Grants for Individuals - Business and Commerce

Hurricane Recovery Grants are available for homeowners, renters, and business owners in Daytona Beach, Florida. Eligible residents with moderate or low income can receive up to $9,000 for reimbursement of costs such as mortgage payments, rent assistance, insurance deductibles, mold remediation (for owner-occupied homes), and relocation assistance. Applicants must be Daytona Beach residents, qualify as a "qualifying household," and submit a formal insurance or FEMA claim related to Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole. The total amount of assistance shall not exceed $9,000 per household. Additionally, small businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive up to $3,000 for reimbursement of business-related losses.

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is offering a grant program to support the development and public presentation of visual art exhibitions. This initiative aligns with CAH's mission to foster artistic and cultural development within the District of Columbia by providing opportunities for local artists and curators. The grant aims to enhance the cultural landscape of D.C. through innovative and educational art exhibitions, utilizing CAH's exhibition space and virtual platforms. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are District resident curators and nonprofit organizations with curatorial capacity. The program seeks to empower these individuals and groups to develop and present compelling visual art exhibitions. The impact goals include providing opportunities for D.C. resident curators to showcase new works or bring existing exhibitions from other cities to the District, thereby enriching the cultural experiences available to local residents. The program prioritizes fostering innovative and educational art exhibitions. Key focus areas include supporting the presentation of visual art in a government facility and offering unique exhibitions and related programs for District residents. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and diversity of art exhibitions available in D.C., greater visibility for local curators and artists, and enhanced engagement of District residents with the arts. Funding for individuals and new nonprofit organizations in FY25 can be up to $30,000, or $35,000 if working with a co-curator or curatorial mentee, with a grant period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Eligibility criteria for individuals include being an artist, curator, or arts-related professional over 18 with prior curatorial experience, maintaining D.C. residency, and being in good standing with CAH. Nonprofit organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified, have a principal business office in D.C., be registered to do business in the District, ensure at least 51% of activities occur in D.C., and obtain Citywide Clean Hands certification. Colleges, universities, service organizations, foreign governments, and other DC/Federal Government agencies are ineligible.

The Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), with support from the City of Opelousas and Opelousas Main Street (OMS), is launching the fifth round of funding for its Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. This program is a grant/reimbursement initiative designed to empower property and business owners in rehabilitating commercial buildings. The overarching mission alignment for this program is to create a positive visual impact within the city, stimulate private investment, and diligently preserve Opelousas' historic identity and cultural assets. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are property and business owners within the Opelousas Downtown Development District who own commercial buildings. The core impact goals are to foster economic development through private investment, enhance the aesthetic appeal of the downtown area, and ensure the safeguarding of the city's rich historical and cultural heritage. The program directly supports the revitalization of commercial spaces, which, in turn, contributes to a more vibrant and economically robust downtown. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible and permanent building improvements. Eligible uses of funds are comprehensive, including restoration and renovation of buildings, installation of awnings (without signage), brick cleaning or re-pointing, accent lighting, removal of deteriorating or inappropriate materials visible from the street, and restoration of windows, doors, and original exterior/interior architectural features. Additionally, interior work related to ceiling repair, electrical, and plumbing is covered, as well as work on roofs, cornices, gutters, downspouts, and the cleaning, preparation, and painting of walls and trim. These priorities are aimed at holistic improvement of commercial properties. The expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the visual appeal of downtown Opelousas, an increase in private investment in commercial properties, and the successful preservation of historic buildings. While not explicitly stated as "measurable results" in the traditional sense, the program's structure and goals imply that the number of rehabilitated buildings, the amount of private investment stimulated, and the visible improvements in the downtown area would serve as key indicators of success. The program offers a total of $200,000 in grant funds, with a maximum application amount of $10,000 per project, providing a clear framework for financial allocation and impact tracking.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and cultural groups to implement programs in Mozambique that promote education, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange while fostering U.S.-Mozambique shared values.

