Arizona Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Phoenix that have experienced significant revenue loss due to nearby construction activities, helping cover essential operational costs.

City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility is offering the Safe Streets Mini Grant Program, providing grants of up to $75,000 for traffic calming improvements in residential neighborhoods across Tucson. The program aims to prioritize under-resourced areas and engage community members in reducing residential speeding and enhancing livability. Eligible applicants include neighborhood groups, community-based organizations, and businesses within Tucson city limits. The City anticipates awarding approximately $350,000 in the first year of the program and will work directly with awarded projects to design and implement traffic calming initiatives. For more information, visit City of Tucson DTM website. The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility is now accepting applications for the new Safe Streets Mini Grant Program. The new program establishes an inclusive, community-led process to deliver traffic calming improvements to residential neighborhoods across the city, prioritizing under-resourced areas that could not otherwise fund their own traffic calming improvements via the existing Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. The new program is funded by the voter-approved Proposition 411 Tucson Delivers: Safe Streets Program, under the Systemwide Safety Improvements project category. Neighborhood safety improvements will include traffic circles, chicanes, speed humps, and other traffic calming features. To learn more about the application process, the requirements, and to complete an application, visit the website at https://tucsondelivers.tucsonaz.gov/pages/safe-streets-mini-grant-program. The goal of the program is to offer community members the opportunity to champion projects that reduce residential speeding and improve livability through a competitive selection process for funding and implementation. 3 Steps to Apply for Traffic Calming: Identify potential traffic calming locations-neighborhood streets with cut-through traffic, speeding, and other dangerous driving behavior have great potential. Application Review Process- Summary Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as long as funds are available. Application review cycles will occur once the first year in February 2024. Program staff will evaluate the program at the end of the pilot year and will consider increasing the review frequency to occur two times a year (e.g. February and August) based on the volume of applications received in the first pilot year. If your application passes the first phase of the evaluation- the Eligibility Screen- you will be placed on the eligible list. DTM staff score the projects on this list using the prioritization criteria that are recommended for approval by the CSCC. Note: Even if your street meets all of the eligibility criteria and is on the list of potential projects, it still may not be selected for the final list of traffic calming projects. Funding for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program each year is dependent on the tax revenues each year, thus DTM can only select a handful of projects to construct. However, your street will remain on the list of potential projects the following year(s). Connect with neighbors- talk to neighbors and build support. Apply- City staff are here to help with an online or paper application. The application period begins on October 16th. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, throughout the year, with the first round of projects awarded in the spring of 2024. Funding will be awarded based on need, feasibility, neighborhood support, and available funds. The City anticipates awarding around $350,000 to neighborhoods the first year of the program. The maximum funding amount per project is $75,000. Once awarded, the project team will work directly with neighbors to design and build traffic calming projects through a collaborative process. For further questions, contact Gabriela Barillas-Longoria at [email protected] or by calling 520-591-1606. About the Program The Safe Streets Mini-Grant Program establishes an inclusive, community-led process to deliver traffic calming improvements to residential neighborhoods across the city, prioritizing under-resourced areas that could not otherwise fund their own traffic calming improvements via the existing Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. The goal of the program is to offer community members the opportunity to champion projects that reduce residential speeding and improve livability through a competitive selection process for funding and implementation. City staff and the Complete Streets Coordinating Council (CSCC) will prioritize projects in areas of Tucson where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Grubhub Community Fund have come together once again to provide vital assistance for LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food, and other eating establishments. Donor Name: National LGBT Chamber of Commerce State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/25/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, provides a financial lifeline to these businesses with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the Community Impact Grant, applicants must: Be an LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+ ally-owned restaurant, bar or café that serves food. Provide proof that you are an LGBTQ+-owned or allied establishment. Establishment has not received 2+ NGLCC Community Impact Grants in previous years. For more information, visit NGLCC.

AgWest Farm Credit's New Producer Grant Program supports new agricultural producers who have two years or less of operational experience or plan to start their operation within two years of applying. The grant aims to alleviate the challenge of lacking start-up funds, celebrating the ingenuity and passion of new producers. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation's growth. The grant focuses on applicants within AgWest Farm Credit’s territory who are not current lending customers and are U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

This program provides financial assistance to livestock operators affected by infrastructure damage from wildfires and associated flooding, helping them with reconstruction costs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and city departments in Tucson to implement human service projects that address homelessness, health improvement, poverty reduction, and equitable neighborhood development for vulnerable populations.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

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 program provides financial assistance to livestock operators in Arizona for repairing infrastructure damaged by wildfires and flooding, supporting those with 40 or more animals.

