Florida Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Kissimmee facing economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them stay operational and support the local economy.

This grant provides financial assistance to Florida-based manufacturers and service providers looking to expand their export sales by facilitating meetings with qualified international buyers and agents.

This program provides financial assistance to business owners and developers in the South Cape area of Cape Coral, Florida, to help cover site development costs for new construction or renovations, with a focus on job creation and economic growth.

This program provides financial support to retail and recreational businesses in Downtown Orlando for tenant improvements and initial rental costs, aiming to revitalize the area and reduce vacant properties.

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 financial assistance to property owners and tenants in Wilton Manors for exterior renovations that improve the appearance and vitality of local businesses.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits focused on community development initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, particularly in the Northeast, Florida, and Texas.

This program provides funding to Gulf Coast state governments to establish research centers that promote ecological restoration and sustainable economic growth in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations representing at least two neighboring rural counties in Florida to collaboratively develop and implement economic and tourism strategies that enhance community growth and leadership.

This program provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized Florida companies to help them participate in international trade shows and expand their export sales.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Gulf South to promote affordable housing and community resilience in underserved areas through initiatives like first-time homebuyer assistance and disaster preparedness.

This program provides financial assistance to building and business owners in downtown Orlando for improving the appearance and structural integrity of their properties, particularly historic buildings, to boost economic investment and community development.

This funding opportunity helps Florida-based manufacturers and service providers create tailored Export Marketing Plans to identify and pursue international growth strategies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and county governments in the Gulf Coast region for construction and real estate projects that enhance environmental restoration, economic revitalization, and infrastructure improvements following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Bay Mini-Grants, offered by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, are competitive awards designed to fund environmental restoration and education projects within the Tampa Bay watershed, with a strong emphasis on community-led initiatives. This program is rooted in the broader mission of stimulating environmental stewardship and science literacy among the residents, workers, and visitors of Tampa Bay. The funding directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priorities by focusing on local action to address critical environmental challenges and fostering a more engaged and informed public concerning the health of the bay. The program targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies, particularly those with strong volunteer or community involvement. Past award recipients have included neighborhood associations, artists, and researchers, highlighting a broad reach. Projects that are led by, empower, benefit, or engage underserved and/or overburdened communities are specifically encouraged, indicating a commitment to equitable impact. The primary impact goal is to enhance the environmental health of the Tampa Bay watershed through tangible restoration efforts and increased public awareness and participation. The grant prioritizes projects that address one or more of the objectives outlined in the Tampa Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). These priorities include improving water quality and reducing contaminants, increasing and preserving healthy bay habitats, protecting and enhancing fisheries and wildlife, improving spill prevention and response, reducing invasive species, increasing public education and involvement, improving responsible public use of the bay, improving the resiliency of bay habitats to climate change, and incorporating CCMP goals into local land use plans. These focus areas reflect a holistic approach to environmental management and community engagement. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in water quality, expanded healthy habitats, and a more robust and protected ecosystem. Measurable results could involve specific reductions in pollutants, acres of restored habitat, increased biodiversity, and a higher level of community participation in environmental initiatives. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support to community-led initiatives focused on these key priorities, it will empower local stakeholders, drive direct environmental improvements, and ultimately cultivate a more environmentally conscious and active citizenry, leading to a more resilient and healthy Tampa Bay. The grant period for projects is January 1 to December 31, 2025, with a maximum award of $5,000 per project.

The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics is currently accepting applications for its AERO Education Grant Program. This grant initiative is designed to support educational programs focused on aviation and aerospace, spanning from primary to post-secondary levels. The program aligns directly with the department's mission to encourage young people to pursue careers in aerospace or aviation upon completing their post-secondary education, recognizing the critical importance of workforce development in these sectors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are students across Oklahoma, from elementary school to college, who will participate in aviation and aerospace-minded educational programs. The overarching impact goal is to expose more young Oklahomans to STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math—and to career opportunities within the aviation and aerospace industry. This focus directly addresses the state's need to build a robust aerospace and aviation workforce. A key priority of the AERO Education Grant Program is to fund initiatives that bridge the skills gap in Oklahoma's workforce. The program supports the Oklahoma Works initiative, which aims to connect students with programs that will help them develop the necessary skills for aerospace and aviation careers. The department's strategic priority is to foster a strong talent pipeline, and its theory of change posits that by investing in early and ongoing aerospace education, more students will choose these fields, thereby strengthening the state's industry. The expected outcomes of the grant program include an increase in the number of young people pursuing STEM education and ultimately entering the aviation and aerospace workforce. While specific measurable results like the number of students impacted or subsequent career choices are not detailed in the provided text, the agency annually allocates over $500,000 to programs statewide, indicating a significant, ongoing commitment to achieving these outcomes. This consistent investment underscores the department's dedication to its long-term strategic goals for aerospace and aviation workforce development.

