Grants for Small businesses - Business and Commerce

The City of West Hollywood's Arts Project Grant offers funding to eligible nonprofit arts organizations for projects taking place within the city and serving its community. This program aligns with the city's broader mission to enrich the lives of its residents and visitors through cultural engagement. The grant aims to foster a vibrant arts scene, recognize and champion local cultural resources, and discover new places for artmaking, directly supporting the city's commitment to cultural development and community well-being. The primary target beneficiaries are the residents and visitors of West Hollywood, with a focus on increasing their access to quality arts programming. The program seeks to engage diverse audiences and expand participation in the arts, particularly making experiences financially and geographically accessible. Beyond cultural enrichment, the grant also intends to support local businesses by increasing revenues and fostering arts-business partnerships, contributing to the economic vitality of the West Hollywood community. Key priorities for this grant include presenting one artistic presentation per year, as opposed to a series of projects, ensuring focused and impactful events. The program prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate artistic experience, an understanding of West Hollywood's unique cultural diversity, and a commitment to serving the general public within the city or immediately adjacent areas. Projects that do not include fundraisers, capital campaigns, murals, or religious-based programs are eligible, maintaining a clear focus on public arts presentations. Expected outcomes and measurable results are centered on increasing engagement with the arts, expanding arts audiences, and enhancing the accessibility of arts experiences for West Hollywood residents. The program also aims to strengthen local cultural resources and generate economic benefits for local businesses through arts-related activities. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "increasing access," "expanding audiences," and "increasing revenues for local businesses" indicates the desire for demonstrable positive impacts in these areas. The City of West Hollywood's strategic priorities for this grant reflect a theory of change that postulates that by investing in local arts organizations and projects, the city can foster a more engaged, culturally rich, and economically robust community. The grant's focus on accessibility, local relevance, and partnership building suggests a belief that widespread participation in the arts can lead to a stronger sense of community, increased quality of life for residents, and tangible economic benefits for local enterprises. This aligns with a broader strategy of leveraging cultural assets for comprehensive community development.

The Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce is offering a small business capacity-building grant program through its Franklin Chamber Foundation. This initiative aims to strengthen the economic and social growth of the Franklin community by supporting local small businesses, which are considered the foundation of the city. The program aligns with the Chamber's mission to assist in fortifying these essential businesses within the community. The target beneficiaries for this program are small businesses in Franklin with 10 or fewer full-time employees. The grant seeks to impact these businesses by providing financial assistance for various capacity-building initiatives. The overall goal is to enhance the resilience and growth potential of these small enterprises, thereby contributing to the broader economic vitality of Franklin. The program prioritizes initiatives that expand physical space, improve online presence, or bolster marketing efforts. Examples of capacity building include the development of user-friendly online shopping platforms, enhancement of point-of-sale systems, updating websites, increasing physical spaces, and implementing innovative marketing strategies. These focus areas are designed to provide tangible improvements that directly contribute to business growth and sustainability. The Franklin Chamber Foundation plans to award 12 grants, each valued at $2,500, to local small businesses. The expected outcome is that these grants will enable recipient businesses to implement crucial capacity-building projects, leading to increased operational efficiency, broader market reach, and ultimately, greater economic stability. While specific measurable results are not detailed beyond the number and amount of grants, the underlying theory of change is that direct financial support for strategic improvements will empower small businesses to thrive, reinforcing the community's economic fabric.

