The Best Business Grants in Pennsylvania

City of Erie

The Erie Flagship Fund provides City of Erie, Pennsylvania small businesses with microgrants of $2,500 to $10,000 to fund market-ready products, services, and growth projects. Administered by the City of Erie’s Department of Neighborhood and Economic Development, the program is designed to encourage sustainable, innovative businesses, create employment opportunities, and increase business investment in the city. Start-ups and established businesses from any sector are welcome, as long as the project would move forward with or without grant funding.

Awards are made on a 1:1 cash match and paid as a reimbursement. A business requesting a $5,000 grant, for example, must spend $10,000 and then submit paid invoices to be reimbursed for $5,000. All funds must be spent within one year of the award, no more than two reimbursement requests are accepted, and only expenses incurred after the award date qualify. Eligible uses include computer hardware and software, connectivity upgrades, exterior signage, specialized equipment tied to operations, professional consulting (strategic or succession planning, new market development, financial management, marketing, and website development), and structural, façade, or interior improvements, though priority goes to non-construction projects. Single-use consumables, promotional giveaways, and employee salaries are not eligible.

To qualify, applicants must be registered in Pennsylvania and located within the City of Erie in an appropriately zoned space. Preference is given to businesses with 25 or fewer employees, brick-and-mortar locations, and for-profit entities, though nonprofits and locally owned franchises may also apply. Businesses with delinquent city or state taxes, fees, or liens, companies on federal or state debarment lists, franchises that are not locally owned, and anyone with a conflict of interest (such as city employees and their immediate family) are not eligible. Businesses that received a Flagship Fund grant within the past three years must wait before applying again. Applications are competitive and accepted during pre-determined application periods, and applicants must submit an itemized budget along with quotes or estimates for planned purchases.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Dept. of Agriculture

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm—designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers.

The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

PA Department of Agriculture

The Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program provides Pennsylvania farmers with reimbursement grants of up to $15,000 (covering up to 75 percent of project costs) to fund professional services that help plan for the future of their farm. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the program is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers.

Grants support projects such as enhancing a farm's long-term success with business and management strategies, transitioning farm ownership and operation to new people (including passing ownership within the family), diversifying agricultural production with new plans, expanding or seeking financing for growth, and ensuring farms with conservation easements remain profitable and protect public investments. Eligible costs are focused on the professional services agricultural professionals provide when developing business, transition, and succession plans, and the related documents they create. Covered services include accountants, CPAs, business consultants, and financial planners (for profitability and feasibility studies, financial guidance, and preparation of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets), business planning services and related business software (such as QuickBooks), appraisers (for appraisals directly related to succession), attorneys (for the preparation and filing of legal documents and setting up a new business entity with the next generation), and facilitators or mediators (to guide farm succession meetings and communication or help farm families work through succession conflicts).

Ineligible costs include capital improvements of any kind (land or farm purchases, facilities, equipment, buildings, remodels, repairs and maintenance, and installation of conservation practices), conservation plans (including Ag E&S plans, Manure Management plans, and Nutrient Management plans), surveying and subdivision costs (even if related to succession), any taxes (even if related to property transfer), insurance premiums and related costs, and meals, mileage, or other travel expenses. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis: applicants must complete their approved work plan and submit documentation of paid costs before reimbursement is issued. In-kind support does not count toward the applicant's 25 percent contribution.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund provides Philadelphia-based small businesses with grants of up to $50,000 to accelerate growth and expansion. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, the program combines funding with strategic guidance and is awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact across the city. Eligible applicants are businesses that generated under $2 million in revenue in the prior year, are located in Philadelphia, registered and licensed with the city, and current on city taxes (or operating under an approved tax payment agreement). Applicants must demonstrate a clear expansion plan, contribution to local economic impact such as strengthening Philadelphia neighborhoods or creating jobs, and resilience and innovation despite challenges accessing traditional funding. Grant funds may be used for most capital and operating expenses, but cannot be used for routine operating costs (such as rent, payroll, past-due bills, or debt payments) or real estate acquisition.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program provides Philadelphia small business owners with a grant of up to $35,000 for closing costs alongside a mortgage loan of up to $350,000 to purchase commercial property in low- and moderate-income areas. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce in partnership with the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC), the program is designed to promote asset ownership and help business owners build generational wealth by transitioning from leasing to owning their commercial space. Eligible properties must be located on an approved commercial corridor, and technical assistance is provided throughout the purchase process — both before and after acquisition. The program prioritizes applicants who are unlikely to access traditional lending due to financial barriers. To qualify, applicants must be a business owner with a low-to-moderate income (or own a business located in a low-to-moderate income community), have a credit score of 550 or higher, be registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia, and be current on city business taxes.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$35,000

