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 funding program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and select for-profit entities for projects that promote tourism and enhance Miami-Dade County's appeal as a travel destination.

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 are competitive awards that fund environmental restoration and education projects in the Tampa Bay watershed with a focus on community-led initiatives. Donor Name: Tampa Bay Estuary Program State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: This funding program stimulates environmental stewardship and science literacy among those who live, work, and play around Tampa Bay. Funding Information The maximum award is $5,000 per project. Schools, governments, nonprofits, and businesses are eligible to apply. Grant Period January 1 – December 31, 2025. Project Eligibility Projects must be within the Tampa Bay watershed.  Applicants may submit up to two proposals, but only one proposal per organization may be awarded.  Being listed as a project partner in a different organization’s application does not preclude any organization from applying and receiving an award. Projects must address one or more of the priorities listed in the Tampa Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Improve water quality and reduce contaminants of concern in the bay Increase and preserve healthy bay habitats in Tampa Bay Protect and enhance fisheries and wildlife Improve spill prevention and response Reduce the occurrence of invasive species in the bay Increase public education and involvement Improve responsible public use of the bay Improve the resiliency of bay habitats to climate change Incorporate CCMP goals and targets into local land use plans and other planning and development guidance tools. Eligibility Criteria  Nonprofit organizations, businesses, and educational institutions are eligible to receive grant funds. Government agencies may apply if a project has strong volunteer or community involvement. A federal employer identification number (FEID) or state tax exemption is required. Funds will not be awarded to individuals. Past award recipients have included nonprofits, educators, filmmakers, neighborhood associations, artists, and researchers. Projects that are led by, empower, benefit, or engage communities that are underserved and/or overburdened are encouraged to apply. Additional potential awardees include chambers of commerce, professional associations, and other affinity groups. For more information, visit Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

The Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA), a Department of the City of Gainesville, is offering this “Downtown Event Program” to assist organizations and businesses with up to $5,000 of grant funds to enable event programming within Downtown Gainesville. Donor Name: Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: All Time Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: This Program can also work in concert with the City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Special Event Additional Support (SEAS) grant program to assist with renting space at PRCA locations throughout Downtown Gainesville, such as Bo Diddley Plaza, Sweetwater Park and Depot Park. This Program will be implemented on a limited basis until such time that the City creates a permanent replacement program that has been reviewed by the Downtown Advisory Board and approved by the City Commission. The maximum allocation from GCRA’s Downtown Strategic Plan budget to this temporary program is $50,000 without further City Manager approval of increased funds. Grant Period The Program will only fund events that take place between June 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, unless otherwise extended by the City Manager and subject to the availability of funds. Eligibility Requirements  To be eligible, the event must be within Downtown Gainesville. Event must take place on publicly owned spaces (ex: parks, roads, etc.). Funding is available to both not-for-profit organizations as well as businesses and other entities putting on an event within Downtown Gainesville. Government entities are not eligible for this Program. Funding is limited to events that do not already receive financial funding from the City. The City supplying in-kind services or waived fees does not count as financial funding in this context. The proposed event must not conflict with the City’s goals, core programs, and services. Program funding may be used for event-related expenses such as advertising, entertainment, equipment rental, rental of facilities, and/or security. Other funding uses may be granted if deemed during the application review and approval process to be in the Program’s spirit. The Applicant is required to provide general liability insurance documentation as part of the Application and must include it post-event when submitting for the grant reimbursement. The event shall not have a predominantly religious or political purpose. The event shall not involve or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The event shall not promote the use of tobacco products, illegal drugs or activities, gambling, or a sexually oriented business; or involve obscene or sexually explicit materials or content. For more information, visit Gainesville CRA.

