Grants for Small businesses - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

This summer, small farmers and ranchers have a grant opportunity through the Board of County Commissioners. The Board is funding a mini-grant to Alachua County-based farms and ranches that earn between $1,000 and $250,000 annually. Funding is for capital and equipment expenditures that will positively impact these operation’s income. The total grant request must not exceed $5,000. Only one application per farm or ranch is permitted. The total funding available for this mini-grant is approximately $100,000. To reduce inequity in marginalized communities, this grant will also prioritize small farms and ranches owned by black, women, indigenous, and persons-of-color. Applications must be in the County Manager’s Office by 5 PM June 28, 2024.​ Applicants will complete the application and submit it to Alachua County’s Office of Sustainability, Equity, and Economic Development Strategies. Applications may be submitted by email to [email protected]​

This initiative provides cash awards and support to Black-led startups in Brazil, helping them overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and grow their businesses without giving up equity.

This program provides financial support and resources to small businesses in select U.S. cities that are dedicated to community upliftment and have been impacted by COVID-19.

The NAACP x BACARDI are working together to provide dedicated support under-represented minorities in the beverage alcohol service, sales and hospitality industries. Backing the B.A.R. is an NAACP initiative that is awarding over $100,000 in acceleration grants, education, support and entrepreneurship solutions for minority-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license. If you are a minority-owned business owner with a liquor license or real liquor license aspirations - and you need financial, educational or mentorship support, please apply here. Ideal grant recipients are looking for support in accelerating their business for the future.

In Tier 3, CHEJ's Small Grants Program targets large grassroots organizations with budgets between $250,000 and $1,000,000. Offering grants between $10,000 and $20,000, this tier supports substantial projects that tackle environmental health issues through strategic, impactful actions. Eligible projects are those that enable significant local, state, or regional impact, focusing on building capacity, leadership, and educational outreach within communities affected by environmental toxins. This funding tier is suited for larger organizations that play a pivotal role in their communities and are looking to expand or enhance their ongoing efforts.

CHEJ's Small Grants Program for Tier 2 is designed for mid-sized grassroots organizations with annual budgets between $50,000 and $250,000. Grants available in this tier range from $5,000 to $10,000 and support projects that promote strategic environmental health efforts at the local or statewide level. This tier funds initiatives such as organizational development, strategic planning sessions, educational activities linked to environmental health, and community-specific campaigns, aiming to bolster the groups' influence and effectiveness in their advocacy and community engagement.

The Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program aims to propel small businesses towards success and sustainability. This initiative offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to connect with essential support resources and participate in a 12-week series of comprehensive workshops aimed at crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of the program, participants become eligible to apply for $10k grants, empowering them to expand their business capacity and enhance resilience. 25 businesses will be selected to participate in this program and receive grant awards upon completion. 10 additional businesses will be selected to participate in the workshop series only, and may be eligible for grant awards if funds become available. Program selection and awards will be determined by a selection committee based on the following criteria: • Representation of businesses across all parts of the city with priority for businesses located in low-to-moderate income areas • Representation of businesses across multiple sectors • Business readiness and potential impact of program participation This application will close on May 21st at 5pm. No late applications will be accepted. Applicants will be notified of selection decisions in late June. For assistance with this application, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or [email protected].

The CHEJ Small Grants Program for Tier 1 focuses on empowering small grassroots organizations and all-volunteer groups with annual budgets up to $50,000. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, support local initiatives aimed at addressing environmental health harms caused by toxic substances in communities. The funding is particularly targeted at enhancing community leadership, building organizational capacity, and providing education and training related to environmental justice. This grant is ideal for grassroots groups that are deeply rooted in low-wealth and communities of color, driving change from within.