CBS News Philadelphia

The CBS News Philadelphia Hometown Heartbeat Award is an annual contest that gives one Philadelphia-area small business or nonprofit a $50,000 grant plus a $25,000 advertising package, for a total prize value of $75,000. Run by CBS News Philadelphia (KYW and WPSG), the award is designed to spotlight local businesses and organizations that work hard and make their communities better places to live. The advertising portion is a professionally produced promo highlighting the winner and the award, which airs in rotation across CBS Philadelphia’s broadcast and digital channels.

To enter, applicants submit a one-minute video that shows their operation and answers three questions: what the business or organization is called and where it is located, what its daily hustle looks like, and how it makes its community a better place to live. Entries are limited to one per business or nonprofit and are submitted through an online form. Judges from CBS Philadelphia score each entry, with 50 percent of the score based on operating as a small business or nonprofit within the Philadelphia television market, 40 percent based on how well the entry answers the three questions, and 10 percent based on following the contest rules.

To qualify, applicants must be a small business (as defined by the SBA) or a nonprofit operating within the Philadelphia DMA (the greater Philadelphia television market). Employees of CBS Philadelphia, other local TV and radio stations, and their families are not eligible. The winner must provide valid government ID to claim the prize, sign a publicity release allowing CBS to use their name and likeness, and is responsible for any taxes on the prize. The promo must be completed and on the air within 90 days of the winner being notified.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$75,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The InStore Forgivable Loan Program provides Philadelphia retail, food, and selected personal service businesses with forgivable loans of $50,000 to $100,000 to purchase equipment and make interior improvements to their commercial space. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce and expanded in 2022 with funding from the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, the program is designed to boost economic development on historically underserved commercial corridors. No payment or interest is collected on the loan for five years, and the full loan is forgiven at the end of that period as long as the business remains open and operating at the same location, effectively functioning as a grant for qualifying businesses. To apply, businesses must be located in a low-to-moderate income community on an eligible commercial corridor, registered and licensed with the city, and current on city business taxes. A limited number of projects are approved each year, with priority given to businesses that provide affordable goods and services to the community and increase activity in commercial corridors that have historically received limited private investment.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$100,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Quality Jobs Program (QJP) provides Philadelphia businesses with grants of up to $175,000 for creating new full-time jobs that pay living wages and include health insurance and paid time off for Philadelphia residents. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, the program is designed to invest in employers expanding their workforce with family-sustaining positions. First-time applicants can receive $7,000 per new qualifying job for up to 25 jobs after meeting performance requirements, while businesses re-applying after a successful prior award can receive $5,000 per new job, up to a $125,000 cap. To qualify, jobs must be located in Philadelphia, offered to Philadelphia residents, full-time and permanent (at least 30 hours per week or 1,500 hours per year), and pay at or above the Philadelphia Minimum Wage Standard. Eligible employers must have been operating for at least one year, be current on city business taxes, and provide paid sick leave and health insurance. Home-based businesses and nonprofits are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and participating businesses must commit to meaningful workforce growth: at least five new full-time hires for companies with more than 25 employees, or a 20% workforce increase for smaller companies.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$175,000

The Greg Hill Foundation

The Restaurant Strong Fund Grant awards $5,000 grants to independent, single-location restaurants in select U.S. markets, with a total of $1,000,000 in funding available each cycle. Administered by The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund and funded through Wonder and the Grubhub Community Fund, the program began during the pandemic to support independent restaurants and has grown into an ongoing source of funding. Since 2020 it has awarded more than 2,700 grants to independent restaurants nationwide.

Grants are designed to drive revenue growth and may be used for a wide range of operational needs, including technology or equipment upgrades, marketing and public relations services, staff training programs, incentive-based wages, and maintenance or enhancement of existing infrastructure. Awards are based on demonstrated need and potential impact.

