Private Business and Commerce Grants

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Kansas City that are working on impactful multiyear projects focused on improving college access, workforce development, and entrepreneurship to promote equitable economic mobility.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

This grant provides funding for individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to create projects that celebrate and preserve the culture and heritage of local communities, culminating in a public event to showcase their work.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to document and preserve the oral histories of local residents, focusing on community collaboration and culturally significant themes.

This grant provides funding for DC-based individuals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations to create innovative public programs that showcase existing oral history collections and engage the local community.

This grant provides $5,000 to small businesses looking to innovate and improve their operations through new products, renovations, or equipment purchases.

This grant provides funding for researchers affiliated with U.S. colleges or universities to study how artificial intelligence can improve worker conditions and promote competition in the economy.

This grant provides funding to early career researchers exploring the links between economic inequality and growth, with a focus on producing insights that can inform public policy.

This program provides funding for community-driven projects that improve the Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin, with a focus on diversity, inclusivity, and positive social impact.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects in Washington, D.C. that promote environmental education and innovative stormwater management, particularly for small organizations and historically excluded groups.

This grant provides funding to local governments, tribes, and nonprofits in Oregon to improve tourism infrastructure and promote inclusivity for underserved communities, boosting the state's visitor industry and local economies.

The 2025 Rec for All Programming Grant, administered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), seeks to support community-based organizations in delivering inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for youth in the District of Columbia. This initiative aligns with Mayor Bowser's goals of fostering physical, social, and emotional wellness while promoting skill development and community engagement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management System by January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, and late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The program provides funding of up to $100,000 per award to support the launch or expansion of structured recreational programs. Eligible categories include Cultural Arts (e.g., mural development, theater, and drama therapy), Youth Development (e.g., leadership development and STEM/STEAM education), Environmental Initiatives (e.g., gardening and nutrition), Sports/Athletics (e.g., fitness and e-sports), and Therapeutic Recreation. Programs must deliver at least 120 hours of structured services over a minimum of six weeks to youth aged 6–18. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to provide high-quality programming and align their proposals with DPR’s core values of equity, inclusion, empowerment, community, sustainability, and innovation. Proposals must include a detailed program narrative, participant recruitment strategies, an itemized budget, and proof of the program’s location and accessibility. Grantees are required to comply with reporting, monitoring, and branding requirements set by DPR, including regular updates and data collection. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel based on scoring criteria, including organizational and participant profiles, program description, and budget justification. The total funding pool for FY25 is $2 million, with multiple awards anticipated. Notifications of award decisions will be issued after a thorough review process, and grantees must meet compliance requirements, including background checks and site inspections, before program launch. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the pre-application meeting on December 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at DPR Headquarters. For additional information or assistance, contact LaShaun N. Basil at [email protected]. Detailed requirements and application materials are available on the DPR Grants webpage.

The Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture (GJCAC) has announced the timeline and guidelines for its 2025 grant cycle. This funding opportunity supports arts and culture projects that align with the Commission's goals and provide meaningful community impact. Applications are open from December 9, 2024, and must be submitted by January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM. After submission, organizations may receive follow-up questions, with responses due by February 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Presentations will occur on February 24 or 25, 2025, with grant decisions finalized by February 26, 2025. Notifications will be sent during the week of March 3, 2025, and funding will be distributed throughout March, contingent on completed paperwork. Applicants must communicate effectively with the GJCAC Liaison via email and ensure accurate and frequently monitored contact information. Submissions should be clear, concise, and free from spelling or grammatical errors. Applications should address each question fully while aligning the proposed project with GJCAC’s criteria and goals. Financial details must be precise, including an explanation of any deficits or profits. Multiple funding sources are encouraged, though GJCAC does not fund scholarships or provide rewards as honorariums. Presentations play a critical role in the application process. Applicants are expected to deliver a compelling 3-minute presentation covering five key points: a meaningful anecdote about the organization, unique aspects of the project, specific uses for grant funds, the project’s community impact, and the potential effects of not receiving GJCAC funding. Applicants should engage the audience and avoid reading directly from their application, while also being prepared for a brief Q&A session. Grantees are required to use the GJCAC logo on all promotional materials and register with the City’s Artist and Arts Business Registry if not already listed. Additionally, a GJCAC member will adopt each funded project to assist with promotion and evaluation. For ticketed events, grantees must provide at least two complimentary tickets for the adopter to attend and provide feedback. Post-event responsibilities include submitting a final report within 60 days of project completion. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from applying for GJCAC grants for two years. For assistance, applicants can contact Haley Van Camp at [email protected] or 970-254-3876. More details, including the required final report form, can be found on the Commission’s website.

The 2025 Conservation Wrangler program, hosted by Texan by Nature, seeks to accelerate impactful conservation projects led by Texas-based organizations. The program supports up to six selected projects annually that demonstrate measurable benefits to people, prosperity, and natural resources. Selected projects receive 12–18 months of tailored program management and strategic guidance to enhance their reach and effectiveness. Eligible projects must be science-based, Texas-led, and demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes. They should engage diverse audiences and promote partnerships among community, business, and conservation organizations. Examples of eligible focus areas include wildlife, land, and water conservation across Texas geographies, from urban to rural settings. Selected projects are showcased during the annual Conservation Summit, offering visibility and networking opportunities. Participants in the Conservation Wrangler program are not guaranteed funding but gain strategic support such as program management, marketing assistance, content creation, and technical connections. Applicants must commit to collaborative participation, dedicate staff resources to achieve outlined goals, and present their work at the Conservation Summit. Applications are evaluated on a range of criteria, including impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes. The process requires detailed project descriptions, objectives, funding strategies, and impact metrics. Supporting documents, such as budgets, maps, and reports, are encouraged. Applications must be submitted in Word format by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. For guidance, applicants can reach out to the program team for consultations before applying.

This program provides mentorship and resources to young entrepreneurs in the U.S. at various stages of their business journey, from idea development to growth, without taking equity in their ventures.

This program provides mentorship and resources at no cost to young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 in the U.S. to help them develop and scale their startups.

This program honors outstanding leaders of small businesses in the Denver metro area who have demonstrated innovation, resilience, and community impact, recognizing their achievements through awards and media exposure.

This initiative provides financial support and mentorship to minority-owned small businesses in specific West Side neighborhoods of Chicago, helping them grow and contribute to their communities.

This grant provides financial support for projects that improve economic development and quality of life in rural Illinois communities, encouraging collaboration among local organizations to address challenges like funding shortages and infrastructure needs.

This grant provides funding to governmental entities and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina for projects that promote economic development, job creation, and workforce training, particularly in rural and tobacco-dependent communities.