of the effort to accelerate economic recovery following the pandemic, targeting areas that have experienced significant disinvestment. The program will fund projects such as the improvement and repair of infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, lighting), development of public spaces, and mixed-use developments. Grants range from $250,000 to $2,000,000, with an anticipated total funding of $20,000,000. Eligible applicants include economic development organizations, local units of government, and private businesses. The application period is from April 22, 2024, to July 22, 2024.

The Inflation Reduction Act Technology Commercialization Fund (IRA TCF) - Collaborative Alignment for Critical Technology Industries grant is a $15 million funding program by the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at promoting the commercialization and adoption of low-carbon technologies in the chemicals, cement, and metals industries to achieve deep decarbonization.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA. USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan funds to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts per award: Loans - $2,000,000; Grants - $300,000.

This program provides funding for a wide range of projects across various sectors, offering financial support to organizations and individuals in Illinois with awards between $10,000 and $5,000,000.

Farm Credit East recognizes the significance of farmers’ markets for both producers and consumers. In support of this vital marketing channel, we are offering Farmers' Market Grants of up to $500 to eligible applicants. These grants can be utilized to support participating farmers, enhance markets, improve marketing efforts, and implement programs aimed at aiding disadvantaged communities or enhancing access to fresh, local food. Please note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Eligibility: Farmers' markets must be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Farm Credit East. How to Apply/Application Requirements: The 2024 application cycle is currently open. Please submit the Farmers' Market Grant Application by 4:00 PM on May 31. Recipients will be notified by late June.

The United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to design and implement one (seven-day) BOLD (Balkanski Omladinski Lideri, Young Balkan Leaders) Economic Development/Entrepreneurship Workshop for Young Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The goal of the workshop is to develop the skills of young leaders in BiH to create opportunities for economic development in their communities through developing and/or launching their own business plan or developing projects in support of entrepreneurship.Special emphasis should be placed on innovative business model design; project-based collaboration; and leveraging assets within the BOLD network to ensure project success.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

The International Tourism Grant Program, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support certified convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) outside the City of Chicago in their international marketing efforts. The program targets markets such as Mexico, Canada, the UK/Ireland, German-speaking countries, France, India, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Grants will fund initiatives to promote Illinois as a travel destination, focusing on increasing international visitors through targeted marketing activities. Priority will be given to regions with significant international tourism products and those aligning with state marketing goals. Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, with a total program funding of $1,000,000. Applications are open from August 1, 2024, to September 3, 2024, with awards expected to start on November 1, 2024. The grant period will last until June 30, 2025.

The Aging Adults Program, offered by The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (CFNF), is designed to support nonprofit organizations primarily focused on aging adults or their caregivers. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to address critical needs within its service area, particularly given the growing population of aging adults facing challenges in maintaining a high quality of life on limited incomes. By providing funding, the CFNF aims to bolster community initiatives that directly benefit this vulnerable demographic, reflecting a strategic priority to support the well-being of the region's older residents and those who care for them. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aging adults seeking to maintain a high quality of life, as well as the caregivers who support them. The impact goals are centered on providing direct support to these groups, which can encompass a range of services designed to alleviate the challenges associated with aging and caregiving. The program specifically emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high quality of life on limited incomes, indicating an underlying goal of fostering financial stability, health, and overall well-being for aging individuals within the community. The program prioritizes organizations that serve Duval County primarily, with limited support also available for services in Baker, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. This geographic focus ensures that the grants address the needs of the communities where the foundation operates. The grants' focus on direct support for aging adults or their caregivers highlights the foundation's commitment to tangible, immediate benefits. The grant size, up to $15,000, suggests a focus on supporting smaller to medium-sized initiatives or specific projects that can demonstrate a clear and measurable impact within the grant period of October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Expected outcomes include improved quality of life for aging adults, enhanced support systems for caregivers, and the sustained operation of vital nonprofit services in the region. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the direct support, the emphasis on a two-year work history and an annual operating budget of $100,000 or above for eligible nonprofits suggests that the foundation seeks to partner with established organizations capable of delivering impactful and sustainable programs. The CFNF's strategic priorities are evident in its exclusion of funding for athletic associations, fundraising event sponsorships, schools, and programs promoting religious beliefs, indicating a focused approach on direct social services for aging populations, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct community investment will lead to improved societal well-being for its elder citizens.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is offering the ArtsNOW Schools Advancement Grants of $10,000 to $100,000 over three years to ArtsNOW Partner Schools in South Carolina, to support arts integration, professional learning, curriculum mapping, and planning through innovative practices.

