Ohio Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial incentives to businesses expanding or establishing operations in Toledo, Ohio, by rewarding them for creating new, high-paying jobs that contribute to the city's economic growth.

This program provides financial assistance to locally owned businesses in South Euclid for improving their exterior signage to enhance curb appeal and visibility.

This annual microgrant provides $1,000 to women-led small businesses or nonprofits in Marion County, Ohio, to support innovative community initiatives that empower women and enrich the local community.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

This program provides financial support to businesses, nonprofits, and public entities in Ohio for energy efficiency projects that reduce energy costs and emissions while creating or retaining jobs.

The Women’s Fund through Stark Community Foundation in Ohio offers grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations serving women and children in Stark County, focusing on economic stability, mental health support, and neighborhood-based programming.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Lancaster for purchasing essential equipment to help create jobs and boost local economic growth.

This program provides reimbursement funds to non-franchised commercial property and business owners in Wickliffe, Ohio, for enhancing the appearance of storefronts, signage, parking lots, and street-visible hardscaping.

Applications are now being accepted for the Community Development Corporation Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Akron State: Ohio County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The purpose of this grant program is to partner with CDC’s to invest in projects that promote population and tax revenue growth through the revitalization and repurposing of vacant, underutilized, blighted or historic buildings, increase investment in place-based infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, and public services. By utilizing federal Community Development Block Grant Funds to support investments the City aims to foster the environment necessary to attract, develop, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction and provide resources for Akron residents and neighborhoods Funding Information The City of Akron set aside a total of $500,000 for grants. The awards will be available up to $125,000 per applicant. Grant Period One Year Eligible Criteria Organizations must be a Community Development Corporation – 501(c)(3) nonprofit located within Akron, Ohio city limits. Must be able to meet all reporting and compliance obligations of the federal funds. Must be able to demonstrate an appropriate use of the funding in accordance with the stated purpose of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Certificate of good standing with the State of Ohio at the time of application submission. Must be registered on SAM.gov with an active Unique Entity Identification Number. Must provide documentation of at least 3 previous projects undertaken by your CDC in your CDC footprint area For more information, visit City of Akron.

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.

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 Visit BG Ohio 2025 Tourism Grant Program offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects, events, and activities that promote tourism, increase overnight stays, and provide economic benefits to the City of Bowling Green, with a focus on capital improvement, sports, conferences, festivals, large events, and arts and culture.

Ohio’s Premier Manufacturing Pitch Competition with prizes such as engineering design or operations services to help move your startup to the next milestone. If you have a physical product, idea, or manufacturing innovation, apply today. Donor Name: MAGNET State: Ohio County: All Counties Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Prizes and Benefits Prizes and benefits include MAGNET’s manufacturing consulting services adapted to meet the needs and services of a company or product, such as: Engineering Design Assistance  Operational Services and/or Lean Operations Sales and Marketing Innovation Award, sponsored by Huntington, for up to $10K for diverse founders Exposure to The Advanced Manufacturing Fund Visibility to a judging panel of local services providers and investors Guidance from MAGNET’s team of manufacturing experts Funding Information Prizes totaling more than $75,000. Eligibility Criteria Any Ohio-based entrepreneur with a physical product, idea, or manufacturing innovation. For more information, visit MAGNET.

