Virginia Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Tazewell and Buchanan Counties, Virginia, to enhance their digital capabilities and online presence.

This program provides financial assistance to commercial property owners, eligible tenants, and owners of visually blighted residential properties in Buena Vista to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings and enhance the city's business districts.

This program provides funding for events that raise awareness about the restoration and protection of natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's watersheds, targeting nonprofits and community organizations.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Botetourt County, Virginia, to help them grow and create jobs through targeted assistance for eligible expenses.

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 funding opportunity supports Virginia-based nonprofit organizations working on projects that enhance community well-being, safety, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses and local governments for connecting to the freight railroad network, promoting economic growth and reducing truck traffic.

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Virginia to support community service projects that honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day by addressing local needs and promoting equity.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local governments in Virginia for tourism-related projects that address infrastructure deficiencies, such as hotels and dining facilities, to boost local economies.

This grant provides funding to Virginia's local governments for infrastructure projects that enhance local food production and sustainable agriculture, prioritizing initiatives like processing facilities and farmers markets, especially in economically distressed areas.

This program provides performance-based financial support to businesses in the Tobacco Region that create jobs and contribute to the local economy, focusing on projects that attract new capital and enhance community prosperity.

Comcast RISE provides grants to help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment. Donor Name: Comcast RISE State: Selected States City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Comcast RISE was created in 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 recover and thrive. They’re pleased to bring Comcast RISE back in 2024, and they’re proud to continue the efforts to help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment. The program is built to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. This year, Comcast RISE will award 500 recipients in five cities with a grant package that includes business consultation services, educational resources, monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. Funding Information Each Winner will receive $5,000 US Dollars in the form of a cash grant (“Monetary Grant”), a creative and media campaign (“Creative and Media Campaign”), a technology makeover (“Tech Makeover”), business education courses (“Education”), and a consultation (“Consultation”). This is awarded based on the judging criteria above. The Monetary Grant award consists of a $5,000 cash prize. The Creative and Media Campaign award consists of the production of a turnkey 30-second television commercial and the right to use that television commercial in a one hundred-eighty (180) day linear TV media schedule. After completion of the 180 day media schedule, recipients will have the opportunity to purchase an extension to the Media Campaign at then-current rates. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of each Creative and Media Campaign prize: $17,500.00. The Education award consists of access to online business education courses through a 12-month complimentary LinkedIn Learning account. The Consultation award consists of a business assessment and tactical planning; business to business coaching; and mentorship to advise on how to grow business. The Technology Makeovers will include some combination of Comcast Business Internet, Voice, and cybersecurity malware detection with no monthly service charge for up to a 12-month period and computer equipment from a selection of laptops and/or tablets. Tech Makeover services can only be awarded to one business location for a 12- month consecutive period. Value of Comcast Business service and equipment not to exceed $7,500.00 for the year. Comcast Business will install services and a modem(s) at the business location specified on the submission. After completion of the 12-month period, recipients will have the opportunity to subscribe to the Comcast Business service at current rates. Exact make, model, type, and quantity of computer equipment received to be determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. ARV of each Tech Makeover prize: $7,500.00. Application Criteria To be eligible to apply, companies must meet the following criteria: Open only to eligible small businesses located and operating in one (1) of these geographies (as defined by Comcast via zip codes) in the United States: Atlanta, GA Southern Colorado Houston, TX Jacksonville, FL Richmond, VA Small business must be owned by an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the Program Period that also meets the following eligibility requirements: Person who owns the business is the primary decision maker for, and has been actively engaged in, the day-to-day operations of the business Owner owns at least 51% of the equity of said business Business is independently owned and operated and not a franchise location Business has been actively operating for at least three (3) years Business has been revenue generating for at least the 12 months prior to the Program Period Business does not fall into any of the following categories: Non-profit Chamber of Commerce Public or private education provider that participates in the FCCs E-Rate Universal Service Program Church or Religious Organizations including nondenominational ministries, interdenominational and ecumenical organizations, and organizations whose main purpose is to study or advance religion Political advertiser Any business related in any way to the growing, marketing, sale, distribution, or use of marijuana or related products Manufacturer or retailer of drug paraphernalia Virtual MVPD Internet Service Provider Gun manufacturer or retailer Fireworks manufacturer or retailer Tobacco/vape manufacturer or retailer Illegal products or services provider Adult entertainment company, including, but not limited to gentlemen’s clubs, adult toy stores, adult magazines, and adult programming services Ride sharing service providers (including independent contractors of ride sharing companies.) Business employs one hundred (100) employees (including full-time and part-time employees) or less Employees of Comcast Corporation, and each of its respective parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible to enter or win Employees of EY (Ernst & Young), Hello Alice, LinkedIn are not eligible to enter or win Only one submission per business owner Business owner has no prior felony convictions, tax-related convictions, or child support delinquency convictions Business owner may not currently be serving (either in a full time or part time capacity) as a federal, state, or local government or quasi-government official or employee Business or business owner who has previously received a Comcast RISE monetary grant, consultation, media, creative production, or technology makeover is not eligible. For more information, visit Comcast RISE.

The Loudoun County Disability Services Board sponsors an awards program that honors businesses and organizations that display a strong commitment toward the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. Donor Name: Loudoun County State: Virginia County: Loudoun County (VA) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Nominations are open for the 2024 Full Accessibility and Inclusion: Moving toward Equity (FAIME) Awards, which honor businesses and organizations that go above and beyond to recruit, hire, train and promote people with disabilities and that have an inclusive workplace and business model.   Eligibility Requirements for Award Nominees Businesses and organizations must demonstrate a commitment to hiring people with disabilities, providing accommodations in the workplace and offering people with disabilities professional development opportunities so they can grow their skills. Nominees may be for-profit or nonprofit businesses and organizations, but may not be government agencies, nonprofits or businesses whose mission is to provide services to people with disabilities. Businesses and organizations may nominate themselves. For more information, visit Loudoun County.

