Grant Resources

Pennsylvania Creative Businesses: Grant Funding Opportunity Now Open!

Are you a Pennsylvania-based creative entrepreneur looking to grow your business and increase your community impact? The newly revised Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Grant Program is now accepting applications through Keystone Creatives.

The CEA program provides funding to support the growth and success of creative businesses across the Commonwealth, helping entrepreneurs expand their reach, strengthen their operations, and contribute to their local communities.

• Grant funding available for eligible creative businesses
• Support for business growth and community impact
• No-cost and low-cost business advising available through Pennsylvania's SBDC Network and other entrepreneurial support organizations
• Application guidance resources available for prospective applicants

The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) encourages eligible creative entrepreneurs throughout Allegheny County and Southwest Pennsylvania to explore this exciting opportunity. While advising is not required to apply, our team is available to help entrepreneurs prepare strong, competitive applications.

Connect with the Duquesne University SBDC: Request for Consulting

Learn more and apply: https://keystonecreatives.org/

Tag a creative entrepreneur, artist, maker, designer, or creative business owner who should know about this opportunity!

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Finding information about business grants currently available to small business owners can be done through various channels. Here are some steps you can follow:

 

• Government Websites: Start by visiting the official websites of your local, state, and federal government agencies. These websites often have dedicated sections or databases that list available grants and funding opportunities for small businesses.
   

  • Small Business Administration
    - https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants

  
  

  • PA Department of Community & Economic Development
    - http://dced.pa.gov/program/

  
  

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.uschamber.com/
     

  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Discover State Grants
    - https://www.pa.gov/en/grants.html
     

• Business Associations: Check with industry-specific business associations or chambers of commerce. They may have information about grants and funding opportunities tailored to businesses in your industry or locality.
   

  • Beaver County Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.beavercountychamber.com/

  
  

  • Butler County Community Development Corporation
    - https://www.butlercountycdc.com/

  
  

  • Lawrence County Regional Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.lawrencecounty.com/

  
  

  • Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.paacc.com/

  
  

  • Washington County Peters Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.peterstownshipchamber.com/

  
  

  • Wexford/North Regional Chamber of Commerce
    - https://www.pghnorthchamber.com/
     

• Grants.gov (U.S.): If you're in the United States, Grants.gov is a centralized website where you can search and apply for federal grants. You can specify your search criteria to narrow down grants relevant to your business.
   

  • Grants.gov
    - https://www.grants.gov/
     

• National Foundations:
   

  • Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
    - http://www.kauffman.org

  
  

  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation
    - https://www.wkkf.org

  
  

  • Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc.
    - http://www.rfca.org

  
  

  • Association of Small Business Development Centers’ Foundation for Small Business Development
    - http://www.ffsbd.org/
    - http://www.americassbdc.org
     

• Local and Regional Programs: Don't forget to explore local and regional resources. City or county governments, as well as regional development agencies, may offer grants and incentives for small businesses. Check their websites or contact their offices for information.
   

  • Grant Station
    - https://grantstation.com/

  
  

  • The Chronicle of Philanthropy
    - https://www.philanthropy.com/grants

  
  

  • Council on Foundations
    - https://cof.org/page/community-foundation-locator
     

  • Hillman Foundation
    - https://hillmanfoundation.com/pages/hillman-grants
     

  • Innovation Works
    - https://www.innovationworks.org/
     

  • Catalyst Connection
    - https://www.catalystconnection.org/grants-cost-savings/
     

  • Grant Forward
    - https://www.grantforward.com/index
     

  • Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
    - http://www.benedum.org
     

  • The Buhl Foundation
    - http://www.buhlfoundation.org
     

  • Allegheny Housing Development Fund (AHDF)
    - https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Projects-and-Initiatives/Economic-Development/Developers/Allegheny-Housing-Development-Fund-AHDF
     

  • Vacant Property Recovery Program
    - https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Projects-and-Initiatives/Economic-Development/Residents-Housing-Support/Vacant-Property-Recovery-Program
     

• IT and Cyber Security
   

  • Training-based Workforce Development for Advanced Cyberinfrastructure | NSF - National Science Foundation
    - https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/training-based-workforce-development-advanced  
     

  • The XRPL Grants program
    - https://xrplgrants.org/  
     

  • OpenAI Cybersecurity Grant Program
    - https://openai.com/index/openai-cybersecurity-grant-program/  
     

  • Starknet Grants
    - https://www.starknet.io/grants/  
     

  • Anthology Fund
    - https://menlovc.com/anthology-fund/  
     

  • ChainGPT's Strategic AI Grant Support
    - https://docs.chaingpt.org/misc/usd1m-web3-ai-grant-program  
     

