Grants for Small businesses - Food and Nutrition

This grant provides financial assistance to independently-owned restaurants, gastropubs, and bakeries in the U.S. that have suffered revenue losses due to recent natural disasters or severe weather events.

This fellowship program supports entrepreneurs in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area who are developing innovative solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.

The Orange County Business Investment Grant Program in North Carolina is seeking applications to provide financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to stimulate non-farm business development and expansion within the county, with eligibility criteria including the business's physical location, operational duration, tax status, and connection with business counseling services.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition in Oregon is offering Cultural Opportunity Grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a year, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, to support projects that protect and stabilize cultural resources, expand public awareness of arts, humanities, and heritage, and increase access to culture, with a focus on access, awareness, and education in Lane County.

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are pleased to announce the Neighborhood Sustainability Grants Program. Donor Name: City of Flagstaff State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant (NSG) Program provides funding for creative projects that enhance community sustainability and promote healthy lifestyles through community partnerships. Grant Goals  NSG projects must further at least one of the following goals: Meaningfully involve underserved communities, diverse groups, or vulnerable populations. Build community partnerships. Facilitate volunteer engagement or management. Grant Categories  NSG projects must fall into one of the following categories: Building Energy Climate Action Food Public Health Resilience Transportation Waste. Funding Information The NSG Program for the year 2024 will award a total of $75,000 with a maximum of $7,500 for each individual grant. Eligibility Criteria Individuals, groups of individuals, community groups, educational groups, nonprofit organizations, churches, and locally owned businesses are eligible to apply for projects that are within the Flagstaff city limits. Applicants are eligible for a maximum of one award. Applicants are eligible for other City awards in the same year. Successful applicants are eligible for one NSG grant award every other fiscal year. Applicants must disclose any conflicts of interest. Ineligibility  Grants will NOT be awarded to: Political or partisan groups or exclusive clubs. Applicants who have failed to successfully carry out a previous grant project unless appropriate justification is made. Applicants that discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, age, citizenship, non-disqualifying disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. For more information, visit City of Flagstaff.

The Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice (SRRJ) Expansion/Growth Grant supports Black-owned restaurants and food businesses across the United States by providing financial assistance aimed at start-up costs, business improvements, and sustainability efforts. Originating in 2020 as a coalition focused on aiding Black-owned restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic, SRRJ has since partnered with The LEE Initiative and has raised over $4 million in corporate funding. The grants are part of an ongoing effort to preserve and promote Black culinary traditions and leadership. For 2024, each grant will be awarded in the amount of $20,000. The deadline for applications is September 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

Feet First Philly's Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant, ranging from $500 to $2000, supports projects that enhance walkability and safety in public spaces across Philadelphia, with applications open to organizations, businesses, and individuals, provided the enhancements are not used for financial gain.

The Chautauqua County Tourism Product Development Grant Program, with a deadline of 10/01/2024, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that enhance tourism and recreation opportunities, increase visibility, and promote overnight stays in the county, with a focus on event development, marketing, and attraction enhancement.

This program provides matching funds to business and property owners in Alameda for improving the exterior appearance of their buildings through enhancements like painting, signage, and architectural restoration.

Leap Funding provides promising, revenue-generating businesses with $10,000 – $30,000 of equity-free funding to scale their community impact and increase the odds of long-term survival. Donor Name: Main Street Ventures State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Warren County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information  Grant Request between $10,000 – $30,000. Eligibility Criteria  Business Type Applicant MUST be a business entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN).​ Industry Focus Areas: Retail Storefronts – Ex. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Retail Shops, etc. Manufactured Goods – Ex. Consumer Packaged Goods (Food / Beverage), Clothing, Sporting Goods, etc. Technology Companies – Ex. Hardware, Software. Business Location Business Entity MUST be located in the Greater Cincinnati region (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana). Grant requests from other regions will NOT be considered. Application Responses Businesses MUST show customer demand and strong progression since the founding. Funding requests MUST focus on specific growth projects. MSV defines a growth project as a step that will help accelerate your business growth. MSV Grant Funding is designed to help businesses scale by covering key Direct Costs, not General Operating Expenses. Examples of Direct Expenses that ARE suitable for Grant Funds: Key pieces of equipment, Packaging Support, Technology Product Development, etc. Examples of General Operating Expenses that are NOT suitable for Grant Funds: Existing Payroll, Rent, Insurance, Marketing, Legal Fees, etc. Businesses MUST explain the impact of Grant Funds on the business OR the Cincinnati Region. Special Consideration will be granted to Women and Minority-Owned businesses Businesses that can show matching funds from other sources. For more information, visit Main Street Ventures.

