Private Business and Commerce Grants

Applicants are invited to apply for the California Clean Air Day Microgrant Program. Donor Name: California Clean Air Day State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details:   Uses of Funds Uses of the funds include supplies for events (food, tables & chairs, refreshments), marketing expenses, city permit costs, materials for activities (shovels/tools, giveaways, educational materials), etc. Categories  There is no limit to what can be done as long as the project meets the 4 requirements stated above, and that the groups submitting this application must include at least two organizations (the lead organization and partners), and the lead organization and its partners must fall into different categories as follows: Category A: City, County, Schools, or other Government Agency manager, official or representative Category B: A health care provider (public or private) Category C: An established community organization, including Indigenous Tribes Category D: A business organization (chamber of commerce, economic development agency, business improvement district, etc.) or a small business. Category E: Labor Unions Funding Information  Funding of up to $1,000 Eligible Projects To be eligible for funding, the local project must occur on or within the seven days prior to California Clean Air Day. The local project must 1) raise awareness of Clean Air Day, 2) contribute to cleaning the air or encourage participants to take actions that will clean the air, and 3) successfully engage at least 100 participants/attendees. For more information, visit California Clean Air Day.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Shelby County, Ohio, to support innovative projects that address community needs and benefit local residents.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Richmond region that focus on enhancing community vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, and health and wellness.

The Lumpkin Family Foundation is currently accepting letters of inquiry for its Land, Health, Community (LHC) Grant Program. Donor Name: The Lumpkin Family Foundation State: Illinois County: Coles County (IL), Effingham County (IL) Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Land, Health, Community (LHC) is the Foundation’s primary and largest grantmaking program and reflects the Lumpkin family’s historic connection and commitment to the community. A minimum of 50 percent of its annual grantmaking budget is spent on projects in East Central Illinois. Through Land, Health, Community we work toward a long-term vision of holistically healthy communities. The Lumpkin Family Foundation makes grants in East Central Illinois that reflect the vision: The community has a strong local food system and agricultural economy, resilient businesses, and amenities that attract new businesses and retain local talent. They are prosperous. The community is physically active, values healthy eating, and prioritizes overall wellbeing. They are mentally well and physically fit. The community has strong leadership and the capacity for collaboration. They are socially engaged. The community works to conserve, protect and preserve the natural environment. They value the natural beauty of the area. Mental Health The Lumpkin Family Foundation has now expanded the program’s focus to include efforts that contribute to mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment. Researchers have posited that “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” Specifically, the foundation aims to fund programs that: Demonstrate and promote a connection between engagement with nature and positive mental health outcomes; Create opportunities for youth and young adults to disengage from technology and engage in outdoor programs and activities designed to improve their mental wellness; Support mental health practitioners by increasing opportunities for self-care or personal renewal; Provide opportunities for those impacted by trauma (i.e., foster youth) to engage in nature-based healing activities. Focus Areas  Successful proposals will represent a synergy of as many of the following aims as possible: Promote personal health through widespread availability and consumption of healthy, affordable food; Support mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment; Grow the local agricultural economy, sustaining and creating new viable farm and farm-related businesses; Develop, promote and scale innovative green practices that add productive value to farms while protecting the land for future generations; and, Encourage community engagement and collaboration, policy development and research around agriculture and rural development. Geographic Areas of Interest  The Foundation encourages applicants from organizations across East Central Illinois. The foundation gives preference to rural organizations and those operating in Coles and the surrounding counties. For more information, visit TLFF.

The South Plains Foundation program grants is to encourage the development of programs for charitable purposes in Lubbock County, Texas. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of West Texas State: Texas County: Lubbock County (TX) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Grants are typically limited to a maximum of $10,000. Eligibility Criteria  Grants are restricted to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, units of local government (i.e. School district, county, city, etc.) and faith-based organizations that serve the general community. Ineligibility  Annual appeals, endowment funds, membership contributions or fundraising events. Existing obligations, loans or debt retirement. Long-term operating support. Medical, scientific or academic research. Political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts. Operating and construction costs at schools or universities unless there is significant opportunity for community use or collaboration. Projects that focus on the promotion of specific religious beliefs or construction projects of churches and other religious institutions. Out of region travel for individuals, bands, sports teams, classes and similar groups. Grants to individuals or for-profit businesses. For more information, visit Community Foundation of West Texas.

This grant provides financial support to small business owners who are members of NASE, helping them with various needs such as marketing, hiring, and expansion to foster growth and success.

