Private Business and Commerce Grants

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program – Facility Acquisitions, offered by Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI), aims to support the expansion and improvement of child care services in Maine. This program specifically targets businesses acquiring an existing child care operation, with a focus on increasing enrollment and enhancing facility quality. While a specific foundation mission or theory of change is not explicitly detailed, CEI's overall mission, as implied by the nature of this grant, likely revolves around fostering community development, supporting local businesses, and ensuring access to essential services like child care, particularly in underserved regions. The alignment suggests a strategic effort to strengthen the child care infrastructure, which is crucial for economic stability and family well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing child care businesses in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine, that are undergoing an acquisition. The impact goals are clearly defined: to facilitate a minimum 25% increase in enrollment within four months of the transaction and to enable improvements in facility quality and capacity. By supporting these acquisitions, the program intends to stabilize and grow the supply of child care, thereby serving more families and children in the targeted counties. Priority areas for this grant include applications from the aforementioned specific counties in Maine. Additionally, bonus points are awarded to applicants who commit to providing care for infants and toddlers, serving families eligible for subsidy, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. These priorities highlight a strategic focus on addressing critical gaps in child care services, particularly for vulnerable populations and age groups, and ensuring nutritional support for children. The grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum award of $25,000 for acquiring furniture, fixtures, and enrollment of an existing business. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in child care slots, improved quality of facilities through light renovations, and enhanced operational capabilities. Funds can be used for purchasing educational materials, fees for existing business practices, expanding enrollment, light renovations, acquiring additional indoor activities, enhancing outdoor spaces, procuring health and safety supplies, and ensuring sufficient working capital for the first month. These measurable results contribute directly to the program’s goal of expanding access to quality child care. While the explicit "Foundation's strategic priorities" are not detailed, the grant's design implicitly reflects a strategy to leverage private sector activity (business acquisitions) to achieve public good outcomes (expanded child care access and quality). This approach suggests a theory of change where targeted financial support and incentives for business growth lead to improved social infrastructure. The program's emphasis on specific counties and services (infant/toddler care, subsidized families, USDA program participation) indicates a strategic allocation of resources to areas and populations with the greatest need, aiming for a ripple effect of positive community and economic development.

The Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP) by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities aims to engage Central Pennsylvania's emerging business and community leaders in philanthropic endeavors within Harrisburg. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering a new generation of philanthropists, providing resources and educational opportunities to developing leaders who are actively engaged in giving back to their community. The target beneficiaries are Harrisburg's developing leaders and the community organizations they support. The impact goal is to strengthen the philanthropic ecosystem in Harrisburg by empowering these emerging leaders to contribute meaningfully. EPP focuses on providing a $5,000 grant to a chosen organization, emphasizing that it will not fund 100% of any project, thus encouraging diverse funding sources and collaborative efforts. Priorities for funding include projects that can take place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, and demonstrate a clear benefit to the Harrisburg community. The program explicitly outlines what cannot be funded, such as advertising, capital campaigns, direct lobbying, individuals, national/statewide umbrella organizations without local presence, new staff positions without sustainability plans, religious organizations for religious purposes, and retroactive projects. This focus ensures that the grant supports local, impactful, and sustainable initiatives. The expected outcome is the successful implementation of a community project by a chosen organization, supported by the $5,000 grant. Measurable results would include the project's completion within the grant year and its tangible benefits to the Harrisburg community, as well as the continued engagement and development of the emerging philanthropists involved in the program. While the foundation's broader strategic priorities and theory of change are not explicitly detailed, the EPP exemplifies a strategy of cultivating local leadership and investment to enhance community well-being and build a robust philanthropic future.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Alaska for projects that strengthen their internal operations and improve their effectiveness through capacity-building initiatives.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance community and economic growth in Huron County by supporting workforce development, vibrant community initiatives, and business development, among other areas of interest.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Washington state to implement projects that improve access to culturally appropriate dental care, promote healthy food access, and encourage water consumption while reducing sugary beverage intake, particularly for underserved communities.

