A current listing of national and local programs that are giving away small business grants to for-profit companies and non-profit organizations.
American Express Philanthropic Program American Express - one of the largest credit card companies in the world - gives away grants to non-profit organizations and corporations who focus on economic independence, leadership, community service, and cultural heritage. Grant Amount: Varies http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/csr.asp
Back Your Block Back Your Block is a program funded and managed by Nike that gives away grants to non-profit organizations that are using sports, education, advocacy and/or mentoring as a tool to enhance their communities. Nike is investing up to $650,000 in grants for organizations that use sports to change their communities. Grant Amount: $2,500 - $5,000 www.nikebackyourblock.com
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
This private foundation, founded by billionaire Bill Gates and his wife, provides millions in grant money every year to various non-profit organizations and communities. Occasionally, grant money is also given to for-profit small businesses who aim to assist in poverty, healthcare, education or technology. Grant Amount: Varies www.gatesfoundation.org
British Airways Business Opportunity Grants Known as a global airline, British Airways annually gives away business grants in the form of free round-trip tickets to nearly anywhere in the world. The concept is to help businesses by encouraging face-to-face meetings. In addition to plane tickets, recipients also get free cargo shipping, free hotel nights, and a free wireless office printer. Grant Amount: Varies http://businessgrants.ba.com
Caleb Brown Community Business Grant Program Caleb Brown Venture Capital and Consulting is a Chicago-based, minority-owned VC, that manages a community business grant program that gives away cash awards and more than 6,000 consulting hours to national business enterprises. Grant Amount: Up to $12,000 www.calebbrownonline.com/Grant_Application.html
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. Grant Amount: Varies www.cfda.gov - (Click on "Programs")
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) awards nearly 85 percent of its budget through grants and contracts to help accomplish its mission to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Contracts procure goods and services used directly by the agency, and grants assist other health-related and research organizations that contribute to CDC's mission through health information dissemination, preparedness, prevention, research, and surveillance. Grant Amount: Varies www.cdc.gov/about/business/funding.htm
Coca Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Company accepts requests and proposals for community support in the form of grants or sponsorships through it's foundation. Those proposals meeting specific guidelines, and furthering their strategic goals and objectives, will be considered for funding.
Grant Amount: Varies www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/application_guidelines.html
Dayton Foundation The Dayton Foundation gives grants to organizations and businesses in the Dayton, Ohio area that create various opportunities for the community, and address pressing needs. Grant Amount: Varies www.daytonfoundation.org/how2app.html
DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Supportive Services (DBE/SS) Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), through the Office of Civil Rights, gives away grants to provide training and other services to minority-owned and women-owned businesses to help them compete for highway contracts. Grant Amount: Varies www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/dbe_program_i.htm
E-Grants Initiative
This initiative was developed in 2002 by the U.S. government to improve government services to the public. Essentially, it's an online database of over 1,000 grant programs administered by the federal government. Not all, but many, are funding opportunties available to small businesses. Grant Amount: Varies www.grants.gov/search/search.do?fundActivity=BC&mode=CATSEARCH
Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Grant Program
This program, through the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at University of Michigan, requires student teams to meet deadlines to produce deliverables that guide them through the business development path that includes shaping opportunities, formulating and assessing potential businesses, and planning and launching these businesses. Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 www.zli.bus.umich.edu/events_programs/dream_grant.asp
FAA Grants
The Federal Aviation Administration provides business grants to help owners and operators of public airports. The grant funding can be used for construction, rehabilitation, master planning, noise compatibility plans, airfield lighting installation, land acquisition, and more. Grant Amount: $12,000 - $35,000,000 www.tc.faa.gov/logistics/grants/
FHLB Economic Development Program (EDP) Plus Grants
EDP Plus grant funds are available to help member institutions of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas meet their community development needs. It's a first-come, first served noncompetitive small business grant program, designed to provide capital to under-served areas or to under-served populations in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Grant Amount: Up to $25,000 www.fhlb.com/community/cip_edpplus.html
FTA Grants
The Federal Transit Administration provides grants to transit authorities such as bus companies to help support public transportation. The funds can be used for planning, vehicle purchasing, facility construction, and more. Grant Amount: Varies www.fta.dot.gov/grants_financing.html
Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program
This program gives grant money away every year to girls between the ages of 12 to 18. Applicants must demonstrate a keen interest in entrepreneurship, and must show how they are making a difference in their communities and schools. Grant Amount: $2,000 www.guardianlife.com/womens_channel/girls_going_places/girls_going_places.html
Green Heroes Grant Program
The Green Heroes Grant Program will give green to those who do green. Through this initiative, the makers of Green Works® natural cleaners, with help from Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, will award $60,000 in grant funding to individuals, organizations and schools that are making their communities a greener place. Grant Amount: Varies www.greenworkspresskit.com/Green_Heroes_Grant_Program.html
HP Technology For Entrepreneurship Education Grant This grant, funded by Hewlett-Packard, supports non-profit organizations that aim to empower micro businesses in underserved communities. The grant money is to be used to help educate low-income entrepreneurs, provide them with start-up assistance, and more. Grant Amount: Varies www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/microenterprise/index.html
Huggies® MomInspired Grant Program
This unique program for women and moms is awarding seed money as well as business resources to further the development of original product ideas and startup businesses. Huggies® does not specifically seek ideas that are diaper or hygiene related. Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 www.huggiesmominspired.com/About.aspx
IBM Grants
IBM, also known as International Business Machines, offers several grants to communities and non-profit corporations who focus on education, adult training, workforce development, arts and culture, employee giving and more.
