Local Employment Labor and Training Grants

City of Phoenix Community Canopy Grant is offering up to $2,000 in funding to improve tree canopy coverage in neighborhoods within Qualified Census Tracts throughout Phoenix. The grant aims to assist communities in increasing their tree canopies and creating a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, healthy, and thriving environment. Eligible applicants include neighborhood associations, community nonprofits, multi-family residential sites, non-residential sites, and community members. The grant covers trees, supplies, and support for tree planting projects. The maximum number of trees that can be requested is 200 for neighborhoods and two for individuals. Additionally, the grant supports event expenses such as food and beverages for planting events. All project locations must be within the City of Phoenix and a Qualified Census Tract. For more information and to apply, visit the City of Phoenix website.

Grant Opportunity: City of Long Beach Neighborhood Micro Grant Program Donor: City of Long Beach, California Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: Up to $1,500 Duration: 12 months The Development Services Department Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau is seeking proposals from established Long Beach neighborhood associations to host neighborhood events and improvement projects. The Neighborhood Micro Grant Program (NMGP) aims to support events and projects that enhance neighborhood spirit, collaboration, and revitalization efforts. NMGP will provide up to $1,500 for goods and services to support approved events and projects focused on blight reduction, financial or employment training, crime awareness, fair housing, health services, and mental health services citywide. Eligible public service events/projects must have the support of the neighborhood organization’s governing body and the affected neighborhood. The grants will be disbursed directly to neighborhood associations with a tax ID number or fiscal agent. All events/projects must be completed within twelve months of the Notice of Funding Availability. For more information, visit City of Long Beach website.

City of Chandler Diversity Education Mini-Grants are available for teachers, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups in Chandler or serving Chandler residents or students. The grants, up to $1,000 each, aim to support programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for youth aged 5-18. Proposals must address dimensions of diversity such as age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Priority is given to K-12 education projects. Applications will be reviewed by the HRC Diversity Mini-Grant Committee based on their alignment with the city's DEI mission and clear budget proposals.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses with five or fewer employees in Hagerstown, aimed at promoting job creation and economic growth for low- to moderate-income residents.

This program provides financial incentives to businesses expanding or establishing operations in Toledo, Ohio, by rewarding them for creating new, high-paying jobs that contribute to the city's economic growth.

Grant Opportunity: City of Lewiston Community Development Block Grant (Maine) The City of Lewiston is offering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist in developing viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for low-moderate income individuals. The grant funds are specifically designated for activities associated with preparing for, responding to, or recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible activities include public services, public facilities and infrastructure improvements such as building rehabilitation, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, installation of public works and facilities. Additionally, eligible expenses covered by the CDBG-CV funds include labor, supplies, materials and operation/maintenance of the facility where a public service is located. Applicants are required to provide detailed documentation including activity descriptions, client demographics and project budgets. For more information on eligibility and application process, visit City of Lewiston's website.

Herkimer County CARES Grant Program in New York is open to registered NYS for-profit legal business entities located within Herkimer County. Eligible activities include supporting businesses in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, agriculture, high technology, research and development, and traditional and innovative small business endeavors. Technical assistance will be provided through the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center at no cost to the applicant. The grant aims to create or retain at least one new full-time equivalent job for low-to-moderate income individuals and allows reimbursement of eligible costs dating back to March 2020. Grant funds can be used for marketing adaption, community safety improvements, workforce development, safety enhancements to facilities, efficiency improvements, and air quality improvements. Previous funding received through COVID-19 reimbursement programs is allowed but cannot be duplicated through this program.

This grant provides funding to support projects that enhance public spaces and engage the community in transforming Downtown Clearwater into a vibrant and creative destination.

This program provides funding to community groups and residents in Portland to create projects that improve stormwater management and enhance the health of local watersheds through green infrastructure and educational initiatives.

The California Dream Fund Grant Program (CDFG or Dream Fund) offers microgrants of up to $10,000 to support entrepreneurship and small business creation in underserved groups facing capital and opportunity gaps. This one-time $35 million grant program is designed for businesses started in California on or after July 1, 2019. To qualify, businesses must complete a small business training program provided by the OCIE SBDC.

