WY Internship Grants

The Affordable Commercial Tenanting (ACT) Grant provides Portland property owners and small business owners with reimbursement grants of up to $300,000 to fund tenant improvements, space related soft costs, and permitting support needed to ready a commercial space for opening. Administered by Prosper Portland, the city's economic development agency, the program is designed to facilitate access to affordable commercial space and support inclusive small business growth by helping local entrepreneurs move into ground floor storefronts at a lower cost. The grant is currently available for properties located within the Interstate Corridor and Gateway Regional Center Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts, though the program may expand to other areas of the city in the future. To qualify, the property owner must agree to provide the small business with a minimum three year lease that includes at least one of the following: a lease rate 10 to 25 percent below market, a period of rent abatement, or capped rent escalations during the affordable rate period. The property must be ground floor and zoned for commercial or mixed use. Eligible business owners must demonstrate at least two years of business experience and meet criteria related to displacement, limited access to capital, first generation business ownership, or location within a low income census tract. Funds may be used for hard costs to ready the space (such as standard finishes, signage, landscaping, lighting, and security upgrades), up to $25,000 for soft costs like design and permitting fees, and up to $25,000 for predevelopment work. Operating expenses, inventory, and non permanent fixtures are not eligible. Property management companies, mobile businesses, e-commerce businesses, and cannabis businesses are not eligible to apply.

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund provides U.S. military veterans in the beginning years of farming or ranching with small grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to help launch and grow their agricultural businesses. Administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), a national nonprofit that supports veteran-owned farm and ranch businesses, the program has awarded nearly $4 million to more than 930 veterans since 2011. The program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project and receives additional support from Kubota (whose "Geared To Give" equipment program is integrated into the same application), the Tractor Supply Co. Foundation, Farm Credit, AgWest, and the SBA. Rather than disbursing cash directly to recipients, the Fellowship Fund pays approved third-party vendors on the recipient's behalf for specific items the veteran identifies as crucial to the launch of their farm business. Recipients have six months from award notification to use their grant. Common purchases funded through the program include all-terrain vehicles, beekeeping equipment, breeding livestock, bulk feed, fencing, storage freezers, tractor implements, walk-behind tractors, and scholarships. To qualify, applicants must be a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, have served or currently be serving in any branch of the United States military, have received an Honorable characterization of service upon discharge (other characterizations are considered on a case-by-case basis), operate an agricultural business with a formal business plan, and be willing to fully participate in the Fellowship Program (which includes periodic progress reports, mentoring other farmer veterans, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the farmer veteran community). Currently serving service members must provide a letter of support from their commanding officer attesting to their characterization of service. The Fellowship is designed to support for-profit agricultural businesses; nonprofit entities are not eligible. Previous Fellowship recipients may only reapply if they were previously awarded $1,000 or less. The application opens once per year and consists of short answer and essay questions across five focus areas: military service, educational background, prior farming experience, business and financial planning, and short-term and long-term goals. Applicants are evaluated on farm training and transferable skills, personal investment in their farm business, the strength of their funding request and demonstrated ability to grow the business through the award, vision and goals for the future, and community involvement.

OCAST awards funding of up to $500,000 to companies leading innovation projects that have the potential to create economic impact in Oklahoma. Projects must have an end user application within the targeted industries identified in the 2021-2026 Science and Innovation Strategic Plan, which includes biotechnology; aerospace, autonomous systems and defense; and energy diversification.

The Prudential Community Grants Program provides Newark, New Jersey small businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations with microgrants of up to $2,500 (for individuals and small business owners applying as individuals) or up to $5,000 (for 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor) to support projects that create vibrancy in Newark's neighborhoods. Administered in collaboration between Prudential Financial, a global financial services company headquartered in Newark, and the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), the program recognizes that local changemakers and business owners often have the solutions to strengthen their neighborhoods but frequently lack access to the financial resources needed to bring those ideas to life. To qualify, applicants must create neighborhood-level impact in the city of Newark, be willing to share impact stories including photos or videos as a result of the funding, be able to identify how the funding will be utilized, and secure a Statement of Community Support from a community resident as part of the application. Small business owners are required to apply as individuals rather than as businesses (small businesses, including brick-and-mortar entities, remain eligible under the individual track). Each applicant is limited to one application per cycle. Previous Prudential Community Grants Program awardees are eligible to reapply, but other Prudential grantees are not eligible for this specific program.

The SBLLG supports the purchase of an Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License by a small business. Assisting with the purchase of an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license supports the growth and success of New Jersey’s small service businesses. This product aligns with legislation P.L. 2023, c.290 regarding inactive plenary retail consumption liquor licenses and allows NJ small businesses the opportunity to purchase one. This grant will reimburse a NJ small business up to 50% of the cost of the inactive license, not to exceed $100,000.