Virginia Business and Commerce Grants

The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Planning Grant Program in Virginia aims to support local agriculture and forestry businesses by providing funding for innovative projects and encouraging collaboration between local governments and the ag/forestry community. The grants may be used for activities such as developing strategic plans, feasibility studies, business or marketing plans, creating local initiatives supporting agriculture or forestry-based businesses, and investing in the development of local agricultural development boards. Additionally, the program supports projects that implement innovative marketing strategies, develop strategic plans for agriculture or forestry economic development, create new policies or programs to preserve working lands, and fund feasibility studies or business plans with a positive impact on the local agriculture or forestry sector.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

If you are a direct-market agribusiness located in Albemarle County, you’re invited to apply for an Albemarle Agribusiness Resiliency Grant. Donor Name: Albemarle County State: Virginia County: Albemarle County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant supports agribusinesses who are experiencing longer-term impacts of the pandemic, which includes higher costs due to inflation and rising interest rates. These impacts result in higher cost of capital overall and less capital to fund growth and reinvestment. To help offset these impacts, Albemarle County will distribute a second round of Agribusiness Resiliency Grants. Grants are available for direct-market agribusinesses – those selling products to restaurants, caterers, local stores; orchards, wineries, and cideries; or at farmers markets. Funding Information  The total budget for this round is $60,000 and staff anticipates making 3-8 grants total. Grant funding may be use for: New capital investments like machinery, tools, other business equipment. Expenses incurred to advance sustainable agricultural practices since July 1, 2022. Expenses incurred to enhance public health, safety, welfare of employees or visitors since July 1, 2022. Expenses incurred to comply with state or local regulations since July 1, 2022. Up to 20% of awarded funds may be used for advertising/marketing. Criteria  Must have a County business license and be in good standing with the County.  Proof of payment must be provided for all eligible expenses.  Grant awardees will be required to schedule a farm visit with the Economic Development Office prior to June 30, 2024.  For more information, visit Albemarle County.

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 funding to small businesses and eligible nonprofits in Portsmouth, Virginia, to support their growth and infrastructure improvements through a matching reimbursement model.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Portsmouth, Virginia, that are newly established or have been operating for up to three years, helping them with essential development expenses to promote growth and entrepreneurship.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and non-profit organizations in Virginia to continue delivering essential services to crime victims, helping them recover and navigate the criminal justice system.

This program provides financial assistance to for-profit businesses in Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton to help them purchase essential capital equipment that boosts their operations and productivity.

This grant provides financial support to small tourism-related businesses in Virginia to enhance their marketing efforts and attract visitors during the off-peak travel season.

This grant provides financial support to Virginia's Destination Marketing Organizations to create marketing campaigns that boost tourism during the off-season, specifically targeting small businesses and lodging partners.

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 funding opportunity is designed for nonprofit organizations in Virginia to implement or enhance programs that reduce firearm violence through prevention and intervention strategies.

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.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.