The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability’s (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division announces its partnership with Dallas County Health and Human Services on the implementation of an Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Support Program. Donor Name: City of Dallas State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The main goal of UAISP is to strengthen the capacities of urban growers and farmers in the city of Dallas, thereby advancing food security, fostering healthier communities, and mitigating disparities within the local food system. More specifically, the grant aims to assist farmers and food growers in the planning, design, and installation of eligible infrastructures, while also streamlining the permitting process.  Funding Information The available amount for this pilot program grant is $99,600 with maximum reimbursements of up to $10,000 per applicant.  Allowable Expenditures  Permissible costs mainly encompass expenditures associated with the planning, design, and/or implementation of power or water infrastructure to support the production, aggregation, and/or processing of food. Projects involved in activities falling within this scope will receive preferential consideration during the application evaluation and selection process. The following is an itemized list of some costs that the program will reimburse: Project/Infrastructure plans or designs.  Urban agriculture infrastructure counseling and professional services  Utility connections to on or off-grid water systems, including drip irrigations.  Utility connections for off-grid energy supporting urban agriculture operations. Contracted labor/installations. Greenhouses/hoop houses.  Versatile high tunnels (multi-season).  Cold storage temperature control equipment. Grow light systems.  Bee hives.  Other expenses deemed allowable by DCHHS & the City of Dallas Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for funding, individuals or establishments must fulfill the following criteria:  Engage in edible farming and gardening, and/or participate in aggregation, and/or process agricultural food products.  Contribute to the local food system by either engaging in food production and/or facilitating access to healthy and safe foods.  Clearly demonstrate a need for funding to improve food-related infrastructure.  For more information, visit City of Dallas.

Main Street Ventures is accepting applications for its Launch Funding that provides emerging, pre-revenue businesses that have a Prototype or Product. Donor Name: Main Street Ventures State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Kenton County (KY), Warren County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Funding Information  Grant Request between $5,000 – $10,000. Eligibility Criteria  Business Type Applicant MUST be a business entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN).​ Industry Focus Areas: Retail Storefronts – Ex. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Retail Shops, etc. Manufactured Goods – Ex. Consumer Packaged Goods (Food / Beverage), Clothing, Sporting Goods, etc. Technology Companies – Ex. Hardware, Software. Business Location Business Entity MUST be located in the Greater Cincinnati region (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana). Grant requests from other regions will NOT be considered. Application Responses Businesses MUST show customer demand and strong progression since the founding. Funding requests MUST focus on specific growth projects. MSV defines a growth project as a step that will help accelerate your business growth. MSV Grant Funding is designed to help businesses scale by covering key Direct Costs, not General Operating Expenses. Examples of Direct Expenses that ARE suitable for Grant Funds: Key pieces of equipment, Packaging Support, Technology Product Development, etc. Examples of General Operating Expenses that are NOT suitable for Grant Funds: Existing Payroll, Rent, Insurance, Marketing, Legal Fees, etc. Businesses MUST explain the impact of Grant Funds on the business OR the Cincinnati Region. Special Consideration will be granted to Women and Minority-Owned businesses Businesses that can show matching funds from other sources. For more information, visit Main Street Ventures.

