Bend Small Business Assistance Grant

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite research grant applications (R01) for the development and use of current and emerging molecular imaging methods to gain fundamental insights into cancer inflammation in vivo. The motivation for this initiative is that much of current imaging research into the role of inflammation in cancer is largely based on in vitro and ex vivo methods with limited utilization of imaging approaches that could lead to significant new insights relevant to dynamic cancer and inflammation interactions. Utilization of molecular imaging probes in pre-clinical and clinical investigations for precise temporal resolution at the molecular and cellular level are valuable approaches for identification and characterization of in vivo inflammatory cellular physiology in cancers and of molecular changes in response to treatment. This FOA encourages applications that focus on developing integrated imaging approaches to interrogate the role of inflammation in cancer through strong cross-field collaboration between cancer basic science researchers and imaging scientists. These collaborations are expected to advance science and understanding of cancer inflammation interactions.

The Baton Rouge Commercial Building Improvement Program provides for-profit businesses, nonprofit storefront operators, and property owners in East Baton Rouge Parish with reimbursement grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to fund exterior improvements to commercial buildings within low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods. Administered by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President's Office of Community Development and funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the program has approximately $300,000 in total awards available per round on a competitive basis. The program is designed to rehabilitate and reactivate blighted or underused commercial buildings in LMI neighborhoods, strengthen commercial corridors through visible high-impact exterior improvements, and support small, locally owned businesses serving LMI communities. Eligible exterior improvements include window and door replacement, exterior painting and finishes, roofing, removal of security bars or grates, storefront transparency improvements, storefront and exterior envelope improvements, permanent code-compliant signage, exterior lighting, sidewalk repair, awnings and canopies, masonry repair and restoration, ADA-compliant exterior improvements, and design costs of up to 10 percent of project total. Ineligible costs include new construction, property acquisition or building expansion, interior renovations of any kind, interior furniture, fixtures, or equipment, temporary signage or banners, routine maintenance without visual improvement, installation of security bars, landscaping beyond the immediate building frontage, permit or legal fees, and any work completed before Notice to Proceed. A financial match is not required, but applicants who provide a minimum 25 percent cash match receive additional scoring points (in-kind contributions are not accepted). Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations operating a commercial storefront, and property owners applying on behalf of an eligible tenant business. Home-based businesses, businesses without a public-facing storefront, financial institutions, adult-oriented businesses, and applicants with unresolved compliance issues on prior CDBG-funded programs are not eligible. Projects must be located in CDBG-eligible LMI census tracts, with preference given to annual Priority Areas mapped in the program guidelines. Tenant applicants must have at least 12 months remaining on their lease (or a renewal option extending 12 months beyond project completion). Because the program is federally funded, funded projects are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, environmental review, and historic preservation guidelines. All construction work must be completed by contractors from a pre-approved contractor pool selected by the Office of Community Development (applicants cannot independently select or substitute a contractor), and reimbursements are paid directly to the contractor as work progresses. Improvements must remain in place for a minimum of five years, and awards over $25,000 may require a recorded property restriction or covenant to enforce this requirement.

The Inclusive Beauty Fund will award 12 grants of $25,000 each to beauty businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States–including extension artists, braiders, aestheticians, barbers, salon owners, suite owners, students, and stylists. The grants will be administered in partnership with the NAACP's Economic Empowerment Fund and Hispanic Federation through Deed, a leading social impact platform. Open to all, the goal of the program is to support all members of the beauty industry with a focus small business growth and increasing overall economic opportunity.

The intent of the DTO Retail Program is to activate spaces within the downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area and establish the area within Downtown Orlando as a retail destination, to attract locals and visitors to visit downtown Orlando as well as attract new retail and encourage expansion of existing retail by reimbursing costs associated with interior buildout and rent of a newly leased property.

Lenovo has launched Backing Every Business, a new global initiative designed to close the support gap facing small businesses. In partnership with actress, entrepreneur and investor Eva Longoria, founders around the world can apply for $10,000 in grant funding, AI-enabled technology and one-to-one mentorship, including from Longoria herself. In addition to direct grant funding, winners will receive a technology upgrade from Lenovo, valued at $12,000.