Georgia Business and Commerce Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

The City of Savannah's 2025 Arts & Cultural Enrichment Grant Program aims to provide high-quality, innovative, and creative art and cultural programs that serve as catalysts for achieving the City's broader goals. This program is aligned with the City's mission to increase economic growth, improve built environments, strengthen community, engage and inspire young people, and enhance access to art and culture for residents. The program seeks to integrate the creative sector strategically to address these priorities in a measurable way, contributing to a vibrant and thriving Savannah. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include the residents of Savannah, particularly those who will experience increased access to art and culture in their communities, as well as young people who will be engaged, developed, and inspired through imaginative approaches. The impact goals are to foster economic growth through skill-building, employment, and entrepreneurship within the creative sector; improve the aesthetics of built environments; build and reinforce a strong sense of community; and reestablish, enrich, and/or preserve vibrant neighborhoods and the quality of life in Savannah. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined to address key city objectives. These include increasing economic growth through skill-building, employment, and entrepreneurship; improving the aesthetics of built environments through creative programs; expanding art and cultural experiences to new and diverse audiences and participants; building and reinforcing a strong sense of community throughout Savannah; engaging, developing, and inspiring young people through imaginative and innovative approaches; reestablishing, enriching, and/or preserving vibrant neighborhoods; and increasing access to art and culture in close proximity to where residents live. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in economic growth attributed to arts and cultural initiatives, enhanced visual appeal of public and private spaces, broader participation in arts and cultural activities across diverse demographics, a stronger sense of community cohesion, and positive developmental impacts on youth. Proposals are sought that strategically position the disciplines of the creative sector to address these City priorities in a measurable way, with funding contingent on the annual availability of funds and the strength of the proposals in demonstrating alignment with these outcomes.

NOTICE: Application Process as of April 6th EDA is excited to announce the launch of its new grants management platform: the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE). EDGE was developed to streamline the application and grants management process by implementing a single platform with increased transparency, improved user experience, higher data quality, and more efficiency throughout the entire grant lifecycle. As of April 6th, 2023, applications can no longer be submitted on Grants.gov, and will ONLY be accepted through EDGE. To apply in EDGE, please go to: sfgrants.eda.gov. More information on how to apply is provided in the full NOFO. PARTNERSHIP PLANNING program instructions: Please note that applicants will be invited to submit applications through EDGE for the Partnership Planning program. For more information, please reach out to your EDA point of contact. Program Description: EDA makes planning and local technical assistance investments to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under the Planning program, EDA makes Partnership Planning, Short-Term Planning, and State Planning awards to eligible recipients to create and implement regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. More specifically, EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to designated planning organizations (i.e., District Organizations) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and to Indian Tribes to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients respective regions. EDA also makes Short-Term and State Planning awards for economic development planning activities that guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nations most economically distressed regions. Under the Local Technical Assistance program, EDA makes awards to strengthen the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning. *Please note: While the published Notice of Funding Opportunity (available under "Related Documents") states that the ED900A form and the SF424B form are both required for a complete application, these forms are no longer required and have therefore been removed from the package template.

This fully-funded program empowers Georgia-based entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders from underserved communities by enhancing their leadership skills and providing resources to scale their ventures and create local economic impact.

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.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund, aiming to restore and enhance critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats within the Cumberland Plateau region. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The program's core strategy involves increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands, which contributes to NFWF’s strategic priority of supporting wildlife and improving ecological health through sustainable land management. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the diverse habitats and species within the Cumberland Plateau, as well as landowners and communities in the region who will adopt conservation practices. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the program aims to foster resilient ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable human activities. The foundation's theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing financial and technical assistance, they can incentivize conservation practices that lead to measurable environmental improvements and long-term ecological benefits. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program strategies. These include restoring previously mined lands, increasing the adoption of conservation practices on grazing and croplands, establishing, enhancing, and maintaining forest habitats, and restoring instream habitats to support aquatic species. A significant focus is also placed on expanding and coordinating technical assistance and outreach to landowners, recognizing the importance of local engagement and support for successful implementation of conservation efforts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in acres of restored habitats, improved water quality metrics, enhanced soil health, and greater carbon sequestration. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024, with individual grant awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Projects are expected to have a completion time of 24-48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions, with a preference for projects within identified focal areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The program’s success will be measured by the extent to which these conservation practices are adopted and the subsequent environmental benefits realized across the Cumberland Plateau.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for its Southeast Aquatics Fund to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitats in the southeastern United States and Texas. This grant program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The fund's priorities are informed by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, adopted in 2018 and updated in 2023, which aims to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity across the Southeast. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aquatic ecosystems and the diverse array of species that inhabit them, particularly those identified as focal species in the Conasauga River (GA) and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. These include various endemic and native fishes like the Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, and trispot darter. The impact goal is to advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and other relevant conservation plans, ultimately leading to healthier aquatic habitats. The program prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints, with funding available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Projects benefiting the focal species in these areas will receive priority. The strategic priorities of the NFWF, as evidenced by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, emphasize a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitats in prioritized watersheds, reflecting a theory of change that by protecting these indicator species, the broader ecosystem health will improve. Expected outcomes include the conservation of aquatic habitat, the advancement of specific goals outlined in the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, and positive impacts on focal species populations. While not explicitly detailed as "measurable results" in the provided text, the focus on indicator species suggests that the health and population trends of these species would serve as key metrics for success. Projects are anticipated to have a completion time of 24–36 months, with grant awards ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 from approximately $8.45 million available in 2024.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

