Pennsylvania Business and Commerce Grants

The Fayette County Tourism Grant Program, administered by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, for marketing, tourism enhancement, operational expenses, and visitor center operations, with the aim of boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.

The Somerset County Tourism Grant Program, funded by GO Laurel Highlands, offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit or for-profit businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, for marketing initiatives and visitor center operations aimed at boosting tourism and overnight stays in the region.

Feet First Philly's Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant, ranging from $500 to $2000, supports projects that enhance walkability and safety in public spaces across Philadelphia, with applications open to organizations, businesses, and individuals, provided the enhancements are not used for financial gain.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority in Pennsylvania is offering a reimbursement grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that improve recycling education, increase recycling collection, and reduce contamination, with priority given to non-traditional recycling, community space recycling, special event recycling, and school recycling, open to municipalities, schools, non-profits, businesses, and refuse haulers subcontracted by CCRRA.

The BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, through the York County Economic Alliance, is pleased to announce the opening of the 2024 BLOOM Grant Program for Small Businesses in York County. Donor Name: York County Economic Alliance State: Pennsylvania County: York County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The BLOOM Grant Program was first created in 2018 to help businesses address a tangible need that will help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level. Since its launch, 235 BLOOM Grants totaling $480,000 have been distributed to small businesses/organizations in York County, Downtown York, York County Trail Towns communities, to women-owned businesses, start-up entrepreneurs, and graduates of the BLOOM classes, with 49% of grants going to businesses owned by persons of color and 78% going to women-owned businesses. Funding Priorities Priority consideration will be given to: Businesses that have not received funding from previous BLOOM grant programs. Businesses owned by Women, or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Businesses owned by Veterans. Businesses that use local businesses to fulfill the grant implementation, where applicable. Funding Information This program will seek to will award grants from $500 to $1,500 to small businesses owned and operating in the County of York for projects that will help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level. Grant amounts will be considered based on need and potential impact. Examples of projects funded through other BLOOM grant funds include improving signage, physical improvements to business location, marketing, training & certification for new services, or purchase of new equipment. Eligibility Criteria  Small Businesses in York County are eligible to apply for this grant program. For more information, visit YCEA.

The 2024 BLOOM Grant Program aims to support small businesses in York County, Pennsylvania, by providing grants to improve productivity, expand services, or enhance their operations. Eligible applicants must be for-profit businesses located in York County, have generated revenue as of January 1, 2024, and employ no more than 50 full or part-time employees. Grants, ranging from $500 to $1,500, are intended for tangible business improvements such as renovations, equipment upgrades, and marketing expenses. Funds must be utilized within six months, and applicants must match 10% of the grant's capital value. Priority is given to businesses that have not previously received a BLOOM grant, as well as those owned by women, veterans, and Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.

The William Penn Foundation seeks to support efforts that will increase confidence in the responsiveness and accountability of city government. Donor Name: William Penn Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Foundation is most interested in prioritizing projects that will positively impact communities that have historically been underrepresented, including people of color, immigrants, people living in poverty, members of disability communities, and others who lack access. The Foundation recognizes that there are many different approaches that could be used to advance the objective stated above. As examples, this could include projects to empower residents with the knowledge and skills to advocate for their neighborhoods, projects to enable city agencies to better engage residents and business owners in setting policy and making decisions, or projects to increase transparency and public awareness. Funding Information WPF has allocated $1.5 million to advance this objective at this time. There is no minimum or maximum that organizations may request, but the most competitive proposals will likely be those with requests of $250,000 or less. Project Period Projects ranging from 15 -18 months. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Public charities include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and other types of public-serving groups. Government entities are also eligible to apply. Applicants must have strong ties within Philadelphia and a history of successful work in the city. Proposed projects must occur in Philadelphia. Organizations with a current WPF grant that is funding work related to this RFP are not eligible to apply for more funding for the same project(s). For more information, visit WPF.

