Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Grants | OpenGrants
Federal Funder · HHS Division
Administration for Children & Families (ACF) Grant Funding
ACF is one of the largest grantmaking agencies in the federal government — distributing over $60 billion annually to states, tribes, nonprofits, and community organizations for child welfare, early education, anti-poverty services, and family support programs.
$60B+
Annual grant funding distributed
60+
Programs across 23 offices
12,000+
Grant awards issued per year
805K
Children served by Head Start alone
What Is the Administration for Children and Families?
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), established in 1991 to promote the economic and social well-being of children, families, and communities. ACF funds and oversees a vast portfolio of programs — from Head Start early childhood education to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child care subsidies, foster care and adoption services, refugee resettlement, and energy assistance for low-income households.
ACF operates through 23 offices headquartered in Washington, D.C. and five regional offices (Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, and Denver). Most ACF funding flows to states, territories, and tribes through formula-based block grants — but the agency also offers competitive discretionary grants open to nonprofits, educational institutions, community-based organizations, and tribal governments.
Who is eligible for ACF grants?
Eligibility varies by program. Formula and block grants (TANF, CCDF, LIHEAP, CSBG, SSBG) flow automatically to state governments, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes. Discretionary grants — such as Head Start, Children’s Bureau awards, and Native American Programs — are open to a broader range of applicants including nonprofits, faith-based organizations, for-profit entities, local governments, and educational institutions. Each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) specifies eligible applicant types, so always check program-specific requirements before applying.
Key ACF grant programs to know
ACF’s flagship programs span the full spectrum of human services. Head Start ($12.4B) provides early childhood education to over 800,000 children through approximately 1,600 grantees. TANF ($16.5B) is the nation’s primary welfare block grant, giving states broad flexibility to fund cash assistance, job training, and family support. The Child Care and Development Fund ($12.3B) subsidizes child care for roughly 1.4 million children per month. LIHEAP ($4B) helps over 6 million low-income households with heating and cooling costs. The Children’s Bureau administers $10B+ in foster care, adoption assistance, and child welfare prevention funding. Refugee Resettlement ($6.4B) covers services for refugees, asylees, and unaccompanied children.
Funding Landscape Insights
Head Start: The Early Education Engine
Head Start is ACF’s largest discretionary program at $12.4 billion. It funds roughly 1,600 grantees serving over 805,000 children and their families — but reaches only about one-quarter of eligible preschoolers and 10% of eligible infants and toddlers, signaling continued demand and growth potential.
Formula vs. Discretionary: Know the Difference
Most ACF dollars ($50B+) flow automatically to states through formula grants — no competitive application required. But discretionary programs like Head Start, ANA, and Children’s Bureau awards are competitively awarded through NOFOs. Understanding which type matches your organization is the first step to a successful strategy.
Tribal & Underserved Community Funding
ACF offers dedicated funding streams for federally recognized tribes — including tribal TANF, tribal Head Start, and the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) programs. CSBG-funded Community Action Agencies serve 10 million individuals in low-income communities, and the Family Violence Prevention program reaches domestic violence survivors nationwide.
A Rapidly Changing Funding Landscape
ACF is undergoing major restructuring — including a merger with ACL, regional office closures, new “Defend the Spend” payment requirements, and shifting evaluation criteria in NOFOs. Grant seekers should register on SAM.gov and Grants.gov early, monitor forecasts closely, and budget extra time for potential disbursement delays.
Essential Resources
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GOV
ACF.hhs.gov — Official Site Program offices, grants, and policy guidance
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GOV
ACF Funding Opportunities Current NOFOs and funding forecasts
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GOV
Grants.gov Search & apply to all federal grant opportunities
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TOOL
SAM.gov Required entity registration & UEI assignment
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DATA
USASpending.gov Track ACF spending, awards, and historical trends
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EDU
HeadStart.gov Program data, grant applications & resources
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EDU
Children’s Bureau Child welfare grants, data & technical assistance
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DATA
TANF Data Portal State spending reports, caseload data & trends
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ACF give grants directly to nonprofits and community organizations?
Yes — but it depends on the program. ACF’s discretionary grant programs, such as Head Start, Children’s Bureau competitive awards, Administration for Native Americans (ANA) grants, and anti-trafficking programs, award funding directly to nonprofits and community organizations through a competitive application process. However, most of ACF’s largest programs (TANF, CCDF, LIHEAP, CSBG, SSBG) are block grants that flow to state governments, which then distribute funds to local service providers. If you’re a nonprofit, check whether your state passes through ACF block grant funds — many do.
What is the difference between ACF formula grants and discretionary grants?
Formula grants distribute funds automatically to eligible states, territories, and tribes based on statutory criteria such as population, poverty rates, or caseload data — no competitive application is needed. Programs like TANF, CCDF, and LIHEAP follow this model. Discretionary grants, by contrast, require a competitive application process. Applicants respond to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and are evaluated by independent review panels. Head Start, ANA programs, and most Children’s Bureau awards are discretionary. Understanding this distinction is essential because it determines how — and whether — your organization can apply.
How do I find and apply for ACF grant opportunities?
All ACF competitive grant opportunities are posted on Grants.gov. Before you can apply, you’ll need to register on SAM.gov (allow several weeks) and create a Grants.gov account with the Authorized Organization Representative role. Applications are submitted electronically through Grants.gov Workspace. For a more streamlined experience, OpenGrants matches your organization’s profile to relevant ACF funding opportunities and connects you with expert grant writers who specialize in federal human services proposals.
How long does it take to receive an ACF grant award?
The typical timeline from application submission to award decision is four to six months. Applications are reviewed by independent panels of at least three subject matter experts who score against criteria published in the NOFO. Once awarded, grantees receive a Notice of Award (NoA) via email and can draw down funds through the HHS Payment Management System. Multi-year awards are common (one to five years), funded in annual budget periods with continuation based on performance and available appropriations. Note that recent administrative changes, including the “Defend the Spend” system, may add processing time to disbursements.
Can faith-based organizations apply for ACF grants?
Yes. Faith-based and religious organizations are eligible for many ACF discretionary grant programs on the same basis as other nonprofit organizations. They may not use federal funds for explicitly religious activities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization — but they can deliver secular social services. ACF has a longstanding equal-treatment policy ensuring that faith-based applicants are evaluated on programmatic merit, not religious affiliation.
What registrations do I need before applying for an ACF grant?
Three registrations are required, and the process should be started at least one month before a NOFO deadline. First, register on SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — this is free but can take weeks. Second, create a Grants.gov account linked to your UEI; your EBiz Point of Contact must authorize users with the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role. Third, set up a Login.gov account for post-award access to GrantSolutions. All registrations must be renewed annually.
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Sources & Further Reading