The Route 66 Grant Program is designed to support the promotion and marketing of regions along the historic Route 66 corridor in Illinois. The program is specifically aimed at certified Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) and local tourism bureaus, which are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000. The total program funding is $4 million. There is no cost-sharing requirement, and indirect costs are not allowed to prevent potential double dipping. Applications for the Route 66 grants will be accepted until September 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, qualified entities can apply for International Tourism grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, with a separate application deadline of September 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program is offering grants to existing child care facilities in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine. The grants are intended to support facilities in increasing their licensed capacity by providing funding for up to 50% of their expansion costs, with a maximum award of $30,000. The funds can be used for various purposes, including purchasing or renting a building and renovating it, constructing a new building, buying educational materials, acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures, creating an outdoor learning environment, buying playground equipment, procuring health and safety supplies, and having sufficient working capital. Priority will be given to applications that provide care for infants and toddlers, care for families income-eligible for subsidy, and participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The application process consists of two steps, with the first step being the Facility Expansion Application 1, which can be accessed through the provided link. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. If eligible, applicants will be invited to complete Facility Expansion Application 2, which includes a business and project plan and an expense estimate. The deadline for Application 2 is August 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. The processing time for applications is expected to be up to five weeks.

The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, P. L. 110-180 ("NIAA"), was initially signed into law by the President on January 8, 2008 (reauthorized by Title VI of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, P.L. 115-141). The NIAA amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 ("the Brady Act") (Pub. L. 103-159), under which the Attorney General established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The Brady Act requires Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to contact the NICS before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person for information on whether the proposed transferee is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. The NIAA authorizes grants to be made in a manner consistent with the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP). Under this award, the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs will transfer funds to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to aid in the state's efforts to improve criminal history records. Tennessee’s AFIS is the state version of the formerly Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), now known as the Next Generation of Identification (NGI), which is the national fingerprint identification system that is managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). For the TN AFIS to integrate effectively with the national system, the TBI must continually ensure improvements to the system are on-going and in alignment with the requirements of the FBI. Without the availability of funds for upgrades, the TBI has been working to maintain current service delivery by operating on a significantly older version of the TN AFIS system (2016); a version that now needs an even greater upgrade as each day goes by. TBI is requesting funds to implement a new AFIS with increased security and storage capacity, an upgraded disaster recovery plan, and rap back capability. Enhancing these functionalities will improve the quality and completeness of Tennessee’s computerized criminal history records, increase the number of available dispositions from courts and prosecutors, and improve mental health submissions reported to NICS.

The City of Somerville’s New Small Business Vitality Grant is designed to provide crucial rental support for physical storefronts, offering up to 12 months of assistance ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with a maximum of $50,000 in direct rental support covering both past and future rent expenses. This grant program, with a deadline of May 15, 2024, aims to bolster the economic stability and growth of small businesses within Somerville, Massachusetts. The overall mission alignment of this grant is to foster a vibrant local economy, support business longevity, and promote equitable development within the city. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are small, physical storefront businesses located in Somerville, Massachusetts, that have opened a new storefront on or after January 2023, or are intending to open in 2024. The program specifically targets businesses with fewer than 20 full-time employees and those operating in 5 or fewer locations, excluding franchises. The impact goals are to prevent business displacement, encourage new business growth, and support diverse ownership groups, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and inclusive local economy. During the review process, priority points are given to businesses that have not previously received City or State funding, those displaced due to "act of God" events or extreme rental increases since April 2020, and businesses that are immigrant-owned, women-owned, BIPOC-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQIA-owned, or disability-owned. Additional priority is given to businesses within a Qualified Census Tract, those with fewer than 5 full-time employees, and Somerville resident-owned businesses. These priorities reflect a strategic focus on equity, supporting underserved communities, and addressing the challenges faced by truly small, local enterprises. Expected outcomes include a reduction in storefront vacancies, increased stability for new and vulnerable small businesses, and a more diverse landscape of business ownership in Somerville. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of businesses receiving support, their retention rates, and the demographic data of successful applicants. The City of Somerville's strategic priorities, as reflected in this grant, include fostering local economic development, promoting social equity, and building community resilience. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted rental assistance and prioritizing specific business types, the city can create a supportive environment where small businesses can thrive, generating local jobs and services, and contributing to the overall well-being of Somerville residents. Furthermore, the grant emphasizes local hiring, with awarded businesses agreeing to prioritize Somerville residents, especially low to moderate-income individuals, when suitable, reinforcing the community-centric approach.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for cultural and educational programs that promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Mexico, targeting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who collaborate with Mexican partners.