The Wayne County and Pike County is pleased to announce the United Way Grant Program. Donor Name: United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Counties State: Pennsylvania County: Pike County (PA), Wayne County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Wayne County and Pike County United Way fight for a quality education that leads to graduation, stable employment and steady, sufficient income to support a family’s financial stability while enjoying good physical and mental health, all with a solid safety net in times of crisis.  The mission of the program is to improve the quality of life for the people of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and surrounding communities by serving as a catalyst for community problem solving and by conducting an efficient, encompassing volunteer fundraising effort to positively impact the community’s most compelling social problems. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations seeking funding must be non-profit, 501(c)(3) health and human service organizations providing in-person, direct services in Wayne County. Funding may be requested for existing programs, new programs or initiatives, program expansion and capital items. Grants that are made available to organizations range from $500 to $4,000. These funds distributed to the community were raised during last year’s United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike campaign by individuals, businesses and foundations who specifically wanted to support services for Wayne and/or Pike County residents. For more information, visit United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike.

This grant provides up to $3,000 in services and training to support small businesses in Bucks County that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, with a focus on Veteran-owned, Minority-owned, and Woman-owned enterprises.

The Chester County Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Fund for ChesCo Capacity Building Grants. Donor Name: Chester County Community Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: Chester County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of capacity building grants is to strengthen the effectiveness of NPO’s serving the Chester County region, in areas including: Mission, Vision & Strategy Governance & Leadership Partnerships & Collaborations Operations & Technology Fundraising, Development & Marketing What is capacity building? Capacity building helps bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, in order to more effectively & efficiently fulfill its mission. Capacity building may include (but is not limited to) projects which address: Mission, Vision & Strategy: Organizational Assessment – Strategic Planning – Financial Planning Governance & Leadership: Board Development – Executive Transition/Succession Planning – Leadership Development – Staff Training & Professional Development Partnerships & Collaborations: Coalition Building – Collaboration – Mergers & Acquisitions – Strategic Restructuring Resource Development & Marketing: Major Gift Donor Identification, Cultivation, Development & Stewardship – Development Campaigns (Annual, Capital, Planned Giving) – Earned Income Development – Social Enterprise Feasibility & Development – Marketing, Branding & Communications Technology & Operations: Business Continuity Planning – Financial Management – Human Resources – Volunteer Management – Industry Certification – Risk Management – Technology Improvements. Funding Information Grant awards typically range from $500-$5,000. Eligibility Criteria For eligibility in this grant program, nonprofits must be located in & serve Chester County. Nonprofits budgets must be $500,000 or less. For more information, visit CCCF.

This program provides financial support and consulting services to help BIPOC and low-income creative entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania start or grow their micro businesses.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is seeking applications for its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: AFIG has approximately $5 million in funding available to school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania that want to transition to cleaner fuel transportation. Supported alternative fuels include electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, hydrogen, hythane, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and other advanced biofuels. Grant funding covers: Incremental costs related to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels; Incremental costs to purchase alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet-refueling or home-refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to perform research, training, development, and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles. Priorities Businesses whose headquarters or principal place of business are located in Pennsylvania; Zero emission vehicle projects; Medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects; Renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects; Projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas; Minority-, veteran-, or woman-owned businesses. Funding Information Applicants will be eligible for a maximum grant award across all applications of $500,000. Individual application awards are still capped at $300,000. Eligibility Criteria DEP will award at least 20% of AFIG funding to the following entities, depending on applications received: Counties, townships, municipalities, or municipal authorities; Public school districts, including brick and mortar charter schools; Organizations registered as a 501(c)3 that provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type; Businesses that are registered with the Commonwealth as a Small Diverse Business or registered with one of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services approved third-party certifications; and Organizations that are county/local government supported or contracted to provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type. For more information, visit DEP.

Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program that brings neighbors together to improve communities by combating blight, creating assets, and building resilience, block by block. Donor Name: The City of Pittsburgh State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects may include but are not limited to community garden maintenance, neighborhood clean-ups, or tree and flower planting. Successful projects will build strong partnerships, leverage donations, and most importantly, engage neighbors. In planning for strong and successful projects, consider the following priorities: Build strong partnerships Consider having local businesses come out and lend a hand or donate food or materials. Recruit volunteers from a local VFW post or have a service-learning component for youth. Leverage donations Consider having residents donate plants, compost material, or food for your volunteer event day. Make sure it’s feasible City loves creative ideas– but don’t bite off more than you can chew! If you have a huge idea, make Love Your Block a first step in the right direction and secure some other partners that can assist with your plans. Engage neighbors While your volunteers can come from anywhere, they’ve found that the most impactful projects utilize volunteers within proximity to the project. People like to be a part of what’s happening next door and are more likely to maintain and sustain the project afterward if they helped plan and implement it. Funding Information Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program with a maximum award of $2,500. Funding is provided through reimbursement after project implementation. Eligibility Criteria Funding must be awarded through a nonprofit. If your organization is not a nonprofit, you can ask one to be your sponsor. Nonprofits are welcome to sponsor multiple projects. Projects must benefit the public. Projects on private property must have the written permission of the owner. All projects are subject to City of Pittsburgh Zoning and Permit guidelines. Project-related events must follow COVID-19 guidelines that are in place at the time of the events. For more information, visit The City of Pittsburgh.

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County is an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Foundation, is seeking applications for its Greensburg Foundation Fund to support organizations that serve the needs of that community. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County State: Pennsylvania County: Westmoreland County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The endowment is a combination of trusts that were established by more than twenty-five individuals and families from Greensburg to support organizations that serve the needs of that community. The Greensburg Foundation Fund Grants Program was created to provide Greensburg nonprofits with the opportunity to request funds for program materials, office technology, renovations, capital projects and/or program implementation. Examples of requests include but are not limited to: technology needs personal care items for shelters or housing programs food purchases for feeding programs educational supplies for day cares or schools office renovations capital projects such as new construction programmatic costs for new or existing initiatives Funding Information $20,000 maximum. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations that have been incorporated for less than 3 years are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations headquartered in Westmoreland County AND serving residents of the 15601 zip code may apply. Preference will be given to those located in 15601. Restrictions General operating costs will not be funded Only one application will be considered per organization Limited to 15601 zip code For more information, visit The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

The Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP) seeks to engage Central PA’s emerging business and community leaders with the great possibilities that lie within philanthropic endeavors in Harrisburg. Donor Name: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities State: Pennsylvania City: Harrisburg Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Emerging Philanthropist Program provides resources and educational opportunities for Harrisburg’s developing leaders who wish to be actively engaged in giving back to their community.. Funding Information One (1) $5,000 grant will be awarded to the chosen organization. EPP will not fund 100% of any project. Project Period Proposed projects may take place at any time during the grant year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025. What cannot be funded Advertising Capital campaigns Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations Individuals National and statewide umbrella organizations that cannot demonstrate a local presence New staff positions without a substantial plan for sustainability Religious organizations for religious purposes Retroactive projects For more information, visit The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

Anchor Building Program provides funding to enable local governments, 501(c)3 non-profits, and municipal authorities to strengthen a community, neighborhood, or commercial district by redeveloping, enhancing, and preserving an underutilized or vacant building that has the potential to serve as a catalyst for greater investment and commercial or social activity. Donor Name: Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) State: Pennsylvania County: Erie County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Anchor buildings are most often historic buildings located in the heart of the community, and possess intrinsic historical, architectural, and/or cultural qualities that make places special or unique. Similarly, these buildings can be adaptively re-used due to the quality of original construction, location, and/or suitability for new uses. Unfortunately, communities find that these older buildings are difficult to re-use due to construction costs relative to modern building code requirements, lack of financial resources, or low appraisal values. Goals of the Program To adaptively re-use historically, culturally, architecturally, and/or socially significant buildings. To leverage private investment and create jobs. To support small businesses and enhance the local tax base. To bridge the funding gap common with older building re-use. Funding Information Minimum request of $25,000 per application. Up to $100,000 awarded per application. Grant contracts for Anchor Building funding shall be for a period of 24 months. Eligibility Criteria Applicant is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3), municipality, or a municipal authority. Applicant’s headquarters is located in Erie County. Applicant is in good standing with the IRS and state and local taxing bodies. Applicant is in good standing with ECGRA’s reporting requirements to date. Applicant must be current in payment of real estate taxes. For more information, visit ECGRA.

