Workbar’s Small Business Grant Contest

Introducing the Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program—a year-long initiative designed to celebrate and empower small businesses that invigorate and serve their communities. This program spotlights entrepreneurs who demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity, by awarding three remarkable businesses each quarter. Winners receive a $20,000 grant along with additional resources to elevate their business presence and continue their success. Delve into the stories of these inspiring heroes, explore small business data, and nominate a small business hero in your community. Join in celebrating and supporting the pillars of prosperity in neighborhoods across the nation.

The San Francisco Environment Department is offering grants of up to $2,500 to help food service businesses lease or purchase an automatic dishwasher, cover minor installation costs, and buy essential dishwashing supplies. The purpose of this grant is to help San Francisco food service businesses reduce waste by building or expanding their reusable foodware use and systems for on-site dining. Funding is specifically intended to support businesses in transitioning from disposable foodware and to long-term reuse solutions, in alignment with San Francisco’s zero waste goals. Grants are available only until funding runs out. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Dayton Community Development Corporation offers grants for small businesses that focus on the Downtown District of Dayton. To qualify for these programs, businesses must be within designated locations in the city. The Dayton Downtown Improvement Grant provides up to $25,000, as a 50% match for activities such as interior renovations, signage, landscaping and improvement to the building and parking lot. Along the same lines, the Dayton Small Business Grant offers funding up to $7,500 for exterior projects and also $7,500 for interior projects — on a 50% match basis.

The Food and Fiber Processing Grant Program, administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, supports the scaling of existing and new products produced and harvested in New York State. Funding is available for the construction and renovation of facilities, as well as the purchase and installation of equipment. Priority will be given to projects that expand processing for fruits, vegetables, grains and beans for human consumption; plant and animal fibers. Eligible applicants may apply for awards ranging from $250,000 to $2.5 million. Of the $8.5 million available, $1 million is reserved for projects that use plant and animal fiber. Processed products developed through the grant must contain a minimum of 51% raw agricultural ingredients grown or raised in New York State.

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.