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofits within the Chamber's five-county operational area. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by strategically investing in organizations that are vital to the community's progress in education, leadership, economic opportunity, and self-sufficiency. The fund specifically targets areas that address critical societal needs, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful and sustainable change within the region. The program's core focus areas are Education and Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development. In education, the fund prioritizes innovative programs designed to help low-income and at-risk students succeed academically, prepare for higher education, or enter the workforce. Key impact goals include reaching a broad student population, fostering community resource collaboration, promoting curriculum innovation, and supporting scalable models. The expected outcomes are improved academic achievement, increased access to post-secondary education or employment, and the development of replicable successful educational initiatives. For Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development, the fund supports nonprofits that drive economic growth. This includes initiatives for small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, job creation, work-entry programs, specialized skills training, and transportation solutions. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more robust local economy and creating pathways to self-sufficiency for community members. Measurable results would include an increase in new businesses, job placements, individuals completing skills training, and improved access to employment opportunities. The eligibility criteria for applicants reflect the foundation's strategic priorities, requiring tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3, public charity status under Section 509, and registration with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. This ensures that funds are distributed to credible and well-governed organizations. The geographic scope, encompassing numerous municipalities within the Chamber's area, highlights a theory of change that local, targeted investments in key sectors will lead to broad community development and improved quality of life across the region. The one-year grant duration encourages focused, impactful projects with clear objectives within that timeframe.

The Rise Prize is an initiative created by Imaginable Futures (a venture of The Omidyar Group) and Lumina Foundation, in collaboration with leading partner organizations. Its core mission aligns with the foundations' goals of fostering economic mobility and well-being, specifically by leveraging direct investments in innovative solutions that support student parents. This program seeks to accelerate the postsecondary success of student parents, recognizing the critical role education plays in their economic advancement and overall well-being. The primary beneficiaries of the Rise Prize are student parents in the US, across all states and counties. The program targets impact-driven changemakers, including non-profit organizations, for-profit companies (such as edtech solutions), and higher education institutions (including departments, teams, academic institution associations, or alternative career pathways programs like workforce programs, credentialing programs, and bootcamps). The overarching impact goal is to increase the number of innovative solutions that directly drive postsecondary success for this demographic, ultimately leading to greater economic mobility and improved well-being. The Rise Prize prioritizes solutions that will have a direct impact on the postsecondary success of student parents. This includes a wide array of solution types, such as flexible courseware, original outcomes-based financing solutions, innovative childcare support models, community building, and completion coaching. The program also highlights key areas of focus like Childcare, Community of Support, Completion Time, Convenience First, Cost, and Credential/Connection to Career. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their solutions address these critical areas to accelerate student parent success. The program is structured to achieve several expected outcomes, measured through a three-tiered award system. Early stage applicants, those with new ideas anchored in initial customer validation, are eligible for $50,000 awards, with 8 winners expected. The "Risers’ Choice" awardee receives $100,000. Mature stage applicants, defined by organizations with strong conviction and demonstrated product/market fit, are eligible for $200,000 awards, with 5 winners anticipated. In total, 14 awards totaling $1.5M will be distributed. Beyond direct funding, the program also aims to raise awareness of solutions, provide exposure to funders and partners, strengthen ideas through mentorship, foster community among innovators, and offer advisory support for product pitches to finalists.

