Private Business and Commerce Grants

The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) seeks applications from charitable organizations and programs in the Kodiak Archipelago Area. Donor Name: Kodiak Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Kodiak Community Foundation Grants may support a broad range of community needs, including, but not limited to health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development. Funding Information Average awards range from $1,000 to $3,000 and can be higher or lower depending on the request. Grant Period Grant projects must be completed within one year of award. Eligibility Criteria Your organization is eligible for funding through this grant opportunity if it is one of the following: 501(c)3 public charitable organization with 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) public charitable status as designated in your IRS Determination letter Faith-based organization providing social services Federally recognized Tribe or Tribal nonprofit organization City government or Borough The following are not eligible for grant funding:  Individuals State or federal government agencies For-profit organizations or businesses Private nonprofit organizations (those not identified in their IRS determination letter as 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3)  Non-Alaska based organizations Requests for support that do not fall within the funding guidelines Activities that improperly discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnicity, or grants for religious indoctrination or other religious activities. For more information, visit ACF.

The Inspire Community Grant, offered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, provides financial support ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for arts and cultural projects in Livingston and Monroe Counties, New York, aimed at serving diverse populations and enhancing community vitality, with eligibility extended to non-profit organizations, government entities, Tribal Nations, and individual artists or groups working with a fiscal sponsor or community partner.

This program provides mentorship and resources to early-stage startups focused on innovative transportation solutions, including self-driving technology and electric vehicles, to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

This program provides early-stage companies in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with free mentorship, resources, and support to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

Gener8tor is inviting applications for its gBETA Social Impact Accelerator Program, a free, seven-week virtual initiative offering coaching, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies focused on equity in education or criminal justice reform, with the aim to prepare them for investment accelerators or seed funding rounds.

This grant provides funding to New England nonprofit organizations for touring projects that feature regional, national, or international artists, with a focus on community engagement and expanding access to the arts, particularly in rural and BIPOC communities.

This grant provides financial assistance to commercial property owners in Wooster's Central Business District for renovations that enhance downtown activity and preserve the area's visual appeal.

Applicants are invited to apply for the 2025 gBETA Huntsville Accelerator Program. Donor Name: gener8tor State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/20/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program. Participating companies receive: Individualized coaching and mentorship from the team of nationally ranked accelerator gener8tor on company growth and investor readiness Weekly “Lunch & Learns” and “Mentor Swarms” Investor and accelerator pitches $1M+ in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft Ongoing post-program support and gener8tor community involvement and offerings gBETA’s goal is that graduates will go on to participate in an investment accelerator or raise a seed round. Eligibility Criteria for gBETA Huntsville You’re based in Alabama gBETA Huntsville is an accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots in Alabama. You’re Committed While they don’t expect you to be full-time on your business yet, programming is about a five-hour commitment each week, and they expect that you will be spending additional time working on your business each week outside of the program. You’re Ready to Grow gBETA companies range from “I have an idea” to “I have significant revenue.” Although most gBETA companies are post-product, pre-scale, as long as you are ready to make use of coaching on customer growth and investor readiness, mentor meetings, and investor and accelerator pitches, they’re ready for you! For more information, visit gener8tor.

The Gener8tor is accepting applications for its 2024 gBETA Urban League Accelerator Program. Donor Name: Gener8tor State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/25/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: gBETA Urban League is open to Madison businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color from high tech startups to Main Street small businesses.  gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program. Participating companies receive: Individualized coaching and mentorship from the team of nationally ranked accelerator gener8tor on company growth and investor readiness Weekly “Lunch & Learns” and “Mentor Swarms” Investor and accelerator pitches $1M+ in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft Ongoing post-program support and gener8tor community involvement and offerings gBETA’s goal is that graduates will go on to participate in an investment accelerator or raise a seed round. Eligibility Criteria for gBETA Urban League Madison You’re based in Madison Open to Madison businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color from high tech startups to Main Street small businesses with a particular focus on entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming a part of the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub. You’re Committed While they don’t expect you to be full-time on your business yet, programming is about a five-hour commitment each week, and they expect that you will be spending additional time working on your business each week outside of the program. You’re Ready to Grow gBETA companies range from “I have an idea” to “I have significant revenue.” Although most gBETA companies are post-product, pre-scale, as long as you are ready to make use of coaching on customer growth and investor readiness, mentor meetings, and investor and accelerator pitches, they’re ready for you! For more information, visit gener8tor.