The Classic Center Cultural Foundation's 2024 Community Grant program aims to support performing, visual, or culinary arts efforts and workforce development initiatives in Athens-Clarke County, specifically those aligning with the hospitality industry. This grant directly supports the Foundation's broader mission to provide resources that entertain and educate the local community and foster economic growth. The Foundation achieves this by supporting diverse arts programs and workforce development initiatives, while also maintaining The Classic Center as a state-of-the-art venue. The target beneficiaries for this grant include organizations and initiatives within Athens-Clarke County that are actively involved in the performing, visual, or culinary arts, or are developing workforce skills relevant to the hospitality sector. The primary impact goal is to enhance the cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity of the local community through arts and hospitality-related development. By investing in these areas, the Foundation seeks to create a more engaged and skilled community. The grant prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear alignment with both arts and hospitality. This focus includes, but is not limited to, programs that offer educational opportunities, public performances, exhibitions, or culinary training that can lead to employment within the hospitality industry. The Foundation seeks proposals that will contribute to both community enrichment and economic stability. Expected outcomes include an increase in high-quality arts programming and a more skilled workforce in the hospitality sector within Athens-Clarke County. Measurable results could involve the number of participants in workforce development programs, attendance figures for events, or the number of impressions generated by supported projects. Grant funding is available up to $5,000, with proposals needing to clearly outline an itemized project budget and the amount requested, not exceeding this limit. The Classic Center Cultural Foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in a theory of change that posits by investing in arts and workforce development, especially within the hospitality industry, they can contribute to a thriving local economy and an enriched cultural landscape. The Foundation believes that supporting these initiatives directly leads to a more educated, entertained, and economically stable community, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in Athens-Clarke County.

The Aging Adults Program, offered by The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (CFNF), is designed to support nonprofit organizations primarily focused on aging adults or their caregivers. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to address critical needs within its service area, particularly given the growing population of aging adults facing challenges in maintaining a high quality of life on limited incomes. By providing funding, the CFNF aims to bolster community initiatives that directly benefit this vulnerable demographic, reflecting a strategic priority to support the well-being of the region's older residents and those who care for them. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aging adults seeking to maintain a high quality of life, as well as the caregivers who support them. The impact goals are centered on providing direct support to these groups, which can encompass a range of services designed to alleviate the challenges associated with aging and caregiving. The program specifically emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high quality of life on limited incomes, indicating an underlying goal of fostering financial stability, health, and overall well-being for aging individuals within the community. The program prioritizes organizations that serve Duval County primarily, with limited support also available for services in Baker, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. This geographic focus ensures that the grants address the needs of the communities where the foundation operates. The grants' focus on direct support for aging adults or their caregivers highlights the foundation's commitment to tangible, immediate benefits. The grant size, up to $15,000, suggests a focus on supporting smaller to medium-sized initiatives or specific projects that can demonstrate a clear and measurable impact within the grant period of October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Expected outcomes include improved quality of life for aging adults, enhanced support systems for caregivers, and the sustained operation of vital nonprofit services in the region. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the direct support, the emphasis on a two-year work history and an annual operating budget of $100,000 or above for eligible nonprofits suggests that the foundation seeks to partner with established organizations capable of delivering impactful and sustainable programs. The CFNF's strategic priorities are evident in its exclusion of funding for athletic associations, fundraising event sponsorships, schools, and programs promoting religious beliefs, indicating a focused approach on direct social services for aging populations, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct community investment will lead to improved societal well-being for its elder citizens.

The Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant (WRIG), offered by BizRecycling, aims to significantly reduce solid waste generated by eligible schools, businesses, and nonprofits in Ramsey and Washington counties, Minnesota. This grant directly aligns with BizRecycling's mission to increase waste reduction and recycling activities within the business community, support source-specific reduction and reuse, and provide innovative, sustainable solutions to waste problems. It prioritizes managing operations higher on the waste management hierarchy, encompassing waste reduction, reuse, market development, food recovery, composting, and handling hard-to-recycle materials. The target beneficiaries include for-profit businesses, nonprofits, private colleges and universities, places of worship, and specific private and charter schools in Ramsey and Washington counties. Ineligible entities include home-based businesses, all public entities, and residential apartment buildings. The grant's impact goals are centered on increasing waste reduction and recycling, supporting source-specific needs, and providing innovative solutions, ultimately leading to a significant reduction in the amount of mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) that businesses create. The grant prioritizes projects demonstrating clear impact through estimated weight in pounds of reduced waste, recycling, or organic material, and innovation through the implementation of new ideas or technologies with clear waste reduction outcomes. Funding information indicates one-time grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded, requiring a 10% cash match from applicants. Uses of funds are categorized into equipment & materials, construction & infrastructure, research & development, and education & engagement, all designed to support waste reduction and recycling capabilities. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in solid waste, the adoption of more sustainable waste management practices, and the development of innovative solutions within the business community. This contributes to the broader strategic priority of fostering a more environmentally responsible business landscape in Ramsey and Washington counties. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial support for planning, equipment, supplies, and capital improvements, businesses and organizations will be empowered to implement effective waste reduction strategies, leading to a healthier environment and more sustainable economic practices.

