Michigan Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding to rural counties in Michigan for transportation projects that improve road networks and public transit infrastructure, benefiting local governments and transit agencies in areas with populations under 400,000.

This program provides financial support to for-profit small businesses in Genesee County, Michigan, helping them grow and innovate through grants tailored to their size and maturity.

This program provides financial assistance to Michigan's food and agriculture businesses to help them meet wastewater regulations and improve their infrastructure.

This program provides financial support to small- and medium-sized automotive manufacturers in Michigan to help them transition from making parts for traditional vehicles to producing components for electric vehicles.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses, municipalities, and railroads in Michigan for upgrading rail infrastructure to boost economic growth and increase rail freight usage.

This program provides financial support to long-standing Detroit businesses that have been operating for at least 30 years and have significantly contributed to the community's culture and economy.

The City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority is pleased to announce the Façade Grant for Residential Properties. Donor Name: Alpena Downtown Development Authority State: Michigan City: Alpena Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In 2024, the DDA expanded its Façade Grant program to allow properties that are residential in use to apply for grant funding and designated a separate pool of funding for grant awards to eligible residential façade grant requests. Properties that are exclusively residential in use (such as single family, multi-family, duplexes, townhouses, or rentals) are also able to apply for funding through the program. Properties may apply for up to 50% of eligible façade costs with a maximum of $10,000 request/facade. Building Eligibility Requirements Location and Nature of Building Use.  Properties located within the legal boundary of Alpena’s DDA district engaging in retail, restaurant, commercial, entertainment, office services, or properties that are mixeduse shall be deemed eligible for grant funding. Any question concerning the eligibility of a specific property may be submitted to the Executive Director of the DDA. A determination of location and building use eligibility will be provided to the interested party within two business days following receipt of the inquiry. Properties that are exclusively residential in use (such as single family, multi-family, duplexes, townhouses, or rentals) are also able to apply for funding through the program. Payment of Taxes and Other Public Accounts.  All previously billed and currently payable property taxes and annual installments of assessments must be paid in full for the subject property before an application for a façade improvement grant will be considered. Additionally, all City of Alpena accounts in the name of the applicant and/or attaching to the subject property must be current. All taxes, assessments, and other city accounts must be kept current during the application, review, construction, and post-construction processes. Nature of Façade.  Grant funding may be requested for any façade (front, side, or rear) that fronts on a public right of way (street, alley, or public parking lot). Applicants may apply for up to 50% of eligible renovation costs per façade. Award amounts are capped at $10,000/ façade. All requests for funding must be approved by the DDA Board of Directors. Greater consideration for funding will be given to work proposed on a façade fronting a city street. Structural Integrity of Building.  Buildings for which improvements are proposed must have basic structural integrity and an intact roof as confirmed by the City of Alpena Building Department, thereby protecting the DDA’s potential investment in the façade. Insurance Coverage.  The applicant or the owner of the subject property must carry suitable property insurance coverage on the subject property and must provide a certificate of coverage to the DDA with the application. The applicant or owner is strongly encouraged to also carry a builder’s risk policy of insurance covering potential damage to the building’s structure by the contractor. For more information, visit Alpena DDA.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Unit is offering grants for organics (food waste) infrastructure projects. Donor Name: Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: EGLE protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources, and is focused on addressing climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, EGLE will provide matching grants to support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate priorities by supplementing efforts to increase access to food waste diversion projects and grow the statewide food waste composting and recycling rate.  Objectives Increase access to food waste diversion infrastructure while building diversity, equity, and inclusion across Michigan. Increase collection and processing capacity for food waste diversion. Increase participation rate in existing food waste diversion programs. Priorities Programs with the largest projected increases in processing or collection capacity volume and/or access and participation. Programs with sustainable funding mechanisms in place. Programs that currently provide or propose robust, continuing education programs. Applicants with demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner with other groups and organizations. Projects that leverage concurrent project funding from other sources, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Closed Loop Fund, or local foundations or businesses. Projects that support Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities through measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Projects that will benefit an environmental justice community or underserved and vulnerable populations within a community. Funding Information A total of $1 million in funding. The maximum amount of funding that can be requested for an EGLE Organics Infrastructure Grant is $250,000. The minimum grant funds an applicant may request is $5,000. The State anticipates the grant period will start November 29, 2024, and will end on September 30, 2027.  Eligibility Criteria  For purposes of this RFP, the following types of entities are eligible to apply non-profit organizations, tribal governments, school districts, universities/colleges, local health departments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities, resource recovery authorities, businesses, corporations, and private sector entities located in Michigan. Eligible Organics Infrastructure Grants include but are not limited to: The implementation of curbside food waste carts; creation or enhancement of drop-off food waste collection; public space food waste collection containers; school food waste collection and processing projects, food waste collection vehicles, multi- family food waste collection projects, and food waste processing projects. For more information, visit EGLE.

