California Business and Commerce Grants

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.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small, independently owned businesses in Arcadia, California, to help cover costs associated with permits for opening, expanding, or improving their commercial spaces.

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is offering grants to support San Francisco’s residents, businesses, visitors, and workers by providing critical economic and workforce development resources. This Request for Proposals (RFP) encompasses four distinct program areas, with an anticipated total funding of $2.38 million for initial grant awards. The grants are designed to support programs delivered through three key OEWD divisions: Business Development, Community Economic Development (formerly Invest In Neighborhoods), and Workforce Development. The target beneficiaries of these programs include various communities within San Francisco. For Community Economic Development, the focus is on Castro cultural activation, specifically uplifting Queer and Transgender Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Workforce Development programs target workers through the Industries of Opportunity-Worker Cooperative Program and youth and young adults through the Industries of Opportunity-Youth and Young Adult Food Sovereignty program. Business Development programs aim to benefit the broader community through Union Square Park Programming. The grant prioritizes specific areas with defined funding allocations. Community Economic Development programs, focusing on Castro cultural activation, have a funding of $30,000. Workforce Development programs include $950,000 for the Worker Cooperative Program ($425,000 per program year) and $400,000 for the Youth and Young Adult Food Sovereignty program ($200,000 per program year). Business Development programs, specifically for Union Square Park Programming, are allocated $1,000,000. Successful proposals are expected to be funded for up to six years, concluding no later than June 2030, which indicates a long-term commitment to the initiatives. The eligibility criteria require applicants to be a nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) organization, registered with the IRS and in good standing with relevant California state entities, and eligible to do business with the City and County of San Francisco. Expected outcomes include economic growth, workforce development, and community empowerment within the targeted areas of San Francisco, aligning with OEWD’s mission to support the city's residents and economy.

This grant provides $1 million to a qualified nonprofit or educational institution in California to develop a project aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

This grant provides funding to various organizations to expand career education and training in allied health occupations for adults from disadvantaged backgrounds and healthcare workers facing advancement barriers.

The City of Riverside's Small & Micro Business Grant Program aims to bolster local small business resiliency by offering grant awards to qualified businesses. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster economic stability and growth within the city, particularly for businesses that have experienced financial impacts, such as those related to COVID. The program's design suggests a strategic priority on community economic health and the long-term sustainability of its local enterprises, which is fundamental to a thriving city. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are small and micro-businesses located within Riverside city limits. Specifically, eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees, an annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $2,500,000, and must have been in operation prior to January 1, 2023, with a valid business license. A key focus is on businesses that can demonstrate a COVID financial impact, indicating an effort to support recovery and adaptation. The program targets not only established small businesses but also home-based businesses, emphasizing broad support for the local entrepreneurial landscape. Beyond direct financial support, the program prioritizes the holistic development of businesses. All applicants are offered a free one-on-one Strategic Planning Consultation. This component is designed to identify areas for improvement and to help businesses build customized strategies. This focus on capacity building and strategic planning indicates a theory of change that extends beyond immediate financial relief, aiming for long-term sustainability and increased financial stability. The expected outcomes of the Riverside Small & Micro Business Grant Program include enhanced financial stability for participating businesses, increased capacity for success, and improved long-term sustainability. While specific measurable results beyond the grant awards of up to $25,000 are not detailed, the emphasis on strategic planning consultations suggests an expectation of improved business operations and resilience. The program implicitly seeks to retain and grow local businesses, thereby contributing to the overall economic well-being of the City of Riverside.

This initiative provides financial support to women-owned small businesses in San Francisco to help them grow through various improvement projects, such as marketing and equipment upgrades.