The Thrive Business Grant (TBG) is a program by the Trophy Club Economic Development Corporation aimed at supporting local businesses through reimbursable matching grants. The initiative focuses on enhancing the visual appeal and competitiveness of businesses in Trophy Club, driving economic growth and community prosperity. In 2023, the EDC allocated $300,000 to launch this program, supporting projects like façade improvements, interior renovations, and equipment purchases to maintain the town's charm and stimulate customer growth. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants in Trophy Club who meet specific criteria such as being current on taxes, having no municipal liens, and adhering to local and state regulations. The application process involves Town Council approval, with a timeline starting on May 28, 2024, and deadlines on September 30, 2024, for applications, followed by reviews and tentative approval dates in December 2024. Projects must start within six months of grant receipt and funds are provided as reimbursements post-completion.

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.

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant program is offered by an organization called CEI Maine. The grant provides funding for organizations that are purchasing furniture, fixtures, and enrolling in an existing child care business, with the requirement of demonstrating at least a 25% increase in enrollment within four months. The grant award can cover up to 50% of the costs, with a maximum award of $25,000. The funds can be used for various purposes, including purchasing educational materials, fees for using existing business practices, renovations, buying additional indoor activities, and procuring health and safety supplies. Priority will be given to applications from specific counties in Maine, and bonus points will be awarded to applicants providing care for infants, toddlers, income-eligible families, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The application process consists of two steps, with the first step being the Facility Acquisition Application 1, which includes basic requirements for licensing, and the second step being the Facility Acquisition Application 2, which requires a description of transition and growth plans. The application deadline for both steps is either June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. The application processing time is expected to take up to five weeks.

The City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce offers the PHL Made Grant to support manufacturing companies located in Philadelphia and to promote innovation in the sector. The program provides matching grants to help companies improve operations, increase efficiency, and bring new products to market. Applicants may request up to 30,000 dollars in matching funds. Consideration is given to clear plans for use of funds, job creation or retention with a commitment to hiring Philadelphia residents, and the introduction of new products or improved processes. Past awardees may apply if they have not received more than 10,000 dollars in PHL Made Grant funds during the prior three years. Eligible applicants must be manufacturing companies located in Philadelphia, in operation for at least one year, and able to provide matching funds. The program welcomes applications from companies producing consumer goods, industrial goods, and medical devices, among other manufactured products. Applications are due May 4, 2024. Additional information is available from the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

The NOAA Climate Program Office (CPO) has issued a funding opportunity under its FY2025 Atmospheric Chemistry, Carbon Cycle, and Climate (AC4) Program. This program seeks to fund research that advances understanding of the Earth System, focusing specifically on the urban atmosphere and the impacts of climate and air quality mitigation strategies. Proposals are encouraged to address processes influencing atmospheric trace gases and aerosols and to support carbon and pollution management by contributing to improved models and data. The AC4 Program will accept proposals for research projects with budgets averaging $250,000 per year over a period of 2-3 years, with total anticipated awards ranging from 8 to 10. Proposals may be funded as grants; however, cooperative agreements may be issued if NOAA anticipates substantial involvement in project implementation, such as collaboration between NOAA scientists and recipients. Federal agencies are ineligible to receive these funds, but eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international entities, and state, local, and tribal governments. This opportunity does not have a cost-sharing requirement. Key submission deadlines are as follows: Letters of Intent (LOIs) are strongly encouraged and should be submitted via email by September 18, 2024, though submission of an LOI is not required to proceed with a full application. The deadline for full applications is December 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants are urged to complete all necessary registrations well in advance. Required documents include project narratives, data management plans, diversity statements, budget tables and narratives, current and pending support, and vitae for all principal investigators (PIs). NOAA emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in its funded activities and requires a DEIA statement to highlight how the project will advance participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. NOAA will review applications based on criteria including technical merit, qualifications, project costs, and the significance of expected contributions to NOAA’s climate research goals. Reviews will occur in two stages: an initial technical review by subject matter experts, followed by a program relevance assessment. Selection factors include geographical balance, research priority alignment, and participation of targeted groups. Award notifications are expected in spring 2025, contingent on federal appropriations, with project start dates around September 1, 2025. For questions, applicants may reach out to the CPO or consult specific competition managers listed in the NOFO. Further details on submission requirements, NOAA policies, and guidance on Grants.gov are provided in the official announcement and on the CPO website.