The City of Tucson is offering a two-year grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to local organizations and businesses for programs in areas such as relief for families and workers, small business support, community reinvestment, workforce development, and affordable housing, with a focus on long-term, data-driven investments to address inequities and expand community services.

JustReinvest is offering a grant of up to $75,000 for community-based organizations in Maricopa County, Arizona, to fund programs that address priority areas such as violence prevention, economic development, neighborhood beautification, and health and wellness improvement, particularly in historically under-resourced neighborhoods and marginalized populations, funded by the Justice Reinvestment Fund which is supported by state tax revenues from the sale of recreational marijuana.

Local First Arizona’s We Rise business accelerator is a new, no-fee six-month program offering comprehensive and practical business skills to Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs. Donor Name: Local First Arizona State: Arizona County: All Counties Type of Grant: Training or Mentorship Deadline:  05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Meeting bi-weekly, business owners receive classroom instruction and mentorship from Black entrepreneurs with firsthand experience and expertise in starting or growing a small business in Arizona. The We Rise business accelerator exposes start-up or experienced businesses that are missing fundamental components of entrepreneurship to the nuts and bolts needed to build a successful business in Arizona’s economy. Classes will be through remote learning. Eligibility Criteria The following are criteria for individuals interested in applying for the We Rise business accelerator: Self identifies as a Black-owned business. Must be 18+. A Black American entrepreneur with some experience of running a business. The prospective candidate must have some knowledge of entrepreneurship but needs assistance with the fundamentals of establishing or growing a business such as creating a business plan, registering their business, etc. Business owner(s) must be available bi-weekly to attend class. Given the rigor of the program, participants can only have 1 absence of class. For more information, visit Local First Arizona.

This grant provides financial support to public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations for the preservation and interpretation of historic sites along the Route 66 corridor, with a focus on underrepresented communities.

This funding opportunity supports Scottsdale-based non-profit arts and culture organizations in delivering diverse programs and events that enhance the community's cultural landscape.

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are pleased to announce the Neighborhood Sustainability Grants Program. Donor Name: City of Flagstaff State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant (NSG) Program provides funding for creative projects that enhance community sustainability and promote healthy lifestyles through community partnerships. Grant Goals  NSG projects must further at least one of the following goals: Meaningfully involve underserved communities, diverse groups, or vulnerable populations. Build community partnerships. Facilitate volunteer engagement or management. Grant Categories  NSG projects must fall into one of the following categories: Building Energy Climate Action Food Public Health Resilience Transportation Waste. Funding Information The NSG Program for the year 2024 will award a total of $75,000 with a maximum of $7,500 for each individual grant. Eligibility Criteria Individuals, groups of individuals, community groups, educational groups, nonprofit organizations, churches, and locally owned businesses are eligible to apply for projects that are within the Flagstaff city limits. Applicants are eligible for a maximum of one award. Applicants are eligible for other City awards in the same year. Successful applicants are eligible for one NSG grant award every other fiscal year. Applicants must disclose any conflicts of interest. Ineligibility  Grants will NOT be awarded to: Political or partisan groups or exclusive clubs. Applicants who have failed to successfully carry out a previous grant project unless appropriate justification is made. Applicants that discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, age, citizenship, non-disqualifying disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. For more information, visit City of Flagstaff.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and local government agencies in Arizona, California, and Nevada to create jobs, provide job training, and assist low-income entrepreneurs and at-risk communities.

The Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), the largest business plan competition in the country designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting early-stage ventures to scale. Donor Name: Arizona Commerce Authority State: Arizona County: All Counties Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Semifinalists gain access to Venture Raise, a twelve-week hybrid accelerator that will prepare startups for funding. Ten Finalists will be awarded $100,000 and begin Venture Scale, a six-month accelerator of customized support and one-on-one matching with ACA Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Eligibility Criteria Companies must meet certain criteria to participate in the Arizona Innovation Challenge. Judges will screen each application to ensure all qualifications are met and all materials submitted through the proper format. If not met, applications will be removed from the competition, and notifications will not be made until the end of the first round. For more information, visit Arizona Commerce Authority.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

Glendale Pandemic Response Small Business Assistance Program in Arizona offers grants for working capital, including payroll, lease payments, business loan payments, utilities, and inventory. The program also provides access to high-quality webinars and workshops in English and Spanish, offering practical tips for small businesses to improve their economic position, recover from interruptions/closures, and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pacific Coast Coalition is offering a grant of over $1 million for dairy processors in selected states to fund projects that diversify dairy product markets, promote business development, and encourage innovative use of regionally produced milk, with funds potentially used for planning, training, equipment, product development, and co-packing capabilities.