The CDC Foundation is offering a grant program to community-based organizations (CBOs) focused on raising awareness about critical health warning signs during and after pregnancy. This initiative is part of the national "Hear Her" communication campaign, which aims to improve communication among pregnant and postpartum individuals, their support networks, and healthcare providers. The program aligns with the CDC Foundation's mission to protect health and safety by supporting public health initiatives, specifically addressing maternal health outcomes, which is a key strategic priority. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are pregnant and postpartum people, along with their support networks (friends and family) and healthcare providers who interact with this population. The impact goal is to educate communities and improve communication, ultimately leading to better maternal health outcomes. Organizations serving communities that experience poorer maternal health outcomes are a particular focus. The program prioritizes CBOs that are headquartered in and serve communities within the US. Eligible organizations must specifically serve pregnant or postpartum people, their support systems, and/or healthcare providers. A key focus is on organizations with the staff capacity to execute planned activities within the one-year grant duration and those that serve their local communities. Special consideration is given to organizations serving specific metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New Orleans, New York City, and St. Louis, as well as those whose leadership and staff reflect the communities they serve. The expected outcome of this grant program is increased awareness of important health warning signs during and after pregnancy among the target population. Measurable results will stem from the successful implementation of activities designed to educate communities and enhance communication. By fostering better communication and awareness, the CDC Foundation's theory of change suggests that individuals will be empowered to recognize and act on warning signs, leading to timely interventions and a reduction in adverse maternal health events. The program offers up to six awards of $50,000 each, with activities to be completed within one year.

This program provides coaching and community support for fundraisers of color at small nonprofits in Sacramento and Yolo counties, focusing on those addressing health and racial disparities.

Grantees will be required to accomplish the following within the Grant Activity Period: Convene a standing committee of community members and stakeholders tosupport development of new SLP structure and strategic framework. Model equity practices and principles in the development of new SLP mission,vision, programming, and services. Identify and retain a dedicated staff member to lead new SLP and provide mentorship to that individual. Identify and maintain an accessible public office space for the new SLP. Create and implement a realistic operating budget for new SLP, with appropriate portion of grant funds going directly to support new SLP. Supply anticipated outcomes for a one-year grant and outline any next steps anticipated to occur beyond the grant activity period to fulfill the goals of the grant program. 

The Tustin Cares program, offered by the City of Tustin in partnership with the Orange County-Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presents the Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program. This initiative aims to provide vital training and funding to retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits within Tustin, specifically targeting an increase in their social media presence and overall revenue. While not explicitly stating a "foundation mission alignment," the program's focus on local business development and recovery suggests an alignment with broader community economic well-being and resilience, particularly in the wake of financial hardships. The target beneficiaries of the Main Street Digital Program are for-profit commercially-zoned brick-and-mortar retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits physically located in Tustin. Eligibility criteria specify that businesses must have had an active Tustin business license since the first quarter of 2023, possess a minimum of 2 employees and no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees as of December 31, 2023, and be in good standing with the City. Businesses that have participated in previous Main Street Digital Programs are ineligible, but those that received alternative COVID-19 related funding, such as EIDL or PPP loans, are eligible. The program's priorities and focuses are squarely on digital presence and revenue generation for small businesses and nonprofits. The SBDC has developed a virtual training program specifically designed to assist businesses with "Creating a Digital Presence." This emphasis highlights the City of Tustin's strategic priority to empower local enterprises with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace, thereby fostering economic growth and stability within the community. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an enhanced social media presence and increased revenue for participating businesses and nonprofits. The program's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted digital marketing training and financial assistance, local businesses will be better equipped to reach customers, expand their operations, and ultimately contribute to the economic revitalization of Tustin. The requirement for businesses to certify financial hardship due to COVID-19 and the $500 grant amount, which cannot exceed the amount of lost revenue, also suggest an immediate goal of alleviating pandemic-related economic strain.

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.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations.  

This program provides funding to California cities and counties to create and improve initiatives that support individuals affected by cannabis criminalization, helping them enter the regulated cannabis market.

