State Consumer Protection Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local public agencies in California to enforce laws against the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations that provide financial education initiatives in Washington State, helping to improve financial literacy among residents.

This funding opportunity is designed to support businesses, organizations, and individuals in Vermont working to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops through various projects that benefit multiple stakeholders in the agricultural community.

This grant provides funding to farmers in Wisconsin to develop and implement innovative methods for optimizing commercial nitrogen use in their agricultural practices, in collaboration with a University of Wisconsin institution.

This program provides funding to California-based organizations and businesses to promote sustainable farming practices and improve access to healthy food in diverse communities.

The purpose of the SG Program is to assist agencies of the State of California address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems, and improve security of critical infrastructure and resilience of the services these entities provide to their communities.

Restricted to California nonprofit organizations that are described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of such code. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3).

The Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Affairs (MOLGBTQA) is soliciting grant applications for its FY2025 LGBTQIA+ Violence Prevention & Response Team (“VPART”) Grant from qualified community-based organizations (CBOs) serving the District of Columbia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-non-conforming, questioning, queer, intersex, sexual and gender expansive (LGBTQIA+) community. Donor Name: Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs (MOLGBTQA) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: MOLGBTQA convenes a monthly Violence Prevention & Response Team (“VPART”) meeting, which brings together representatives from relevant public safety and human services agencies and organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community. The aim of VPART is to prevent crime against members of the LGBTQ+ community. This grant seeks to support this mission and identify designated organizations that can coordinate the VPART team, services for LGBTQIA+ individuals who are victims of crime, and empower other CBOs by conducting training sessions for their staff and volunteers. The MOLGBTQA convenes a monthly VPART meeting with the mission to bring together community and government agencies to reduce violence and harm against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Funding Areas  To qualify for the FY2025 LGBTQIA+ VPART Grant, applicants must identify at least one service area to be addressed: Violence Response Services or Victim Prevention Outreach. Applicants may indicate their interest in providing both services. Please specify the service area(s) for which you are applying and how your skills and experience are relevant to the needs and goals of the community. It is encouraged that applicants apply to as many services and programs as possible to demonstrate their full capacity to support the objectives of VPART. If selected for funding, applicants may be asked to focus on fewer services and programs within each area. This will depend on the number of grantees selected and how they are organized to be a part of VPART. Victim Response Services Objective: To address and mitigate violence within the LGBTQIA+ community through comprehensive support, education, and outreach.  Case Management: Assist LGBTQIA+ individuals who have been victimized and are navigating the criminal, civil legal, and social service systems. Provide assessments, planning, facilitation, and coordination to identify and access culturally and linguistically appropriate goods or services based on victims’ self-identified goals and needs.  Legal Services: Provide professional legal advice regarding one’s role in criminal proceedings.  Trauma-Informed Mental Health Services: Link individuals impacted by crime or addiction to treatment and care provided by mental health professionals. Services must be culturally appropriate, victim-centered, and delivered in a manner that is welcoming and suitable for trauma survivors. Violence Prevention Outreach Objective: To further reduce violence and harm within the LGBTQIA+ community by providing education, resources, and direct support aimed at harm reduction, recovery, and education and training.  Cultural Humility Training: Train and provide support to nonprofits, businesses, and government organizations that serve the LGBTQIA+ population throughout Washington, DC.  Community Education: Provide guidance and strategies for community members that may reduce the likelihood of physical or emotional harm. This includes conducting workshops, seminars, and public awareness campaigns.  Harm Reduction Intervention: Deliver essential harm reduction and overdose prevention resources to community members through outreach, potential establishment of support networks, and/or direct connection to addiction treatment services. Funding Information Award sizes will vary, and eligible organizations can be funded up to $50,000.  The grant will be awarded for one year starting on October 1, 2024, and ending on September 30, 2025. Target Population The target population for these funds are individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning, with a focus on those who are at a higher risk of being targeted by hate crimes and bias incidents. Eligibility Criteria Applicants shall meet the following conditions to apply for the FY25 LGBTQIA+ Violence Prevention & Response Grant: The organization is a CBO with a Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or evidence of fiscal agent relationship with a 501(c)(3) organization; or be a private entity, such as a coalition or association, that is partnering with at least one or more 501(c)(3) organization(s); The organization’s principal place of business must be located in the District of Columbia; if a national or regional organization, it must have a location in the District through which it provides services; The organization must provide services to DC residents or collaborate with an organization that provides services to DC residents through the organizational efforts of the applicant; The organization must be currently registered in good standing with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), and the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR); All services and programming funded by the grant must be provided in the District of Columbia; For more information, visit MOLGBTQA.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is seeking applications for its 2025 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants to strengthen Wisconsin’s agriculture and food industries by helping farms and businesses more efficiently process, market, and distribute locally grown food products. Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Managed by DATC​P, the grants can help farms and business more efficiently process, market and distribute food in local markets including stores, schools and institutions. Keeping food dollars in Wisconsin communities supports local businesses, improves farm​ incomes, and creates jobs.​ Funding Information Grant requests must be between $5,000 and $50,000. Grant Period Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years. Eligibility Criteria Qualified applicants include individuals, groups, or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments, or agricultural tourism operations. Funded projects must report on increased local food sales, created and retained jobs, and new investments. For more information, visit DATCP.