To qualify, applicants must operate a single-location restaurant that is open and operating in one of the fund’s designated key markets, which can change from year to year. Recent markets have included New York City and New York State, Chicagoland, New Jersey, the D.C. area (including Maryland and Virginia), Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, major Texas metros (Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio), California, and Atlanta. Applicants complete an online application with a detailed explanation of need and intended use of funds, evidence of financial or operational need, and clear, specific plans with measurable goals for expected growth. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis during the application window.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000

The Merchants Fund

The Merchants Fund Emergency Grant provides Philadelphia small businesses with up to $20,000 in grant funding to help recover from hardship caused by qualifying events such as fire, natural disaster, extreme acts of physical vandalism, utility failure, or highly disruptive public works projects. Administered by The Merchants Fund, the program prioritizes small and micro business owners that have been historically undercapitalized and cannot withstand a prolonged loss of revenue, with a preference for businesses earning less than $500,000 in annual revenue. To be eligible, businesses must be located in Philadelphia, generate annual revenue of $1.5 million or less, and demonstrate financial need for the grant. Ineligible business types include professional services such as medical, legal, insurance, graphic design, architecture, real estate, child and elder care, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants whose emergency does not clearly fall into one of the qualifying categories are encouraged to contact The Merchants Fund directly to confirm eligibility before applying.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$20,000

The Merchants Fund

The Merchants Fund Stabilization Grant provides Philadelphia small businesses with up to $10,000 in funding to help stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability. Administered by The Merchants Fund, the program is offered twice a year, with cycles opening in the spring (March 15 – April 15) and fall (September 15 – October 15). The grant prioritizes support for business owners and communities that have experienced historical and systemic disinvestment or inequitable access to capital. To be eligible, businesses must be independently owned and operated, located in Philadelphia, generate annual revenue between $50,000 and $750,000, and demonstrate financial need for the grant. Certain business types are ineligible, including financial and lending businesses, real estate development businesses, child care centers, home health aid companies, insurance companies, and private membership-restricted clubs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

Provides funds to businesses through the four Ben Franklin Technology Partners for access to capital, business expertise, technology commercialization services to advance the development of new technologies and for the generation, conservation, and transportation of alternative and clean energy.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

Berks LaunchBox

The "MAGINE Your Business Grant provides early-stage entrepreneurs in Berks County, Pennsylvania with up to $2,000 to support a self-identified business need. Administered by the Berks LaunchBox, the grant is funded through the County of Berks Imagine Berks Fund and is intended for for-profit businesses with gross revenue under $200,000 that are either based in or planning to operate in Berks County. Funds can be used toward a wide range of early-stage business activities, including building a prototype or minimum viable product, completing customer discovery, marketing and promotion, setting up a website, purchasing supplies or equipment, and paying for professional services such as consultants, coaches, or workshops. Applicants must first develop and submit a Business Model Canvas for review with Berks LaunchBox staff before being invited to complete the full grant application.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

City of York

The City of York Small Business BLOOM Grant Program will award grants up to $1,500 to established small businesses operating and generating revenue in the City of York for a project that will enhance productivity & operations, expand product or service offerings, or otherwise grow to the next level.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$1,500

Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation

The Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation Micro-Grants provide Lebanon County, Pennsylvania small businesses and nonprofit organizations with grants of up to $3,000 per organization, with up to $30,000 in total funding awarded per cycle. Administered by the Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation and generously funded through a grant from the HerZimBa Foundation, the program is designed to address specific business needs that can significantly enhance operational effectiveness and growth potential, stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and promote inclusivity across the Lebanon Valley economy.

Grants are awarded in four focus areas. Professional Development covers professional development, leadership training, certifications, education, and similar training initiatives. Paid Internships cover salary expenses for students from local or regional high schools and colleges, or unemployed individuals looking to reengage in the workforce (staff benefits other than wages are not covered). Business Improvements cover interior or exterior improvements such as paint, awnings, signage, and displays. Technology Upgrades cover upgrading hardware, software, connectivity, point-of-sale programs, and similar systems. Administrative purposes, daily operations, and staffing expenses (other than development or interns as noted above) are not eligible.