Program Funds awarded under this NOFA shall be used to provide construction loans and/or permanent financing loans at simple interest rates of no higher than three percent per annum, for payment of predevelopment costs, acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation as well as to construct, convert, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and/or repair Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). Eligible activitiesPursuant to Guidelines, Section 105, the LHTF funds shall be allocated in compliance with all of the following: 1. To provide construction loans and/or permanent financing loans at simple interest rates of no higher than three percent per annum, for payment of predevelopment costs, acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation associated with Affordable rental housing projects, Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, homebuyer/homeowner projects to purchase for-sale housing units or to rehabilitate an owner-occupied dwelling. Funds may also be used for the construction, conversion, repair, and rehabilitation of Accessory Dwelling Units or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. 2. Administrative expenses may not exceed five percent of program Program Funds and Matching Funds.3. A minimum of 30 percent of program Program Funds and Matching Funds, after deducting administrative expense, shall be expended on assistance to Extremely Low-Income Households. To comply with this requirement, dwelling units or shelter beds must be Affordable to and restricted for Extremely Low-Income Households with household income of no more than 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). 4. No more than 20 percent of the program Program Funds and Matching Funds, after deducting administrative expense, shall be expended on assistance to Moderate-Income Households. To comply with this requirement, dwelling units must be Affordable to and restricted for Moderate-Income Households with household income of no more than 120 percent of AMI. 5. The remaining program Program Funds and Matching Funds shall be expended on assistance to Lower-Income Households. To comply with this requirement, dwelling units must be Affordable to and restricted for Lower-Income Households with household income of no more than 80 percent AMI. Funding Activity requirements LimitsPursuant to Guidelines, Section 103, the funding minimums, and maximums apply as detailed below:-The minimum application request by an Applicant that is an existing Existing Local Housing Trust Fund shall be $1 million. -The minimum application request by an Applicant that is a new New Local Housing Trust Fund, but which is not a Regional Housing Trust Fund, shall be $500,000.-The minimum application request by an Applicant that is a new New Local Housing Trust Fund, which is also a Regional Housing Trust Fund, and which is utilizing Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funds as Matching Funds, shall be $750,000. -The maximum application request for all Applicants shall be $5 million.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for California-based industrial facilities and related entities to implement advanced technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency, particularly benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The HOME-ARP Housing Plus Support Program provides funding for service providers to provide short term financial assistance and critical services to qualifying populations who are exiting homelessness as well as to prevent vulnerable qualifying populations from losing housing.; The HOME-ARP Program is a one time allocation awarded to states, units of local government, insular areas, and consortia of units of general local government that qualified for an allocation of HOME funds in Fiscal Year 2021. Funding is intented to address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive services specifically for qualifying populations defined as homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking and other vulnerable populations at risk of housing instability. HOME-ARP funding for this NOFA will provide grants to nonprofit and Native American Entities. The Department will award HOME-ARP funds to provide critical services to those experiencing homelessness, exiting homelessness and to prevent vulnerable populations from losing housing.

This funding opportunity supports developers in California who are creating affordable housing projects, providing guidance and financial assistance to promote sustainable and innovative solutions.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. The Eligible Applicants for 2018 MIT-RIP funds are Jurisdictions within the MID. This includes eligible Jurisdictions that have seen 1 percent or more of total structures destroyed by fire and have more that 0.4 percent of total land designated as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard risk that will receive a proportional allocation of program funds. Eligible Applicants with allocations include Butte County, Lake County, Los Angeles County, Malibu, Paradise, Redding, and Shasta County.  

The City of Oakland's 2025 Neighborhood Voices for Festivals Grant Program aims to amplify cultural expressions, stories, and heritage within Oakland's neighborhoods, particularly those that have historically lacked equitable investments and recognition. This grant supports in-person Oakland arts and cultural activities that are free and open to the public, focusing on one- or multi-day festivals rather than ongoing programming. The program seeks to foster community engagement and celebrate the unique identities within the city. The grant prioritizes festivals that uplift the cultural identity of a people or the historical significance of a neighborhood, specifically encouraging applications from racial/ethnic-specific communities or other under-recognized groups in Oakland. It also supports festivals in neighborhoods with limited formal cultural resources and seeks partnerships with organizations deeply embedded in their local communities. The program aims to increase visibility and support for these communities and their cultural practices. Target beneficiaries include Oakland-based nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status and their fiscal sponsors, who are in good standing with state agencies and comply with federal regulations. The festivals themselves benefit the broader Oakland public by offering free arts and cultural experiences. The impact goals are to provide equitable resources, recognize underrepresented cultures, and enhance community vibrancy through cultural celebrations. Expected outcomes include increased cultural expression, enhanced community pride, and greater access to arts and cultural events for all Oakland residents, especially in underserved areas. Measurable results could include the number of festivals supported, the diversity of communities reached, attendance figures for the festivals, and qualitative feedback on the cultural impact. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in neighborhood-led cultural festivals, the city can empower communities, promote cultural understanding, and foster a more inclusive and vibrant Oakland.