The Initiative Foundation's economic development grants enable communities to build economic diversity, increase business development opportunities and create and retain quality jobs. Directly related to our focus areas, these grants must address one or more of the following:

• Address barriers to economic development, including childcare, transportation, affordable housing and workforce development.
  
  
• Create entrepreneurial opportunities for youth and other nontraditional business owners.
  
  
• Support training, market research and technical support for new and existing businesses in order to promote workforce productivity and profitability.
  
  
• Provide training and technical assistance for economic developers and community leaders that lead to the development and implementation of strategic economic development plans, identify business-financing opportunities and diversify the local economic base.
  
  
• Support the integration of technology and the introduction of emerging technology.

Organizations with projects that meet these criteria should verify their eligiblity before beginning the application process.