One North Carolina Fund

The Neighborhood Business Grant provides New York City small businesses with microgrants of up to $5,000 to fund initiatives that positively impact their community. Administered by CitizensNYC, one of New York's oldest microgranting organizations (founded approximately 50 years ago and made possible by philanthropic partners including leadership support from M&T Bank), the program funds community-minded businesses of all kinds, from barbershops and bookstores to wellness studios, cafés, and childcare providers, that play a positive role in their neighborhood. To qualify, applicants must operate a business located in one of New York City's five boroughs, have been operating for at least two years, employ 10 or fewer people, be profit-generating, and be able to provide proof of business such as bank statements, tax documents, and POS terminal statements. The program runs two grant cycles each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Applicants who are awarded grants through the first cycle are ineligible to apply again during the second cycle of that year, but unsuccessful first-cycle applicants are welcome to submit an updated application for the second cycle. Applications are scored across four key criteria: Need, Relevance, Urgency, and Quality of Life Impact. CitizensNYC also offers info sessions and online office hours to help applicants refine their project ideas and applications before submission.

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.

Through funding from Racine County, a Matching Grant Program (MGP) was established with the goal of providing a means for existing small and medium-sized companies to obtain the professional services necessary for a strong foundation for continued business growth and to provide jobs for Racine County residents. This grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible cost – up to $5,000 per applicant. Additional grants are available specifically to residents of both Burlington and Sturtevant.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award (CEBRA) is designed to foster highly innovative or conceptually creative research related to the etiology, pathophysiology, prevention, or treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). It supports high-risk and potentially high-impact research that is sparse or not included in NIDA's current portfolio that has the potential to transform SUD research. The proposed research should: 1. develop, and/or adapt, revolutionary techniques or methods for addiction research or that show promising future applicability to SUD research; and /or 2. test an innovative and significant hypothesis for which there are scant precedent or preliminary data and which, if confirmed, would transform current thinking.

The Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) provides assistance to businesses to support training and upgrading skills of employees required to support new capital investment. The grant may be provided to reimburse a portion (typically 50%) of eligible training costs over a period of two full calendar years from the commencement of the project. Grants from the Skills Enhancement Fund must lead to post-secondary credentials, a nationally-recognized industry credential, or specialized company training for both new hires and existing workers, and an increase in wages for existing employees.