Grants for Small businesses - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

This program provides $10,000 in funding and mentorship to Black and Brown female-identifying beauty brand founders in the U.S. with annual revenues between $10,000 and $1 million, helping them grow their businesses and potentially reach new markets.

Applications are now being accepted for the Minority Business Enterprise Grant Program Donor Name: Regional Economic Development Inc State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Grant program, administered by REDI and funded by the City of Columbia, focuses on inclusivity in opportunity and elevating underrepresented businesses. Through this program, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to ten small for-profit businesses in Columbia that are 51% or more owned by individuals self-identifying as one or more of the following: African, African American, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American (including Native Alaskan or Hawaiian), or Subcontinent Asian.  Funding Information Each year, REDI awards ten $5,000 grants to deserving Minority-owned Businesses.  Eligibility Requirements Business must be 51% or more owned by a person(s) of color as defined above Business must be a for-profit entity legally registered with the State of Missouri and have a Federal Tax ID (EIN) Business must have a Columbia business license Business must be located in Columbia city limits Business must be actively working with a business coach through REDI or another organization Business must have 10 or fewer employees (or full-time equivalents) For more information, visit REDI.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research and public engagement projects that explore the intersections of science, philosophy, and spirituality, targeting charitable organizations and individuals worldwide.

The Rural Child Care Planning Program seeks to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for child care in their area. Donor Name: Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Child care is a challenge across rural communities in Iowa and across the nation. However, the solutions are often more complicated than the construction of a new facility. Many factors need to be carefully analyzed to determine the feasibility for development of a child care center, expansion of an existing one or support for in-home providers. Through greater understanding of their geographic market, demographics, competition, financials, and other factors, communities can be armed with the information needed to take proactive steps towards addressing child care challenges. Funding from the program will empower communities to assess their current child care environment and develop strategies. The program, defined in Iowa Administrative Code, is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces. Funding Information Grant Recipients will be awarded $20,000. Grant Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible contracted funding period of October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026. Uses of funds  The program provides funding for planning initiatives addressing child care needs through a professional third party partner. Eligible Project Requirements Requirements for Rural Child Care Planning Grant awards include, but are not limited to the following: Applicants must demonstrate the capacity for grants administration. Applications must provide 1:1/2 cash match. Applications must agree to contract with a professional third-party partner for completion of the market study and strategic goals. Applicant communities must identify the third-party organization in their application that will conduct the planning process.  Eligibility Criteria Iowa businesses, colleges and universities, city or county government, federally tax-exempt nonprofit agencies and foundations Projects/programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. If a countywide project, must be in one of the 88 least populous counties. For more information, visit IEDA.

This program provides financial support and consulting services to help BIPOC and low-income creative entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania start or grow their micro businesses.

This funding provides financial support to build free broadband networks for low-income communities, including public housing and mobile home parks, ensuring residents have access to high-quality internet service.

This grant provides financial support to women entrepreneurs across various industries, offering multiple funding opportunities throughout the year to help both established and early-stage businesses thrive.

This funding opportunity provides $25,000 grants to women-owned businesses that have previously won smaller monthly grants, supporting their growth and development across various industries.

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

This grant provides financial support and educational resources to diverse-led businesses in Illinois, helping them grow and create new jobs.

The SB 1 Grant Program offers funding to local, regional, and tribal governments for planning and implementing projects to adapt to sea level rise and climate change impacts, with additional technical assistance available for those representing Environmental Justice communities.

The Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program provides direct grant awards to African-American owned/operated businesses and attractions along Route 66, and funding to support research and programs designed to tell the stories of Black experiences related to Route 66. The program, celebrating the Route 66 Centennial, aims to help Black-owned businesses and attractions stay in operation, reopen, and expand, while also supporting research and storytelling efforts related to Black experiences on Route 66. Eligible applicants include Black-owned/operated businesses located along Route 66 with fewer than 20 employees. The 2024 grant round offers a total of $50,000 in awards, with applications due by July 14, 2024, and awards announced the week of August 5, 2024.

This grant provides $50,000 to diverse-led small businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that meet specific criteria, aiming to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in creating new jobs and fostering business growth.

This funding opportunity provides $50,000 to support diverse-led businesses in Southern California, helping them create new premium wage jobs while offering business development resources.

This program provides $5,000 grants to BIPOC LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to support their business growth through funding, education, and networking opportunities.