This program provides up to $25,000 in reimbursement funding to support new or expanding businesses in Cadillac's designated districts, aimed at stimulating growth and revitalizing commercial spaces.

Greater Toledo Community Foundation and The Blade, in partnership with The Center for Nonprofit Resources, announce the 2024 Northwest Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Awards. Donor Name: Greater Toledo Community Foundation State: Michigan, Ohio County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Winners receive a one-of-a-kind glass award, a $7,500 unrestricted grant from Greater Toledo Community Foundation and a $1,000 unrestricted grant from The Andersons, plus a half-page ad in The Blade. The Blade and Greater Toledo Community Foundation, in partnership with The Center for Nonprofit Resources, are pleased to present the 14th annual Northwest Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The Awards are designed to honor and recognize outstanding nonprofit organizations and their achievements in the community. Awards will be given to three nonprofit organizations, one in each of the following categories: Excellence in Collaborative Programming Excellence in Strategic Action Excellence in Organizational Operations. Award Criteria  Excellence in Collaborative Programming This award showcases a joint initiative that leverages the skills and resources of multiple nonprofit partners to deliver excellent service to residents of northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan. Creative partnerships lead to greater impact in the community by reaching underserved audiences and avoiding duplication of service. Applications that clearly address the following will receive priority consideration: Description – Provide a description of the specific project for which the application is being made. Include details about how the project represents a creative solution to a community challenge. Collaboration – Fully describe all partners contributing to project success including, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations, businesses, governmental agencies or funders. Results – Provide a description of how the project is evaluated and what measurable, positive results have ensued. Excellence in Strategic Action This award highlights organizations that have strategically expanded programming or pivoted to a new service delivery model to better meet a community need. Priority consideration will be given to projects that utilized data and metrics to identify a gap in service, aligned with community-wide planning efforts to ensure activities did not duplicate existing services and successfully implemented and sustained the expansion. It is anticipated that projects will still be active and have completed the strategic action within the past five years, but the committee will consider older initiatives as well.  Applications that address the following will receive priority consideration: Description – Describe how the opportunity for expansion or a new approach to service delivery was identified.  Detail the planning and implementation process. Clearly identify the need that was addressed through the strategic action including, but not limited to, reaching participants in an underserved geography, reaching a specific demographic or pursuing a policy change, etc. Note how the action has been sustained. Results – Describe how success is measured.  Include any metrics that illustrate impact. Excellence in Organizational Operations This award recognizes organizations for overall excellence. The strongest applications will demonstrate active involvement by staff, board members, volunteers and constituents in advancing the mission of the organization. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for at least five years and have a local governance and management structure in place. Applications that cite examples of best practices within the following areas will receive priority consideration: Governance – Provide examples that demonstrate organizational excellence in board management and engagement. Financial Management & Fundraising – Provide examples that show the organization’s financial management is strong, transparent and accountable.  Describe the organization’s development strategies including adherence to best practices and donor-centered approaches. Evaluation/Community Impact – Cite examples of how outcome data is used to achieve the organization’s mission and how this impacts the community. Awards Eligibility and Criteria In each category, applicant organizations should meet the following general eligibility criteria: Applicant must be a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and based in northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan. Organizations may apply for, and are eligible to win in, more than one award category, but must submit a separate application for each category and must address the criteria specific to each award. Once an organization has received an award, that organization will become ineligible for that same award for the following three years. All organizations are required to submit due diligence documentation with their online application to Greater Toledo Community Foundation. Documentation includes: A copy of the organizational budget for the current fiscal year; A copy of the audited financial statements for the most recent year available – if unavailable, the unaudited income and expense statement and balance sheet must be provided; A list of board members with affiliations; and A copy of the applicant’s tax exemption letter from the Internal Revenue Service. The submission must include: A high quality electronic version of the organization’s logo, and Three original electronic high resolution photos (300 DPI or higher) that depict the organization’s mission and services. These items will be used as part of the award ceremony for organizations selected as finalists. Winners will not be announced in advance of the ceremony. As part of the review process, any applicant may be requested to submit additional supplemental information. For more information, visit Greater Toledo Community Foundation.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance community and economic growth in Huron County by supporting workforce development, vibrant community initiatives, and business development, among other areas of interest.