The Black Equity & Excellence Fund supports community-based projects for the Black community of Central New York that promote and encourage self-sufficiency and improve the physical and economic conditions that affect quality of life. Donor Name: Central New York Community Foundation State: New York County: Madison County (NY), Onondaga County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation encourages dialogue that will strengthen race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community. Types of Projects Projects must benefit the Black community or build upon the capabilities of your organization. Projects that focus on one of the following interest areas would qualify for a Black Equity & Excellence grant: Black Creatives Black Leadership + Advancement Black LGBTQIA+ Black Mental Wellness Black Legacy + Generational Wealth Black Business Black Maternal Health Black Civic Engagement Black Youth + Students Black Tech Funding Information Project funding levels are as follows: Grassroots Organizations/Businesses with a Fiscal Sponsor: $10k and under Pilot programs or small projects: $11k-$25k Expansion of existing projects: $26k-$55k Large capital projects or renovations: $56k-$75k Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, prospective applicants must meet all of these requirements: Have Black leadership in the senior executive position. Have at least 51% Black membership on their Board or steering committee. Seek to explicitly serve the Black community by targeting any of the focus areas listed below 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, publicly supported organizations such as schools and municipalities, or organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. The use of a fiscal sponsor from a non-Black organization is permitted. Organizations serving residents of Onondaga or Madison counties. Projects Not Supported The Foundation does not make grants for the following: Annual operating budgets, except when it is “seed” or “bridge” funding Endowments Religious purposes Loans or assistance to individuals Medical or academic research (except where requested by a donor) Activities that occurred before the Community Foundation’s decision date For more information, visit CNYCF.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is seeking applications for its Shaping a Healthy and Inclusive Future Together Grant Program. Donor Name: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky State: Kentucky County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal is to SHIFT the fragmented communities of Kentucky into communities with a culture of inclusion for individuals engaging in substance use and/ or experiencing chemical dependence. The foundation is requesting proposals for support specifically from these organizations to further integrate harm reduction programing into the communities and help them build a Kentucky that is healthy, inclusive, and connected.  Project examples include:  Integrating naloxone, safe use kits, syringe exchanges, or testing strips distribution to programing  Community organizing and advocacy activities that give a voice to individuals with the lived experience of systemic oppression and state-sanctioned violence as a result of the War on Drugs • Stigma reduction trainings that help the public understand and articulate the importance of harm reduction models  Developing a coalition of local businesses who will provide free harm reduction supplies at their establishments  Building organizational partnerships and codifying referral protocol with providers of medications to treat substance use disorder  Creating goals and guidelines to fill staff positions outside of the recovery community with trained peer support professionals  Designing and providing culture of acceptance programing with mainstream program participants  Creation of a mail-based harm reduction supplies distribution system  Building advocacy capacity through story collection and story telling Funding Information The SHIFT program will provide 10-15 grants totaling either $10,000 to pilot new programing or $50,000 to support on-going harm reduction and racial equity work. Eligibility Criteria Applicant is a community-based organization that primarily serves under-resourced communities of color. Applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected via BIPOC leadership within their staff and board of directors. Applicant is located in and provides services in the state of Kentucky. Applicant does not mandate sobriety in order for individuals to receive services. Outcomes of the grant must include one of the following: The introduction of a harm reduction service modality into mainstream services. The increased inclusion of people who use substances into mainstream services. For more information, visit Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven (ACGNH) is excited to announce the West Haven ARPA Grant. Donor Name: Arts Council of Greater New Haven State: Connecticut City: West Haven Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: With the release of $116,250 of ARPA funds from the City of West Haven, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven (ACGNH) is proud to announce the rapid release of funds to stimulate arts + culture activity in West Haven, CT this summer. Alongside the partners at ArtsWest CT, they are working to distribute microgrants of $2,500-10,000 each to artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses in West Haven. Given the rapid nature of this funding process, feasibility is one of the most important criteria for the panelists reviewing your application. They strongly encourage applicants to consider proposals that are easy to execute in the project period such as equipment purchases, GOS expenses (rent, subscriptions, etc.), artistic commissions, or offsetting costs of previously planned activities within the project period. Applicants should not submit applications for new projects or events that would need to be conceived, organized, and produced within the 2-month timeframe. Uses of funds  Because of the emphasis on feasibility, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that fall into the following categories. If you have an alternative idea to what they have proposed, please ask us in advance! General Operating Support (GOS): rent expenses, equipment purchases/rentals, subscriptions (web hosting, memberships, etc.), printing/mailing, contract labor (graphic designers, consultants, etc.). Project Support: physical materials, ground transportation, commissions, contract labor (performers, consultants, designers, etc.), advertising, venue rental, etc. Expenses can NOT include salaried employees paid via payroll (W-2 employees). PLEASE NOTE that if you receive this grant you will receive a 1099 and be responsible for paying income tax required by the law. Eligibility Criteria  Location: Applicants should EITHER be based in West Haven (e.g. individuals residing, or businesses registered, in West Haven) OR proposing a project that directly serves the West Haven community (e.g. commissioning a West Haven artist or renting space in West Haven for your next event). Age: Applicants must be over the age of 18 (if applying as individuals). Organizations/collectives applying must have a representative to receive the funds who is over the age of 18. Arts + Culture Focus: While they do believe in an expansive definition for arts and cultural–and encourage creative folks of all disciplines to apply for the microgrants–the applicant should demonstrate that the funds will be used in ways to clearly engage in artistic, historical, and/or culturally-specific activities. Applicants who submit proposals focused on other disciplines with an “add-on” artistic element will not be eligible for funding. Evaluation Criteria  The following are the criteria by which the review panel will evaluate, score, and award these microgrants. The questions are meant to guide your understanding of what they mean by each criteria, but are not the only ways to understand these values. Feasibility: Do you have the relationships and resources necessary to complete the proposal in the project period (July – August, 2024)? Equity + Inclusion: How does the proposal incorporate, serve, and/or support the historically marginalized residents of West Haven–especially the disabled folks, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and individuals of the global majority (BIPOC)? When applicable, does the application reflect equitable compensation levels for artists and administrators? Community: What community (or, communities) does the applicant serve within West Haven? How will this proposal activate, elevate, and/or support residents of West Haven? What partnerships will this project foster? For more information, visit ACGNH.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for assessing and revitalizing contaminated properties in Minnesota to promote community development and essential services while preventing gentrification.

