Virginia Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial support for community-based art projects that promote neighborhood pride and creativity through free, multigenerational gatherings and artistic activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations for initiatives that create and improve affordable housing for low-income families in Norfolk.

This funding opportunity supports outdoor improvement projects and businesses in the Roanoke region, enhancing recreational activities like hiking, biking, and fishing.

This program provides financial support to women in Warren County pursuing education or business growth, with additional funding available for those entering healthcare fields.

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

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 program provides financial support to Norfolk-based civic leagues and neighborhood associations for community improvement projects that foster collaboration and engagement among residents.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and expand through reimbursement for eligible professional services, equipment, and technology investments.

This grant provides financial assistance to new and recently established small businesses and non-profit organizations in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and enhance their operational capabilities.

The Town of Christiansburg in Virginia is offering a matching grant of up to $5,000 to for-profit business owners for improving their building façades in the town's historic central business areas, with the aim of encouraging investment and revitalization of buildings at least 50 years old.

The Business Women’s Giving Circle (“BWGC”) of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia awards grants to support innovative STEM opportunities for girls and young women in their region. Donor Name: The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia State: Virginia County: Arlington County (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Loudoun County (VA), Prince William County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Since 2014, the Business Women’s Giving Circle awarded more than $520,000 in grants to organizations providing exciting experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Leadership and Entrepreneurship with measurable impact on the lives of over 3,500 girls and young women in Northern Virginia. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or organizations providing charitable or educational services including preschools, K-12 public schools, and colleges and universities. Local, state and federal government entities are not eligible to apply. The BWGC grant cycle supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs to girls and young women, preschool through college-age in Northern Virginia, with an emphasis on innovative program components such as entrepreneurship, leadership or mentorship. Grant requests for program support will be considered; applications for general organizational support were not considered. Funding for both existing and new programs was considered. Applications for capital improvements, endowments, or scholarship awards were not considered. Grants were made to organizations providing services in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park). Only one application per organization will be considered. For more information, visit CFNOVA.

The Women's Entrepreneur Grant Opportunity aims to support women-owned businesses in Fairfax City by providing consultation and capacity-building services to facilitate their growth, expansion, and development. Eligible businesses can receive services valued at up to $5,000, which cover areas such as marketing, operations, accounting, and finance. The grant funds will be awarded upfront, and recipients will be notified by September 20, 2024, with recognition at the Women’s Entrepreneur Empowerment Luncheon on September 25, 2024. To be eligible, businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women, licensed within Fairfax City, and can be home-based or have one or more locations within the city. Start-ups and expanding businesses are also eligible, while non-profits are not. The application process involves verifying eligibility, completing and submitting the application form, identifying required services, obtaining quotes, and undergoing a review based on merit.

Whether you’re expanding a business, innovating your industry, or aspiring to be an entrepreneur, the Idea Factory powered by Startup Virginia helps you build solutions people want based on insights, not assumptions. Donor Name: Startup Virginia State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Creating a new business or product is an exciting journey, but having a great idea is not enough. Ideas must be based on insights, not assumptions, to ensure you build solutions people really want. At the Idea Factory, you’ll learn about customer discovery – the entrepreneur’s secret weapon. It’s the process of uncovering customers’ needs, wants, and pain points before building the product. It’s about getting out of your own head and into the minds of your potential customers. Increase Your Chances of Success Startups that actively engage in customer discovery are twice as likely to succeed as those that don’t. Become a Better Communicator Learn to ask the right questions, listen actively, and build customer relationships. Develop Products Customers Love Identify the problems your customers are struggling with and create solutions they want. Gain a Competitive Edge Understanding your customers is what sets you apart, giving you a significant advantage over competitors. Who’s it for? Anyone in Virginia with an innovative idea for a new or existing business Considering building a new product, service, or way to scale your business? Working on an innovative solution to a problem and considering starting a business? Passionate about solving a particular problem and don’t know how to begin? What are the outcomes? Learn the customer discovery process Identify your potential customers Build a target customer database Hone your interviewing and surveying skills Gain customer insights and identify the best business ideas Receive guidance for the next steps for your idea. For more information, visit Startup Virginia.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners in Portsmouth for improving and renovating commercial spaces to enhance the local streetscape and attract more interest in the area.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and expand through various professional services, equipment, and technology investments.

This program provides financial support to new and recently established small businesses and non-profits in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and enhance their operational capabilities.

Is your organization interested in creating a rain garden, planting trees, installing rain barrels, or capturing the rain on your land in another way? If, yes then apply for the Retain Your Rain Mini-Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Norfolk State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Twice a year the City of Norfolk awards up to $2500 to neighborhood organizations or other nonprofits to support Retain Your Rain projects. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations Any Norfolk civic league or neighborhood association that is a state legal entity with nonprofit status Organizations that do not have nonprofit status (businesses, schools, churches, etc) that apply in collaboration with a nonprofit Other Requirements Must provide documentation to prove nonprofit status of organization Must agree to hold a volunteer event or an alternative outreach effort prior to grant close out Organizations selected for grant funding must submit a W-9  For more information, visit City of Norfolk.

Roanoke County Economic Development Authority’s Business Equipment Acquisition Program (BEAP) Grant offers funding opportunities for eligible for-profit businesses that desire to bolster their operations through the acquisition of new capital. Donor Name: Roanoke County Economic Development Authority State: Virginia County: Roanoke County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information The Authority will award grants of up to 50% of capital acquisition costs in amounts up to $20,000 per award. Eligible Acquisitions Eligible capital acquisitions must be taxable, pursuant of the Roanoke County Code, as business personal property or business machinery or tools. Examples include: Tangible Personal Property such as furniture, fixtures, office and business machines, tools and equipment used in any business or profession. Computer Equipment Only. Does not include software. Includes computer equipment, printers, disk drives, mouse, modem, etc. Machinery & Tools used in manufacturing, mining, processing, broadcasting, dry cleaners, commercial laundry, and dairy businesses. Eligibility Criteria In order to qualify for an award, a business must:  Employ more than three (3) full-time employees (or FTEs) at a physical location in Roanoke County, Have operated as a for-profit business for at least one year in Roanoke County,  Have a current County or town business license and be in good standing with all applicable requirements, and Have been and continue to be in compliance and in good standing with all local ordinances, on the County tax rolls, current with Roanoke County taxes/fees or other assessments, and have a current business license as required. For more information, visit Roanoke County Economic Development Authority

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Richmond region that focus on enhancing community vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, and health and wellness.

Community Climate Collaborative Energy Efficiency Grants are available to small businesses for energy efficiency upgrades (appliances, lighting, heating/cooling systems, etc). Donor Name: Community Climate Collaborative State: Virginia County: Albemarle County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal is to help businesses achieve emissions reductions and financial savings through capital investment. Funding Information Grants are up to $2,000 each! Eligibility Criteria Have a business license in the City of Charlottesville or County of Albemarle. Qualify as a Microbusiness by Virginia SBSD criteria (25 employees or fewer). Preference will be given to Woman- or Minority-owned Business as defined by Virginia SBSD criteria. SWaM certification is desired, but equivalence is acceptable with valid documentation. Proposed upgrade must have demonstrable savings of energy usage and/or reduction of emissions. For more information, visit Community Climate Collaborative.