City Government Grants | OpenGrants
Government Funding Guide
City Government Grant Funding
U.S. cities receive billions in federal, state, and philanthropic grant funding each year — supporting infrastructure, public safety, housing, economic development, and community services.
$3.3B+
Annual CDBG formula allocation
1,200+
CDBG entitlement communities
$350M
EPA Brownfields grants (FY 2025)
19,502
Incorporated cities in the U.S.
What Are City Government Grants?
City government grants are federal, state, and philanthropic funding programs designed to help municipalities, local agencies, and community-based organizations deliver public services, build infrastructure, and strengthen communities. The largest source of direct federal funding to cities is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered by HUD, which allocates over $3.3 billion annually to entitlement communities.
Beyond CDBG, cities access funding through EPA Brownfields grants, DOT transportation programs, FEMA hazard mitigation grants, DOJ public safety programs, and numerous state pass-through programs. Philanthropic organizations like Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Kresge Foundation also provide significant grant funding directly to city governments.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on the program. CDBG entitlement grants go directly to cities with populations over 50,000 and urban counties with 200,000+ residents. Smaller cities access CDBG through their state’s non-entitlement allocation. Other federal programs are open to any unit of general-purpose local government. Community-based organizations often apply in partnership with their city government.
Key city government grant programs
The CDBG program is the cornerstone of federal community development funding, supporting housing rehabilitation, economic development, infrastructure, and public services. The EPA Brownfields program provides assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants for contaminated sites. FEMA BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) funds pre-disaster hazard mitigation. The DOJ COPS and Byrne JAG programs support public safety and criminal justice initiatives.
Funding Landscape Insights
CDBG: Community Development Backbone
The Community Development Block Grant program has distributed over $170 billion since 1974. Entitlement cities (50,000+ population) receive formula allocations; smaller cities compete through state-administered programs. Funds support housing, infrastructure, and economic development.
EPA Brownfields & Environmental
The EPA Brownfields program provides up to $5 million per grant for assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan funds. FY 2025 allocations exceed $350 million, with priority given to underserved communities and environmental justice areas.
Public Safety & Justice Grants
DOJ programs like COPS Hiring, Byrne JAG, and the Community Oriented Policing grants provide hundreds of millions annually for local law enforcement, violence reduction, and criminal justice reform. Cities can also access FEMA grants for emergency management.
Infrastructure & Transportation
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created unprecedented funding opportunities for cities, including formula and competitive grants for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems, and EV infrastructure. Programs like RAISE and SS4A offer direct grants to local governments.
Essential Resources
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GOV
HUD CDBG Program Community Development Block Grant details and guidance
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GOV
Grants.gov Search & apply to all federal grant opportunities
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GOV
EPA Brownfields Environmental cleanup grants for municipalities
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DATA
USASpending.gov Track federal spending to local governments
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TOOL
DOT Grants Portal Infrastructure and transportation funding opportunities
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EDU
National League of Cities Resources, advocacy, and funding guidance for municipalities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program?
CDBG is the federal government’s largest community development program, distributing over $3.3 billion annually to cities and counties. Entitlement communities (cities over 50,000 population) receive formula allocations. Funds can be used for housing rehabilitation, infrastructure, economic development, and public services benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.
How do small cities access federal grant funding?
Cities under 50,000 population access CDBG through their state’s non-entitlement allocation (administered by the state). They can also apply directly for competitive federal programs like EPA Brownfields, DOT RAISE grants, FEMA BRIC, and DOJ public safety programs. Many state governments also offer grant programs specifically for small municipalities.
What grants are available for city infrastructure projects?
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created significant funding including DOT RAISE grants (up to $25M), EPA Water Infrastructure Finance grants, FEMA BRIC hazard mitigation grants, broadband deployment grants through NTIA, and EV infrastructure formula funding. Cities should also explore state-level infrastructure banks and revolving loan funds.
Can community organizations apply for city-level grants?
Yes. Many federal programs allow community-based organizations to apply either independently or in partnership with city government. CDBG sub-recipient agreements allow nonprofits to receive CDBG funds through their city. DOJ and HHS programs often fund nonprofits directly for community service delivery.
How does OpenGrants help cities find grant funding?
OpenGrants matches municipalities and community organizations with relevant federal, state, and foundation grant opportunities. The platform provides access to experienced grant writers who specialize in government applications, plus live support to navigate complex federal requirements.
Find grants matched to your city — for free.
Create a profile on OpenGrants and get matched with relevant federal, state, and foundation grants for your municipality or community organization.
Sources & Further Reading