This program provides $5,000 to eligible Worcester-based businesses seeking certifications as Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, or Veteran-Owned through the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office.

The Community Livability Grant (CLG) provides grants to community-based organizations for projects that promote healthy, complete, and resilient neighborhoods and respond to and respect the diversity of its residents. Donor Name: Prosper Portland State: Oregon County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Prosper Portland seeks proposals from community-based organizations for projects that foster vibrant and healthy neighborhoods and improve the prosperity of area residents and businesses. Priorities The CLG program prioritizes projects that benefit historically underserved communities and promote widely shared prosperity. For example, such projects would: Improve access to jobs and workforce development services. Support wealth creation opportunities for small business owners. Honor and enhance the neighborhood’s cultural diversity and history. Deliver a community asset tailored to the community’s expressed priorities and opportunities. Funding Information The total maximum grant award is $300,000; awards typically range from $10,000 to $50,000. The project must be completed within one year of the grant award. Uses of funds Funding for the Grant Program is through tax increment financing (TIF) and, therefore, is tied to permanent, physical improvements (including tenant improvements) of real property. (Temporary installations, ongoing administration, routine maintenance costs (such as regular inspections and routine repairs), equipment, working capital, or work that was completed previous to the grant agreement execution are not eligible.) Who is the CLG for? Nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business associations, and neighborhood groups located within the Central Eastside, Gateway Regional Center, Interstate Corridor, Lents Town Center and North Macadam Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts are eligible. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business associations, and neighborhood groups. Groups formed solely for performing a project in a neighborhood should have a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization to serve as their fiscal agent. Private property owner or for-profit entity may be eligible if the applicant does the following: leases or provides space for no fee or at a substantially reduced rate to meet the needs of a nonprofit organization or community group (it is strongly encouraged to apply in partnership with the non-profit organization); and provides or proposes to provide a significant community benefit that adds to the livability for area residents. If awarded, applicant must produce documentation that grant funds will be used only for improvements to space occupied by a nonprofit or directly related to providing a community benefit, and benefits will be ongoing for a minimum of three years. Schools if: The project provides a broad community benefit, is accessible to the public, and has been approved by the school district or other owner with a three-year maintenance and public access plan. The proposed project does not support a core educational function (e.g., building or improving pre-K-12 classrooms). For more information, visit Prosper Portland.