To qualify, applicants must be a for-profit or nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization that operates in Lebanon County and has 25 or fewer employees (two part-time employees count as one full-time equivalent). The grant is open to all businesses in Lebanon County that meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of Chamber membership status. Applicants may submit multiple grant applications across different categories, but the total combined grant award per organization is capped at $3,000. Applications are evaluated on regional economic impact (20 percent), impact of the grant to the business (20 percent), financial stability or growth (20 percent), longevity of business (15 percent), clarity and rationale of the request (15 percent), and minority, woman, or veteran ownership or operation (10 percent). Applicants are also required to submit three years of end-of-year balance sheets and profit and loss statements to demonstrate business history. Awardees are required to complete a Memorandum of Understanding and Grant Spending Plan before funds are released, and must submit a Grant Impact Report to the Foundation post-award.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

PA Department of Commerce

The Northern Tier RISE (Regional Investment for Small Enterprise) Grant provides rural small businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania with reimbursable grants of up to $5,000 to help them grow, strengthen operations, and create new opportunities for success. Administered by the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the program is funded through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance (HDBA) program and is designed to expand access to capital for small businesses in the region’s rural communities.

To qualify, applicants must operate a for-profit business located in one of five eligible Pennsylvania counties (Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, or Wyoming), be owned and controlled (51 percent or more) by one or more Pennsylvania residents, employ fewer than 100 full-time employees, file a Pennsylvania tax return, and be in good standing with federal, state, and local taxes with no outstanding liens or judgments. Applicants begin the process by completing a short pre-application validation form to confirm eligibility before continuing to the full application.

Grant funds may be used for business registration, licensing and certification fees, equipment and machinery, marketing and advertising, website development and technology, inventory and supplies, working capital, professional services, and insurance expenses. Ineligible uses include debt repayment, payroll taxes, interest or finance charges, political, lobbying, or religious activities, and fines, penalties, or legal settlements.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program is a statewide program which offers assistance to registered apprenticeship programs. The program’s goal is to increase apprenticeship availability to Pennsylvania employers to assist them with their talent recruitment and development.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

PA Office of International Business Development

The Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) and provides up to $10,000 per award period to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities. The program is funded in part through a federal grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) was established to provide grant and loan funding to eligible applicants to develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within the Commonwealth.

The Construction Grants and Loans component provides grants and loans to serve as gap financing for strategic sites that need financial assistance to help reduce development risk for businesses. The grant and loan funding is intended to help finance strategic investments that will enhance sites across the Commonwealth to effectively compete for expanding and relocating businesses. The program will help reduce development risk for businesses by timeline reduction from the development of public infrastructure or reducing unknown development costs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$1,000,000

PA Department of Enviromental Protection

This grant program provides assistance to small businesses (100 or fewer employees) to undertake energy efficiency, pollution prevention, or natural resource protection projects designed to enhance a small business’s competitiveness while simultaneously improving the environment for Pennsylvania residents. The program offers small businesses a reimbursement grant ranging from 50% or $7,500 (whichever is less) up to 80% or $12,000 (whichever is less) for eligible project costs. Maximum grant awards vary based on the environmental impact of a project and if it is located in an environmental justice area. Reimbursement after project completion.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$12,000

City of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Business Lending Network Equity Incentive Grant provides Philadelphia small business owners with grants of up to $50,000 to offset the cost of a business loan issued through the Philadelphia Business Lending Network (PBLN). Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, the grant covers up to 50 percent of the total PBLN funding request for eligible small businesses that are approved for a loan through the network, effectively converting half of the loan into non-repayable capital for the qualifying business.

The PBLN itself is a free service that helps business owners express interest in loan financing through a single, no-cost interest form that is shared with a group of more than 28 participating nonprofit and for-profit lenders. Participating lenders include The Merchants Fund, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), Reinvestment Fund, TD Bank, M&T Bank, Fulton Bank, Citadel Bank, Women's Opportunity Resource Center (WORC), and many others. The interest form is not itself a loan or grant application, and there is no guarantee that any lender will offer a loan. Lenders that see a fit with the applicant's project and financial needs contact the business owner directly (typically within five business days) to discuss potential loan options.

