Grants for Nonprofits - Business and Commerce

The LGBTQIA+ National Grant, provided by Founders First Community Development Corporation, aims to empower eligible small businesses within the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative directly aligns with Founders First's overarching mission to foster the growth of diverse founder-led businesses that generate over $1 million in annual revenues. By offering financial support and valuable resources, the program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and contribute to their economic success and sustainability. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are LGBTQIA+ identifying business owners who serve as CEO, President, or Business Owner of an active, U.S.-based business. To be eligible, businesses must have an annual revenue not exceeding $5 million, employ between 2 to 100 individuals, and have been in operation for a minimum of one year. The impact goal is to make significant investments in 25 LGBTQIA+ led businesses across the United States, thereby facilitating their growth and increasing their capacity for job creation and community contribution. The program prioritizes businesses that meet the outlined eligibility criteria, focusing on those with a demonstrated need for capital and a clear potential for growth. Beyond the direct financial support of $25,000 grant packages, a key focus is providing access to resources. This includes connecting grant recipients with like-minded entrepreneurs through the Founders First family network, and offering exclusive access to webinars and other valuable educational resources designed to enhance business acumen and operational efficiency. The expected outcomes of the LGBTQIA+ National Grant include the direct financial empowerment of 25 small businesses within the LGBTQIA+ community. Measurable results will include the number of businesses receiving grants, their continued operation and growth, and their engagement with the provided resources. Founders First's strategic priorities are clearly centered on increasing the number of successful, diverse founder-led businesses, and this grant program serves as a critical component of their theory of change, which posits that targeted financial investment combined with robust support systems will lead to sustained economic impact and a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape.

The James S. McDonnell Foundation (JSMF) is offering a grant program designed to foster economic mobility in its priority communities and among specific groups. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting collaborative efforts that bring together individuals from diverse zip codes, races, and income levels. The program emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural and cross-socioeconomic engagement to achieve its economic objectives. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are low and moderate-income individuals and families, as well as Black and historically marginalized groups, including immigrants, residing in the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis County, Missouri. The program aims to strengthen the collaborative capacity of these diverse groups to work together effectively and, in doing so, improve their economic well-being. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on the belief that fostering collaboration across differences can lead to tangible economic improvements. JSMF encourages proposals that implement approaches to strengthen collaborative capacity and create positive, long-term, and tangible impacts on the economic well-being of their priority populations. Examples of focus areas include youth mentorship across class divisions, networking support for first jobs, community investment clubs, business-to-business mentorship, and peer-to-peer lending. Expected outcomes include enhanced collaborative capacity among participants and improved economic well-being for JSMF priority populations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond these objectives, the foundation seeks proposals that will demonstrate a clear alignment with its mission and guiding principles, and that can achieve a positive and lasting impact. Grants range from $20,000 to $40,000, with awards totaling $200,000, and most grants will be for one to three years. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or have a fiscal sponsor, and proposals must bring people together across diverse backgrounds to partner for the first time.

The Teaching with Primary Sources Program (TPS) is the Library of Congress's premier educational outreach initiative. Its fundamental mission is to enhance the ability of teachers to integrate digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress into instruction, thereby fostering student literacy, critical thinking skills, content knowledge, and the capacity to conduct original research. This core work is strategically aligned with and reflects the Library's broader outreach goals and its vision of connecting to all Americans, particularly as detailed in the institution's 2019-23 and 2024-2028 Strategic Plans. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Continuing Awards is specifically open only to existing, experienced TPS Program Consortium Members who have previously received grants directly from the Library. The target beneficiaries are educators and learners representing diverse groups, including specific professions, ethnicities, geographic locations, abilities, interests, affiliations, and other attributes. The primary impact goal for this continuing award is for successful applicants to expand the use and disseminate their existing teaching materials, tools, programming, and research to meet the needs of these learners, especially those populations they have identified as being underserved by the current TPS program. The NOFO focuses on soliciting project proposals that leverage and expand upon the teaching materials, tools, and strategies developed under previous TPS awards. Applicants must commit to several key priorities to achieve this expansion. These include reviewing and revising existing TPS products, modifying them to enhance their value to educators and learners, and developing new strategies and robust networks to facilitate effective outreach to the targeted, underserved populations. The expected outcomes and measurable results hinge on applicants submitting project proposals that clearly address the demonstrated educational needs of their specific recipient populations. The proposed solutions must be effective, as suggested by standard practice, documented experience, or research. The Library strategically values TPS Consortium members as "Connectors" who are essential to achieving the institutional vision of connecting to all Americans, viewing the program's success in dissemination and expanded outreach as a key mechanism for progress toward its broader strategic goals.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions to promote U.S. exports and improve trade relations in Bangladesh by enhancing market access and fostering a transparent business environment.