The Business Development Grant Program is to promote economic development aimed at creating new job opportunities, filling vacant store fronts, and encouraging diversification, additional private sector investment and in-fill business development. Donor Name: Town of Perryville State: Maryland County: Cecil County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program will provide existing and new small businesses with funds necessary to meet operational needs and remain financially viable. Eligible Use of funds Building improvements, purchase of machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, inventory, the purchase or leasing of property, advertising campaigns, and other costs associated with opening or expanding a business. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant must be a new/existing business owner within the corporate limits of the Town of Perryville. If applicant is not the property owner (i.e. tenant), written permission must be given by property owner for building improvement application requests. Applicant and property must not have any current zoning or other Code violations and be in good standing (current on all monies owed, such as, but not limited to, taxes, water & sewer bills, trader’s license) with the Town of Perryville, Cecil County and the State of Maryland. Business must be located in the following zoning districts: Neighborhood Business (NB), Town Center (TC), Highway Commercial (C2), Residential Marine (RM), Commercial Maritime (CM-1 & 2). Eligibility within the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential districts shall be limited to existing businesses only. Applicants must be one of the following for profit entities: sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, cooperative or LLC. For more information, visit Town of Perryville.

The City of Sacramento Office of Innovation and Economic Development is now accepting applications for grants to fund organizations that help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in Sacramento Donor Name: City of Sacramento State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Incubator and Accelerator Grants are focused on nurturing and supporting early-stage businesses with an end goal of the participants of the funded incubator and accelerator programs starting or growing their own business, spurring innovation, and stimulating economic development in the Sacramento region. Companies and non-profits are invited to apply to fund incubator and accelerator programs for a cohort of startups with high growth potential and innovative solutions. These programs should provide support through a combination of the following services:  Mentorship and Coaching: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and mentors on business development, strategy, marketing, fundraising and more;  Educational Programs: Training sessions or workshops on topics such as business planning, market research, product development, and financial management;  Product Development Support: Assistance or guidance on prototyping, testing, iteration, and product refinement based on market research;  Legal and Administrative Support: Assistance with legal, accounting, and administrative tasks such as business incorporation, intellectual property protection, and contracts;  Marketing and Branding Support: Assistance in identifying and reaching target audiences and customers through marketing and public relations strategies;  Strategic Partnerships: Connections with other startups, industry leaders, corporate entities, and business support organizations to expand access to resources and expertise; Access to Funding: Pitch training and hosting pitch events, demo days, and introductions to investors including venture capital firms, angel investors, and government grants; and  Office Space: Access to shared office space for startups to work and collaborate. Funding Information The City has allocated approximately $500,000 for this Incubator and Accelerator Grant solicitation. Grant requests may be for no more than $100,000. Proposed incubator or accelerator cohorts must be completed within a 12-month contract period.  Eligible Activities Examples of what expenditures this grant may be used for include:  Program development and delivery;  Salaries for staff delivering programming;  Stipends for volunteers and participants;  Training supplies and equipment;  Office space and co-working membership fees;  Marketing and public relations for program recruitment;  Food and non-alcoholic beverages provided to participants at the funded programs (costs cannot exceed 5% of the grant total);  Scholarships for program participants;  Software subscription fees; and Professional services Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet the baseline requirements outlined below:  Applicants must operate from a fixed place of business within the Sacramento city limits, except as follows:  Applicants that do not operate from a fixed place of business within the city limits are eligible if grant-supported programming is provided within the city limits, and  Applicants must be in compliance with current and past City grants. For more information, visit City of Sacramento.