This program provides funding to Pennsylvania school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to help them transition to cleaner transportation through projects like purchasing alternative fuel vehicles and installing refueling equipment.

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, powered by Innovation Works and funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, creates cross-sector partnerships to solve some of community’s most pressing problems. Donor Name: Innovation Works State: Pennsylvania County: Allegheny County (PA), Armstrong County (PA), Beaver County (PA), Butler County (PA), Fayette County (PA), Greene County (PA), Indiana County (PA), Lawrence County (PA), Washington County (PA), Westmoreland County (PA) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 07/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, an annual competition to promote entrepreneurship that makes a lasting community impact in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2015, the UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge has allocated more than $3.1 million in investments, grants, and educational assistance to local nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and other participants. Prize Information The top three finalists will receive a combined $300,000 in prize monies and accelerator assistance to launch or expand startups using technology to address social inequities. First Place: $125,000. Second Place: $100,000. Third Place: $75,000. Eligibility Criteria You must be 18 years old or older The submitting nonprofit, business, or individual must be based in one of these counties in Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. The startup’s impact must also be in one of these counties. Must ensure that their participation does not violate their employer’s policies or procedures or any other third-party rights or obligations (e.g. non-competition agreements). The applicant company leaders or individual and their immediate family members must not be employed by or affiliated with BNY Mellon, Innovation Works, or any of their/the parent and affiliate companies. Have not received funding of $50,000 or more in previous UpPrize cycles. For more information, visit UpPrize.

This program provides funding to support projects that promote business retention, expansion, and attraction by marketing the state as an investment destination and highlighting regional assets.

Erie Arts and Culture is partnering with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to help creative entrepreneurs and their businesses. Donor Name: Erie Arts and Culture State: Pennsylvania County: Crawford County (PA), Erie County (PA), Lawrence County (PA), Mercer County (PA), Venango County (PA), Warren County (PA) Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program Description and Purpose This program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. Creative entrepreneurs are invaluable assets to communities. They lead innovation, deliver creative products and services, generate economic opportunity, and build community identity. Assisting creative entrepreneurs is part of the pathway to recovery and increased opportunity within a rapidly changing economic environment. Additionally, this program advances and prioritizes the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ overarching value of diversity, equity, and inclusion and prioritize investment in creative entrepreneurs who identify as Black, Indigenous, or persons of color (BIPOC) or those located in and whose work benefits low-income communities as defined under federal guidelines. For the purpose of the Program, low-income communities are those where the poverty rate is greater than or equal to 20% or the median family income is less than or equal to 80% of the area median income. Funding Information Ranges from $500 – $2,000. Eligible Uses of funds Funds must support business formation or development. Eligible uses of funds include: Professional fees for workshops, consultants, and career coaching. Participation in events, trade shows, festivals, etc. that offer access to audience and revenue generation potential. Business development fees for courses or seminars for business skills. Research and development. Marketing and promotion. Development or upgrades to technology related to business practices. Studio/rehearsal/retail space rent. Reasonable fees for supporting/collaborating artists. Purchase of supplies and/or equipment. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be: At least 18 years of age and has been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least twelve months preceding the CEAP application The applicant is a creative entrepreneur intending to form or operate an eligible creative business as defined in the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (CEAP) Guidelines Creative entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program once every three years. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for funds through this program. Be a creative entrepreneur intending to form a business or operating a business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas: Marketing – Advertising and marketing agencies and professionals Architecture – Architecture firms and architects Visual Arts & Crafts – Galleries, artists, artisans, and makers Design – Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers Film & Media – Film, video, animation, television, and radio businesses Digital Games – Companies, programmers, and individuals producing games Music & Entertainment – Producers, venues, musicians, and performers Publishing – Print or electronic businesses and content creators, editors, and writers For more information, visit Erie Arts and Culture.