Idaho Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Idaho that operate homeless shelters and family housing programs for low-income families.

This state-funded program provides financial support to small cities, counties, and tribal communities in Idaho for infrastructure and economic development projects that promote job creation and growth in rural areas.

This program provides financial assistance to rural communities in Idaho for infrastructure projects that promote economic development and job creation.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and community groups in Idaho that implement programs to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and addressing critical issues like trauma and poverty.

GOALS OF THE IDAHO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FUND (WDTF): Increase the economic mobility of Idahoans through training that leads to wage gains and retention. Provide timely assistance to businesses while shifting focus to broader talent pipeline development strategies that serve multiple employers. Support growth of the economy by assisting employers with job creation and integration of technology, specifically through the development of skills in their existing and/or new employees. Provide a return on investment to Idahoans as evidenced by increased wages, job creation, capital investment, retention of Idaho's workforce, credential attainment, and/or customer satisfaction (employer and trainee). Promote innovation in talent development. Encourage replication of best practices in talent pipeline development. Idaho can help you find people—the right people—and we’ll even reimburse you to train them. It’s a win win: you’ll build a qualified, capable team, and your employees will see the benefits of committing to your business for the long haul.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is currently seeking proposals for its Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program. This initiative aims to conserve, restore, and improve habitat in the Intermountain West, specifically focusing on wildlife species associated with sagebrush, irrigated meadows, and aquatic systems, while also preserving large mammal migration. NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats aligns directly with the program's objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant include ranchers, community-led organizations, and landowners in Idaho and Utah, as well as the diverse wildlife species inhabiting these rangelands, such as sagebrush sparrow, sage thrasher, mule deer, pronghorn, and Greater and/or Gunnison sage-grouse. The program's impact goals are centered on accelerating and implementing voluntary conservation practices to achieve sustainable livestock production, enhanced wildlife habitat, improved ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration), and increased landscape permeability for wildlife. Priority will be given to projects that promote innovations in grazing management, strategic management of annual invasive grasses, habitat enhancement (through mesic area/wet meadow, sagebrush restoration, and conifer removal), fence removal or modification, and the provision of technical assistance to landowners. In Idaho, there's a dedicated focus on supporting positions to integrate Farm Bill programs with the Big Game Migration Initiative. In Utah, funding is available to facilitate conservation practices on working lands and to support positions that increase the pace and scale of voluntary perpetual conservation easements through ACEP-ALE delivery and RCPP technical assistance. Expected outcomes include the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable conservation approaches, direct benefits to priority wildlife species, and increased landowner enrollment in Farm Bill programs. The program anticipates awarding between 10-20 grants, with a suggested minimum of $100,000, and projects may span one to three years. Measurable results will likely involve tracking acres restored, number of fences modified, and improvements in wildlife populations. This program exemplifies NFWF's strategic priority of fostering collaborative, science-based conservation efforts and their theory of change, which posits that strategic investment in voluntary, on-the-ground conservation with strong partnerships leads to tangible and lasting benefits for both wildlife and working lands. The program is supported by major private funding from Cargill, Taco Bell, Nestlé, Capri Holding Ltd., and federal funding from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Idaho for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Eligible entities include agricultural producers with at least 50% income from agricultural operations and small businesses in rural areas, meeting specific criteria. The program supports a range of projects, including biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind, and solar energy systems, as well as energy efficiency upgrades. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

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 Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture offer the Idaho Online Global Program Awards to support Idaho small businesses in international export marketing initiatives. The program aims to increase the number of small businesses that export, the value of exports, and exploration of new trade opportunities.Overview Individual awards of $9,000 are available for eligible activity occurring between September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2025. Only one application will be accepted per round. Multiple rounds are dependent upon the availability of funds. 20% cash match required. For every authorized $100 you spend you will be reimbursed $80. Reviewing and scoring processes are highly competitive. Watch our overview of the program here. Watch a testimonial from a previous recipient here. Receive a free website and SEO performance report here. Eligible activities for Online Global Program Design and development of website, with an international focus Website translation, search engine optimization (SEO), and localization services Mobile App integration, creation, and updates to support sales Webstore setup and/or maintenance costs Translation of marketing media, including audio and video Set up to receive and/or process online payments and orders Costs associated with selling on platforms such as but not limited to: Amazon Services, Walmart Marketplace, Alibaba Inc., FlipKart, Rakuten Cybersecurity protection to support exports

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

This funding opportunity supports qualified educational organizations in Idaho by providing financial assistance for environmental education, classroom resources, and necessary repairs to ensure safe learning environments.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Idaho that focus on environmental protection, conservation, and education initiatives.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations in the Pacific Northwest working to address environmental justice and public health challenges in historically underinvested communities.

Businesses that invest a minimum of $500,000 in new facilities and create at least 10 new jobs paying $40,000 annually plus benefits may qualify for a variety of incentives.The Idaho Tax Commission oversees this incentive. Interested businesses should complete an 89SE tax form prior to filing taxes for the year in which credits are requested. This incentive does not have a formal application but simply requires the filing of tax documentation.

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover.

This funding opportunity supports Idaho businesses and organizations in developing training programs to address workforce challenges and skill gaps, ultimately promoting job creation and economic mobility in the state.

This funding supports Idaho businesses in expanding their workforce and retraining employees to meet economic growth needs, ultimately fostering job creation and skill development.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support affordable housing, economic resilience, financial health, homeownership, and small business development for low- and moderate-income communities across 26 states.

This program provides flexible funding for nonprofit organizations and government entities in Idaho to support a variety of operational needs and community initiatives.