The PeopleFund’s BIPOC Small Business Accelerator provides underserved entrepreneurs in Texas with the capital, education, and resources needed to support healthy business growth. Donor Name: PeopleFund State: Texas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Training or Mentorship Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program participants commit to an orientation, a series of virtual training sessions, and assigned “homework”. Participants also receive access to technology and tools including LivePlan business planning software and an online curriculum for 6 months, expedited loan packaging and application support, and ongoing after-care provided by PeopleFund and the partners. Participants must apply, be admitted to the program, and qualify for a PeopleFund loan product. Funding Information A grant amount between $3,000 and a maximum of $5,000. Eligibility Criteria  To qualify for the BIPOC Small Business Accelerator, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be located in the state of Texas Participants must demonstrate at least one of the following three criteria: Their business is located in a low to moderate-income area OR That the address of the individual is in a low to moderate-income area OR That the household income of the participant is low to moderate-income Open to start-up and existing businesses Must be able to support a loan payment through available global cash flow Must meet credit and lending qualifications No bankruptcies within the last 5 years U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Not currently in active litigation Not currently past-due on federal obligations or are on a recovery plan Total collections, derogatory marks, and past due items cannot exceed 10% of the total loan amount up to $5,000 Not involved in felony-level criminal activity, crimes of moral turpitude, or financial Not engaged in any of the following industries: adult entertainment, gambling or gaming, real estate investments or housing projects, passive activity (rental), anything federally illegal, multi-level marketing, and nonprofit activities. Program Benefits Participants will have access to: Qualify for a PeopleFund loan product (dependent on approval) Connections to business and professional resources in the community Completion of a business plan, financial statements, and capital portfolio Access to tools and technology including LivePlan business planning software and the Verizon Digital Ready Program Curriculum guide within an online learning platform Ongoing support and aftercare through dedicated business coaching and mentorship Networking opportunities within the cohort. For more information, visit PeopleFund.

The Pacific Coast Coalition is offering a grant of over $1 million for dairy processors in selected states to fund projects that diversify dairy product markets, promote business development, and encourage innovative use of regionally produced milk, with funds potentially used for planning, training, equipment, product development, and co-packing capabilities.

The National Press Foundation is providing Covering Equitable Community Development Journalism Fellowship. Donor Name: National Press Foundation State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Fellowship Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/02/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Who decides where these resources are going in your newsroom’s region, and what gets supported – whether affordable housing, green spaces, small businesses, or something else? To help journalists connect the dots between policy, public and private financing and calls for equitable housing, parks and other assets, the National Press Foundation will hold the Covering Equitable Community Development journalism fellowship in Missoula, Montana. The purpose of the four-day expenses-paid program is to equip journalists to better investigate pervasive racial gaps and the policies and investments in their own backyards related to health, wealth and overall community wellbeing. Home to active Indigenous organizations and health initiatives focused on small and mid-sized cities, Missoula will allow for an immersive exploration into community development issues, especially for journalists who cover race and metro beats. NPF will gather experts from the health equity, nonprofit and policy sectors, financing and community organizing spaces to help journalists add context and breadth to their coverage of community development issues. Topics to be explored may include: How financing and investing institutions such as community development financial institutions (CDFIs), philanthropic impact investors, private banks, and other investors prioritize investments in community-driven projects or investment funds; How policymakers and public officials can actively include residents in decision-making about how communities are financed and developed and hold the community development sector accountable for anti-racist practices; What conditions lead to healthier, more equitable communities with access to affordable housing, education, nutritious food, health care, etc? Environmental justice as a community development issue. Who may apply This competitive fellowship is open to all U.S.-based journalists working in print, TV, radio or online media. They greatly value diversity in all the programs and applicants from across the nation are encouraged to apply. Fellows must also verify their COVID vaccination status. For more information, visit National Press Foundation.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is seeking applications for its 2025 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants to strengthen Wisconsin’s agriculture and food industries by helping farms and businesses more efficiently process, market, and distribute locally grown food products. Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Managed by DATC​P, the grants can help farms and business more efficiently process, market and distribute food in local markets including stores, schools and institutions. Keeping food dollars in Wisconsin communities supports local businesses, improves farm​ incomes, and creates jobs.​ Funding Information Grant requests must be between $5,000 and $50,000. Grant Period Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years. Eligibility Criteria Qualified applicants include individuals, groups, or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments, or agricultural tourism operations. Funded projects must report on increased local food sales, created and retained jobs, and new investments. For more information, visit DATCP.