Name of Funding Organization: Cecil County, Maryland Contact Information: Not provided in the input Grant Program: FY24 Cecil County Route 40 Revitalization Grant Program Intent: The grant aims to assist businesses and organizations located along the Route 40 corridor in Cecil County, Maryland to improve their exterior visual appearance and function. The goal is to enhance the overall visual appearance and increase utilization of these businesses and organizations. Award Details: The maximum award per grant application is $25,000. Grant funds are intended to be used for exterior improvement projects visible from Route 40. Up to 20% of the grant funds may be used for specified interior improvements with prior approval. All funding is contingent upon funding from the State of Maryland and approval of Cecil County Council. Eligibility: Businesses and organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, located within Cecil County along the Route 40 corridor with a Route 40/Pulaski Highway address are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with the IRS, State of Maryland, and Cecil County. Other Relevant Information: - Applicants must match the funds they are applying for. - Project designs must be approved by Cecil County Government. - Demolition of derelict structures visible from Route 40 will be considered. - Disbursement of grant funding will only be made on a reimbursement basis. - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting January 1, 2024. - Grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2024. Eligible Activities: Signage, Lighting, Roofing, Siding, Painting, Entrance, Porch/Deck, Fencing, Landscaping/Hardscaping, Sidewalks, Driveway, Parking, ADA Ramp, Demolition Ineligible Activities: Improvements to primary residence, Interior renovations, Improvements not visible from Route 40, Trash Removal Project Evaluation: The Grant Review Committee will evaluate applications based on criteria such as completeness, enhanced visual appearance from Route 40, stability of business/organization, positive impact on the business and community, clear explanation of how grant funds will be used, adherence to maximum limit of $25,000, identification of matching funds sources, preference

This award recognizes and honors small businesses in Nevada's agriculture, food, and beverage sectors that demonstrate exceptional contributions to the state's economy and community.

This program provides free, hands-on support to small business owners in Denver with two to five years of experience, helping them improve operations, marketing, and leadership skills to prepare for sustainable growth.

This program provides mentorship and resources to early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses developing innovative products from sustainable West Coast groundfish, supporting both market readiness and economic growth in coastal communities.

Ohio's Premier Manufacturing Pitch Competition, sponsored by MAGNET, is a grant program designed to foster manufacturing innovation and support startups in Ohio. The program aligns with a mission to advance the manufacturing sector by providing crucial resources, including financial awards and expert consulting services, to promising entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and market-ready products, thereby strengthening Ohio's industrial landscape. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Ohio-based entrepreneurs who possess a physical product, an innovative idea, or a manufacturing innovation. The competition specifically targets startups that are poised for growth and can benefit from strategic support to reach their next milestone. The impact goals include stimulating economic development within Ohio, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing the state's reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The program prioritizes a multi-faceted approach to support, focusing on engineering design assistance, operational services, lean operations, and sales and marketing. A notable focus is the Innovation Award, sponsored by Huntington, which provides up to $10,000 specifically for diverse founders, underscoring a commitment to inclusive growth and equitable access to opportunities within the manufacturing sector. Additionally, the competition offers exposure to The Advanced Manufacturing Fund and visibility to a judging panel of local service providers and investors, providing invaluable networking and funding opportunities. Expected outcomes include the successful development and commercialization of new manufacturing innovations, leading to increased revenue for participating startups and a stronger, more diversified manufacturing base in Ohio. Measurable results include the total amount of prizes awarded, which exceeds $75,000, and the provision of MAGNET’s manufacturing consulting services tailored to the specific needs of the companies. The program also aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem where entrepreneurs receive guidance from MAGNET's team of manufacturing experts, contributing to a robust pipeline of talent and innovation.

This program provides flexible funding to local governments to improve housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in their communities.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers in Orange County, North Carolina, to support innovative agricultural projects that enhance income and market access.

This funding opportunity provides $1,000 micro grants to U.S. military veterans who own small businesses with annual revenues under $5 million and between 2 to 100 employees.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is offering grants to eligible small businesses in Minnesota to support Diversity and Inclusion training. This initiative aims to enhance these businesses' abilities to attract, hire, and retain people of color across various roles. The program emphasizes equity, innovation, and performance in its awarding criteria, focusing on training participants facing significant employment barriers, fostering an inclusive skilled workforce, and implementing innovative solutions to workforce challenges. Grants are available up to $1,425,000 each state fiscal year, with a maximum of $30,000 available per business for the biennium, limited to one award per biennium. Applications are accepted on a continual basis until funds are depleted, with no awards exceeding $1,425,000 before July 1, 2024.

