Partnering for Prosperity: Exploring Joint Grant Applications, Sponsorship, and Collaboration for Non-Profits and Small Businesses
Non-profits have several grant avenues available at the local, state, and national levels, including partnering with small businesses for grants on the for-profit side.
Beacon 4sight Group recommends starting local with your local community foundation solely focused on supporting local nonprofits. Then expand out to state, regional, and national grants and always think of strategic partnerships.
- Local foundations and corporations — Many local businesses and foundations provide grants to non-profit organizations operating in the area.
- State grants — Some states offer grants to non-profits for specific purposes, such as community development or environmental protection.
- National foundations — Many national foundations, such as the Ford Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, provide grants to non-profits across the country.
- Federal grants — The federal government provides grants to non-profits for various purposes, including health, education, and the arts.
Non-profits can partner with small businesses to be eligible for additional grants increasing their chances of receiving funding:
- Joint grant applications — Non-profits and small businesses can submit a joint grant application to demonstrate a shared commitment to a specific cause or project.
- Sponsorship — Small businesses can sponsor non-profit events or programs, leading to increased visibility and funding opportunities.
- Collaboration — Non-profits and small businesses can collaborate on initiatives supporting the community and the industry.
It’s essential to research the requirements and eligibility criteria for each type of grant before applying and to carefully consider the benefits and responsibilities of each partnership before entering into a collaboration.
There are various small business grant avenues available in the United States, including:
SBA (Small Business Administration) grants — The SBA offers several grants for small businesses, including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Here is an overview briefing.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: is a competitive grant program that provides federal research funding to small businesses.
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: is a similar program to SBIR but also requires collaboration between the small business and a research institution.
The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program: assisting women-owned small businesses to gain access to federal contracts.
US Department of Commerce: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grants provide funding to support minority-owned businesses’ growth and development.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grants — The USDA provides grants for rural businesses through its Rural Business Development Grants program. The Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) program offers financial assistance to rural businesses through grants for activities such as startup and expansion.
DHS (Department of Homeland Security) grants — The DHS offers grants for small businesses in cybersecurity and terrorism prevention.
DOE (Department of Energy) grants — The DOE provides grants for small businesses in the energy sector, including renewable energy and energy efficiency.
DOT (Department of Transportation) grants — The DOT provides grants for small businesses in the transportation sector, including aviation, maritime, and surface transportation.
State and local grants — Many states and local governments offer grants for small businesses in specific industries or areas.
It’s important to note that these grants may have specific eligibility requirements, and competition for funding can be high. Therefore, it’s recommended to research each program and carefully review the application process before applying.