The Granville Community Foundation in Ohio is offering grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies for projects that enrich the lives of Granville residents, with a focus on arts, culture, education, and social services, and prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, cultural opportunities, historical preservation, social support, public spaces, and youth experiences.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Mendocino County, California, for projects that enhance arts and culture, support children and youth, promote disaster relief and resilience, foster economic development, protect the environment, and create healthy and inclusive communities.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and certain nonprofits in Minnesota that have experienced significant revenue declines due to economic hardships.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

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.

The Women’s Business Development Council offers grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut. Donor Name: Women’s Business Development Council State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible, the business must: Be 51% or more woman-owned Be headquartered in CT, registered in the state of CT, and owned by a CT resident Have been in business for at least two years before the application round deadline, with a record of sales Have a record of annual sales/revenue in the last twelve months greater than $25,000 and less than $2,000,000 Be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Have an established business checking account Currently utilize a formal, digital bookkeeping/financial system (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, FreshBooks, Wave Accounting) Be a for profit business Be owned by a woman at least 18 years old Have invested at least $2,500 into your business in the last 12 months, unless the business is located in a distressed municipality The following businesses are not eligible: Childcare businesses are not eligible for the Ignite Grant. If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs for you.  Any individual or business that has already received an Ignite Grant, Equity Match Grant or WBDC Municipal Grant is not eligible. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. Current vendors or contractors of WBDC are not eligible. (Former vendors are eligible to apply a year after working with WBDC.) Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-the-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale. For more information, visit WBDC.

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 Entrepreneurship Partner Program provides grants to technical assistance providers, which can be used for their operational costs and for accelerator or more in-depth programs. Donor Name: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the Entrepreneurship Partner Grant is to encourage the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and to develop startup and emerging growth companies in the state of Wisconsin. The EPG program is intended to increase entrepreneurship activities across Wisconsin. Utilizing community building, capacity building, business financing, technical assistance, and other similar support, the program will strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Those served by the funded programs may be provided with a wide range of support including, but not limited to, financing, experienced hands-on mentorship, educational programming, visibility to investors, community building, leadership training, entrepreneurship and networking events, idea validation, and business development strategies.  The program provides an entity operating a not-for-profit entrepreneurship program with grant funding used to support its direct operational expenses for specific projects and initiatives. Program funds may also be used for eligible financial support of participant companies/individuals related to technical assistance program participation. Funding Information FY25: $2,250,000  The maximum EPG grant amount is $200,000. Eligible Use of Funds EPGs can fund the following activities. Costs are only eligible to be applied to grant and matching fund expenses after WEDC approval.  Operational expenses related to the project and provision of technical assistance to businesses.  Funding to businesses related to the project. Eligibility Criteria EPG applicants must meet the following criteria: Be a not-for-profit organization, to include nonprofit entities, units of government, educational institutions, community organizations, foundations, Tribal entities, or nonprofit entities acting as a fiscal agent on behalf of another organization.  Is requesting funding to create and/or manage programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurial community development, enhancing capacity, providing business financing, offering technical assistance, or supporting other similar entrepreneurial initiatives or program(s) to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  For more information, visit WEDC.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority in Pennsylvania is offering a reimbursement grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that improve recycling education, increase recycling collection, and reduce contamination, with priority given to non-traditional recycling, community space recycling, special event recycling, and school recycling, open to municipalities, schools, non-profits, businesses, and refuse haulers subcontracted by CCRRA.

The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2024 Community Grant to support performing, visual, or culinary arts efforts and workforce development initiatives aligning with the hospitality industry in Athens-Clarke County. Donor Name: The Classic Center Cultural Foundation State: Georgia County: Clarke County (GA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Classic Center Cultural Foundation provides resources to entertain and educate the local community and foster economic growth by providing and supporting diverse performing, visual, and culinary arts programs, as well as workforce development initiatives, while working to maintain The Classic Center in a state-of-the-art condition.   Funding Information Foundation awards grant funding up to $5,000. Proposal Requirements To formally apply, please attach a proposal of your project, event, or performance. Please include the following information. A member of the Cultural Foundation team will reach out if more information is required.  An overview of the organization, its mission, and programming A list of the organization’s governing board A description of the proposed project and full justification for its funding An itemized project budget, including other sources of confirmed or pledged support An indication of the amount requested from the Cultural Foundation, not to exceed $5,000 Date of anticipated event or project completion date Dates of other performances (if applicable) Record of attendance of past events or number of impressions. For more information, visit CCCF.

The Attraction Development Grant, offered by Kansas Tourism, provides up to $1 million in economic assistance to public, private, and non-profit entities in Kansas for the development or enhancement of tourism attractions, with the aim of boosting economic growth, improving visitor experiences, and enhancing the quality of life in communities across the state.