The program provides a 50% matching grant to eligible businesses that are located within an Economic Development Target Area (EDTA). The purpose is to improve the appearance of their building and the surrounding site. By visually enhancing the exterior of buildings, businesses increase their property values, maintain their marketability, and demonstrate confidence. The CFG program works to assist those owners to promote reinvestment, strengthen Fort Wayne’s commercial activity and enhance economic vitality in the City’s heart. Program Objectives Maintain vibrancy of core commercial areas by encouraging investments that enhance the visual aesthetics of commercial properties and lead to increased property values. Stimulate economic development by providing incentives to increase existing business investment, ensure business sustainability and create aesthetically pleasing areas that attract new business and consumers. Complement other revitalization efforts to ensure the maximum leverage of resources. Support local businesses and encourage local entrepreneurship, to further enhance the spirit of Fort Wayne

This fully-funded program empowers Georgia-based entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders from underserved communities by enhancing their leadership skills and providing resources to scale their ventures and create local economic impact.

This grant provides financial support and consulting services to nonprofit organizations focused on affordable housing, small business development, workforce development, and financial literacy in low- and moderate-income communities.

The Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Program is a locally funded initiative designed to support local agencies in delivering activities similar to those eligible under FTA 5310 federal programs. This program maintains all the beneficial elements of its federal counterpart, but utilizes local funding. Its core mission aligns with addressing the critical transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities, particularly when existing services are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate. The program aims to ensure that these vulnerable populations have reliable access to transportation, thereby enhancing their overall mobility and quality of life within Orange County. The primary target beneficiaries of the EMSD Program are older adults and people with disabilities in Orange County. The program's impact goals are centered on improving mobility for these individuals, supporting local agencies and non-profits that provide services within their communities, and supplementing existing transportation services like the OCTA Senior Mobility Program, OC ACCESS, and OC Bus fixed-route service. A significant focus is also placed on providing seamless service through improved first- and last-mile connections, recognizing that initial and final legs of a journey can often be the most challenging for individuals with mobility limitations. The EMSD Program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. It encourages the incorporation of technology-based solutions to create more efficient and accessible mobility options. Furthermore, it emphasizes promoting outreach efforts by non-profit and public agencies to senior and disabled patrons, with a particular focus on reaching disadvantaged, underrepresented, and diverse communities to ensure their specific needs are met. Funding is also prioritized for agencies that demonstrate collaboration through partnerships, aiming to create efficiencies and lower operating costs, and for those that commit to increasing vehicle revenue hours beyond a minimum of ten hours per week, ensuring greater service availability. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an overall improvement in the mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities across Orange County. This will be achieved through increased access to transportation services, enhanced first- and last-mile connections, and the adoption of innovative technology-based solutions. The program also anticipates a strengthened network of local agencies and non-profits providing these essential services, leading to more comprehensive and effective support for the target populations. The availability of $8.5 million in funding, with a total maximum request of $1.5 million per applicant across various capital and operating categories, is a measurable commitment to achieving these impactful results.

This initiative provides funding to animal welfare and community organizations in select states to assist with disaster response efforts for animals affected by recent hurricanes.

This program provides up to $25,000 in reimbursement funding to support new or expanding businesses in Cadillac's designated districts, aimed at stimulating growth and revitalizing commercial spaces.

The City of Marysville in Washington is inviting applications for its 2025 Tourism Grant Program, aimed at boosting tourism and promoting overnight stays through events and projects such as sports, conferences, trade shows, festivals, and arts, open to non-profit entities like historical societies, art groups, and museums that can demonstrate their ability to execute the proposed project.