This grant provides funding for individual artists, arts organizations, and small businesses in Chula Vista to create free cultural events and projects that promote community engagement and inclusivity in various artistic disciplines.

Healthy Living Grant Program – Minnesota supports communities in building social connections through healthy eating, physical activity, mental health awareness, and community building. The purpose of the grant is to increase well-being through community-driven action, with a $1,000 grant award limit per applicant and activity or program. Eligible activities include new programs or initiatives that support physical or mental well-being and social connections, and are inclusive for all members of the community. Examples of eligible uses for grant funds include promotional materials, healthy foods at wellness activities, mental health support groups, meditation classes, exercise equipment for public use, gardening materials, tobacco cessation groups, and space rental and event materials.

NBForward! is a small business assistance program administered by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC). It aims to help businesses navigate the challenges of the pandemic recovery phase while preparing for future growth. The program offers grants of up to $20,000, which must be matched with an NBEDC loan ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 with deferred payments for three months. In addition to financial assistance, technical support such as business planning and resource guidance is provided. Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses that have a physical location in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and have been in operation since at least January 1, 2020. Businesses must demonstrate continued adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chains, franchises, liquor stores, tobacco shops, pawn shops, adult entertainment establishments, passive real estate investments, and businesses not complying with all local, state, and federal laws are ineligible.

The Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF) is a grant opportunity offered by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. The grant program aims to fund temporary, creative projects in public spaces within LA City neighborhoods where arts and culture are absent or scarce. The funding levels range from $600 to $45,000, depending on the category and complexity of the proposed projects. The grant is open for monthly submissions from October 2023 to July 2024. Eligible applicants include Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs, independent artists, cultural activists, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships under the stewardship of one lead-agent. There are four categories under PAF: Neighborhood Expressions (NE), Arts and Social Wellness (ASW), International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF), and International Participation And Promotion Projects (IPAPP). Each category has specific requirements and funding ranges. The primary aim of PAF is to activate designated public spaces through creative-connectivity for well-defined audiences. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, at 12:00 am. For more information on eligibility requirements and application instructions, prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to the PAF program guidelines available at dcaredesign.org/artsactivate or contact Armando Smith at [email protected] or Ben Espinosa at [email protected].

The Audience Access (AUD) Grant Program, administered by Francine Andersen, is a grant opportunity provided by the Miami-Dade County government. The program aims to fund arts program-related technology and services that ensure ADA compliance and programmatic access for audiences of all abilities. Examples of eligible services include American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, captioning, audio description, Braille materials, ADA/access training, and other similar services. It is important to note that this grant program does not support entire projects/productions or major capital/facilities projects or improvements such as construction or renovation. The maximum grant request is $5,000, and funded projects will be paid on a reimbursement basis upon project completion and submission of a correct and complete final report with all required documentation. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the project/event start date, and applicants may apply once per fiscal year. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on eligibility requirements and guidelines, please refer to the AUD Grant program guidelines provided on their website.

This grant provides financial support to businesses in Takoma Park for capital improvements and renovations to help them establish, grow, or enhance their operations.

Grant Opportunity: Small Business Grants Funder: City of Fort Pierce Award Details: The City of Fort Pierce is offering Small Business Grants to existing small businesses with 5 or fewer employees (including part-time employees) located in specific 'Target Areas' that are in or serve the Lincoln Park area. The grants are funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and can be used for the purchase of equipment, signage, or other improvements that will increase the capacity and sustainability of the business. Grant recipients can receive up to $5,000 from the City of Fort Pierce. Eligibility: Only small businesses with 5 or fewer employees (including part-time employees) are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible. Applicants must attend technical assistance workshops provided by IRSC-SBDC and have a current City of Fort Pierce Business Tax Receipt (BTR) and proof of registration with the Florida Division of Corporations. Other Information: Ineligible grant purchases include salaries, rent, utilities, internet, telephone service, business inventory, taxes, postage, or debt. Grant recipients will be required to enter into a contractual agreement with the City of Fort Pierce before receiving funds. Projects must begin within 30 days following contract execution. Subrecipients are responsible for maintaining records for a minimum of five years and may be subject to inspections and monitoring by Grants Administration Staff and/or HUD.

