HBCU Founders Initiative - Pitch Competition

Applications for the popular Agricultural Micro Grant Program 6.0 – which offers up to $25,000 in grants to Maui County small farmers and ranchers – will be available January 2026. The $3 million Maui County – funded program, administered by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, is open to food producing farms on 12 acres or less, and livestock ranches up to 40 acres, possessing a State of Hawaii general excise license as of July 1, 2025. Preference will be given to women and Native Hawaiians. A limited number of grants will be set aside for flower/plant, lei making farms.

The Mini-Grant is designed to support business and nonprofit programs that serve the Erie County BIPOC community and are experiencing a need for an influx of capital to enable them to continue to serve the BIPOC community. Successful applicants will be able to show that either they or their project, is not eligible for traditional bank financing. The minimum grant offered is $5,000, and the maximum grant is $25,000. Applicants must be for-profit businesses located in Erie County, NY and at least 51% of the ownership is Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC).

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation provides a state grant match to Indiana companies that have received a Phase I or II award through a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant program. The maximum award amount is $50,000 for Phase I and $75,000 for Phase II.

The City of Bloomington is now accepting applications for the 2026 Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) Grant Program. The program offers up to $25,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to local small businesses and nonprofits. The goal is to help organizations improve building efficiency, install solar panels or add battery storage. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, early childhood centers, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, multifamily residential complexes and small businesses with fewer than 500 full-time employees. Organizations must own a facility within city limits, but renters can apply with documented agreement from the property owner.

Purpose: RUST loans may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove or replace project tanks, including corrective actions, to meet applicable local state, or federal standards, including, but not limited to, any design, construction, monitoring, operation, or maintenance requirements adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 25284.1, 25292.05, 25292.4, or 41954. Description: Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks (RUST) loans are available to assist small business underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators in financing up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove, or replace project tanks, including corrective actions, to meet applicable local, state, or federal standards, including, but not limited to, any design, construction, monitoring, operation, or maintenance requirements adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 25284.1, 25292.05, 25292.4, or 41954.