The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) is offering its Tourism Marketing Fund to support attractions and event organizers. The primary goal is to encourage visitors from outside Rock County, Wisconsin, to generate overnight hotel stays and provide a positive economic impact on the Janesville community. As an independent non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, the JACVB serves as Janesville’s Destination Marketing Organization, aligning its mission with fostering local economic growth through tourism. The grant targets non-profit organizations or those with strong demonstrated partnerships with non-profits. The beneficiaries are attractions and event organizers who aim to market to audiences outside of Rock County. The ultimate impact goal is to create overnight stays in Janesville, leading to a positive economic impact for a wider range of local businesses. The JACVB prioritizes applications that demonstrate potential for creating new or increased business for Janesville, encouraging self-supporting events, and aligning with the "Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside" brand. Key focuses for qualifying projects include promoting special events, developing marketing materials (brochures, videos, website design, direct mail), advertising buys, social media campaigns, and conference and sporting event bidding fees. The JACVB will not fund organizations that discriminate, political entities, building/capital campaigns, organizations benefiting only a few, or requests for staffing/administrative/operational/supplies purposes. This strategic filtering ensures that the grants support initiatives directly contributing to tourism marketing and economic stimulation. Expected outcomes include an increase in out-of-county visitors, a rise in overnight hotel stays, and greater media exposure for Janesville events and promotions at the county, state, or regional level. Measurable results will likely be assessed through the number of overnight stays generated, the economic impact on local businesses, and the reach of marketing campaigns. The JACVB's theory of change posits that by investing in targeted tourism marketing, they can effectively draw visitors, thereby bolstering the local economy and enhancing Janesville's reputation as a destination. Strong consideration is given to proposals that include matching funds from the applicant, further amplifying the potential for a positive economic return.

The Town of Trumbull is offering ARPA Nonprofit Grants to community-based organizations and nonprofits serving Trumbull residents. This program aims to support the COVID-19 public health and economic response by addressing the pandemic's impact on public health, as well as economic harms to households, small businesses, nonprofits, impacted industries, and the public sector. The Town of Trumbull's mission, as demonstrated by this grant, aligns with fostering community well-being and economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic. Target beneficiaries for this grant include Trumbull residents served by eligible programs, services, and capital investments provided by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or community-based organizations with a fiscal sponsor. The impact goals are to support public health initiatives related to COVID-19 and to alleviate economic hardships experienced by various sectors of the community due to the pandemic. The program prioritizes projects, programs, and services exclusively within the Town of Trumbull that directly address the COVID-19 public health and economic response. Applicants must have a demonstrable presence in Trumbull and adhere to a 15% indirect cost limit. The focus is on direct support and recovery efforts within the local community. Expected outcomes include improved public health conditions in Trumbull and a more robust economic landscape for households, small businesses, and other affected entities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the grant's structure suggests an emphasis on quantifiable project expenses and services rendered, with all funds required to be expended by June 30, 2025. The federal reporting guidelines further imply a need for tracking project and expenditure reports for accountability.

The First State Food System Program, funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to support and strengthen Delaware's local food system. Its overarching mission, facilitated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy (Council), aligns with the goal of ensuring farmers have access to viable markets, households can access nutritious food, and the impacts of supply chain disruptions are reduced. The program aims to foster a resilient food system by offering grants to a diverse range of entities operating across the food supply chain within the State of Delaware. Target beneficiaries include entities that grow, process, store, transport, distribute, or sell food in Delaware, encompassing small to mid-sized for-profit producers, nonprofit organizations, aquaculture/fishery operators, food distributors, transporters, and food processing operators. The program's impact goals are centered on enabling these local entities to overcome challenges, build resilience, and contribute to a more robust food system. Specifically, it seeks to increase food production, enhance direct-to-consumer sales, improve food transformation activities, bolster transportation and distribution, and increase the flexibility of food retail outlets. The program prioritizes projects that support or benefit more than one entity or producer within Delaware’s food system. This focus is intended to strengthen the local food system through wide-reaching and complementary efforts rather than isolated, narrowly focused projects. Eligible projects are evaluated based on the entity's viability, its function and reach within the food system, and its capacity to add to food production, sales, processing, transportation, or distribution; improve efficiency and reduce costs; increase capacity of retail outlets; align with consumer needs; address proximity challenges; or increase emerging agricultural practices. Expected outcomes include a measurable positive impact on Delaware's food supply chain. Projects should create or contribute to outcomes such as increased volume of food production, greater availability of food products through various outlets, enhanced processing activities, more efficient transportation and distribution, improved capacity and flexibility of food retail outlets, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. The Council will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $150,000, and applicants must demonstrate the entity's infrastructure and capacity to successfully implement the project, with a general requirement for entities to be in operation for two or more years.