This grant provides financial support to various organizations and initiatives focused on improving the physical, social, and economic well-being of the Painesville community and its surrounding areas.

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) provides grants to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education. Donor Name: Rural Maryland Council State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Also eligible are rural community colleges that provide enhanced training and technical assistance to support agricultural and small businesses. The Fund’s goal is to increase the overall capacity of rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges to meet a multitude of rural development challenges and to help them establish new public/private partnerships for leveraging non-state sources of funding. The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) serves as the administrative agency in receiving the applications and disbursing the grants to the successful applicants. Funding Information For Fiscal Year 2025, the State has budgeted $878,964 in General Funds for the MAERDAF program. However, grant awards are subject to funding availability. The maximum grant amount is $45,000. For Fiscal Year 2025, the RMC, as the administrative agent, is encouraging applications that address the following: Agriculture & Forestry Agricultural Education Regional Food System Development Forest Industry Development Energy Combined Heat Power Energy Efficiency Biomass Rural Broadband Rural Broadband Expansion Efforts, including municipal broadband Digital Inclusion Programs Youth Engagement & Leadership Development Career Technology Centers Youth Enrichment Programs, including summer programming Economic Development Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Education & Workforce Development Regional Marketing Efforts & Tourism Projects Community Development Rural Transportation Housing repairs Housing counseling Poverty Alleviation Efforts. Grant Period August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Rural Counties  State-determined rural counties are Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester. Regional projects may include non-rural counties but the majority of service must be provided in rural areas. Eligible Expenditures MAERDAF does not generally fund ongoing staff positions due to sustainability. Grant funds may be used to fund staff time associated with the completion of the proposed project only. Construction and renovation of buildings are eligible expenses. Acquisition of land is not. Please include quotes of expenditures and be shovel-ready. The purchase or rental of vehicles are eligible expenses. Meals are allowable if the costs are reasonable and a justification is provided that such activity maintains the continuity of the meeting and to do otherwise will impose arduous conditions on the meeting participants. Indirect administrative costs are capped at 10%. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) IRS tax designation or similar and serve a regional or statewide rural constituency. Trade associations are not eligible. Community Colleges, Career Technology Centers, Regional Councils, and Libraries are eligible applicants. The applicant does not have to be located in a rural area or in the area it serves. For more information, visit RMC.

The Hospice Foundation of Oklahoma at OCCF grant opportunity is designed to improve end-of-life care and build awareness of hospice and palliative care options throughout Oklahoma. Donor Name: Oklahoma City Community Foundation State: Oklahoma County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Program Categories include: Education Programs to educate and train health care professionals about hospice, palliative care, and other end-of-life issues. Awareness Programs to raise awareness among patients, families, and the public about hospice, palliative care, advance directives, and other legal and social service issues and their rights undereach. Social Model Hospice Programs to develop or expand social model hospice facilities and services that fall outside the scope of medical hospice care. Social model hospice includes a dedicated home, round-theclock, individualized end-of-life care, a care option when dying at home becomes unmanageable, collaboration with medical hospice services, and community volunteer involvement. In addition to funding for programs and services, funding in this category may include purchasing, remodeling, or furnishing facilities or purchasing of equipment, as well as general operating or administrative costs. Available Funding and Service Areas  Grants for education and/or awareness may be awarded in the range of $5,000 – $25,000. This funding may apply to programs delivered anywhere within the state of Oklahoma. Grants for social model hospice facilities and services may be awarded in the range of $10,000 up to $100,000 over a period of up to two years. Eligibility Criteria Any 501(c (3) nonprofit organization or higher education institution based in and operating in Oklahoma. For more information, visit OCCF.