This funding opportunity provides small grants to organizations and individuals in Sierra Leone for projects that promote cultural, educational, and civic engagement, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding with the United States.

This program recognizes and honors young professionals under 40 in the Denver metro area who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community involvement, and significant career accomplishments.

This grant provides financial support and resources to early-stage marketing and creative consultants in the U.S. and Canada to help them grow their businesses.

This grant provides funding and technical support to innovators and organizations developing sustainable solutions for reusing and repurposing end-of-life products, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.

This funding initiative provides $1,500 to early-stage entrepreneurs in the U.S. who are creating innovative products or fostering community engagement to help them grow their businesses.

This program provides financial support to small agribusinesses in urban areas of Missouri for projects that enhance infrastructure, improve local food systems, and promote sustainable urban agriculture.

This initiative provides $35,000 grants and mentorship to beauty and wellness entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to help them grow their early-stage businesses.

This program provides funding to small and mid-sized food businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah to help them expand their market access and improve their operations.

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 funding opportunity provides $54,000 to organizations that will create and manage educational programs promoting American English, business practices, and technology skills for youth and professionals in Mozambique.

The DeMayo Bright Futures Innovation Award, presented by The Fund for Williamstown, seeks to identify and honor innovative approaches that address community challenges and enhance life within Williamstown. This award is specifically designed to recognize organizations, institutions, businesses, or individuals who introduce new programs or methods that are not currently present in the community. The core mission of the Fund for Williamstown, as evidenced by this award, is to foster creativity and new solutions for local issues, aligning with a strategic priority to support community-driven progress and enhance local well-being through inventive means. The primary beneficiaries of this award are those who are actively passionate about solving community challenges in Williamstown, Massachusetts, through innovative practices. This includes a broad spectrum of entities such as organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals. The overarching impact goal is to stimulate the creation and implementation of programs that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation and creativity, ultimately resulting in significant positive community impact. The award implicitly supports the development of non-traditional solutions that bring about tangible improvements in the quality of life within Williamstown. The award prioritizes and focuses on innovation and creativity in addressing community needs. It seeks out initiatives that represent new approaches to existing problems or introduce entirely new ways of enriching community life. The emphasis is on programs that currently do not exist in Williamstown, promoting the introduction of novel concepts rather than the continuation of established ones. The Fund for Williamstown's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by recognizing and financially supporting innovative endeavors, they can catalyze positive change, empower local innovators, and foster a more vibrant and responsive community. The expected outcomes of the DeMayo Bright Futures Innovation Award include the identification and recognition of groundbreaking work within Williamstown, the provision of financial support ($1,000) to further these innovative initiatives, and ultimately, a measurable enhancement in community life and problem-solving capabilities. While specific metrics for "significant community impact" are not detailed, the award's focus on programs that address challenges and enhance life implies outcomes such as improved social cohesion, increased access to services, or the development of more sustainable community practices, all driven by the innovative work of the recipients.

This funding opportunity is designed for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to implement innovative projects that promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and climate initiatives in El Salvador.

This grant provides financial support to individuals, businesses, and organizations in Denver to create projects that promote active living, such as improving walkability and bikeability in their neighborhoods.

