Nebraska Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding to nonprofit and community organizations focused on promoting North Omaha's history, reducing violence, and fostering small business development in the area.

This program provides funding to local governments in Nebraska for transportation projects that create or retain jobs and attract private investment in the state.

The Nebraska SBIR/STTR Initiative provides financial assistance to small businesses in Nebraska participating in the federal SBIR/STTR programs. This state initiative offers Phase 0 assistance to help businesses apply for federal Phase 1 funding and matching funds for successful Phase 1 and Phase 2 federal awards. The initiative aims to promote innovation and technology transfer among small businesses in Nebraska, with a total fund availability of up to $6 million per year. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: July 1st to June 30th

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center is offering Business Builder Subawards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support small food and farm businesses in selected states and counties, aiming to expand local and regional food markets, increase business acumen, and strengthen food systems in response to COVID-19, with projects to be completed within a year.

Grant Name: Regional Touring Program Grants Donor: Mid-America Arts Alliance Location: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas Grant Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: Up to $5,000 Details: The Regional Touring Program grants by Mid-America Arts Alliance support presenting organizations in showcasing the work of artists from within the M-AAA region. Presenters can receive up to 50% of the artist's fee for booking an artist listed on a state touring roster and up to 25% for booking an artist from the region not listed on a touring roster. Rural presenters may receive an additional 10% of the artist's fee. Projects must engage regional audiences through exposure, interaction, and outreach engagement. Eligible projects must feature in-region artists from outside the presenter's home state and include public-facing events between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The grant does not cover indirect project costs or expenses associated with benefits or fundraiser events. Eligibility Criteria: Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt non-profit organizations or federally recognized tribal communities incorporated in one or more states in the M-AAA region. They must have a valid EIN and UEI ID and commit to M-AAA's Grantee Assurance of Compliance and Federal Suspension and Disbarment Policy. Organizations may submit a maximum of three applications per fiscal year. For more information, visit M-AAA's website.

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 grant provides financial support for Nebraska-based businesses to develop prototypes, with a focus on innovation in non-retail primary industries, including value-added agriculture.

This program provides matching funds to Nebraska businesses collaborating with local colleges or universities on research and development projects that create or improve products and processes to boost revenue.

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.

Nebraska Innovation Fund (NIF) Prototype Grants offer financial support for new product development to businesses in Nebraska through a matching program. The grants are highly competitive, and applicants are advised to seek guidance from the Department of Economic Development (DED) to understand program requirements and expectations and to submit the strongest possible application. About Prototype Grants Prototype grants are awarded at up to $150,000 per project. Applicants must be businesses operating in Nebraska that can provide a minimum of 50% of the grant request as matching funds. Projects qualifying as value-added agriculture require a reduced match of 25%. Grant funds are accessed via reimbursement. DED reimburses project costs at a rate of 66%, or 80% for value-added agriculture projects. Eligible applicants must submit an application form and provide a business plan, plus evidence of matching funds. If approved, the project must be completed and all funds drawn down within 24 months. Eligible Businesses Eligible recipients include any Nebraska-based corporation, limited liability company, partnership, registered limited partnership, sole proprietorship, business trust or other entity with fewer than 500 employees that is engaged in non-retail primary industries and is adding value to products or processes in Nebraska. Eligible Use of Funds Prototype grant funds must be used towards the development of a product. Examples of eligible costs include wages for employees or contractors, prototype materials and limited preapproved tooling or equipment costs. Applicants must provide a budget at the time of application that outlines anticipated project costs. Eligible Matching Funds Includes any non-state source — e.g., private foundations, federal or local governments, quasi-governmental entities, commercial lending institutions, investors, etc. — provided they are not using funds appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature. Matching funds must be in the form of a cash match. Important Deadlines: Applications for this grant are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Contact DED to determine the availability of funds.

The Omaha Jaycees Foundation provides grants to support the charitable efforts of the Omaha Jaycees and to improve Greater Omaha. Donor Name: Omaha Jaycees Foundation State: Nebraska City: Omaha Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: OJF is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity whose primary focus is to make charitable grants of up to $1,000 to fund service projects in support of immediate needs and/or long-term community betterment. Eligibility Requirements Nonprofit organizations may be eligible to submit an application to OJF if they meet all of the following three requirements: Defined as a tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Code, provide services to the residents of Greater Omaha, and requesting funds to conduct a 501(c)(3)-compliant charitable activity as defined by section 170(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. OJF does not make grants in support of the following: Individuals, scholarships, bifurcated gifts, political campaigns or lobbying efforts, businesses operating for personal gain or profit, funding of an endowment, debt repayment, payment for expenses incurred in the past, or direct support of religious activities that do not serve community members regardless of congregational membership and statements of belief. For more information, visit OJF.

This program provides financial support to Nebraska-based small businesses that have received federal funding for innovative research and development projects, helping them advance their technologies and products.

The Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF) aims to enhance Nebraska's industrial readiness by supporting the development of industrial-ready sites and buildings. The plan, effective from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, targets projects that address immediate community needs for site and building development, promote job creation and investment, and leverage private dollars. Eligible projects include land and building acquisition, construction or rehabilitation, site preparation, and related infrastructure improvements.

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.

Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants provide matching competitive grants for research and development activities in collaboration with a Nebraska college or university. The program focuses on commercializing new projects, improving existing products for better marketability, and enhancing processes to generate new revenue for Nebraska businesses. Phase I R&D awards are capped at $100,000, while Phase II awards are capped at $400,000. Businesses must match the grant amount with eligible funds. The project scope includes academic research and development activities conducted with a Nebraska college, university, or faculty member to develop new products and processes or modify existing ones. For more details, visit the Nebraska Department of Economic Development website.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Cass County, Nebraska, for projects that improve local attractions and promote tourism through physical enhancements or marketing initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

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

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Nebraska that focus on enhancing economic vitality and creating inclusive gathering spaces to improve health and well-being for residents.

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.