California Business and Commerce Grants

The City of San Diego's Economic Development Department is offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations that can assist small businesses in under-resourced communities, with funds to be used for capacity building expenses such as technical assistance, website creation, and event programming, with priority given to organizations with modest budgets and proposals aligning with the Economic Development Strategy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California for projects that assist very low to moderate-income residents of Palm Desert, including seniors, the disabled, domestic violence victims, and the homeless.

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.

The City of Alhambra in California is offering a Small Business Assistance Grant Program to support local small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses must either serve a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defined low- and moderate-income area within Alhambra or be owned by low- and moderate-income individuals.Groups of neighbors must find a host organization to sponsor the project and act as the project fiduciary. Applications are accepted year-round until funds are exhausted.

The Boulder County Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program (SFMG) provides cost-share funding through competitive grants to support large landscape and community-wide forest and grassland management projects. Funded by the county’s voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax, which went into effect in 2023, the program aims to leverage other federal, state, and local funding sources. The program's mission is aligned with the county's strategic priorities to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, protect water supplies, and promote resilient ecosystems, directly addressing the environmental and safety concerns of its residents. The target beneficiaries include local government entities, private utilities, ditch companies, water providers, state agencies, Homeowners Associations, and non-profit organizations in Boulder County. The program's impact goals are to mitigate wildfire risks across private, local government, and federal lands, safeguarding communities and natural resources. This includes protecting critical water supplies and fostering ecosystems that can better withstand and recover from wildfires. The program prioritizes fuels reduction by various methods, including mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, mowing, and grazing. Specific focuses include the creation or maintenance of fuel breaks, removal of woody materials with utilization plans, and disposal of slash and non-merchantable materials. Cross-boundary projects involving multiple land types are also emphasized, as are updates or development of new Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). For planning grants, a cap of $250,000 is set for the total, with up to five proposals funded annually at a maximum of $50,000 each. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in potential fire intensity and a decrease in the risk of catastrophic wildfires, directly benefiting public safety and property. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of fuel breaks, successful fuels reduction projects in forests and grasslands, and the development or update of CWPPs. The long-term impact aims to foster more resilient ecosystems and secure water supplies for the community, aligning with a theory of change that proactive, collaborative mitigation efforts lead to enhanced environmental health and community safety.

This grant provides financial support and consulting services to nonprofit organizations focused on affordable housing, small business development, workforce development, and financial literacy in low- and moderate-income communities.

This program provides matching funds to small businesses in Santa Monica for exterior improvements, prioritizing those owned by minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as businesses serving low- and moderate-income areas.

This program provides financial assistance to small business owners in Richmond who have been adversely affected by COVID-19, helping them stabilize and grow their operations.

The City of Pasadena's 2024-2025 Festival and Parade Grant Program aims to support publicly oriented thematic events with a defined cultural or artistic focus. These events can encompass multiple arts genres/cultural activities or multiple offerings focusing on one artistic genre or cultural activity, and must include elements of community involvement. Examples include music festivals, dance festivals, fairs, parades, and cultural celebrations. The program is specifically for events produced by non-profit organizations or consortia of non-profit organizations, taking place within Pasadena city limits for one or more consecutive days, and featuring various art forms such as music, theatre, visual art, dance, or film. The program targets non-profit arts and culture organizations or non-profit social service organizations (including, but not limited to, chambers of commerce, social service agencies, homeowners associations, or business districts) in partnership with an arts and culture organization. The grant seeks to foster accessibility, cultural diversity, and geographic equity within Pasadena. Eligible projects include public events with a cultural or artistic purpose, arts/culture festivals or parades held in publicly accessible spaces that are free or of reasonable cost, and collaborations between Pasadena non-profit art/culture organizations and other non-profit entities. Social service organizations can apply if partnered with a Pasadena arts/culture organization. The grant prioritizes marketing costs and artists' fees to ensure events are accessible and diverse. The maximum grant request is $10,000, and projects must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The program also supports arts/culture events produced in Pasadena by non-profit arts/culture organizations not based in Pasadena but providing an event not otherwise produced by a local producer, further enhancing the city's cultural offerings. The expected outcomes include an increase in accessible cultural and artistic events within Pasadena, greater community involvement in arts and culture, and the promotion of cultural diversity and geographic equity through supported festivals and parades. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the program's focus on marketing costs and artist fees suggests an intention to increase attendance and participation in these events. The overall strategic priority is to enrich the cultural landscape of Pasadena and ensure a vibrant community through public arts and cultural celebrations.

