Indiana Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides funding for health and wellness initiatives that directly benefit residents of Elkhart County, Indiana, supporting nonprofit organizations and public entities in their efforts to improve community health.

This program provides financial support to commercial property owners in McCordsville for improving the appearance and functionality of their buildings, fostering a vibrant business environment.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in St. Joseph County that are working on projects to improve community development, health services, education, and recreational facilities for local residents.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations hosting events in Rising Sun and Ohio County, Indiana, to help cover marketing costs and boost local tourism in 2025.

The program provides a 50% matching grant to eligible businesses that are located within an Economic Development Target Area (EDTA). The purpose is to improve the appearance of their building and the surrounding site. By visually enhancing the exterior of buildings, businesses increase their property values, maintain their marketability, and demonstrate confidence. The CFG program works to assist those owners to promote reinvestment, strengthen Fort Wayne’s commercial activity and enhance economic vitality in the City’s heart. Program Objectives Maintain vibrancy of core commercial areas by encouraging investments that enhance the visual aesthetics of commercial properties and lead to increased property values. Stimulate economic development by providing incentives to increase existing business investment, ensure business sustainability and create aesthetically pleasing areas that attract new business and consumers. Complement other revitalization efforts to ensure the maximum leverage of resources. Support local businesses and encourage local entrepreneurship, to further enhance the spirit of Fort Wayne

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

Leap Funding provides promising, revenue-generating businesses with $10,000 – $30,000 of equity-free funding to scale their community impact and increase the odds of long-term survival. Donor Name: Main Street Ventures State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Warren County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information  Grant Request between $10,000 – $30,000. Eligibility Criteria  Business Type Applicant MUST be a business entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN).​ Industry Focus Areas: Retail Storefronts – Ex. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Retail Shops, etc. Manufactured Goods – Ex. Consumer Packaged Goods (Food / Beverage), Clothing, Sporting Goods, etc. Technology Companies – Ex. Hardware, Software. Business Location Business Entity MUST be located in the Greater Cincinnati region (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana). Grant requests from other regions will NOT be considered. Application Responses Businesses MUST show customer demand and strong progression since the founding. Funding requests MUST focus on specific growth projects. MSV defines a growth project as a step that will help accelerate your business growth. MSV Grant Funding is designed to help businesses scale by covering key Direct Costs, not General Operating Expenses. Examples of Direct Expenses that ARE suitable for Grant Funds: Key pieces of equipment, Packaging Support, Technology Product Development, etc. Examples of General Operating Expenses that are NOT suitable for Grant Funds: Existing Payroll, Rent, Insurance, Marketing, Legal Fees, etc. Businesses MUST explain the impact of Grant Funds on the business OR the Cincinnati Region. Special Consideration will be granted to Women and Minority-Owned businesses Businesses that can show matching funds from other sources. For more information, visit Main Street Ventures.

The Dubois County Chamber of Commerce quarterly business grant is intended to support and promote locally owned businesses that are current chamber members. Donor Name: Dubois County Chamber of Commerce State: Indiana County: Dubois County (IN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligibility Criteria The business entity’s location must be based within the geographical limits of Dubois County. The business must have no more than 50 full-time employees. The business entity must be locally-owned and operated – this includes franchised businesses. The business cannot be a subsidiary of a larger corporation. Publicly traded companies are not eligible. The business entity must disclose information on any pending litigation or legal actions. The applicant business must be registered and in good standing with the Indiana Secretary of State as a Business Entity, or if a sole proprietorship have a certificate of assumed business name or doing-business- as {OBA) form record from the County Recorder. For more information, visit Dubois County Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the small business capacity-building grant program. Donor Name: Franklin Chamber of Commerce State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Small businesses are essential to the economic and social growth of a community. In Franklin, small business owners are friends and neighbors who are the foundation of the city. They are delighted to assist in strengthening these businesses that are so important to the fabric of the community. Funding Information  This project of the Franklin Chamber Foundation will award 12 $2,500 grants to local small businesses. Eligibility Criteria  Small businesses of 10 or fewer full-time employees are encouraged to submit applications for the grants which may be used for initiatives such as expanding a physical space, online presence or marketing initiatives. Examples of capacity building are: user-friendly online shopping platforms, enhanced point-of-sale systems, updated websites, increased physical spaces and innovative marketing strategies. For more information, visit Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

The Henry County Community Foundation is offering the Harold E. and Imogene L. Caine Memorial Fund Grants to non-profit organizations in Henry County, Indiana, that provide holiday assistance to children aged 5 and under, with applications due by October 11, 2024.

