Grants for Small businesses - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

This fellowship provides emerging leaders with training, resources, and funding to promote equitable and resilient local food systems, focusing on food justice and community-driven solutions.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots initiatives, nonprofits, and small businesses in Tompkins County that focus on promoting racial and social equity within historically underserved communities.

This grant provides funding for collaborative projects in the planning phase that seek to create systemic change in community health by addressing complex issues through equity-focused solutions.

This funding opportunity supports local artists and organizations in Lane County to create engaging arts and cultural events in downtown Eugene's public spaces, promoting community involvement and inclusivity.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects between community organizations and academic institutions in California to develop and evaluate culturally tailored smoking cessation interventions for pregnant individuals in underserved communities.

This program provides financial support and resources to help Black-owned businesses grow, acquire customers, and succeed on Amazon's platform through education, mentorship, and expert guidance.

This program provides financial support and mentorship to diverse-led small businesses in Texas, promoting job creation and growth among underrepresented groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations and local entities in New York State to implement programs that promote mental wellness, resilience, and healing from trauma.

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program focused on enhancing economic mobility within Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity. It aims to support diverse-owned small businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The grant can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory, and real estate, and does not require repayment. Administered by FFTC Partners For Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of the Foundation For The Carolinas, and funded by the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund, Beyond Open has awarded over $10 million in grants to nearly 300 small businesses during its first two rounds. The third round will distribute approximately $5 million in grants. The program aims to retain jobs, encourage job growth, and inspire new entrepreneurial endeavors in areas with low economic mobility and among historically underrepresented groups. It also seeks to create opportunities for small businesses to provide goods or services in affluent areas where minority business owners have been under-represented.

The Outdoor Equity Fund aims to enhance safe, equitable access to outdoor spaces and nature-based learning for Wabanaki, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Maine, unceded land of the Wabanaki. The fund addresses systemic barriers that BIPOC communities face in accessing outdoor spaces by supporting organizations working on land-based cultural preservation, land-back projects, leadership development, farming and gardening programs, outdoor accessibility, expeditions, learning, and therapeutic programs. It operates with a Community Advisory Committee guiding its efforts and employs a participatory grantmaking process. Selected organizations for the 2023 cohort will receive $30,000 over three years for general operating support, alongside opportunities for peer learning and capacity-building activities.

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 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 Heartland Regional Food Business Center is offering Business Builder Subawards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support small food and farm businesses in selected states and counties, aiming to expand local and regional food markets, increase business acumen, and strengthen food systems in response to COVID-19, with projects to be completed within a year.

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.

In alignment with the Square mission of economic empowerment, we began the Black Equity Grant Program to support the growth of Black developers after recognizing that many technologies founded by historically underrepresented communities were also underresourced, lacking the necessary funding and resources to build on Square. This program will provide Black-led platform partners with both financial support as well as increased exposure and visibility.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote sustainable pest management practices to protect human health and the environment, particularly in underserved communities and agricultural areas near schools.

This funding opportunity supports creative individuals and organizations in Miami to develop community-focused events and installations that enhance cultural engagement and artistic expression in Downtown Miami.

Rising Restaurateur: A Community Grant Program is an innovative microgrant program that offers $200,000 in microgrants to New York City Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian American and/or Pacific Islander restaurateurs. From brick-and-mortar establishments to food trucks and carts, BIPOC/AAPI+ entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry can apply for microgrants of up to $10,000 to uplift their businesses. Selected participants will also have access to additional business development opportunities through Oyate Group. Rising Restaurateur is a partnership between Oyate Group, Grubhub and the New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association. To participate, restaurateurs must be Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian American and/or Pacific Islander, based in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Westchester County (Mt. Vernon and Yonkers), operating as a single business with 30 or fewer employees and a revenue of $2 million or less. Members of the New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association are encouraged to apply. Grant funding is made possible by Grubhub and Oyate Group.

The City of Frederick is excited to announce the launch of a new grant opportunity through the Department of Economic Development. Donor Name: City of Frederick State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The grant, called “ACCESS GRANTED,” is specifically designed to support and empower small minority, and women-owned businesses. This initiative is available to both start-up and established businesses in need of access to capital for a defined project that will help scale their business. By providing this financial assistance, The City of Frederick aims to foster a supportive and inclusive business environment that enables entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.  Preferences will be given to Small minority and/or woman owned business.  Physically located within The City of Frederick limits.  Funding Information The city has earmarked $400,000 to deploy as grants for this new program.  Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, businesses must meet the following criteria:  Be a registered for-profit business.  Be in good standing in the state of Maryland.  Have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees For more information, visit City of Frederick.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Unit is offering grants for organics (food waste) infrastructure projects. Donor Name: Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: EGLE protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources, and is focused on addressing climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, EGLE will provide matching grants to support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate priorities by supplementing efforts to increase access to food waste diversion projects and grow the statewide food waste composting and recycling rate.  Objectives Increase access to food waste diversion infrastructure while building diversity, equity, and inclusion across Michigan. Increase collection and processing capacity for food waste diversion. Increase participation rate in existing food waste diversion programs. Priorities Programs with the largest projected increases in processing or collection capacity volume and/or access and participation. Programs with sustainable funding mechanisms in place. Programs that currently provide or propose robust, continuing education programs. Applicants with demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner with other groups and organizations. Projects that leverage concurrent project funding from other sources, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Closed Loop Fund, or local foundations or businesses. Projects that support Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities through measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Projects that will benefit an environmental justice community or underserved and vulnerable populations within a community. Funding Information A total of $1 million in funding. The maximum amount of funding that can be requested for an EGLE Organics Infrastructure Grant is $250,000. The minimum grant funds an applicant may request is $5,000. The State anticipates the grant period will start November 29, 2024, and will end on September 30, 2027.  Eligibility Criteria  For purposes of this RFP, the following types of entities are eligible to apply non-profit organizations, tribal governments, school districts, universities/colleges, local health departments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities, resource recovery authorities, businesses, corporations, and private sector entities located in Michigan. Eligible Organics Infrastructure Grants include but are not limited to: The implementation of curbside food waste carts; creation or enhancement of drop-off food waste collection; public space food waste collection containers; school food waste collection and processing projects, food waste collection vehicles, multi- family food waste collection projects, and food waste processing projects. For more information, visit EGLE.