Grant Opportunity: California Local Government Housing Assistance Program Funding Organization: California Department of Housing and Community Development Contact Information: For more information, please refer to the 2023 PLHA Program Entitlement and Non-Entitlement Local Government Formula Component Notice of Funding Availability. Award Details: The program aims to provide funding to eligible Local Governments in California for housing-related projects and programs that address the unmet housing needs of their communities. Eligible activities include the predevelopment, development, acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental housing for extremely low-, very low-, low-, or moderate-income households. It also covers the development of affordable rental and ownership housing, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), for the growing workforce earning up to 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or 150 percent of AMI in High-cost areas. The program also supports matching funds for Local or Regional Housing Trust Funds and the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund. Additionally, it provides funding for services connected to the creation of new Permanent supportive housing, assistance for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, accessibility modifications in lower-income owner-occupied housing, efforts to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed or vacant homes and apartments, homeownership opportunities, and fiscal incentives for Affordable housing projects. Eligibility: Eligible applicants include Entitlement Local Governments, Non-Entitlement Local Governments, and Local or Regional Housing Trust Funds delegated by the Local Government. Please refer to Appendix A in the 2023 PLHA Program Entitlement and Non-Entitlement Local Government Formula Component Notice of Funding Availability for a list of eligible applicants. Matching Funding Requirement: Not applicable.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to projects that expand electric vehicle charging access for residents of multi-family housing, particularly in disadvantaged or low-income communities, promoting EV adoption and reliable charging solutions.

The City of Pittsburg Façade Improvement Grant Program aims to stimulate investment in the local business community by offering up to $10,000 for façade enhancements to eligible businesses. This initiative aligns with the city's mission to support and foster the growth of its local businesses, recognizing them as essential for community vitality, opportunity creation, and creativity. By focusing on visible improvements to storefronts, the program directly contributes to the beautification of public-facing areas and the overall image of the city. The primary beneficiaries of this program are small, brick-and-mortar businesses with public-facing storefronts located within Pittsburg city limits and holding an active City of Pittsburg Business License. Shopping centers with five or fewer tenants are also eligible. The program explicitly excludes home-based businesses and businesses that sell tobacco, alcohol, cannabis products, or adult materials. The impact goal is to create more inviting storefronts, improve neighborhood characteristics, encourage reinvestment in older buildings, and increase potential foot traffic for businesses, ultimately benefiting the businesses, their customers, and the wider Pittsburg community. The program prioritizes enhancements and beautification of public-facing building façades that will improve the image and characteristics of the building, the business, and the City. Specific focuses include signage, awnings, exterior paint (including anti-graffiti), architectural treatments, stucco, cladding, and/or siding repair, windows, front entrance doors, exterior lighting, planter boxes, and bicycle racks. The City seeks businesses that will provide the maximum return on investment and long-lasting benefits. A property-owner-led application is highly encouraged to ensure uniform projects, though individual tenants can also apply. The expected outcomes include a more aesthetically pleasing urban environment, increased business visibility, and a more inviting experience for customers. Measurable results will include the number of façades improved, the amount of grant funds dispersed (up to $10,000 per applicant from a $30,000 budget), and potentially qualitative feedback on improved neighborhood characteristics and increased foot traffic. The City's strategic priority is to invest in its local businesses to help them thrive, with a theory of change that by improving the physical appearance of business fronts, the city can stimulate economic activity, enhance community pride, and foster a more vibrant local economy.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a competitive grant of over $1 million for California dairy and livestock operations to implement non-digester manure management practices and technologies that reduce long-term methane emissions and maximize environmental benefits, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

The City of Culver City offers grants to support dance, music, and theatre performances, aiming to bring performing arts to the community and make them accessible to everyone. This program aligns with the city's broader mission to support a variety of cultural experiences for all Culver City residents, businesses, artists, and visitors. The grants specifically help achieve the goal of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience and enjoy the arts. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include dance, music, and theatre organizations of any size, particularly those that are non-profit (501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored) and based in Los Angeles County. The program specifically prioritizes supporting a wide variety of artists and organizations, especially those who have historically had limited opportunities, encompassing individuals from diverse races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, orientations, genders, and backgrounds. The impact goal is to enrich the cultural landscape of Culver City and ensure broad access to the arts. The program's priorities and focuses are clear: to support public missions centered on dance, music, and/or theatre, and to ensure performances are accessible and ADA-compliant. Applicants must have an outreach plan to attract Culver City residents to their shows, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement. The grants are not intended for fundraisers or classes, and each organization can apply for only one project, distinct from any Special Events Grant. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in accessible performing arts events within Culver City, a greater diversity of artists and organizations being supported, and enhanced cultural experiences for the community. The requirement for a Project Budget and SMU DataArts Funder Report suggests a focus on financial accountability and data-driven impact assessment, though specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information. Performances must occur between January 1 and December 31, 2025, providing a clear timeframe for evaluating program effectiveness.