The Springfield Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Competitive Grant Program. Donor Name: Springfield Foundation State: Ohio County: Clark County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Springfield Foundation serves the entire Clark County community through its support in six focus areas-Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Heath, and Human Services. Focus Areas Arts & Culture- Having opportunities available for individuals to experience art and culture on a personal basis are critical to having a community with strong cultural vitality. Increase the diversity, and attendance levels of audiences attending arts and culture events. Programs are available that allow a diverse audience opportunities for interaction with arts & culture. Programs are available that increase audience attendance at arts and culture events. Community residents of all ages acquire knowledge or skills in arts and culture. Programs are available that allow children and adults opportunities to create art. Individuals will have opportunities to engage with artists. Increase the number of opportunities for artists. Increase the number of opportunities available for artists to increase their talents. Civic Affairs- Civic engagement is an essential element in democracy and key to making smart and creative decisions that allow communities to flourish today and meet the challenges of tomorrow. Educate and engage active citizens of all ages. Improve the civic knowledge and participation of Clark County citizens Environment, Conservation & Animals– By bringing conservation and environmental issues into focus and motivating the community to join in making improvements they affect positive change. Increase the number of citizens participating in activities that foster an appreciation of the environment Increase community awareness of conservation and environmental issues in Clark County to educate the citizens and businesses and encourage their participation and appreciation of the natural environment. Decrease the number of homeless and unwanted pets in Clark county Provide free or discounted spay/neuter vouchers to pet owners in underserved areas of Clark County. Shelter cats and dogs will be spayed/neutered before released for adoption Education- To increase the number of people receiving a quality education that will set the basis for a successful life. Increase the number of students who are ready to begin kindergarten. Increase the number of children enrolling in early childhood quality educational programs such as pre-school. Increase parental involvement with children’s education. Increase the college and career readiness for clark county residents. Increase the number of students participating in post-secondary preparation programs. Increase the number of Clark County residents who participate in job training programs. Health– The economic impact of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, poor mental health and chronic diseases is an important consideration for the community, as is the long-term impact on individuals’ health and wellness. Healthy individuals have a prevention-oriented mindset toward their health. Impact the health of the community by decreasing the incidence of unintended pregnancies and infection with sexually transmitted infections (stis). Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes. Increase access to and awareness of Reproductive Health Services, including use of a Reproductive Life Plan. Decrease the state-reported rate of Clark County individuals testing positive for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Improve the Mental Health of the community by providing individuals with the skills and services necessary to successfully handle challenging situations and to understand and manage their conditions and behaviors. Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes. Improve the understanding and application of trauma informed practices throughout various disciplines/initiatives in Clark County. Equip Clark County youths with self-management skills to cope with or avoid depression, suicide and drug abuse. Improve Management of Chronic Diseases in Clark County. Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes. Individuals with congestive heart failure will manage their disease and will decrease hospital re-admissions for congestive heart failure. Patients with diabetes will manage their disease outside of taking medication alone. Decrease the number of asthma attacks that require emergency services/treatment by implementing home-based environmental assessments and interventions. Human Service– Meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life is the focus of the human services program To help families and individuals become stable and financially independent To assist families and individuals in meeting emergency needs to stabilize a crisis, and for which no other or inadequate funding sources are available. Examples: emergency assistance with food, clothing, shelter, crisis intervention or refuge in abuse cases. To provide services that prevent or intervene in cases of family breakdown, violence or poverty. To assist families and individuals in removing barriers to obtaining and maintaining economic self-sufficiency. Examples: child care, transportation, transitional housing, and rehabilitation programs. To assist individuals with physical or developmental disabilities in maintaining an independent or semi-independent lifestyle. To promote positive outcomes for all people To foster good relationships between youth, especially minority youth, and law enforcement. To provide youth, especially those most at risk, with the skills, knowledge and a variety of other personal and social assets to function well during adolescence and adulthood. To provide senior citizens, especially those most at risk, with the opportunity to continue contributing to society while having the best quality of life. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for funding from the Springfield Foundation charitable organizations are required to: Be a nonprofit organization exempt from Federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, churches, or government units including public schools and municipalities. If you do not have a 501(c)(3), you may enter into an agreement with a qualified nonprofit that will act as your fiscal agent. Have a governing board, and conduct business without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin. Provide programs and projects serving the Clark County, Ohio Community. Provide to the Springfield Foundation a board approved diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. The Springfield Foundation does not award grants from discretionary funds for the following purposes: Awards to individuals, including fellowships, travel, study, research, camps. Support for individual political candidates and/or lobbying efforts, Annual campaigns or dues, Endowments outside of the Springfield Foundation. Sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytizing, Fraternal, political, labor, athletic, and social or veterans’ groups, School bands and school choral groups, drill teams, or color guards, Annual fund drives or fund-raising activities, Returning applicants who did not complete their previous grant requirements (i.e., reporting). For more information, visit Springfield Foundation.

The purpose of the John W. and Edna McManus Shepard Fund of The Columbus Foundation is to provide cultural and/or economic programs that benefit the residents of Cambridge and/or Guernsey County.

BBB Cleveland Spark Award for Young Entrepreneurs is a $2,000 cash prize available to entrepreneurs aged 35 and younger with new businesses in Northeast Ohio. The award recognizes businesses less than three years old that demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and social impact within their community. Eligible organizations must be located in selected counties within BBB Serving Greater Cleveland's service area and have earned a "B" rating or higher from BBB. The deadline for application is 01/31/2024. For more information and to apply, visit the Better Business Bureau website.

The Granville Community Foundation in Ohio is offering grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies for projects that enrich the lives of Granville residents, with a focus on arts, culture, education, and social services, and prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, cultural opportunities, historical preservation, social support, public spaces, and youth experiences.

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.