North Carolina Employment Labor and Training Grants

The Creative Economy Fund, formerly known as the Creative Industries Incentive Fund, is an initiative by the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). CCI is a nonprofit intermediary dedicated to the economic security of individuals in the arts. The fund awards project grants to arts, cultural, and creative-based commercial businesses located within the City of San José. These businesses can be involved in the production or distribution of the arts, encompassing manufacturers, service providers, presenters, and designers. The program's mission is aligned with enhancing San José’s creative economy and bolstering the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, as well as providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs across all disciplines, both non-commercial and commercial. The primary target beneficiaries of the Creative Economy Fund are commercial enterprises, including small businesses (defined as those with 35 employees or less by the City of San José) and sole proprietorships. These businesses must be based in San José and primarily provide a cultural, creative, or arts-related service or product. They must also be in good standing with the City of San José, holding an active business tax certificate. The fund explicitly supports projects and activities aimed at building successful arts, cultural, and creative-based small businesses, fostering economic stability and growth within the creative sector. For the 2024 grantmaking round, a total of $40,000 is available, with grants of up to $8,000 awarded through a competitive application process. The program prioritizes applicants who contribute to the city’s cultural vibrancy, demonstrate readiness for project implementation, and show potential for growth and greater financial resilience. A key focus is on demonstrating economic impact, such as attracting visitors, generating sales tax, and creating jobs within San José. Competitive applicants are also expected to reflect the City’s diverse cultural communities and creative-based commercial landscape, ensuring equitable and inclusive support for the creative sector. The expected outcomes and measurable results include enhancing the creative economy, increasing the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, and providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs. The period of support for projects is from September 2024 to September 2025. The fund's strategic priorities are to strengthen the economic foundation of San José's creative sector, facilitate business development, and promote cultural vibrancy. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support and capacity building to creative businesses and entrepreneurs, the fund will stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and enrich the cultural landscape of San José, ultimately leading to a more robust and resilient creative economy.

The One North Carolina Small Business Program offers two grant opportunities for small businesses in the state. The Incentive Funds initiative provides reimbursement to qualified businesses for a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I SBIR or STTR proposals to federal agencies. A pool of $400,000 is available for these preparation grants in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Matching Funds portion of the program awards matching funds to businesses who have already received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR award. In the current fiscal year, a pool of more than $2.4 million is available to support this class of grants. To apply for either the Incentive or Matching grant solicitations, interested organizations can visit commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/technology-funds/one-north-carolina-small-business-program. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2024, or until funds have been exhausted for the program’s 2023-24 fiscal year funding cycle.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Hanover County that align their initiatives with the county's strategic goals and enhance community services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public schools and nonprofit organizations in Durham County for innovative educational programs that promote equity and enhance college or career readiness for young people.

This funding opportunity is designed to support nonprofit organizations and community-based entities in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that are working to reduce opioid overdoses and improve health outcomes through various evidence-based programs and services.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in central and western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee that focus on education, medical services, and essential human services.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Kannapolis that provide essential services to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income residents, focusing on areas such as job training, health services, and community safety.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Greensboro and Guilford County to support projects that promote cultural vibrancy, economic mobility, and health and wellness for local communities.

This program provides $50,000 in unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina's Triangle Region that are making significant contributions to improving community health through innovative solutions addressing social determinants of health.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Forsyth County, NC, that focus on improving economic security and addressing systemic barriers for women and girls, particularly those led by women of color and actively involving women and girls in their programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Appalachian region for projects that promote economic diversification and workforce development in communities impacted by coal industry job losses.

This program provides funding and support to young civic innovators in select U.S. cities to develop creative projects that improve public spaces and engage their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Triangle area of North Carolina that empower youth aged 5 to 24 through leadership initiatives, educational achievement, and access to post-secondary opportunities.

This program provides free training and funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region, helping them build capacity to better address community challenges and improve their operational effectiveness.

This grant provides funding for artist-led and community-based projects in Forsyth County that promote art participation and enhance community health through cultural activities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties for projects that improve water quality and natural habitats, promote public awareness of water conservation, and enhance access to water resources.

This grant provides financial support for property owners and business tenants in Kinston's Downtown Historic Commercial District to improve building façades and preserve historical architecture, enhancing the area's visual appeal and attracting more businesses.

The Artist Support Grant, funded by Dare Arts in North Carolina, offers $500 to $1,000 to individual artists and small artist groups for professional development, completion of new work, career promotion, training, travel, and artist fees, with eligibility limited to residents of selected counties who are not full-time students or recipients of other FY 2024-2025 N.C. Arts Council funding.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to strengthen their operational capacity and address critical community needs related to health, housing, employment, food security, and early childhood education.

This grant provides $10,000 in funding to early-stage startups in North Carolina that are validating their business models and developing innovative products, along with mentorship and resources to support their growth.