Bend Small Business Assistance Grant

Attracting workers to North Dakota is essential in helping to meet the state’s current and future workforce needs. Internships provide a valuable way for students to make connections with businesses and identify career options in North Dakota. Operation Intern is designed to expand the number of internships, work experience and apprenticeship positions with North Dakota employers. The program’s primary focus is employers in the state’s targeted industries: energy, advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, tourism and technology-based businesses, and autonomous systems. North Dakota businesses receive up to $5,000 in matching funds for the internships/apprenticeships. Funding can be used for items needed for the intern/apprentice to perform their internships, like wages, tools and equipment, essential training or tuition reimbursement. The funding is a one-to-one match.

The Commissioner Yvette Colbourne's Small Business and Nonprofit Grant provides Miramar, Florida small businesses and nonprofit organizations with up to $5,000 in grant funding to support capacity building, strengthen operations, and stimulate increased business activity. Administered by the City of Miramar's Economic Development and Housing Department and named for Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, the program serves both Mom and Pop small businesses (independently owned and operated with ten or fewer employees) and nonprofit organizations operating under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code. Grant funds may be used for the purchase of machinery and equipment, professional services such as legal, accounting, and marketing, supplies and inventory, technology infrastructure and system upgrades, commercial lease rental deposits, salaries, and other miscellaneous business expenses. To qualify, applicants must operate within the City of Miramar (either at a commercial location or home-based), have been in operation for at least one year, possess a City of Miramar Business Tax Receipt (and Broward County, if applicable), maintain an active Sunbiz registration showing the current business name, and be current on property taxes if a property owner. All organizations applying for funding are required to attend a grant workshop to review program requirements, and recipients may be asked to provide proof that funds were used for the purposes stated in their application.

The Reimagine Oregon Economic Opportunity Investment Fund Grant provides Portland based for-profit businesses, nonprofits, and social service organizations with flexible grant funding ranging from $5,000 to $300,000 for standard projects, or $50,000 to $700,000 for large-scale anchor projects. Administered by Prosper Portland and funded through Recreational Cannabis Tax revenue, the program is focused on supporting economic and business development for communities disproportionately impacted by the historical prohibition of cannabis. Funding is awarded through two tracks. Track 1 supports for-profit businesses with grants designed to strengthen and grow existing operations, scale new businesses, and promote entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth across Portland. Track 2 supports nonprofit organizations and those operating under a fiscal sponsor with grants focused on building community wealth, promoting economic empowerment, and supporting social enterprises. Each track includes both standard grants and anchor project grants, with anchor projects supporting larger initiatives that act as catalysts for economic growth and community development. Eligible uses of funds are intentionally broad and include strategic investment capital, infrastructure development, business incubators and innovation centers, community-owned business support, job creation and training programs, mixed-use community hubs, employment opportunities, housing development, and property acquisition. To qualify, applicants must be located within the City of Portland, fit one of the eligible organization types (for-profit, nonprofit, or social service org with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor), and demonstrate how their proposal relates to and benefits communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. Direct political advocacy, personal use, and prior Reimagine Oregon grant recipients are not eligible.

The Building Energy Efficiency (BEE) Grant Program provides Portland small businesses and small commercial building owners with grants of up to $200,000 to fund energy efficient upgrades that reduce energy usage and cost, create health benefits, and increase business resilience. Administered by Prosper Portland and funded through a five-year partnership with the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), the program serves both commercial property owners and small business tenants whose buildings or leased spaces are located within Portland city limits and are 40,000 square feet or smaller. Commercial property owners can receive up to $200,000 (with a 25 percent owner match) to fund building-wide improvements such as insulation and building envelope upgrades, lighting, HVAC equipment, building-wide controls, and solar electric systems with battery storage. Small business tenants can receive up to $100,000 with no required match to fund energy efficient appliance and equipment upgrades such as refrigeration equipment, washers and dryers, manufacturing equipment, and food service equipment like stoves, ranges, and hoods. All funded projects must generate at least 20 percent energy savings, and the program prioritizes investment in high energy use sectors with strong savings opportunities, including food service, food sales, small manufacturing, lodging, and laundromats. To qualify, small business applicants must have a current City of Portland and Oregon State business registration, employ 50 or fewer employees, and meet at least one social vulnerability or sector-based criterion (such as displacement by urban renewal, limited access to capital, being a first-generation college graduate, location in a low income census tract, or operating in one of the high-energy-use sectors above). Nonprofits, home-based businesses, mobile businesses (including food carts and trucks), and any building or leased space larger than 40,000 square feet are not eligible.

The Confidence Collective is structured to select 250 women entrepreneurs who will receive access to business coaching, skill-building resources, networking opportunities, and a peer community. Of those 250 participants, 20 will be awarded $20,000 grants intended to support business development and growth. The 250 selected participants will be announced in the coming months, with grant recipients named in fall 2026.