To be considered for the Equity Incentive Grant portion of the program, applicants must be Philadelphia residents whose business is located in Philadelphia, earn a maximum annual revenue of $350,000, operate as a micro-enterprise with five or fewer employees (including the business owner), be up-to-date on City taxes (or have an approved tax payment agreement in place), and be registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia. To be considered for a PBLN loan, applicants must have a small business in Philadelphia or plans to move or expand to the city.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

City of Philadelphia

The Business Security Camera Program encourages businesses to purchase and install exterior cameras on commercial properties. The program seeks to increase safety for shoppers, residents, and employees.

Businesses citywide can receive up to 75% of the total eligible costs, as much as $3,000 for a single commercial property.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

City of Philadelphia

The FCHI program provides financial incentives to Philadelphia employers who hire local residents returning from incarceration within the last seven years.

Eligible employers who hire qualifying employees can receive a $6 per hour wage reimbursement for compensable hours worked up to 960 hours within 180 days of employment and a one-time $500 employment retention grant for each FCHI employee who completes the new hire period.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$6,250

City of Philadelphia

Receive up to $10K in reimbursements for making façade improvements to an eligible single commercial property in Philadelphia or up to $15K for improving an eligible corner property or large commercial building with multiple addresses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

Pittsburgh Arts Council

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Grant provides creative entrepreneurs in southwestern Pennsylvania with $2,000 in funding plus small business consulting services to help start or grow a for-profit creative business. Administered by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council the grant serves applicants in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, and Washington counties who work in creative fields including marketing, architecture, visual arts and crafts, design, film and media, digital games, music and entertainment, and publishing. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in one of the four covered counties, generate less than $200,000 in gross revenue from the creative business, and not have received CEA funding in the past three years. Before applying, applicants must schedule a free consultation and business plan review with one of the program's designated Referral Coordinators, who help applicants develop the approved business plan required as part of the application. Nonprofits are not eligible.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

City of Scranton

The Scranton Small Business Façade Improvement Grant Program provides Scranton commercial property owners and tenants with reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 (or 50 percent of total project cost, whichever is lower) to fund permanent exterior improvements to commercial buildings. Administered by the City of Scranton and funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, the program is designed to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment along Scranton's commercial corridors and support the revitalization of the city's business districts. Grants are geographically targeted, with eligible properties limited to commercial buildings located within the federally designated low-to-moderate income areas of Scranton.

To qualify, applicants must be either the owner of a commercial property or a business owner or manager operating from a commercial property within the eligible area, with tenants required to submit an Owner Consent Form as part of their application. Businesses must be in compliance with all current City of Scranton codes and regulations, current on taxes, fines, and fees, and properly registered in the city. Eligible buildings are limited to existing commercial structures with facades visible from the street. New construction, mobile businesses, structural repairs, and interior projects of any kind are not eligible. Funded improvements must be permanent, exterior alterations that enhance the appearance of the commercial property, and may include the repair, preservation, improvement, replacement, or installation of windows and doors, signage, lighting, awnings, canopies, and sunshades, decking and stairs, gutters and downspouts, cornices or decorative trim, historically significant architectural details, masonry, pointing, or carpentry work, painting or surface treatment, entranceways to buildings or parking lots, greenery, and sidewalks, patios, walkways, benches, planters, and other permanent exterior features.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

City of Sharon

The Sharon Economic Development Grant Fund provides grant funding to startup and existing businesses operating within the City of Sharon, Pennsylvania to help de-risk and accelerate operations, fuel growth, and support the revitalization of the city's downtown. Administered by the Shenango LaunchBox (Penn State Shenango's entrepreneurial support program) on behalf of a partnership between the City of Sharon, Penn State Shenango, and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, the fund draws from a $2 million endowment created in 2022 (with funds contributed by the City of Sharon's American Rescue Plan dollars and a matching investment by Penn State University), and awards approximately $100,000 in grants to Sharon businesses each year.