The City of West Hollywood is pleased to offer the Arts Project Grant to eligible, nonprofit arts organizations for the production, performance or presentation of art projects that take place in the City of West Hollywood and that serve the West Hollywood community. Donor Name: City of West Hollywood State: California County: Los Angeles County (CA) City: West Hollywood Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The City of West Hollywood and Grantees in the Arts Project Grant category can expect to: Engage residents and visitors with the arts; expand arts audiences. Recognize and champion local cultural resources; discover and explore new places for artmaking. Provide a variety of quality arts programming that is financially and geographically accessible for the residents of West Hollywood; increase access to arts experiences. Increase revenues for local businesses; support arts-business partnerships. Funding Information $42,200: Total amount of available funding in this category in 2025 $10,000: Maximum award per organization per calendar year Organizations may apply for two years of grant funding with one application. The organization will be required to apply for two projects, one for each project year (year one: January 1, 2025 –December 31, 2025 and year two: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026). Eligibility Requirements  To be eligible for consideration, organizations must satisfy all the following requirements: The primary mission of the organization must be the production and/or public presentation of one or more disciplines of the arts. Applicants must plan to present for the general public within the City of West Hollywood or immediately adjacent (within 5 blocks of the border of West Hollywood) within the funded calendar year. The proposed project should be 1 (one) presentation per year, as opposed to a series of projects over an extended period. Organizations must be able to demonstrate artistic experience in their field, and an understanding of the unique aspects and cultural diversity of the West Hollywood community. Organizations must provide a CA Data Arts Report for the previous 2 years (2022, 2023). Organizations may not pass through the grant funding. Applicants must be the presenting party. Applicants must be a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit based in Los Angeles County. Applicants may only receive funding from one grant category each calendar year. If the applicant is already receiving funding from another City Division or Department, or is cosponsored by a City Council office, they are not eligible for an Arts Grant for that same project or program. City of West Hollywood elected and appointed officials, its employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply. Proposed projects may not include fundraisers, capital campaigns, murals, or religious-based programs/events. Organizations with budgets of $1 Million Dollars or more are required to provide a cultural equity statement. Applicants must submit an application online by the deadline. For more information, visit City of West Hollywood.

This program provides financial support to Worcester-based minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ+, and disability-owned businesses that achieve certification with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, prioritizing those from disproportionately impacted communities.

Verizon has partnered with LISC to offer $10,000 grants to small businesses as part of their commitment to support 1 million small businesses by 2030. Applicants must be over 18, own a small business, and non-profit business owners are not eligible. Eligibility requires completing two grant-eligible courses or events between January 1, 2024, and June 28, 2024. The application deadline is June 28, 2024, and late applications will not be considered.

The purpose of the Rowan Chamber’s Small Business Assistance Grant pilot program is to strengthen and grow established businesses within the City of Salisbury. By making these grants available, the Chamber is fulfilling its mission of driving economic stability, diversity, and growth in our community. Accessibility to funding contributes to the strength and effectiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem which in turn supports and nurtures small businesses. The Chamber recognizes the value of entrepreneurism/small businesses who bring innovation, quality of life, jobs, and investment to the community. Businesses who receive funding through this program will be those who bring innovation and therefore have a unique competitive edge. They must be good corporate citizens and are encouraged to support their employees and other locally owned businesses. Applicants are not required to be Rowan Chamber investors (members) in order to participate. Since the funding is coming from the City of Salisbury, applicants must operate their business within the City of Salisbury limits. Since there are already a number of downtown business grants, this small business grant is designed to focus on priority corridors outside of downtown, for example: West End, South Main St. & West Innes St. Small business grant overview: Businesses located in City of Salisbury limits with 10 or fewer employees (or full time equivalent). They must be a legal entity and registered with the NC Secretary of State and have appropriate permits to operate. They must submit a quality business plan (FREE assistance available from RCCC Small Business Center) Grant funds may be used for a fixed asset utilized for the business or permanent improvements to physical space (examples: manufacturing equipment, lawnmower, vacuum cleaner, building signage, lighting, awnings, flooring) Grant funds may NOT be used for ongoing operational expenses (examples: rent, utilities, salaries, financing debt, inventory, memberships, legal fees) Grant requests may range from $5,000 – $10,000.

Focuses on funding new initiatives or expanding existing workforce training programs and studies in the offshore wind sector, with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIJ) principles.