This program provides financial assistance to small business owners in Richmond who have been adversely affected by COVID-19, helping them stabilize and grow their operations.

This funding opportunity supports small research projects that explore how technology and policy changes are reshaping the U.S. workforce, focusing on innovative data analysis without addressing health or education.

The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that protect or restore water quality in the Savannah River watershed, increase citizen awareness, and empower communities to collect and share water quality data, with priority given to proposals closest to the spill site.

The City of South Bend Department of Public Works is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Lamppost Lighting Program. This initiative is designed to assist homeowners within South Bend's city limits by providing lighting enhancements for their neighborhoods through a cost-share program. The program directly aligns with the city's mission to improve public infrastructure and enhance community safety and quality of life for its residents. By offering solar-powered lampposts for residential front yards, the program aims to address practical needs while promoting sustainable solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this program are homeowners residing within the City of South Bend. The program specifically targets two areas selected based on income levels, the number of vacant lots, and the existing need for improved lighting. Homeowners in these target areas receive a reduced cost share of $50, compared to $250 for those outside these areas, demonstrating a focus on supporting communities with greater need. The overarching impact goal is to enhance neighborhood safety, visibility, and overall aesthetics by increasing accessible lighting. The program's priorities and focuses include ease of installation, accessibility, and community empowerment. It offers easy self-install, solar-powered lampposts, placing responsibility for pickup, installation, and maintenance on the homeowner, fostering a sense of ownership. While the City's Division of Engineering will inspect installations, the emphasis is on enabling residents to directly contribute to their neighborhood improvements. A limit of one lamppost per household ensures equitable distribution among participating residents. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a greater number of illuminated residential front yards, particularly in historically underserved or underlit areas. Success can be measured by the number of lampposts installed, the geographic spread of the installations, and anecdotal evidence or surveys from residents regarding perceived improvements in safety and neighborhood appearance. The cost-share model is a strategic priority, allowing for broader participation while distributing costs, and fostering a collaborative approach between the city and its residents for community betterment.

The City of Pasadena's 2024-2025 Festival and Parade Grant Program aims to support publicly oriented thematic events with a defined cultural or artistic focus. These events can encompass multiple arts genres/cultural activities or multiple offerings focusing on one artistic genre or cultural activity, and must include elements of community involvement. Examples include music festivals, dance festivals, fairs, parades, and cultural celebrations. The program is specifically for events produced by non-profit organizations or consortia of non-profit organizations, taking place within Pasadena city limits for one or more consecutive days, and featuring various art forms such as music, theatre, visual art, dance, or film. The program targets non-profit arts and culture organizations or non-profit social service organizations (including, but not limited to, chambers of commerce, social service agencies, homeowners associations, or business districts) in partnership with an arts and culture organization. The grant seeks to foster accessibility, cultural diversity, and geographic equity within Pasadena. Eligible projects include public events with a cultural or artistic purpose, arts/culture festivals or parades held in publicly accessible spaces that are free or of reasonable cost, and collaborations between Pasadena non-profit art/culture organizations and other non-profit entities. Social service organizations can apply if partnered with a Pasadena arts/culture organization. The grant prioritizes marketing costs and artists' fees to ensure events are accessible and diverse. The maximum grant request is $10,000, and projects must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The program also supports arts/culture events produced in Pasadena by non-profit arts/culture organizations not based in Pasadena but providing an event not otherwise produced by a local producer, further enhancing the city's cultural offerings. The expected outcomes include an increase in accessible cultural and artistic events within Pasadena, greater community involvement in arts and culture, and the promotion of cultural diversity and geographic equity through supported festivals and parades. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the program's focus on marketing costs and artist fees suggests an intention to increase attendance and participation in these events. The overall strategic priority is to enrich the cultural landscape of Pasadena and ensure a vibrant community through public arts and cultural celebrations.