Education Grants allow applicants to conduct education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, ag diversification, and best management practices. Donor Name: Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Education Grants are open to academic institutions and organizations, such as non-profits and non-governmental organizations, who are interested in conducting education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators are especially encouraged to apply for this grant for their education and outreach activities. SSARE also considers proposals from organizations/institutions whose projects involve farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, even if products are not sold due to cultural factors. Education Grants should focus on a topic area of sustainable agriculture relevance that meets SARE’s program goals. In addition, the proposed project should comprise education/outreach efforts/activities that support the research/education foundation of the institution/organization, and must clearly articulate how those education/outreach efforts/activities will be implemented and evaluated. Examples of Education Grant projects can include one or more of the following, but are not limited to: Experiential (Demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops, trainings, case studies); Integrative (Conferences, seminars, course curriculum) Reinforcement (Fact sheets, bulletins, books, manuals, videos, online technologies, guidebooks) SARE encourages proposals on quality of life topics that focus on the social health of a farming system. These can include, but are not limited to: Heirs property; Farmers’ markets; food hubs; locavores; CSAs; Local/regional processing/slaughter; Food sheds and food circles; Direct marketing and value-added; Beyond organics value chains; Farm to School/Institution; Civic agriculture, agritourism; Denominations of origin/geographic indications; Non-GMO movement, Slow Food, chef collaboratives; Urban ag systems; Food policy councils, governance structures; and Local/regional certification/branding. Funding Information Education Grant project maximums are $50,000, limited to two (2) years. Education Grants are paid by reimbursement of allowable project expenses. Who can apply? Researchers from public and private institutions, such as 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities or other colleges and universities; government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service or USDA-ARS; non-governmental organizations; and community-based organizations. Education Grants strictly fund education and outreach activities related to sustainable agriculture whose outcomes are intended to benefit farmers and farming communities. There is no research involved in these grant projects. Southern SARE accepts proposals from applicants in the Southern region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grant Requirements  Education Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding: Project outcomes must focus on developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing systems toward sustainable agriculture. The project must clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom and how the project will accomplish those goals. The results must be realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to the actions and benefits described in the proposal. For farmers involved in your project, the primary occupation is farming/ranching or part-time farming. Producers run their farm alone or with family or partners and have a least $1,000 of documented annual income from the operation, as defined by USDA. SSARE also considers proposals with farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, but products are not sold due to cultural factors. For more information, visit Southern SARE.

The City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development (OED) is offering a business assistance program to existing City-based businesses. The ACE Program serves both new and existing businesses. New businesses, less than six months, may apply for $500 grants and existing businesses, more than six months, may apply for $1,500 grants. Eligible businesses may apply for one-time grant funding that will directly lead to increasing business revenue through acquiring new equipment, products, or services. Business owners are encouraged to apply for equipment, marketing/advertising, or technical assistance that will directly lead to increased business revenue. If you would like to be notified when the application period is active please contact the Business Development Manager at 434-970-3110. The ACE Program is targeted towards existing businesses with the immediate potential to increase revenue and business opportunities. To be eligible for the program, business owners must not exceed certain income limits based on household size. The ACE Program is a competitive grant process that serves business owners who emphasize organization, initiative, and the dedication to make their business a success. Initial funding for this program was provided from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Additional funding from the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority has allowed the program to be expanded.

The City of Alexandria is accepting applications for its 2024 Small Business Resiliency Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Alexandria State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Alexandria contributed funds to support the 2024 Small Business Resiliency (SBR) Grant Program to provide vital assistance to Alexandria’s small businesses, fostering a resilient and inclusive business environment within the community. The program aims to assist businesses in overcoming challenges in accessing essential resources. Administered by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), this initiative underscores the City’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and nurturing a thriving business environment. Funding Information Up to $7,000 in grants is available. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible, businesses in Alexandria must:  Have one or more location(s), including the principal place of business, in the city of Alexandria. Have 100 or fewer employees. Have been established and revenue-generating before December 31, 2023. Have business revenue in 2022 or 2023 that did not exceed $250,000. Be in “good standing”. Be current on all local taxes or have a payment plan with the City of Alexandria. Not currently in any bankruptcy proceedings. Ineligible businesses include: Non-profits, banks, financial institutions, and gig economy contractors. Corporate-owned locations, branches, subsidiaries, and franchise businesses (unless locally owned and operated within the City of Alexandria). For more information, visit City of Alexandria.

This program provides financial support to tourism-related businesses and organizations in Augusta County, Virginia, for innovative marketing campaigns and facility upgrades that enhance visitor experiences and attract more tourists.

The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA), part of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, offers a range of financial programs to support the growth and expansion of businesses, not-for-profits, and economic development authorities within Virginia. These programs include direct loans to businesses and non-profits, credit enhancements for banks lending to these entities, bond financing for businesses and non-profits, and an equity incentive grant program to attract investments in small businesses. Over its 30+ year history, VSBFA has helped many Virginia businesses access the capital needed for expansion and job creation in the Commonwealth.

Albemarle County is offering the second round of Agribusiness Resiliency Grants to support direct-market agribusinesses impacted by the pandemic, including local farms, food businesses, orchards, wineries, and cideries. The program aims to mitigate the effects of higher operating costs and difficulties in accessing capital by providing financial aid. The grants can be used for new capital investments, sustainable agricultural practices, public health and safety enhancements, and compliance with regulations. The application period is from April 19 to May 10, 2024, and applicants must be in good standing with a County business license.