Grant Amount: Varies www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/grant/index.shtml
Intuit Business Grant Competition
Intuit, the software company that produces TurboTax and QuickBooks has expanded their "Love a Local Business Grant Competition". To win, small businesses have to get their customers to go online to nominate them as their favorite business by sharing the reasons for their affection in a brief comment of 250 characters or less. The top best nominated businesses will win a grant. Grant Amount: up to $5,000 www.lovealocalbusiness.com
Microsoft Technology Skills Program
This program, administered by software giant Microsoft, supports IT training and workforce development in urban and underserved communities. They give cash grants and software to non-profit community technology centers around the world. Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 www.microsoft.com/About/CorporateCitizenship/US/
CommunityInvestment/CommunityTechSkills.mspx
MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneur Series (MUES)
This series is an annual competition for minority business owners sponsored by MillerCoors. Launched in 1999, to encourage entrepreneurship in urban areas, the competition has just celebrated 10 years of giving away business grants to applicants who submit the best business plans. The Urban League is a huge partner in this initiative. Grant Amount: $25,000 - $100,000 www.millercoorsmues.com
NIST Grants
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funds industrial and academic research in a variety of ways. The Small Business Innovation Research Program funds R&D proposals from small businesses. They also offer other grants to encourage work in specific fields: precision measurement, fire research, and materials science. Grants/awards supporting research at industry, academic, and other institutions are available on a competitive basis through several different Institute offices. Grant Amount: Varies www.nist.gov/public_affairs/grants.htm
NTIA Grants
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and their Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications (OTIA) assists public and non-profit entities in effectively using telecommunications and information technologies to better provide public services and advance other national goals. In addition, the office is administering programs that are helping the nation's transition to digital televison. Grant Amount: Varies www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/otiahome.html
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
OSERS is a program within the U.S. Department of Education that focuses on improving the lives of people with disabilities - both young and old. They provide grants to companies and organizations that have similar goals. Grant Amount: Varies www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/funding.html
Ohio Dept of Development
The Ohio Department of Development, funded by the state of Ohio, has several grant and loan programs for businesses in Ohio that need financial help with land/building acquisition, technology costs, equipment purchases, expansion, renovation, construction and more. Grant Amount: Varies www.development.ohio.gov/EDD/loans_grants.htm
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
OPIC is a U.S. government agency that helps companies invest overseas, and create economic development in new and emerging markets. They have a Small and Medium Enterprise Financing program that provides business grants to companies with annual revenues of $250 million or less. Grant Amount: Varies www.opic.gov
Pepsi Refresh Project
Pepsico, one of the world's largest soft drink companies, gives away millions of dollars in grant money to fund good ideas, big and small, that make the world a better place. The program is called the Pepsi Refresh Project, and the "Refresh Grants" will be awarded to entrepreneurs and business owners. Grant Amount: $5,000, $25,000, $50,000, or $250,000 www.refresheverything.com
Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) Program
This program provides grants to finance the development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas. The funds can be used for land acquisition, construction, renovation, technical assistance, project planning, and more. Grant Amount: $25,000 - $100,000 www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rbeg.htm
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
Through these two competitive programs, SBA ensures that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the SBIR program; five departments participate in the STTR program awarding $2 billion in grant funding to small high-tech businesses.
Grant Amount: Varies www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html
U.S. Chamber of Commerce/ American Free Enterprise
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched an "I Am Free Enterprise" contest for entrepreneurs to compete to win $50,000. Contestants should create a video explaining what free enterprise means to them - the successful launch of a business, the invention of an innovative product, or how their idea will generate new jobs to boost the economy. Grant Amount: up to $50,000 www.freeenterprise.com/take-action/video-contest
U.S. Dept of Energy's Inventions and Innovation
This program offers financial support to individuals and small businesses who develop energy-saving concepts and ideas. Small business grants are awarded to companies who stand out during their competitive process. Grant Amount: $50,000 - $250,000 www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions/
U.S. Dept of Labor Grants
This department has several grants avaiable for projects pertaining to international child labor, human trafficking, domestic worker rights, employment, job training, workforce education, technical assistance, safety/health programs, veteran assistance, and more. Grant Amount: Varies www.dol.gov/oasam/grants/prgms.htm
U.S. EPA Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Office of Grants and Debarment, has many grant, fellowship, and research associateship opportunities in the field of environmental science. Grant Amount: Varies www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/information.htm
Value-Added Producer Grants
This program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides small business grants to farmers who focus on marketing value-added agricultural products and farm-based renewable energy. Grant Amount: $50,000 - $300,000 www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm
Verizon Foundation Grants Every year, Verizon gives away millions in grant money and non-cash resources to organizations that focus on education, literacy, domestic violence, Internet safety healthcare technology, healthcare accessibility, and more. Grant Amount: $5,000 - $10,000 http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/
VetFran Business Grant Fund This fund, sponsored by the IFA Educational Foundation and the PepsiCo Foundation, gives grant money to veterans who have been awarded a franchise through the IFA VetFran program. Applicants have to write a 500-word essay, and the grant money must be used for business development, education, training, etc. Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 http://emarket.franchise.org/misc/VetFran_BusGrnt.pdf- About The Grant Fund www.franchise.org/Veteran-Franchise.aspx - About The Franchise Initiative
Women's Business Center Program Grants
These grants, administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide funding to non-profit organizations to start community-based women's centers for business. The centers must assist women business owners with marketing, management, and finance. Grant Amount: Varies
www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html
Xerox Foundation
Xerox remains committed to a program of grants to colleges and universities that prepare qualified men and women for careers in business, government and education. Xerox also is committed to furthering the advance of knowledge in science and technology and enhancing learning opportunities for minorities and the disadvantaged. Grant Amount: Varies www.xerox.com/about-xerox/citizenship/xerox-foundation/enus.html