This program provides financial support to small business and property owners in Ironton, Ohio, for revitalization projects that create jobs and improve local business districts.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait, Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Kuwait invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties and advance our shared goals of climate resilience, economic well-being, and a safe and secure world. Proposals should model fair practices. Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose participants come from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, projects must address one or more of the priority areas listed below. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: - Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; - Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; - Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; - Professional and academic exchanges and programs; If you have any questions about the grant application process in its entirety, please email to [email protected]. Program Priority Areas: - Strengthening and expanding U.S.-Kuwait people-to-people partnerships to enhance regional stability and security, encompassing education, arts, freedom of speech, and fortifying U.S.-Kuwait ties. - Enhancing national security through political reform, economic development, and an improved legal framework. This includes advancing women's empowerment in politics and economics, addressing gender-based violence, and promoting cybersecurity and responsible AI use. - Engaging individuals with disabilities and promoting disability research and advocacy in Kuwait. - Promoting U.S.-Kuwait economic cooperation by emphasizing economic development, entrepreneurship, and environmental preservation in Kuwait, addressing both economic prosperity and climate change. Projects Examples: - Conference on emerging technologies, in collaboration with civil society leaders to advance digital transformation research. - Project with civil society to heighten environmental awareness regarding air quality, addressing the impact of climate change on Kuwait's environment. Activities may include awareness conferences, a workshop on investigative reporting on climate issues, or designing a digital media campaign supporting STEM in environmental protection. - Project in collaboration with civil society and/or academia that would provide training to Kuwaiti women in leadership skills, legal principles, and political etiquette. Training would aim to empower women with stronger social and legal knowledge, fostering increased participation in political careers. - Project to support the administration and management of volunteer work in Kuwait, collaborating with civil society to enhance youth engagement and foster creative community service and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects led by both the private sector and the government. - Project to advance disability rights research in collaboration with academia and civil society. - Training program for sports arbitrators to equip them with required skills in sports arbitration principles. - Webinar series in collaboration with civil society to train young and aspiring business leaders on digitizing businesses using AI and IT solutions to enhance overall business activities. - Project to empower Kuwaiti women through art and environmental awareness in collaboration with local civil society via workshops that cover nature art, recycling, and climate change. Inviting women environmentalists, organizing field trips, and concluding with an exhibition The Following Program Categories Are Not Eligible for Funding: - Programs relating to partisan political activity; - Charitable or development activities; - Construction programs; - Programs that support specific religious activities; - Fund-raising campaigns; - Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; - Scientific research; - Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or - Programs that duplicate existing programs. Authorizing Legislation, Type and Year of Funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: Varies (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000. Total available funding: $125,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024 (for a maximum of one year) This Notice Is Subject to Funding Availability. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAAs), or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that PAS staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. (Note: If a cooperative agreement or an FAA that includes substantial involvement is used, PAS will include a description of the substantial involvement. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. Optional: PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants (in the Following Eligibility Order): PAS encourages applications from Kuwait based: - Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. - Non-profit educational institutions - Individuals For-Profit or Commercial Entities Are Not Eligible to Apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost share is not required but is encouraged and will be evaluated positively during the merit review; it will be used to break ties among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individual applicants are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Applicants are encouraged to only apply for one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, only the most competitive proposal from that organization will be considered for funding. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at c https://kw.usembassy.gov/grant-application-forms/ 2. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be deemed ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: - The proposal shall be clearly reflect the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity. - All documents shall be in English. - All budgets shall be in U.S. dollars. - All pages shall be numbered. - All documents shall be formatted to 8 x 11 paper, and - All Microsoft Word documents shall be single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms - SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance -- individuals) - SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) - SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) - Completed Grant Proposal Form 2. Summary Coversheet: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. 3. Proposal (5 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations: Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 4. Submission Dates and Times Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of May 31, 2024. No applications will be accepted after that date. 5. Funding Restrictions Award funds cannot be used for construction, vehicle purchases, etc. 6. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected]. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Organizational capacity and record on previous grants 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PAS is confident of its ability to undertake the program. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea 20 points The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. Goals and objectives 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Embassy priorities 10 points: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Kuwaits priority areas or target audiences. Budget 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured. Sustainability 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. 2. Review and Selection Process A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. 3. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly, FAPIIS) Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates: July 31, 2024 F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PAS at: [email protected] Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the NOFO. Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff both in the Department and at embassies overseas may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed. H. OTHER INFORMATION Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement.

The City of Stockton and Stockton Arts Commission are offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for local artists and art organizations to fund projects that promote public engagement and access to various forms of art within the city, with funds being used for artist compensation, production, exhibit costs, marketing, rental cost, and supplies.