The ConnectALL Initiative is accepting applications for its Municipal Infrastructure Program to support the development of open-access and publicly owned and/or controlled last mile fiber broadband infrastructure to deliver reliable high-speed internet service to homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions across the state. Donor Name: ConnectALL Initiative State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The mission of the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development (“ESD”) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State (“NYS”) through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing, and other forms of assistance. To support broadband access for communities across the state, ESD’s ConnectALL Office (“CAO”), offers a Municipal Infrastructure Program (“MIP”) Request for Applications (“RFA”).  Through this RFA, CAO intends to establish the Municipal Infrastructure Program (“MIP”) to support the development of open-access and predominantly publicly controlled last mile fiber broadband infrastructure that will directly connect homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions to reliable high-speed internet service, using funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund (“CPF”). The objective of this RFA is to improve broadband access in communities across the state facing connectivity challenges due to the lack of affordable, high-speed internet infrastructure. Funding Information Total funding available: $228 Million Grant size: $30 million max per award Eligible Uses of Funds Eligible uses for program funding include construction of new infrastructure or acquisition of existing infrastructure under the following categories:  Last mile fiber connections to address: Last mile infrastructure: The cabling, wires, necessary pole replacements and make-ready and/or radios that ISPs use to distribute the internet from local Internet Exchanges to network and/or customer endpoints.  Drops to a building: The cabling or wires necessary to make the connection from passing fiber or cable on a street pole or in-street conduit into a building structure.  Fiber connections to Internet Exchange Points or Data Centers:  Middle mile fiber: The fiber necessary to transport internet services to a local Data Center where an Applicant is connecting its CPF-funded last mile infrastructure.  Networking equipment: The routers, switches, and other equipment necessary to interconnect networks in a Data Center.  Acquisition of existing infrastructure assets and related agreements:  Acquisition: The purchase of network assets from a public or private entity for incorporation by an Applicant into a Project Area, and related legal agreements. Eligibility Criteria Public Entities: Municipalities (cities, counties, towns, villages); Tribal Nations; state and local authorities; entities established pursuant to Section 99-y of the NYS General Municipal Law; not-for-profit entities with authorization from public entities; and regional planning boards formed under the provisions of NYS General Municipal Law. Municipal Utilities: Local government entities, including those established by a municipality as nonprofit Utility Cooperatives Eligible Private Partner Applicants, fitting one or more of the following descriptions, may submit applications with letters of endorsement from an Eligible Public Applicant. Eligible Private Partner Applicants can have an ownership structure that may be in the form of public-private partnership, private or shareholder ownership, nongovernmental nonprofit, non-utility cooperative, or community trust. Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Entities providing internet services to consumers, not limited to providers of cable television or telephone services.  Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Entities operating networks and providing service to residents and businesses by using existing internet infrastructure or partnering with construction entities to build networks.  Broadband Infrastructure Builders: Entities that construct and/or deploy open-access broadband infrastructure assets.  Broadband Infrastructure Owners: Entities that own, operate, or hold last mile or middle mile fiber infrastructure. For more information, visit ConnectALL Initiative.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS), is entering into cooperative agreement with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Cooperative Agreements (RFSI). Donor Name: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of the Michigan RFSI program is to build resilience in the middle-of-thefood-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for Michigan producers. MDARD will make subawards in the form of Infrastructure Grants to middle-of-the-supply businesses to create more diverse local and regional market options and create more economic opportunities for communities, allowing them to retain more of the value chain dollar. RFSI investments aim to create a food systems infrastructure to support competitive and profitable market access for domestic farm products. The program also aims to: Support development of value‐added products available to consumers; Support proposals that provide fair prices, fair wages and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities; and Increase diversity in processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to underserved communities. Priorities USDA intends for RFSI program to focus funding Infrastructure Grant activities that: Expand capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products to create more and better markets for producers; Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems; Enhance worker safety through adoption of new technologies or investment in equipment or facility improvements; Improve the capacity of entities to comply with federal, state, and local food safety requirements; Improve operations through training opportunities; Support construction of a new facility; Modernize or expand an existing facility (including expansion and modifications to existing buildings and/or construction of new buildings at existing facilities); Construction of wastewater management structures, etc.; Modernize processing and manufacturing equipment; and Develop, customize, or install equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one or more of USDA’s climate action goals. Funding Information Michigan has been awarded over $10 million dollars. Equipment Only Grant: These projects offer a simplified application to fund smaller grants from $10,000 up to $100,000 Infrastructure Grants: Infrastructure grants will have a maximum award of $475,000. Eligibility Criteria The following entities are eligible for Infrastructure Grants made by MDARD: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product. For more information, visit MDARD.