The Washington State Department of Commerce (WSDC) is offering its 2025 Religious and Nonprofit Security Grant, designed to enhance the physical security of nonprofit organizations across all counties in Washington. This grant aligns with the WSDC's mission to support and protect vulnerable community institutions by providing funding for renovations and other security investments. The program's strategic priority is to safeguard organizations that are at risk of physical attacks, threats, or damages due to their mission, ideology, or beliefs, thereby fostering a more secure environment for these groups to operate. The target beneficiaries for this grant include a broad range of nonprofit organizations, with a specific emphasis on religious nonprofits, "by-and-for" organizations, and cultural community centers. The impact goal is to mitigate security risks and improve the safety of these sites. Successful applicants will demonstrate a clear need for security enhancements based on past incidents or credible threats. This proactive approach aims to prevent future attacks and ensure the continuity of services provided by these vital community organizations. The grant prioritizes investments in physical security enhancements, construction or renovation projects, target hardening, preparedness planning, training, and exercises. Applications must explicitly detail how the funding will be utilized for these purposes. A key focus is on tangible improvements that directly address identified security vulnerabilities. Organizations must either own the property or have written permission from the owner to implement the proposed security upgrades, ensuring the long-term impact and sustainability of the investments. The expected outcomes of the grant program include a measurable reduction in security incidents and an increased sense of safety among the beneficiary organizations. By funding critical security measures, the WSDC aims to empower these nonprofits to continue their valuable work without undue fear of harm. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in physical security and preparedness, organizations will be better equipped to withstand and deter threats, leading to a more resilient and secure nonprofit sector within Washington State.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and community organizations in Baltimore to implement projects that enhance heritage tourism and improve neighborhood quality of life through activities like signage, beautification, and revitalization planning.

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is actively seeking applications from organizations dedicated to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice. This grant program is deeply aligned with Borealis Philanthropy's broader mission to foster a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in intersectional cross-movements and collaborative efforts, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and culture to policy and advocacy that dismantle ableism and promote authentic representation of disabled people. The primary beneficiaries of DIF grants are organizations whose work is driven by and accountable to the disability justice movement, with a particular emphasis on those most impacted by injustice and exclusion. This includes disabled people with multiple and intersecting social and political identities, such as race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. The fund prioritizes organizations led by disabled people, specifically Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer, gender non-conforming, and women with disabilities, where over 50% of the leadership (management staff, advisory committees, or governing boards) identify as disabled. DIF's core focuses include promoting radical inclusion by removing barriers and ensuring access, valuing lived experience, and emphasizing the leadership of those most impacted. The program also fosters cross-movement solidarity, encouraging collaboration and bridge-building among disability justice activists and across various social movements like Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, and queer and trans liberation. This approach reflects a theory of change that believes systemic change occurs through interconnected movements and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Expected outcomes include strengthening grassroots disabled-led organizations, expanding their operational capacities for ongoing movement building, and driving narrative change that dismantles ableism in policy, society, and culture. Measurable results will stem from work that moves practices of disability inclusion and justice forward through community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and policy work, as well as strategies that celebrate and elevate the authentic representation of disabled people in arts, media, and literature. This two-year grant opportunity provides $75,000 per year, totaling $150,000, for eligible U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with an annual budget under $1 million.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for small businesses, property owners, developers, and nonprofit organizations to undertake renovation or new construction projects in specific areas of South and North Minneapolis.

This funding program provides financial support to early childhood education centers and family child care providers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, to expand and improve their facilities, ensuring more quality learning opportunities for children from low to moderate-income households.

This funding opportunity supports South Carolina artists in launching or enhancing arts-based business initiatives that promote career satisfaction and sustainability.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund, aiming to restore and enhance critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats within the Cumberland Plateau region. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The program's core strategy involves increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands, which contributes to NFWF’s strategic priority of supporting wildlife and improving ecological health through sustainable land management. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the diverse habitats and species within the Cumberland Plateau, as well as landowners and communities in the region who will adopt conservation practices. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the program aims to foster resilient ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable human activities. The foundation's theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing financial and technical assistance, they can incentivize conservation practices that lead to measurable environmental improvements and long-term ecological benefits. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program strategies. These include restoring previously mined lands, increasing the adoption of conservation practices on grazing and croplands, establishing, enhancing, and maintaining forest habitats, and restoring instream habitats to support aquatic species. A significant focus is also placed on expanding and coordinating technical assistance and outreach to landowners, recognizing the importance of local engagement and support for successful implementation of conservation efforts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in acres of restored habitats, improved water quality metrics, enhanced soil health, and greater carbon sequestration. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024, with individual grant awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Projects are expected to have a completion time of 24-48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions, with a preference for projects within identified focal areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The program’s success will be measured by the extent to which these conservation practices are adopted and the subsequent environmental benefits realized across the Cumberland Plateau.