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 Tourist Development Council Arts, Culture & Heritage (ACH) funding program is administered by the St. Johns Cultural Council pursuant to an agreement with the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners. Donor Name: St. Johns Cultural Council State: Florida County: Saint Johns County (FL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The intent of the ACH Grant Program is to increase the positive economic impacts of local tourism by encouraging exemplary arts, culture and heritage programming and supporting enhanced advertising and promotion of these quality tourism opportunities. The purpose of the program to support and enhance St. Johns County as a culturally interesting and vibrant destination, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners has allocated a portion of the Tourist Development Tax to aid in the operations and promotion of arts, cultural, and heritage activities that have – as a main purpose – the attraction of visitors as evidenced by promotion to tourists. A portion of these funds support an Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant program administered by the St. Johns County Cultural Council and supervised by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. Funding recommendations for Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. TDC Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants are available for either Marketing Support or Marketing and Program support. To also receive program support, proposed programs in the application needs to be new or significantly improved existing programs or events. Types of Funding  This grant program has two funding options: Out-of-Area Marketing Support This funding is for existing events or year-round programs that are not proposing any changes or improvements to existing programs or events. Program and Marketing Support This funding is for applicants that are planning new or significantly improved programs or events Funding Information Year-round annual expenses or event expenses over $167,000: maximum request equal to 30% of operating expenses or $75,000, whichever is less. Year-round annual expenses or event expenses between $100,000 and $167,000: maximum request equal to 50% of operating expenses or $50,000, whichever is less.  Year-round annual expenses of up to $100,000: maximum request equal to 50% of operating expenses or $50,000, whichever is less. For programs and activities occurring between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.  Eligibility Criteria Basic Eligibility All applications must meet the following basic eligibility criteria at the time of application: All grant funded activities must occur within St. Johns County. The proposed annual programs or event must be arts, culture or heritage related and have a primary purpose of attracting visitors to St. Johns County, as evidenced by the promotion of the program or event to tourists. Applicants, including for-profit businesses and private institutions of higher education, must be qualified to do business in Florida as evidenced by their Active Status with the Florida Division of Corporations. Municipalities are also eligible to apply. Have a marketing plan that includes out-of-area marketing, defined as follows: Advertising, promotion, publicity and sales activities that take place and are directly targeted to Tourists, which are defined as persons and groups residing outside the following counties: St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam, Clay, Duval, and Nassau. Media that reaches audiences of both Tourists and those within St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam, Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties is allowable to the extent that the advertising reaches out-of-area. For this, grantees will need to provide a broadcast area, distribution, designated market area, analytics, or other data showing the market reach of the advertiser. The allowable reimbursement amount will be based on a percentage of the documented out of area reach. For example, if you purchase a $1,000 ad with a print publication that has a distribution that is 20% out-of-area, you can request a $200 reimbursement for that expense. Specific Eligibility In addition to meeting basic eligibility above, applicants need to meet additional criteria depending on the type of applicant, the type of funding they are applying for, and the nature of programs or events for which funds are being requested. For more information, visit St. Johns Cultural Council.

The Community Services Agency Partnership Grant program was initiated by the Board of County Commissioners to address human service needs in Seminole County. Donor Name: Seminole County State: Florida County: Seminole County (FL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/27/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Seminole County has an extensive history of partnership with local non-profit agencies to benefit and improve the quality of life for residents. The CSA program collaborates with community organizations in assisting residents with specific needs in the County. The program provides grant funds to qualified non-profit organizations that meet federal and state tax exemption requirements and have been in existence for a minimum of three years. Agencies must provide services to benefit and improve the quality of life for Seminole County. CSA funded programs must assist residents of Seminole County Priority will be given to projects or programs providing a direct service identified as a top need in the 2024 Community Needs Assessment. The top needs have been identified as the following Childcare Utility Assistance Mental Health Services Rental Subsidy/Assistance Homeless Services Housing for Homeless Families Food Transitional Housing Eligibility Criteria Only the applications meeting the following criteria will be considered: The nonprofit agency is chartered or otherwise authorized to do business in the State of Florida for charitable purposes and exempted from the Federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) for a minimum of three years. The purposes for which the nonprofit agency is organized provides benefits to Seminole County residents. The services or activities to be provided by the nonprofit agency, and funded with County funds, shall address community needs. Agencies providing services identified in the Community Needs Assessment will receive priority funding. The nonprofit agency shall have a governing board whose members serve without compensation and have no conflict of interest between their regular occupations and the services provided by the nonprofit. The nonprofit agency has bylaws or policies which describe the manner in which business is conducted, including management, audit, and fiscal policies and procedures, polices on nepotism, and policies on management of potential conflict of interest. The nonprofit has at least one year’s experience providing the service or activity for which the funds are requested or can otherwise demonstrate to the satisfaction of the County sufficient expertise to successfully carry out the service or activity. The nonprofit must be licensed and accredited in accordance with applicable requirements of Federal, State and County laws. The nonprofit agency may not use a funding agency or other third-party arrangement to meet program requirements for eligibility. Awarded funding cannot make up more than twenty-five (25) percent of an agency expenditures based on the prior year’s IRS 990 form. If the request exceeds twenty-five (25) percent, agency may still be funded, however, maximum award will not exceed the twenty-five (25) percent. Nonprofit must provide the previous year’s fundraising plan and a statement on future fundraising efforts. Only one application per agency will be considered. Grants will be made only to nonprofit agencies whose programs and activities benefit the residents of Seminole County. Capital improvement, construction projects, property or home purchases are ineligible. Administrative expenses are ineligible. Administrative expenses are defined as costs associated with overall program management, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. Costs include purchase of equipment, insurance, office supplies, leasing/utilities, supervision of program staff and administrative staff salaries, etc. For more information, visit Seminole County.

