Pennsylvania Business and Commerce Grants

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.

This program provides financial assistance ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

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.

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 and support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that are historically disadvantaged, helping them access capital and improve their participation in public contracts.

This program provides free technical assistance to small Pennsylvania businesses to help them improve their operations and competitiveness by connecting them with expert resources and solutions for specific technical challenges.

This funding opportunity supports licensed dairy processors and brands in the Northeast to initiate or expand co-packing arrangements, scale production, and enhance their product offerings.

This grant provides financial support to small, independently owned businesses in Philadelphia to help them overcome operational challenges and invest in projects that promote growth and stability.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia that help low- to moderate-income vendors and small businesses sell their handmade goods at a popular holiday market, providing them with valuable exposure and sales opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides matching funds to Pennsylvania dairy farms seeking to invest in innovative technologies that improve efficiency, production, and sustainability.

This funding opportunity supports community revitalization projects in Westmoreland County, targeting areas with high poverty levels to enhance local development and improve residents' quality of life.

This program provides $2,000 in funding and consulting services to support creative entrepreneurs in specific Pennsylvania counties, with a focus on BIPOC individuals and those from low-income communities.

This grant provides financial support to dairy farmers and related organizations in the Northeast to improve farm operations, enhance milk quality, and address climate challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and organizations in Northampton and Lehigh Counties for community improvement and economic development projects that enhance quality of life and create jobs.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to support programs and initiatives that benefit the African American community through culture, education, economic development, and community enhancement.

This grant provides financial support for Penn State undergraduate students to pursue independent summer projects in various fields, fostering creativity and academic exploration.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania to acquire essential equipment for reducing food waste and improving food recovery efforts in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh Region to implement programs that empower and uplift the local Black community through various initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.