This program provides up to $5,000 in digital support to small businesses in Washington County, Virginia, to enhance their online presence and operational capabilities.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for planning projects that improve water quality and watershed management through innovative methods, education, and outreach.

The Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals within Vernon County through diligent grantmaking and strong community leadership. Governed by a Board of Directors with deep local knowledge, the foundation's core mission is to manage a flexible community grantmaking program. This program is designed to address the community's most pressing needs at any given time, a flexibility made possible by the generosity of charitable donors who establish unrestricted or field-of-interest funds, entrusting decision-making to local leaders on the Board, alongside funds raised by the foundation itself. The grant program is specifically funded by the Nevada/Vernon County Philanthropic Society. This society operates with a mission to gather annual membership gifts from up to 100 individuals, couples, and businesses residing in Nevada/Vernon County. These pooled resources are then distributed to support local projects that aim to improve both the services available and the overall quality of life within the community. The strategic priority here is to empower local initiatives that have a direct, positive impact on the well-being of Vernon County residents. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals within Vernon County, with the overarching impact goal of improving their quality of life. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the focus is clearly on supporting projects that demonstrably enhance community services and living conditions. The foundation operates on a theory of change that by investing in local projects identified by community leaders, significant and meaningful improvements can be made across various facets of community life. This approach ensures that funding is directed towards areas where it can have the most substantial benefit. Eligibility for these grants extends to 501(c)3 organizations and other IRS-approved entities, including government bodies, school districts, and churches, all of which must serve the Nevada/Vernon County area. The maximum grant request amount is $25,000, ensuring that a diverse range of projects can be supported. Grant proposals are reviewed according to an announced timetable, with recommendations made as funds become available, reflecting a thoughtful and structured approach to community investment.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations for free public festivals and events in Syracuse that celebrate cultural diversity and artistic expression, enhancing community engagement and revitalization.

Grant Opportunity: Environmental Sustainability Grant for NYC Restaurants Funding Source: The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund in partnership with Grubhub Community Fund Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 per restaurant Application Period: April 26, 2024, to May 31, 2024 Overview: The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund, in collaboration with Grubhub Community Fund, is pleased to announce $500,000 in grant opportunities to assist NYC-based restaurants in enhancing the environmental sustainability of their operations. This funding aims to support restaurants in updating kitchen equipment, particularly coal- and wood-burning ovens, to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental impact. Eligibility Criteria: Open restaurant currently operating in New York City Recently updated (no earlier than January 1, 2024) or planning to update kitchen equipment to improve environmental sustainability Detailed plan outlining how the grant will be utilized to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions Application Process: Submit application form providing specific plans for the use of funding and how it will contribute to lowering emissions. Applications open from April 26, 2024, to May 31, 2024. Grant recipients will be awarded funding on a rolling basis. How to Apply: Interested restaurants can apply for the grant by completing the application form available on the Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund website. Contact Information: For inquiries or assistance, please contact [insert contact information]. Note: This grant opportunity aims to alleviate the financial burden for NYC restaurants as they make necessary operational updates to enhance environmental sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to submit comprehensive plans demonstrating the intended use of funds to lower carbon emissions and improve overall environmental impact.

The ConTech Call by MEXT is a grant aimed at supporting innovative solutions that improve construction efficiency, productivity, and sustainability, particularly in areas like engineering, energy, and business intelligence, to help shape the future of city design.