The Food Safety Education Fund grants program is funded through assessments of $3 to $5 from each licensed Michigan food establishment to provide food safety training and education to consumers; and training and education to food service establishment employees and agents of the director who enforce Michigan’s food regulations (i.e., local health department sanitarians and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development food safety inspectors). Donor Name: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information Up to $365,000 is available for the 2024-2025 grant cycle for projects focused on food safety training and education. Of the $365,600, $242,500 will be available for consumer food safety education and $114,100 for education to food service establishment employees and agents of the director of MDARD. The monies that go into the fund come from assessments of $3.00 to $5.00 on food establishment licenses. Grant Period The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is now accepting proposals for grants that will run from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Multi-year proposals will be considered on an individual basis, contingent on future year funding. Eligibility Criteria  The Michigan Food Law of 2000, Section 4117, directs money in the fund to be used for providing food safety training and education to consumers, food service establishment employees and agents of the director who enforce the Michigan Food Law of 2000. Applicants must be Michigan governmental and non-profit organizations and entities. Producers, marketers, processors, growers are NOT eligible for this grant opportunity. Proposals with subgrantees will be considered. Proposals should not include funding for required routine training such as HACCP or manager certification such as ServSafe. Proposal Considerations and Selection Criteria  Proposals will be scored and selected based on the following criteria: Goals/objectives to improve food safety Statewide need and audience Measurable outcomes Partnering with other organizations Matching funds Opportunities to build upon previously funded projects. For more information, visit MDARD.

Grants will be awarded for specific eligible activities, such as speaking on a panel, participating in a working group, or participation in other decision-making processes. The PP Grant Account cap per organization of $15,000 will ensure a proportional distribution of funds over time and across various organizations. Submissions for grant awards will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the grant period and payment for these discrete engagements will be prompt.

