Arkansas Workforce Development Grants

​​​​​​​​​​A flexible and broad-based program, Advantage Maryland (also known as MEDAAF) funds conditional grants, loans and investments to assist economic development initiatives. Uses include business attraction and retention, infrastructure support, brownfield redevelopment, arts and entertainment districts, daycare, revolving loan funds and local strategic planning. Projects must be within Priority Funding Areas and eligible industry sectors. Awards are made on a competitive basis.

The Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative is an annual national award program launched by Ferrero North America in 2020. IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, mentorship, networking, and educational resources. Honoring Wally Amos’ legacy and the “Famously You” ethos, this initiative celebrates the qualities that make each business owner unique and fosters long-term success for their businesses. Black small business owners are invited to apply by submitting a short video pitch. Entries are judged by a panel of renowned Black entrepreneurs, and 10 finalists are selected to compete in the next round. Ultimately, three winners will each be awarded $50,000 and access to mentorship, educational resources, and networking opportunities.

The Houston Texans Small Business Boost provides selected Greater Houston small businesses with a $5,000 grant along with marketing and promotional support designed to raise the winner's visibility across the city. Created in 2020 as a partnership between the Houston Texans and Amegy Bank, the program recognizes independently owned, for-profit businesses based primarily in the Greater Houston area. In addition to the cash grant, winners receive a feature on HoustonTexans.com (including a dedicated web article and a social media post announcing the win), access to event opportunities through Amegy Bank, and a commemorative plaque presented by the Texans and Amegy. Businesses are nominated for the award, and multiple winners are selected each year.

AAG is a matching grant program offering $10,000 to $25,000 to support businesses between 2nd and 40th streets on Atlantic Avenue. The program offers a 50% match of investments up to $25,000 for exterior building, site, and outdoor dining improvements. The program is for properties that are owned or leased from 2nd to 40th Street along Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach. All properties and applicants must be current on all City of Virginia Beach licenses, fees, and taxes.

The LiftFund Disaster Relief Program provides small businesses recovering from natural disasters with a combination of grants, 0% interest loans, and hands-on technical assistance to help them rebuild and reopen quickly. Administered by LiftFund — a San Antonio-based nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has supported disaster recovery efforts since Hurricane Katrina — the program operates through individual sub-programs created in response to specific disasters, each developed in partnership with local foundations, donors, and community organizations. Because each sub-program is uniquely designed around the conditions and needs of an affected region, the specific grant amounts, loan terms, eligibility criteria, and funding pathways vary by disaster, but each program is typically built around the same core components: direct grant funding to help cover rebuilding expenses, replacement costs for damaged equipment, and general operating expenses; 0% interest loans with flexible terms, waived origination fees, and flexible collateral requirements to bridge gaps that grants alone cannot cover; and technical assistance such as one-on-one coaching, workshops, and help navigating the application process. Applicants are generally evaluated on both physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster, and businesses that did not sustain direct property damage may still qualify if they experienced a measurable decline in revenue. Recent active sub-programs have served businesses in Kerr County and San Angelo, Texas, as well as the broader Hill Country region. Interested business owners should check LiftFund's Special Programs page for the disaster relief programs currently accepting applications.