  • Comcast Innovation Fund
    - https://innovationfund.comcast.com/ 
     

  • AI Futures Fund
    - https://labs.google/aifuturesfund 
     

  • The Gadfly Project
    - https://www.thegadflyproject.org/guidelines.html 
     

• Military
   

  • Hivers & Strivers Capital
    - https://hiversandstrivers.com/  
     

  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Grants
    - https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dli/programs-services/workforce-development-home/grant-opportunities.html  
     

  • DOL's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) awards Stand Down funding through the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP)
    - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/StandDown  
     

  • First Responders Service and Rewards Home Buying Grant Programs
    - https://firstrespondersserviceandrewards.org/home-buying-grant-programs  
     

  • Tee It Up for the Troops
    - https://teeitupforthetroops.org/our-organization/  
     

  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families - D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (syracuse.edu)
    - https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/ebvf/ 
     

  • Become a Vetrepreneur | Veteran Application | Warrior Rising
    - https://www.warriorrising.org/become-vetrepreneur/  
     

  • Pride in Service Grants - CSX.com
    - https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/community-investment/charitable-investments/pride-in-service-grants/  
     

  • Home | Bet On A Vet 100 2
    - https://www.betonavet.info/ 
     

• Arts
   

  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Creative Business Loan Fund
    - https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/coa/grants-and-loans/creative-business-loan-fund.html  
     

  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Apply for a Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant
    - https://www.pa.gov/en/services/coa/apply-for-a-creative-entrepreneur-accelerator-grant.html  
     

  • The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation
    - https://www.elizabethgreenshieldsfoundation.org/  
     

  • The Halstead Grant
    - https://grant.halsteadbead.com/
     

  • Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
    - https://www.pa.gov/agencies/coa
     

• Start Up Business / Entrepreneurs 
   

  • The eMerge Global Startup Accelerator + Showcase
    - https://emergeamericas.com/startups/startup-showcase-accelerator/
     

  • Honeycomb Change It Up Fall
    - https://www.honeycombcredit.com/changeitupfallgrant
     

  • $10,000 Grant for Businesses | Honeycomb
    - https://www.honeycombcredit.com/breakthrough
     

• Proof of Concept Product
   

  • U.S. National Science Foundation - NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs (SBIR/STTR Phase I)
    - https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/sbirsttr-phase-i-nsf-small-business-innovation-research-small-business  
     

• Community Improvement
   

  • Heinz Endowments
    - https://www.heinz.org/grants 
     

• Professional Development
   

  • Retail Florist Education Travel Grant | American Floral Endowment
    - https://endowment.org/grant/royer-family-fund 
     

  • NSCA | Foundation Research Grants | Strength & Conditioning
    - https://www.nsca.com/about-us/nsca-foundation/grants/ 
     

  • Grants and In-Kind Support to Pennsylvania Individuals in the Arts Sector
    - https://pennsylvania.grantwatch.com/grant/205792/grants-and-in-kind-support-to-pennsylvania-individuals-in-the-arts-sector-for-professional-development.html 
     

• Additional Resources:
   

  • Richard King Mellon Foundation
    - https://www.rkmf.org/apply/
     

  • McAuley Ministries
    - https://mcauleyministries.org/how-to-apply/apply-online/
     

  • Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program
    - https://dced.pa.gov/programs/foundations-in-industry-training-fit-grant-program/
     

  • Nasdaq - Quarterly Grant Program
    - https://www.nasdaq.com/nasdaq-foundation/grant-program
     

  • The Freed Fellowship
    - https://freedfellowship.com/grant-a
     

  • Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program
    - https://www.pa.gov/services/pda/apply-for-the-farm-vitality-grant
     

  • Agriculture-Linked Investment (AgriLink) Program
    - https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/about-pda/boards-commissions/state-conservation-commission/agriculture-linked-low-interest-loan-program-
     

• Social Media and Newsletters: Follow business-related social media accounts and subscribe to newsletters from government agencies, business associations, and financial institutions. They often share information about grants and funding.


• Financial Institutions: Some banks and credit unions offer small business grant programs, especially if you have an existing banking relationship with them. Contact your financial institution to inquire about any available opportunities.



• Professional Advisors: Consider consulting with business advisors, accountants, or attorneys who specialize in small business services. They may be aware of grants that are suitable for your business.

Remember that grant availability can change frequently, so it's essential to regularly check these sources and stay up-to-date with any new opportunities. Additionally, thoroughly review the eligibility criteria and application deadlines for each grant to ensure your business qualifies and can meet the requirements.