Comcast RISE provides grants to help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment. Donor Name: Comcast RISE State: Selected States City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Comcast RISE was created in 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 recover and thrive. They’re pleased to bring Comcast RISE back in 2024, and they’re proud to continue the efforts to help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment. The program is built to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. This year, Comcast RISE will award 500 recipients in five cities with a grant package that includes business consultation services, educational resources, monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. Funding Information Each Winner will receive $5,000 US Dollars in the form of a cash grant (“Monetary Grant”), a creative and media campaign (“Creative and Media Campaign”), a technology makeover (“Tech Makeover”), business education courses (“Education”), and a consultation (“Consultation”). This is awarded based on the judging criteria above. The Monetary Grant award consists of a $5,000 cash prize. The Creative and Media Campaign award consists of the production of a turnkey 30-second television commercial and the right to use that television commercial in a one hundred-eighty (180) day linear TV media schedule. After completion of the 180 day media schedule, recipients will have the opportunity to purchase an extension to the Media Campaign at then-current rates. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of each Creative and Media Campaign prize: $17,500.00. The Education award consists of access to online business education courses through a 12-month complimentary LinkedIn Learning account. The Consultation award consists of a business assessment and tactical planning; business to business coaching; and mentorship to advise on how to grow business. The Technology Makeovers will include some combination of Comcast Business Internet, Voice, and cybersecurity malware detection with no monthly service charge for up to a 12-month period and computer equipment from a selection of laptops and/or tablets. Tech Makeover services can only be awarded to one business location for a 12- month consecutive period. Value of Comcast Business service and equipment not to exceed $7,500.00 for the year. Comcast Business will install services and a modem(s) at the business location specified on the submission. After completion of the 12-month period, recipients will have the opportunity to subscribe to the Comcast Business service at current rates. Exact make, model, type, and quantity of computer equipment received to be determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. ARV of each Tech Makeover prize: $7,500.00. Application Criteria To be eligible to apply, companies must meet the following criteria: Open only to eligible small businesses located and operating in one (1) of these geographies (as defined by Comcast via zip codes) in the United States: Atlanta, GA Southern Colorado Houston, TX Jacksonville, FL Richmond, VA Small business must be owned by an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the Program Period that also meets the following eligibility requirements: Person who owns the business is the primary decision maker for, and has been actively engaged in, the day-to-day operations of the business Owner owns at least 51% of the equity of said business Business is independently owned and operated and not a franchise location Business has been actively operating for at least three (3) years Business has been revenue generating for at least the 12 months prior to the Program Period Business does not fall into any of the following categories: Non-profit Chamber of Commerce Public or private education provider that participates in the FCCs E-Rate Universal Service Program Church or Religious Organizations including nondenominational ministries, interdenominational and ecumenical organizations, and organizations whose main purpose is to study or advance religion Political advertiser Any business related in any way to the growing, marketing, sale, distribution, or use of marijuana or related products Manufacturer or retailer of drug paraphernalia Virtual MVPD Internet Service Provider Gun manufacturer or retailer Fireworks manufacturer or retailer Tobacco/vape manufacturer or retailer Illegal products or services provider Adult entertainment company, including, but not limited to gentlemen’s clubs, adult toy stores, adult magazines, and adult programming services Ride sharing service providers (including independent contractors of ride sharing companies.) Business employs one hundred (100) employees (including full-time and part-time employees) or less Employees of Comcast Corporation, and each of its respective parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible to enter or win Employees of EY (Ernst & Young), Hello Alice, LinkedIn are not eligible to enter or win Only one submission per business owner Business owner has no prior felony convictions, tax-related convictions, or child support delinquency convictions Business owner may not currently be serving (either in a full time or part time capacity) as a federal, state, or local government or quasi-government official or employee Business or business owner who has previously received a Comcast RISE monetary grant, consultation, media, creative production, or technology makeover is not eligible. For more information, visit Comcast RISE.