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana recognizes individuals, groups, businesses, projects, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the arts in Southwestern Indiana. Donor Name: Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana (ARTSWIN) State: Indiana County: Vanderburgh County (IN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Categories Mayor’s Art Award – This highly prestigious honor is given to an individual whose contributions to the arts have had an exceptional impact on the community. Consideration is given to evidence of long-standing support of, and life-long interest in, the arts. The nominee must be a current resident of Vanderburgh County whose arts activities have had significant impact on the City of Evansville. Visual Arts Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the visual arts discipline. (Film and literary arts are included in this category.) Performing Arts Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the performing arts discipline. Young Artist Award – This award recognizes a rising high school junior or senior in the 2024-2025 school year who displays exceptional aptitude in an artistic discipline. Arts Educator Award – This award recognizes an educator who directly influences and engages students of any age through the visual, literary, or performing arts. Arts Project Award –  This award recognizes a project that utilized the arts to advance community, economic development, or quality of life goals or initiatives in the 2023 calendar year. Eligibility Criteria Any individual, group, business, project, or institution may be nominated for these awards. The Mayor’s Arts Award is presented by the Mayor of Evansville and is restricted to a resident(s) of Vanderburgh County. A past recipient is not eligible to win in the same category again.  For more information, visit ARTSWIN.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

Applications are now open for the gBETA AgBioScience Accelerator for early-stage companies focusing on AgBioScience. Donor Name: Gener8tor State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: gBETA is a free, seven-week, pre-accelerator program for companies that are looking to achieve rapid growth and/or raise venture capital. gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program. Participating companies receive: Individualized coaching and mentorship from the team of nationally ranked accelerator gener8tor on company growth and investor readiness Weekly “Lunch & Learns” and “Mentor Swarms” Investor and accelerator pitches $1M+ in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft Ongoing post-program support and gener8tor community involvement and offerings Eligibility Criteria National Based Program gBETA Agbioscience is a national-based accelerator for early-stage companies with a focus on agriculture innovations. It is hosted in Indianapolis with in-person and virtual components. You’re Committed While they don’t expect you to be full-time on your business yet, programming is about a five-hour commitment each week, and they expect that you will be spending additional time working on your business each week outside of the program. You’re Ready to Grow gBETA companies range from “I have an idea” to “I have significant revenue.” Although most gBETA companies are post-product, pre-scale, as long as you are ready to make use of coaching on customer growth and investor readiness, mentor meetings, and investor and accelerator pitches, they’re ready for you! For more information, visit Gener8tor.

The City of Mishawaka is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Development Block Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Mishawaka State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The City of Mishawaka has developed a five-year Consolidated Plan covering the years 2025-2030.  Projects must meet one of the following goals of the Mishawaka Consolidated Plan. Homeless Priority- Public Services Improve and increase public services through funding to programs that target and serve homeless individuals. Special Needs Priority-1 Public Services Improve and increase public service programs for the youth, the elderly, disabled, and target low-income population, including feeding programs and social/welfare programs throughout the City.  Housing Homeownership Assistance- Promote and assist in developing homeownership opportunities for low and moderate- income persons & families through down payment assistance.  Affordable Housing- Promote and assist in the development of new affordable housing through renovation of existing units.  Promote and assist in the preservation of existing owner occupied housing stock thru the Summer of Service Program. Promote and assist in making accessibility improvement to owner occupied housing through rehabilitation. Community Development Priority- Improve, preserve and create new public and community facilities, infrastructure, and public services to ensure the quality of life for all residents of the City of Mishawaka.  Infrastructure- Improve the City’s Infrastructure through rehabilitation, reconstruction and new construction of streets, walks, curbs, ADA ramps. Clearance-Remove and eliminate slum and blighting conditions through demolition of vacant and abandoned structures throughout the City. Administration, Planning and Management- Provide sound and professional planning, administration, oversight and management of federal, state, and local funded programs Fair Housing-Affirmatively further fair housing by promoting fair housing choice throughout the City of Mishawaka. Eligible Activities CDBG Funding may be used for a variety of activities and programs to help low and moderate- income individuals, households or areas. Eligible activities include: Public Facilities and Improvements Code Enforcement Architectural Barrier Removal Public Services, including youth services, senior services, childcare, operations of homeless shelters, services for persons living with HIV/AIDS and crime prevention. Planning  Housing Services – including down payment assistance, renovation of rental or owner occupied housing. Microenterprise Assistance Economic Development Assistance Façade Improvements for Private Businesses For more information, visit City of Mishawaka.

Arts Midwest is offering Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants of up to $67,000 to small arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color, providing general operating support for those with annual expenses up to $500,000 in selected states.

