Provo Facade Improvement Grant

The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) Member Companies may apply for a variety of non-dilutive grants, each with its own eligibility and review criteria. The Academic Startup Grant is focused on startups advancing intellectual property from institutions of higher education. Managed by the Academic Innovations team, the objective of the Academic Startup Grant is to provide earlystage funding to academic startups to support one or more critical milestones towards commercialization and to advance the company’s pursuit of follow-on funding. Key milestones include developing the technology past the minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrating product-market fit, in the DEVELOP stage of startup development. Academic Startup Grants provide funding for up to $25,000.

Fund Her Future, a grant program from Block Advisors by H&R Block, is open to women business owners nationwide. One grand prize winner receives a $50,000 grant, while five additional small businesses get $10,000 each. Winners also receive a year of free small-business services, including bookkeeping, payroll and tax support. To be eligible, you must have an established business that generated a minimum of $20,000 in revenue in 2024.

The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant awards $10,000 grants to small businesses across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Run by Verizon in partnership with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), a national nonprofit that serves as the program's grant administrator, the program selects 10 small businesses each month from June through December to receive funding. To unlock the grant application, applicants must first register on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform — a free resource hub that offers business courses, virtual events, and in-person workshops — and complete any combination of two eligible courses or events. Once submitted, an application remains under consideration for the rest of the year, so applicants only need to apply once to be considered for every monthly selection cycle.

The Advanced Industries Export Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses who want to export or are currently exporting. This grant is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It reimburses for international business development and marketing costs. Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 and up to 50% of the approved expenses.

The Invest DSM Commercial Grant Program provides Des Moines commercial property owners and small businesses with matching grants of up to $50,000 to fund deferred maintenance, repairs, code compliance upgrades, and facade improvements. Administered by Invest DSM, a nonprofit partnership between the City of Des Moines and Polk County focused on revitalizing select Des Moines neighborhoods, the program is available to property owners and business owners (whether they own or lease their space) located within one of Invest DSM's designated Special Investment Districts. The grant operates as a dollar-for-dollar match covering half of project expenses up to $50,000 per retail bay, with an additional matching grant of up to $10,000 available to cover pre-development costs such as architectural drawings, project feasibility studies, environmental studies, and interior or window display design assistance. For external aesthetic improvements like signage, window displays, and facade work, applicants who collaborate with one of Invest DSM's artists on a custom design can receive 70 percent of those costs covered. Eligible uses include facade, signage, and awning updates, roof, window, and door replacement or repair, major systems and code compliance upgrades, public art such as murals, exterior site improvements like patios, concrete work, landscaping, and parking lot repaving, and energy-efficiency upgrades including solar and wind installation. Applicants must be current on all municipal and county dues, fees, and taxes. In addition to grant funds, recipients also receive one-on-one consultation, advice, and technical support from Invest DSM specialists throughout the entire project.