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.

Grant opportunity: Job Creation and Business Incentive Program in California offers forgivable loans to prospective and existing business owners for job creation. Eligible businesses include new ventures or existing ones looking to expand their floor area by 50% or more. The grants can be used for interior/exterior improvements, purchase of business equipment, furniture, fixtures, and working capital.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations in California for improving the sorting and processing infrastructure of beverage container recycling to enhance material quality and reduce contamination.

The City of West Hollywood's Arts Project Grant offers funding to eligible nonprofit arts organizations for projects taking place within the city and serving its community. This program aligns with the city's broader mission to enrich the lives of its residents and visitors through cultural engagement. The grant aims to foster a vibrant arts scene, recognize and champion local cultural resources, and discover new places for artmaking, directly supporting the city's commitment to cultural development and community well-being. The primary target beneficiaries are the residents and visitors of West Hollywood, with a focus on increasing their access to quality arts programming. The program seeks to engage diverse audiences and expand participation in the arts, particularly making experiences financially and geographically accessible. Beyond cultural enrichment, the grant also intends to support local businesses by increasing revenues and fostering arts-business partnerships, contributing to the economic vitality of the West Hollywood community. Key priorities for this grant include presenting one artistic presentation per year, as opposed to a series of projects, ensuring focused and impactful events. The program prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate artistic experience, an understanding of West Hollywood's unique cultural diversity, and a commitment to serving the general public within the city or immediately adjacent areas. Projects that do not include fundraisers, capital campaigns, murals, or religious-based programs are eligible, maintaining a clear focus on public arts presentations. Expected outcomes and measurable results are centered on increasing engagement with the arts, expanding arts audiences, and enhancing the accessibility of arts experiences for West Hollywood residents. The program also aims to strengthen local cultural resources and generate economic benefits for local businesses through arts-related activities. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "increasing access," "expanding audiences," and "increasing revenues for local businesses" indicates the desire for demonstrable positive impacts in these areas. The City of West Hollywood's strategic priorities for this grant reflect a theory of change that postulates that by investing in local arts organizations and projects, the city can foster a more engaged, culturally rich, and economically robust community. The grant's focus on accessibility, local relevance, and partnership building suggests a belief that widespread participation in the arts can lead to a stronger sense of community, increased quality of life for residents, and tangible economic benefits for local enterprises. This aligns with a broader strategy of leveraging cultural assets for comprehensive community development.

The Monmouth County Community Grant, supported by the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations addressing a diverse array of community needs. While the CFNJ's broader mission likely encompasses fostering philanthropy and addressing critical issues within New Jersey, this specific grant program aligns with a commitment to supporting local initiatives in Monmouth County. The grant program seeks to empower organizations that demonstrate a dedication to improving the lives of residents and strengthening the community as a whole. This grant primarily targets underserved populations within Monmouth County, aiming to benefit them directly through programs and services in critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing, food security, employment, and youth development. The expected outcomes include tangible improvements in these areas, leading to enhanced well-being, increased opportunities, and a more equitable community for these beneficiaries. A key priority for funding consideration is a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evident in both the leadership and service delivery of applicant organizations. Furthermore, the grant emphasizes collaborative partnerships between nonprofit organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This focus on collaboration aims to maximize impact and address systemic issues affecting underserved populations more effectively, reflecting a strategic approach to problem-solving. The program also offers general operating support, recognizing the importance of sustained funding for nonprofits to continue their vital missions. The grant amount is up to $10,000 per organization, with eligibility primarily extended to nonprofit organizations with less than a $1,000,000 operating budget serving Monmouth County. This demonstrates a strategic priority to support smaller to medium-sized local organizations, enabling them to achieve measurable results and contribute to the overall health and vitality of the community.

This funding program supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential services and improve the quality of life for residents of Palm Desert, particularly focusing on underserved populations.