The United Way of the Wabash Valley has issued a new grant opportunity through their Community Health (UWWV CH) and Youth Success (UWWV YS) Impact Councils that are focused on projects that will address the overall health of area youth. Donor Name: United Way of the Wabash Valley State: Illinois, Indiana County: Clark County (IL), Clay County (IN), Parke County (IN), Sullivan County (IN), Vermillion County (IN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In particular, they are looking for projects that will improve the mental, behavioral, and physical health and well-being of children ages 6 to 18 (K-12). The UWWV CH and YS councils are seeking proposals for innovative programs that address the overall health of the youth participants. Programs may be conducted during the school year, summer 2025, or another out-of-school time. Proposed projects can take a variety of approaches to addressing the overall health of students with a more holistic approach. Priority will be given to programs that show the following attributes: Program serves youth in outlying counties: Clay, Parke, Sullivan, and Vermillion counties in Indiana, and Clark County in Illinois. Programs form collaborations/partnerships among organizations. Physical exercise is integrated with one or more of the following: social/emotional well-being, mental health, life skills, and food and nutrition. Funding Information The UWWV has made available a total of $30,000 in funding to be provided to eligible qualifying applicants. Applicants may apply for $1,000 to $5,000 to be expended by August 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria The following groups within the UWWV service area (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Clark County in Illinois) are invited to submit proposals: Youth-serving organizations, school organizations, and/or civic organizations Businesses, Local government entities (e.g. Parks Department) Faith-based organizations, committees/groups and/or ministries Non-profit health services organizations If counseling/therapy/life skills services are proposed, evidence that a licensed or certified counselor is performing the services must be provided. Services must be conducted in person. Virtual sessions will not be funded. For more information, visit UWWV.

The City of South Bend, Indiana is inviting applications for the South Bend Alive Grant program, aimed at funding community organizations that work towards reducing violence and positively impacting the lives of young people through mentorship, employment training, and community outreach activities.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced the availability of grant funds to assist communities’ efforts to increase recycling and waste reduction. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Environmental Management State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Community Recycling Grant Program is administered through the Office of Program Support (OPS) of IDEM. Funding Information Grants start at $1,000 and go up to $100,000 with a 25 percent cash match. Grant Period Grant agreements will be for a term of 18 months. Eligible Funding Costs  Funding is available for expenses related to the startup or expansion of recycling, reuse, composting, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection or disposal, and source reduction programs. Eligible expenses include:  Purchase of recycling equipment such as balers and compactors. Organics management equipment including chippers and leaf collectors/vacuums.  Recycling collection vehicles, such as a curbside recycling truck.  Educational materials to inform new and existing participants.  Funding for HHW projects will be used toward proper collection and disposal methods of HHW, establishment of reuse and product exchanges to reduce the quantity of HHW being disposed, and education programs to reduce the quantity of HHW generated by informing the public of less hazardous and/or nontoxic substitutes for typical household hazardous products. Project Eligibility Projects should accomplish one or more of the following: Start or expand a recycling, source reduction, reuse, buy-recycled, or composting program. Offer a new service, collect a new material, and/or serve a new area through the establishment of a new permanent service. Improve efficiency and sustainability over current program practices through increased volumes of materials collected, and better processing of materials, cost savings, and resource conservation. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible Applicants: Solid waste management districts (SWMDs) Counties Municipalities Schools Nonprofit organizations located in Indiana Noneligible Applicants: Businesses Commercial operations For-profit organizations State agencies are not directly eligible for grants from IDEM. State agencies may be partners in projects with a solid waste management district or a local unit of government. For more information, visit DEM.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses located in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone to improve their facilities, enhance customer experiences, and support historic preservation efforts.

The Ripley County Community Foundation has a variety of available grants to benefit nonprofit organizations and their projects that serve Ripley County. The grants program strives to anticipate the changing needs of the community and be flexible in responding to them. It focuses on providing "seed" money or pilot project support, but general operating support grants could also be considered. The program aims to have the greatest benefit per dollar granted and encourages the participation of other contributions through matching, challenge, and other grant techniques. The financial condition of the applying organization will be considered, as well as its strength, community support, leadership, clarity of proposal, and eligibility. To be eligible for these grants, organizations must be a nonprofit operating in Ripley County. Grant applications must qualify as an exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c), or be sponsored by such organizations, or qualify as governmental or educational entities with similar attributes per IRS Code Section 509(a). The purpose of the organization's grant application must fall within one or more of the Community Foundation's four service areas: Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Health & Well-Being, and Environment & Natural Resources. Grants will only be made to organizations that have responsible fiscal sponsors and adequate accounting procedures. Grant recipients and fiscal sponsors must sign and abide by the respective conditions set forth in the Community Foundation's "Grant Award Agreements" and "Grant Report Forms". Organizations or their fiscal sponsors cannot have an outstanding or delinquent Grant Report in order for an application to be considered for future granting. The Large Projects Grants specifically provide assistance for sizable projects needed to support and/or enhance an organization's charitable reach. Nonprofit organizations that serve Ripley County can apply for a maximum request of $5,000.00. The application deadline is August 4th. It is important to note that previous awarded grants must be spent and accounted for before applying for another grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation. No grants will be made to defray travel or lodging expenses, for endowment purposes, for completed programs or already purchased equipment, for the acquisition of weapons or firearms, or exclusively for sectarian religious purposes. The foundation reserves the right to refuse any and all grant applications.