Pennsylvania Business and Commerce Grants

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.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in the Delaware Valley that offer direct services to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Infrastructure Grants, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, aim to enhance the middle of the food supply chain through improved aggregation points, food processing infrastructure, and storage facilities. This grant supports projects that upgrade equipment, facilitate transition to licensed spaces, and expand storage capacities to boost local food production. Priority is given to projects that benefit underserved and veteran farmers, and socially disadvantaged individuals. Funding is prioritized for needs such as food hubs, cooperative developments, and increased cold storage, especially in urban areas.

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.

This program provides funding to expand high-speed internet access in underserved areas of Pennsylvania, targeting households and businesses lacking adequate broadband service.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and groups in Philadelphia that engage in a variety of artistic and cultural activities, including arts education, community art, and historic preservation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is currently accepting applications for grant projects under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI). Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The RFSI program will transform the food system to benefit consumers, producers, and rural communities by providing more options, increasing access, and creating new, more, and better markets for small and mid-size producers. To be more resilient, the food system of the future needs to be more diversified, distributed, and local. Funding Priorities The USDA encourages projects that benefit underserved farmers and ranchers, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran producers, and processors and other middle of the supply chain businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will prioritize funding projects that pertain to the following gaps identified in the middle of the food supply chain in Pennsylvania. Aggregation Points – Aggregation points, include food hubs or farmer cooperatives to help individual producers fulfill bigger orders while saving costs on storage, packaging, and distribution. Food Processing Infrastructure – As Pennsylvanian food processors look to expand their production capacities by adding product types, increasing production volumes, or increasing packaging and labeling capacities for retail product lines, they need to upgrade equipment and often need to move to a licensed space outside of their homes. Food processing infrastructure also includes large-scale commercial equipment. Storage – In Pennsylvania, more storage is needed to hold produce to be washed and distributed. Limited cold storage is available in urban areas. More storage is also needed to segregate and supply identity preserved grains, whole grains, and dry bean for human consumption to processing plants in Pennsylvania. Funding Information Simplified Equipment-Only Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require cost sharing or matching. The Simplified Equipment-Only Grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases (and not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs), and the amount awarded will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000. Funds will be awarded no earlier than July 1, 2024, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Eligibility Criteria  The following are eligible to apply for grants under the Program: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors. Nonprofit organizations operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. For-profit entities operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products, whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers and that meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards. Local government entities operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. Tribal governments operating middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or investing in equipment that will benefit multiple producers’ middle of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation or distribution of targeted agricultural products. For-profit entities must meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards matched to industries described in the North American Industry Classification System. Applicant businesses and organizations must be domestically owned and applicants’ facilities must be physically located within this Commonwealth. Applicants doing business along the Commonwealth’s border should only apply in one state to avoid duplication of Federal funds. For more information, visit PDA.

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.

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 grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations delivering mental health services in Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, Pennsylvania, with a focus on measurable impact and community inclusivity.

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the Beautification Grant Program. Donor Name: Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau State: Pennsylvania County: Carbon County (PA), Monroe County (PA), Pike County (PA), Wayne County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grant dollars will help fund a variety of projects intended to support and enhance the quality of life in communities throughout the Pocono Mountains. Funding Information Grant cap request: $20,000.00. Uses of funds Grant funds may be used to support projects that: Beautify outdoor areas surrounding local hospitality and tourism businesses throughout the cities, boroughs, and townships in Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon Counties. Improve existing gateways/signage. Improve beautification and facades throughout the cities, boroughs, and townships. Eligible Projects  Eligible projects may include but are not limited to: Landscaping, outdoor seating, planters, trash cans, benches, recycling programs, trash removal, removal of overgrown weeds/brush/trees, upgrade of signage and facades. Eligibility Criteria  Local government including, but not limited to, cities, boroughs, and townships. Municipal and redevelopment authorities and agencies. For more information, visit PMVB.

The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, is offering grants of $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations led by and serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability communities, to support programs in leadership development, economic advancement, health and wellness, and stories of Black and Brown excellence and success.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that aim to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs within the building and construction trades, specifically targeting historically underserved populations in Pennsylvania.

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.

This program provides essential financial support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them access working capital to sustain their operations.

This grant provides funding for collaborative, arts-based projects that improve community livability and cultural vibrancy in Pennsylvania, focusing on diversity, equity, and local engagement.

The Clean Water Cumberland is now accepting applications for the Clean Water Grant Program (CWGP). Donor Name: County of Cumberland State: Pennsylvania County: Cumberland County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The CWGP provides financial support for “shovel-ready” initiatives that aim to enhance local water quality in Cumberland County. Program Objectives  The objectives of the CWGP are: Maximize the impact of limited pollution reduction funding by investing in priority water quality projects. Develop a water quality project backlog that can help leverage additional government and nonprofit funding. Pursue multifaceted pollution reduction strategies across a variety of water quality stakeholders. Accelerate progress toward the county’s pollution reduction goals through activities of other water quality stakeholders. Institutionalize an annual project identification process that can be integrated into county CAP development plans. Funding Information Annual program funding is variable and dependent upon the level of federal, state, corporate and nonprofit sources secured by the county. It is anticipated that approximately $500,000 will be available for subawards in 2025. There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount. There is no cash match requirement, however, projects with local match will receive higher priority consideration in the evaluation process. All funding decisions are at the sole discretion of Cumberland County and contingent upon the approval of PADEP. Grant Period Period of Grant Performance: March 2025-December 2025. Eligible Applicants Eligible CWGP applicants are limited to the following groups: Non-profit 501(c) organizations, Municipal governments, Educational institutions, Businesses with headquarters located within Cumberland County, Other organizations as deemed eligible by the county. For more information, visit County of Cumberland.

This grant provides financial support to small businesses and non-profits in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, to enhance their operations through professional development, paid internships, business improvements, and technology upgrades.

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.

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Philadelphia that promote food justice by empowering marginalized groups to access, grow, and sell healthy food in areas with limited fresh food availability.