Individual grant amounts vary based on each business's pitch and the recommendation of the Grant Selection Committee, with recent rounds awarding multiple businesses through a single annual cycle. Priority is given to businesses that align with the City of Sharon's Main Street Model, contribute to the revitalization of the State Street Downtown Improvement District, generate new jobs, and drive travel and tourism to Sharon. To qualify, applicants must have a business presence within the 16146 zip code (City of Sharon). The application process is multi-stage: applicants first submit a Letter of Intent on a rolling basis, then participate in a review and feedback round, complete a pitch coaching session with the Shenango LaunchBox team, and ultimately deliver a 5-minute pitch with Q&A to the Sharon Economic Development Grant Committee, which makes the final funding decision. In addition to grant funding, applicants benefit from free consulting services, pitch coaching, and access to broader Shenango LaunchBox programming, with some past recipients also receiving free legal advice from Penn State Law's Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic and business plan support from the Gannon Small Business Development Center.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$25,000

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are excited to partner with PNC in support of local small businesses in the Pittsburgh region. Going to Bat for Small Business Presented by PNC represents the seventh straight season that the Pirates and PNC teamed up to pledge their support for local small businesses in order to help create a stronger Pittsburgh community. Each month, the program will highlight one of six small businesses that have helped make a positive impact on their communities. The Pirates and PNC will award the six small businesses a marketing package valued up to $100,000 and a $5,000 grant.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000

PA DCED

The Program supports the growth of very small meat and poultry processors in the Commonwealth. It does this by offering grants.

The grants cover costs associated with opening a new processing operation or the expansion of a current operation. The grants can also be used to cover the costs of getting a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection.

Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$100,000

PA Department of Enviromental Protection

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grant - Provides reimbursement to registered sponsors of collection programs for household hazardous waste, electronics, and tires (but not tire pile cleanups). Reimbursement available for up to 50 percent of eligible costs. Eligible costs typically include collection, transportation and management of the wastes plus education programs. Eligible entities include households, political subdivisions, and small businesses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA DCED

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000,000

City of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Boost Your Business Program provides selected Philadelphia small businesses with a $50,000 forgivable loan to help them grow, obtain new City contracts, increase revenue, and create jobs. Twenty businesses are selected per funding round. While structured as a loan rather than a direct grant, the loan is forgiven once the business meets its stated growth goals, effectively functioning as a grant for qualifying businesses.

Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce in partnership with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), the program is specifically designed to support business owners who face unique barriers in accessing critical funding and resources to help their businesses grow. In addition to the funding, selected businesses receive ongoing business support assistance throughout the loan period to help them execute their growth plan and meet the forgiveness milestones. Businesses seeking City contracts are strongly encouraged to apply.

To qualify, applicants must be located in Philadelphia, have annual revenue of $350,000 or more, be in operation for at least two years, hold an active Philadelphia Commercial Activity License (CAL), be independently owned (franchises are eligible only if independently owned), and have all required federal, state, and local licenses and permits to legally operate. Businesses must also be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes (or be on an approved payment plan). Applicants are required to submit a clear budget and growth plan showing how the funding will lead to increased contracts, revenue, or employees, and each application is evaluated based on the impact and feasibility of that growth plan.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

PA DEP

The Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Grant is a $396 million statewide industrial decarbonization grant program that provides Pennsylvania industrial facilities with reimbursement grants to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas and co-pollutant emissions. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Energy Programs Office and funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the program is designed to lower emissions from Pennsylvania's industrial sector (which accounts for just over 30 percent of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions) while creating jobs, reducing energy costs, and strengthening manufacturing competitiveness.

RISE PA awards funding through three competitive tracks tailored to project size: a Small-scale Award Track (SAT), administered in partnership with PennTAP (Penn State's Technology Application Program), for smaller decarbonization projects with multiple funding rounds; and Medium and Large-scale Award Tracks (MAT/LAT), administered through the DCED Enterprise eGrants system, for larger industrial projects. Eligible project types span industrial electrification, energy efficiency and process emissions reductions, switching to low-carbon fuels, on-site renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and reducing fugitive emissions from natural gas and oil systems and coal mining.

Grants are issued on a reimbursement basis, with medium and large-scale projects reimbursed for up to 90 percent of the Base Grant Award as costs are incurred and the remaining 10 percent disbursed once measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) of the project's emissions reductions is complete. Applicants can also receive a reimbursement of up to 1 percent of total project cost (capped at $70,000) to offset MMV expenses. Eligible expenses incurred on or after October 1, 2024 may be reimbursed, and all projects must be completed by the program's federally mandated sunset date of April 1, 2029.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$500,000