The Oregon Community Foundation is accepting applications to provide equitable access to flexible funding for organizations serving the most pressing needs in communities throughout Oregon. Donor Name: Oregon Community Foundation State: Oregon County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: They encourage a broad range of nonprofits to apply. They prioritize work that clearly addresses community-identified needs in support of the following Oregon populations who have histori[1]cally experienced significant bias, discrimination or underinvestment: Black, Indigenous, Latino/x and communities of color. (Communities of color include, but are not limited to, Black/African/African American, Indigenous/Native American, Latino/x, Asian/ Asian American, Southwest Asian and North African/Middle Eastern and North African, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). People living in under-resourced communities and/or communities lacking critical infrastructure. Immigrants and/or refugees. People experiencing disabilities. People living on low incomes. People who are homeless/unsheltered. People who identify as LGBTQ+. Survivors of domestic violence and/or child abuse. Funding Information  The maximum award is $40,000, but the average size is $15,000–$20,000. Grant Period The grant period is one year. Funding Priorities Funding will go to a broad range of organizations to support small capital, capacity-building and new or expanding programs or projects that will deepen, enhance or grow work in their community.  Funding will support applications focused on one of these three grant types: New or expanding program or project. Costs associated with developing a new program or service or expanding a current one. New activities a) did not exist before, and b) are planned or developed to address a gap or need for the organization or the community served. Expanding activities build on previous success to significantly increase impact on more or different people or communities. This can include reaching a new or different population, county or community or significantly more of the same population in the same community. Requests to support ongoing, incremental growth are not competitive and will not be considered. They have no single definition of “significant expansion” for all contexts and needs. Please explain why your request is a significant expansion in terms of community needs. Capacity-building. Costs relating to new or expanded activities that develop the organization. Typical examples include strategic or business planning, board development, volunteer coordination, program planning, and marketing and communications. Small capital. Costs associated with new or expanded building construction, renovation or equipment. Total small capital costs may not exceed $500,000. Eligibility Criteria The following organizations are eligible to apply: 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal entities and government entities are eligible to apply. Other types of organizations may work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to become eligible; an official agreement outlining the relationship with the fiscal sponsor must be submitted with the application. Organizations that have active grants with other OCF grant programs are eligible to apply in 2024. For more information, visit Oregon Community Foundation.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeks applications which foster communities to build inclusive, welcoming entrepreneurial environments to advance equitable entrepreneurship opportunities in the lives of all people. Donor Name: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation State: Minnesota County: Selected Counties Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of this grant program is to support IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations, units/agencies of government or public institution organizations which are providing direct resources and services to start and expand business opportunities within diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations in southern Minnesota. Examples of initiatives may include the creation of an entrepreneurial education program for diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations, organized community dialogue to build inclusivity around entrepreneurship, expanded access to business resources for all community members; the development of systems to advance equitable entrepreneurial activity and reduce the wealth gap among entrepreneurs of diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations. Applications should effectively illustrate the following Creates economic opportunity and advances economic prosperity for racially diverse populations of potential/existing entrepreneurs. Focuses on the well-being of potential/existing BIPOC entrepreneurs who have experienced inequities. Removes community or systemic barriers to increase access to skills, knowledge, or talents for potential/existing BIPOC entrepreneurs. Demonstrates that initiatives can be sustained or grow beyond the initial funding. Funding Information Up to $10,000 is available to qualified and approved applicants, and recipients will have 18 months to implement their work.  Grant Guidelines  Proposals must be submitted by an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization, a unit/agency of government or a public institution.  Informal and grassroots organizations are eligible to apply but will be required to have an eligible fiscal host.  Proposals must demonstrate a direct benefit to SMIF’s 20-county region.  10% cash match is required An interim progress report and final written report will be required by all grant recipients Exclusion Ineligible organizations or activities include: Individuals, businesses, or other for-profit organizations General operating expenses (including staff funding) and expenses not directly related to the project/program Capital funding, real estate investments, fixed assets, equipment, capital campaigns or endowments Project/program expenses incurred prior to application Projects/programs in progress prior to application or completed (excludes planning phase) Funds for re-granting or to establish loan pools Research projects or school-related internships Strategic plans, feasibility studies or project planning without implementation and completion within the 12-month timeframe Participant stipends (scholarships for participant fees may be considered) Organizations that have an open Inclusive & Equitable Communities Grant (cannot close grant prior to project end date listed in contract). For more information, visit SMIF.

This monthly grant provides $10,000 to women entrepreneurs in various business categories, with the opportunity to compete for a larger $25,000 grant at the end of the year.

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 program provides funding and support to Massachusetts-based startups that have received Phase II SBIR or STTR awards, helping them commercialize their technologies and cover expenses like prototyping, patenting, and market research.

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

This program provides financial support to women-owned or operated businesses along Route 66 to help maintain operations, aid in reopening, and promote new ventures.

This program provides financial support to women worldwide to help them start or grow businesses, NGOs, or projects that create a positive social impact for women, girls, and families.

This program provides funding and support to U.S.-based nonprofits that help aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds gain access to resources and opportunities in the technology and startup sectors.

This program provides $10,000 in cash and free business coaching to small businesses in the U.S. that have been operating for at least a year and seek to invest in growth opportunities.

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.