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.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering grants through the relaunch of the Materials Management grants program, which has been renamed the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants Program. Donor Name: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality State: Oregon County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants program is to support statewide efforts to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of materials at all stages of their life cycle. The goal of the program is to build local capacity and support community solutions that address the environmental, social and health impacts created by production, consumption, use and disposal of materials. The objectives of the program are to: Inspire promising solutions to reduce the impacts of materials by funding innovative projects and programs. Empower community action to reach environmental solutions. Create environmental and health benefits that result from more sustainable consumption and use of materials. Advance equity and environmental justice by providing resources to historically underserved and underrepresented communities across Oregon. Funding Area  In an effort to make the  application process more accessible and streamlined, the program will focus on one annual funding area each year. For the 2024 grant cycle, the annual funding area is waste prevention. Waste prevention is an environmentally centered approach to reduce the consumption of natural resources and generation of waste before something becomes trash or pollution. Waste prevention activities reduce waste by changing product design, by using less, by using something longer, or by repairing it. DEQ may award grants for activities that reduce the environmental and human health impacts of materials such as: A farmers market purchasing reusable dishes to eliminate single-use products Establishing or expanding services for community tool libraries or other share libraries. A small business buying a new technology to etch glass instead of applying plastic product labels. A store investing in bulk storage for resupplying low-waste products. Funding Information Up to $ 1,000,000 is available for the 2024 grant cycle. $ 25,000 is the minimum available for individual grant awards. $ 125,000 is the maximum available for individual grant awards. Grant Period DEQ anticipates that grant agreements will be drafted beginning in January 2025. The grant term begins the date that the grant agreement is signed. After signing the agreement, recipients must complete their projects within 24 months. Eligible Activities Education and outreach Training Research Program, project or policy development Workforce development Eligible Costs Administrative costs, such as travel, office expenses, and overhead Salaries and benefits for project personnel and payments to consultants or contractors Publications and other printed materials Machinery, vehicles, equipment, signs, containers and project-related supplies. Eligible Applicants Local governments, Nonprofit (501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status) or fiscally sponsored organizations, Organizations created by an Oregon public entity, Tribal nations, Public schools, Public universities, Community colleges, or Small businesses of 50 people or less. For more information, visit Oregon DEQ.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to innovative technology startups in Minnesota for research, development, and business expenses, helping them grow and succeed in their early years.

The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is to revitalize Soldotna’s commercial areas by stimulating additional private investment in the local economy. Donor Name: City of Soldotna State: Alaska City: Soldotna Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: By partnering with local business owners and lessees to share the cost of beautifying the exterior of a business, the program aims to boost traffic, increase property values, and improve the overall look and vitality of the city’s commercial districts. The program was established in 2012 to meet several goals of Envision Soldotna 2030, the City’s long-range plan, including: Promoting development of the “downtown area” to attract both visitors and residents; Encouraging redevelopment of key areas, particularly along the river and major highways; Ensuring a healthy economy by supporting a diversity of local businesses; and Improving the streetscape along the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. The SIP is a discretionary reimbursement grant, which can be used for exterior improvements to businesses in the City of Soldotna.  Funding Information The amount available for each property is 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum of $7,500. Eligible Work  Rehabilitation of building facades that are visible to the street, including the following elements: storefronts; windows; exterior lighting; canopies and awnings; painting and masonry work; permanent landscaping; decorative, artistic or unique signs and graphics and accessibility improvements. The emphasis of the grant program is to encourage the transformation of building facades through improvements to one or more of the elements listed above.  Greater weight is awarded to projects that incorporate multiple elements.  The grant program is not intended to provide financial assistance for routine upkeep and maintenance (e.g., painting) or to satisfy required updates (e.g., signage resulting from change in ownership or business type, franchise requirements to change paint scheme, etc.). Applications are competitive and the highest ranking proposals will be funded first. Eligibility Criteria Eligible participants include property owners and business lessees. Ineligible participants Properties primarily in residential use (ex. apartments or condominiums); Structures not facing or visible from the right-of-way; Government offices and agencies (non-governmental tenants are eligible); New construction, less than 5 years old. For more information, visit COS.

The Butler Accelerator for Education & Workforce Innovation Powered by gener8tor supports startups from across the country that are best poised to transform the way individuals learn and work. Donor Name: Gener8tor State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Each company receives a $100k investment and 12 weeks of concierge, mentorship-based programming, networking, and potential customer introductions needed to build and grow their business. The program is open to any startup that is focused on making systemic change in the way individuals and companies work and learn, with a specific emphasis on solutions for post-secondary education and the future of work. Gener8tor is looking for  The Butler Accelerator for Education & Workforce Innovation is open to any startup that is focused on transforming the way individuals work and learn, and it is open to teams based anywhere in the United States. Since the challenges facing education & learning are complex and overarching, are focusing on startups driving systemic change and look to engage with founders that reflect the diverse communities equitable access is impacting. Solutions for post-secondary education and the future of work are especially encouraged to apply. Focus on Systemic Change They prioritize startups focused on driving systemic change at the school, institution, corporate, government, and community level, as well as founders that embrace technology as a way to transform stagnant industries, methods, and processes. Founders from across the country that focus on education, equity in access, future of work, workforce training innovations are encouraged to apply. Passionate and Dedicated Founders Innovating education and workforce technology requires diverse experiences from the communities impacted most. They seek out marginalized founders from underrepresented groups who may have been passed over by mainstream investors and accelerators. If you fit this bill, urge you to apply. Scalable Business Model They focus on startups that have the opportunity for significant and scalable economic impact. If you are generating revenue or have a clear path toward greater adoption, urge you to apply. Can they Help? Based on expertise in sales, marketing, go-to-market, strategy and fundraising, select startups that are primed for growth. If you are at a point where network, resources and expertise can scale your impact, urge you to apply. Eligibility Criteria Applications are open to teams based anywhere in the United States. The program will be held in-person in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ideal participants are focused on change at the highest level in education, equity in access, future of work, workforce training innovations. Innovating education and workforce technology requires diverse experiences from the communities impacted most; seek out marginalized founders from underrepresented groups that have unique perspectives to these difficult challenges. For more information, visit Gener8tor.