El Monte Small Business Grant

The Certifiably Green Denver Mini Grant provides Denver small businesses and nonprofits with up to $10,000 in upfront funding for sustainability projects that reduce environmental impact and lower operational costs. Administered by the City and County of Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency through its Certifiably Green Denver program, the grant supports a wide range of projects including energy-efficient appliances and equipment, renewable energy investments, water conservation upgrades, waste reduction initiatives, sustainable transportation amenities like bike racks, and employee sustainability training. Eligible applicants must meet U.S. Small Business Administration size standards, hold an active TIN or EIN, be registered with the State of Colorado, and operate from a physical brick-and-mortar location in the City and County of Denver. Home-based businesses and food trucks are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with awards made monthly, and preference is given to businesses located in a Denver Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST) neighborhood. Since 2022, the program has awarded over $750,000 to more than 100 small businesses.

Virginia Enterprise Zone Job Creation Grants incentivize businesses that bring jobs to areas falling within defined Enterprise Zones. Eligible companies may claim grants for up to 350 jobs per year and must create over four full-time jobs to qualify for a five-year grant period. Awards are per-employee and range-based on the salary offered, benchmarked against the federal minimum wage or the Virginia minimum wage, whichever is higher. For jobs providing 150% of the minimum wage, companies receive up to $500 per worker. Those offering 175% of the minimum wage get up to $800 annually per worker. In areas with high unemployment, companies can receive a defined grant of $500 for jobs paying 125% of minimum wage and $800 for jobs paying 175%.

The Launch Marin City program offers Marin City, California small business owners a free 12-week entrepreneurship training program, with all graduates becoming eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 from the County of Marin upon completion. The grant itself is not automatic; graduates apply for the funding directly with the County after finishing the program. Launch Marin City is administered by the Marin County Office of Equity and Division of Economic Vitality as part of the Marin County Microbusiness Support Program (MSP), a broader initiative funded through the 2022-2025 Marin County Race Equity Action Plan (REAP). The program is designed to give small business owners the knowledge, mentorship, and community they need to build or grow the business they envision. Each cohort accepts 20 participants and meets weekly for 12 sessions in the evening, either in person at the Marin County Free Library's Marin City Branch or via Zoom, depending on the preferences of the cohort. Curriculum topics include sharpening business goals and next steps, reaching customers and marketing the business, pricing products or services, strengthening money management and budgeting, building stronger business systems, and creating a clear plan to move the business forward. Participation is completely free (a $2,500 value covered by MSP funding). To be eligible for Launch Marin City, applicants must be a small business owner who lives or works in Marin City. Businesses from all industries and sectors are invited to apply. Applications are reviewed after each cohort's deadline, with 20 participants selected per session and applicants typically notified of acceptance approximately one week before the cohort begins.

The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown awards a $100,000 grand prize cash grant plus a package of in-kind services to one independent retail entrepreneur to help open a brick-and-mortar storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park. Administered by TechTown Detroit and sponsored by Comerica Bank, the contest is built around the concept of "crowd entrepreneurship," giving Detroit residents an active role in the city's redevelopment by voting for their favorite finalists in successive elimination rounds. The application process narrows applicants down from the full pool to a Top 25, Top 10, and Top 4, with public voting playing a major role in determining the eventual winner during a live "Hatch Off" event. The contest is focused exclusively on independent brick-and-mortar retail concepts, including stores, bars, restaurants, studios, gyms, and other retail-driven businesses, and is intended to revitalize commercial corridors, activate vacant spaces, and spur further community investment. Food trucks and franchise stores are not eligible, though social enterprises and L3Cs may apply if they have a strong retail component. Beyond the grand prize, finalists gain significant visibility with thousands of potential customers and funders, plus access to the Hatch Detroit alumni network, which provides ongoing technical support and additional spot grant funding opportunities.

The City of Framingham is accepting applications for its Microenterprise Assistance Program. The Microenterprise Assistance Program will provide ten one-time grants of $7,200 to eligible businesses. All start-up businesses and existing businesses must be physically located in Framingham and will be required to submit a business plan when applying for a Microenterprise grant. Funds can be used for payroll expenses, leases, business mortgages, or purchasing new equipment to expand business offerings.