This program provides financial support to small-scale, sustainable farms in metro Atlanta to improve their operations and enhance their contributions to the local food system.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta's Arts, Culture and Creative Enterprises Grants program aims to bolster nonprofit literary and performing arts organizations by facilitating access to performance venues and facilities. This initiative directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support the cultural vibrancy of the Greater Atlanta area and foster artistic experiences for the public. By addressing the critical need for performance spaces, the program enables organizations to produce and present their work, thereby enriching the community's access to diverse artistic expressions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit professional arts organizations with a core mission in literary or performing arts disciplines such as Creative, Nonfiction, Dance, Fiction, Multidisciplinary, Music, Musical, Theater, Opera, and Poetry. The program specifically targets organizations based in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, or Rockdale counties in Georgia, which conduct most of their local programs and services in metro Atlanta. The impact goal is to empower these organizations to overcome facility access barriers, leading to increased public engagement with performing arts. Priority consideration for 2024 support is given to organizations in alignment with the Foundation's TogetherATL strategy. This includes artistic or cultural activities led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders or organizations directly representing/serving BIPOC communities, as defined by criteria such as artistic or executive leadership, artistic theme, board/staff majority, or population served. Further priority is extended to organizations without their own primary performance space, new organizations that have not previously received an "A Place to Perform" grant, those that did not receive a Metropolitan Atlanta Arts grant in 2023, and organizations with operating budgets below $2 million. This focus highlights the Foundation's commitment to equity, access, and supporting emerging or underserved artistic groups. The expected outcomes include a greater number of performing arts presentations for the public, especially from organizations that traditionally face barriers to facility access. Measurable results will be tied to the utilization of grant funds (up to $5,000) to subsidize direct rental costs for engagements occurring between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The Foundation's strategic priorities, reflected in the TogetherATL strategy, emphasize fostering a more inclusive and accessible arts landscape. By supporting organizations that might otherwise struggle to secure performance venues, the grants contribute to a theory of change where equitable access to resources directly translates into a more vibrant, diverse, and publicly engaged arts community in Greater Atlanta.

The Culture Connect Legacy Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofits serving US-based immigrant and refugee populations in Georgia, focusing on language access, public benefits access, economic empowerment, and affordable healthcare, with applications open until October 17, 2024.

This grant provides funding to U.S. colleges and universities to develop training programs that educate Georgian importers and processors about U.S. poultry products, with the goal of increasing exports to Georgia and surrounding regions.

This program provides matching funds to small businesses in Decatur, Georgia, to improve their digital marketing efforts and enhance their online presence.

The Delta Community Credit Union's Philanthropic Grant Program aims to provide financial support to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. This program aligns with the credit union's mission by focusing on initiatives that help families manage their household finances and improve the physical and financial well-being of young people. The grants are designed to support organizations that resonate with these core objectives, thereby fostering community growth and financial literacy. The program primarily targets families and young individuals as its beneficiaries. The impact goals are centered on enhancing financial stability for households and promoting holistic well-being among youth. This includes improving their physical health, financial literacy, and overall educational attainment. The long-term vision is to create a more financially secure and healthier community through strategic investments in relevant programming. Priority is given to organizations that demonstrate a strong alignment with the mission and offer programming in specific areas. These key focus areas include Financial Literacy/Financial Education, STEAM/STEM and Arts Education, Health and Well-Being of Young People, and general Education. Strong consideration is also given to organizations operating within the metro Atlanta 16-county region and out-of-state branch communities where Delta Community Credit Union conducts business. The Philanthropic Fund plans to award a total of $150,000 to 20 deserving organizations across three tiers: Tier One ($10,000 for 7 organizations), Tier Two ($7,500 for 6 organizations), and Tier Three ($5,000 for 7 organizations). Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in the financial management skills of families, increased participation and engagement in educational and health-related programs for young people, and a positive contribution to community well-being. Projects must take place within the 2025 calendar year, and organizations funded in 2024 are ineligible for 2025 funding but may reapply in subsequent years.

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.

This program provides financial assistance to small business and commercial property owners in Decatur, Georgia, to improve the exteriors of their buildings and enhance the community's aesthetic appeal.