This funding opportunity is designed to support established non-profit organizations in Seminole County, Florida, that provide essential services to local residents and address community needs.

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District's Clean Air Grant (CAG) Program is designed to provide monetary grants to private companies and public agencies. The core mission of this program aligns with the broader goal of improving air quality by incentivizing actions that reduce emissions from heavy-duty engines. This goes beyond existing legal or regulatory requirements, encouraging a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. The program's strategic priority is to accelerate California's transition towards zero and near-zero emission technologies, addressing both local air quality and broader climate change concerns. The target beneficiaries of the CAG Program are diverse and include private companies, public agencies, and specific segments within these, such as small fleets for off-road funding, and entities operating school buses. A significant portion of the funds is reserved for projects located within or directly benefitting low-income communities, indicating a strong focus on environmental justice and equitable distribution of environmental benefits. The impact goals are centered on achieving surplus emission reductions, particularly from heavy-duty on-road and off-road equipment, and supporting infrastructure for cleaner technologies. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include agricultural portable and stationary engine repower and infrastructure, alternative fuel infrastructure (such as battery charging, natural gas, and hydrogen fueling stations), heavy-duty on- and off-road equipment replacement, repower, and retrofit, and school bus replacement. There is a clear emphasis on zero-emission technology and infrastructure, which is a guiding principle for the program. The District also considers special projects for sensitive receptors, further demonstrating a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from air pollution. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in air toxics, criteria air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions. The program aims to achieve these reductions through investments that directly benefit impacted communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed in terms of quantifiable targets (e.g., "reduce NOx by X tons"), the guiding principles suggest a commitment to considering cost-effectiveness and exposure reduction in funding decisions, implying a data-driven approach to evaluating impact. Transparency in project selections and reporting is also a stated guiding principle, which will contribute to the accountability and effectiveness of the program.

The Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Program is a locally funded initiative designed to support local agencies in delivering activities similar to those eligible under FTA 5310 federal programs. This program maintains all the beneficial elements of its federal counterpart, but utilizes local funding. Its core mission aligns with addressing the critical transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities, particularly when existing services are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate. The program aims to ensure that these vulnerable populations have reliable access to transportation, thereby enhancing their overall mobility and quality of life within Orange County. The primary target beneficiaries of the EMSD Program are older adults and people with disabilities in Orange County. The program's impact goals are centered on improving mobility for these individuals, supporting local agencies and non-profits that provide services within their communities, and supplementing existing transportation services like the OCTA Senior Mobility Program, OC ACCESS, and OC Bus fixed-route service. A significant focus is also placed on providing seamless service through improved first- and last-mile connections, recognizing that initial and final legs of a journey can often be the most challenging for individuals with mobility limitations. The EMSD Program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. It encourages the incorporation of technology-based solutions to create more efficient and accessible mobility options. Furthermore, it emphasizes promoting outreach efforts by non-profit and public agencies to senior and disabled patrons, with a particular focus on reaching disadvantaged, underrepresented, and diverse communities to ensure their specific needs are met. Funding is also prioritized for agencies that demonstrate collaboration through partnerships, aiming to create efficiencies and lower operating costs, and for those that commit to increasing vehicle revenue hours beyond a minimum of ten hours per week, ensuring greater service availability. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an overall improvement in the mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities across Orange County. This will be achieved through increased access to transportation services, enhanced first- and last-mile connections, and the adoption of innovative technology-based solutions. The program also anticipates a strengthened network of local agencies and non-profits providing these essential services, leading to more comprehensive and effective support for the target populations. The availability of $8.5 million in funding, with a total maximum request of $1.5 million per applicant across various capital and operating categories, is a measurable commitment to achieving these impactful results.

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