This grant provides financial support to organizations that participate in California Public Utilities Commission activities, helping to remove barriers to their involvement in policy decision-making processes.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Texas that promote financial literacy and consumer credit education, helping communities improve their financial stability at little or no cost.

The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, aims to foster a healthier California by curtailing illegal cigarette and tobacco sales and marketing to minors. This highly competitive program, enabled by Proposition 56, allocates funds to applicants with robust enforcement capabilities. Funded agencies will focus on enforcing tobacco-related laws, conducting retailer and online inspections, and enhancing local coordination and education efforts.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture has entered into a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to administer the Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program in Vermont. Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (VAAFM) State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The program aims to: Promote development of Vermont value-added products; Support initiatives that provide fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities; Increase and diversify processing capacity across the state, with an emphasis on underserved communities; Improve the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of Vermont food products for local and regional markets; Target gaps and opportunities in pandemic assistance and existing USDA grant programs that support the agricultural supply chain. Funding will be focused on projects that: Improve job quality through increased wages, benefits, and/or worker safety and well being; Focus on small and medium-sized enterprises that expand services and product offerings for consumers and producers (with an emphasis on value-added products); Demonstrate local support for the project; Are submitted by cooperatives, farmer, and worker-owned enterprises. Funding Information Approximately $2,000,000 will be available for infrastructure projects. Grants can range from $100,000 – $500,000 and will run from fall 2024 through February 2027.  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be domestically owned, physically located in Vermont, and registered in Vermont with the Vermont Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a business name other than their own name must have their assumed business name (formerly known as a trade name) registered with the Vermont Secretary of State. Eligible entities can include: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product. These include organizations such schools (K-12; colleges/universities), hospitals, food banks, gleaners, food rescue, workplace cafeterias, correctional facilities, farmers markets, and care centers (senior, preschools). For-profit entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products, whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers, and that meet the eligibility requirements of the Small Business Administration (SBA) small business size standards, matched to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. For more information, visit VAAFM.

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is now accepting applications for CalMoneySmart Grant Program, which will award a total of $2 million to nonprofits annually to provide free financial education and empowerment programs for people experiencing financial insecurity in California. Donor Name: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Funding Information CalMoneySmart offers qualifying nonprofit organizations grants of up to $200,000. Grant Period Grant awards will be announced for a two-year period covering two consecutive fiscal years. Grant Funding Uses The grants may be used to: Design, develop, or offer free classroom- or web-based financial education and empowerment content intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers achieve, identify, and access lower-cost financial products and services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. Provide individualized, free financial coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers. Design, develop, or offer a free financial product or service intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers identify and access responsible financial products and financial services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for a grant, an Applicant must meet the following criteria: The Applicant is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and No part of the net earnings of the Applicant shall inure to the benefit of a private shareholder or individual. The Applicant must be in good standing with the Secretary of State of California and the state of the Applicant’s incorporation, if applicable. Submission of a satisfactory final report for any and all prior grant funding awarded by DFPI. For more information, visit DFPI.

The CalMoneySmart program, funded by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, is designed to boost financial empowerment among California's unbanked and underbanked populations by providing up to $200K annually for two years to eligible nonprofit organizations. These funds support activities like financial education, empowerment services, and the development of financial products aimed at improving financial literacy and economic security. The program emphasizes adherence to the principles of effective financial education to ensure impactful outcomes.

Description: The Illinois Grocery Initiative aims to establish new grocery stores in food deserts to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas. This grant, under the funding opportunity number FY24-2 and CSFA number 420-35-3295, anticipates awarding 8 grants with a total program funding of $14,000,000. Eligible projects must involve capital expenditures, as operational costs are not covered. Grants will range from $160,000 to $2,400,000, and applicants are required to meet cost-sharing requirements. The application window opens on 04/09/2024 and closes on 05/24/2024. Indirect costs are allowed but restricted to capital-only expenditures. There are mandatory and optional technical assistance sessions provided to assist applicants, with registration required through provided links.