Gener8tor invites applications for gBETA Milwaukee, a free, seven-week accelerator program designed to support early-stage companies with local roots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This program runs multiple times annually, selecting up to five companies from a diverse range of verticals. The grant aims to foster entrepreneurial growth and development within the Milwaukee community, aligning with a mission to empower nascent businesses and prepare them for future investment or seed funding rounds. The primary beneficiaries of the gBETA Milwaukee program are early-stage companies based in Milwaukee, ranging from those with initial ideas to those with significant revenue. While most participating companies are post-product and pre-scale, the program is open to any business ready to grow and commit approximately five hours per week to programming, plus additional time for business development. The impact goal is to significantly accelerate the growth and investor readiness of these companies, ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of Milwaukee by nurturing local innovation. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on individualized coaching and mentorship, investor readiness, and access to valuable resources. Participants receive expert guidance from gener8tor on company growth, weekly "Lunch & Learns," "Mentor Swarms," and opportunities for investor and accelerator pitches. A key focus is to equip companies with the skills and connections needed to secure over $1 million in deals and perks from vendors such as IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, and Microsoft. The expected outcomes include graduates successfully participating in investment accelerators or raising seed rounds. Measurable results are tied to the number of companies selected, the amount of deals and perks received, and the subsequent investment success of the alumni. The foundation's strategic priority is to build a robust ecosystem for early-stage companies, and its theory of change posits that by providing intensive support, mentorship, and connections, these companies will be better positioned for growth, investment, and long-term success, thereby stimulating local economic development.

The Town of Walworth, having received funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) of 2021, has an interest in supporting small businesses and non-profit organizations who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. As the town is supportive of making investments that back long-term growth and opportunity, $100,000 has been allocated to this project, and this application has been made available as a tool for the purpose of assisting COVID-19 impacted small-businesses/ non-profit organizations in their recovery efforts.

This competition provides financial incentives for U.S.-based manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules and inverters to achieve environmental certification, enhancing their marketability and sustainability efforts.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small, independently owned businesses in Arcadia, California, to help cover costs associated with permits for opening, expanding, or improving their commercial spaces.

This grant provides financial support for Nebraska-based businesses to develop prototypes, with a focus on innovation in non-retail primary industries, including value-added agriculture.

This grant provides funding for marketing initiatives that promote events in Provincetown, particularly those that attract visitors during off-peak seasons and enhance community collaboration and diversity.

The Equip Harlingen grant program, offered by the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC), is a small business matching grant designed to provide financial assistance of up to $3,000 for new equipment purchases. This program is rooted in the EDC's mission to foster economic development within the City of Harlingen. By supporting businesses in expanding their production capabilities, the grant directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priority of stimulating economic activity and promoting job retention and creation. The underlying theory of change is that direct investment in local businesses' operational capacity will lead to increased production, sales, and ultimately, a more robust local economy with sustained employment opportunities. The primary target beneficiaries of the Equip Harlingen grant are for-profit commercial businesses located within the city limits of Harlingen, TX. Specifically, the program targets businesses that have been operational for at least one full year, occupy commercial space, and have fewer than 20 employees. This focus aims to bolster the small to medium-sized business sector, which is often a significant driver of local economies. National chains or franchises with more than three locations, and establishments with more than two locations, are explicitly excluded to ensure the benefits are concentrated on local, independent businesses. The program's core priorities and focuses revolve around supporting businesses in increasing production, expanding operations, and generating more sales through the acquisition of new equipment. Eligible expenses are strictly defined as new equipment under warranty that will directly enable these growth objectives, such as stoves, ovens, lathes, and tooling machines. The emphasis is on equipment that is essential for the creation of more products, indicating a clear focus on manufacturing, culinary, and other production-oriented businesses. The expected outcomes of the Equip Harlingen grant include the retention and creation of jobs within business enterprises in the City of Harlingen, leading to further economic stimulation. Measurable results are tied to the financial assistance provided, which is 50% of incurred equipment costs, not exceeding $3,000. While not explicitly stated as metrics, the program's success would likely be measured by the number of businesses supported, the direct increase in production capacity reported by recipients, and ultimately, the impact on local employment figures and sales tax generation. The requirement for applicants to generate local sales taxes reinforces the program's aim to contribute to the city's overall economic health.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for California-based organizations to create a marketing campaign that promotes the value of California-made products, particularly focusing on engaging underserved communities and diverse manufacturers.

This program provides matching funds to Nebraska businesses collaborating with local colleges or universities on research and development projects that create or improve products and processes to boost revenue.