The Main Street Micro Business Startup Grant Program, funded by Main Street Oakland County and Genisys Credit Union, offers grants between $1000 to $10,000 to support the creation, relocation, or expansion of small businesses in specific Main Street Districts, covering costs such as location renovations, rent assistance, equipment purchases, and other relevant expenses.

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.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Michigan-based nonprofits and higher education institutions that assist startups, aiming to boost innovation and economic development in the state.

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.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F) is seeking applications for its Community Priorities Grant to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County, now and for generations to come. Donor Name: Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F) State: Michigan County: Charlevoix County (MI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of the Community Priorities Cycle is to offer all eligible nonprofit partners the opportunity to apply for projects and programs that address a variety of needs in Charlevoix County. Individuals, couples, families, and businesses who advise funds at the Community Foundation (donor advisors) may choose to make grants through the cycle as well. Community Priorities grant proposals will additionally be evaluated on the following specific criteria: Organization’s impact and relevance in the community they serve Organizational capacity (leadership, staffing, planning, etc.), and solvency Degree to which funds will help strengthen the organization and/or the community the organization serves Comprehensiveness of proposal, including degree to which proposed activities are wellplanned and address the need(s) identified Duration of impact in the community served Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations All units of government All educational institutions (preschool through college) Organizations described above that serve Charlevoix County residents Organizations that do not discriminate in hiring of staff or the provision of services For more information, visit C3F.

The Huron County Community Foundation is seeking applications for its fall grant cycle. Donor Name: Huron County Community Foundation State: Michigan County: Huron County (MI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Huron County Community Foundation is a nonprofit, community corporation created by and for the people of Huron County to make a positive impact on the community. Huron County Community Foundation will focus on Prosperity by supporting Community & Economic Growth with a focus in the following Strategic Priority areas: Retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce Creating vibrant and dynamic communities Cultivating an environment for business development. Focus Areas  Projects addressing one or more of the Strategic Priority areas will be given preference for unrestricted grantmaking dollars, however, HCCF also holds funds to benefit numerous interest areas. Projects addressing these areas are encouraged to apply:  Arts and Culture Education Health & Medicine Basic Needs Services Beautification of Huron County Natural Areas Preservation Disadvantaged Youth Recreation Women in STEM  Application Guidelines  To apply for a grant, please complete and return the attached application form along with a less than two page project narrative outlining the following topic areas as they relate to the project: Project Description  A description and purpose of the project, including location How many people will be served? What is the project’s long-term impact? Are there measurable results? How would a grant from HCCF be recognized before/during/after the project? Applicant Organization  A brief description of the history of the applicant organization, including when it was founded and who it serves. Only one application per application organization will be considered per grant cycle Project Team  List the names and responsibilities of persons and organizations involved Evaluation Describe how you will determine if you accomplished your purpose. Budget  Provide estimated project income and expenses, include other income sources and their approval status, as well as any fundraising. If partial funding from HCCF was awarded, would the project continue as presented? For more information, visit HCCF.

The City of Dearborn is accepting applications for its Small Business Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Dearborn State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program will enable Dearborn Small Businesses with 15 or fewer employees who have been in business in Dearborn for at least five years and are in good standing with the City to apply for $5,000 in assistance to improve their business, with an expected $2,500 match from the business themselves. The grant dollars can be put towards the following improvements: Facade improvements (paint, windows, building face materials, etc.) Awnings Other exterior improvements (signage, patios, walkways, landscaping, etc.) Eligibility Criteria Any Dearborn business that meets the following requirements can apply for funding: In business in Dearborn for at least 5 years No more than 15 employees  In good standing with the City, State, and IRS, and not in bankruptcy.  Business owner(s) must not be listed on the MI State Police Sex Offender Registry For more information, visit City of Dearborn.

A pioneer for women in business, Olga Loizon persevered through every obstacle to create one of metro Detroit’s most iconic restaurant concepts, Olga’s Kitchen. In honor of Olga Loizon and her legacy, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants and Olga’s Kitchen have founded the Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation. The foundation focuses on entrepreneurial women who would be unable to attain the resources necessary to start a business or otherwise continue with their business development.

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.