OpenGrants funding guide

Economic Development Grants for Communities

The federal, state and foundation programs that pay for local economic development year after year: EDA, CDBG, USDA Rural Development, the federal-state regional commissions, the CDFI Fund, EPA Brownfields, workforce grants and state site-readiness programs. Each card gives the money, the catch and the next window. The applicant is a city, county, town, tribe, district, regional council, CDFI, nonprofit or college, not a business.

Data refreshed: October 29, 2026 · Editorial verified: October 24, 2026 · 128 programs

114Grants

1In-kind / lab access

13Other

How to use this page

The applicant is a public or nonprofit body, not a business. Every program here is applied for by a city, county, town, tribe, economic development organization or district, regional council, CDFI, nonprofit or college. Businesses benefit downstream, through the infrastructure, loan funds, sites and services these grants pay for. If you run a business, start with your city or county economic development office, your regional revolving loan fund or a Small Business Development Center: they know which of these awards your area already holds.
Plan before you build. Construction money (EDA Public Works, regional-commission infrastructure grants, state CDBG economic development) rewards readiness: a regional strategy that names the project, site control, the match in hand and, often, a named employer and a jobs commitment. Planning and technical assistance grants exist to get you there, which is why they come first on this page.
Formula money and competitive money run on different clocks. CDBG entitlement funds arrive by formula through your consolidated plan; state CDBG, EDA, USDA and the commissions run their own competitions or rolling windows. Every card names its cycle, and when a window has closed it shows the next expected one, so you can put it on a calendar now. Loans, loan guarantees and tax-credit allocations are labeled; everything else is a grant or a prize.

What's included: Programs a U.S. local government, tribe, economic development organization or district, regional council, CDFI, nonprofit or college can apply to, that come back every year or keep a standing window. Loans, loan guarantees and tax-credit allocations are included only when the card labels them. What's left out: One-off funding notices, programs that have not run since 2024, incentives that only a business can apply for, and programs we could not confirm on their official page.

EDA in 2026: funded, reorganized, still on older notices

EDA is funded and taking applications, but its rules are mid-change. Congress gave it $466 million for fiscal 2026, $400 million of it for programs, in P.L. 119-74, signed January 23, 2026: $2 million below fiscal 2025 (CRS R46991, June 23, 2026). On April 2, 2026 EDA said it had completed its congressionally approved reorganization. An Office of Regional Operations now runs Public Works, Economic Adjustment, Planning and Local Technical Assistance through all six regional offices; an Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship runs Build to Scale, Tech Hubs and Recompete; and a new Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience runs the 2025 disaster supplemental.

The notices you apply under are older than the new org chart. Public Works and Economic Adjustment run on the FY 2025 notice (last updated May 12, 2026), and Planning and Local Technical Assistance still run on the FY 2021–2023 notice. Both accept applications with no deadline until EDA replaces them. The 2024 reauthorization raised EDA's baseline share of project cost from 50% to 60% (rule effective November 19, 2025) and added new distress tests, such as median household income and the prime-age employment gap, but the current notices still test only unemployment, per capita income and special need. EDA's funding page says to apply through Grants.gov while the current notices point to its EDGE portal, so confirm the route with your Economic Development Representative before you submit.

Not open as of October 24, 2026: University Centers, Research and National Technical Assistance, Build to Scale (no notice since October 2024), and the Good Jobs and STEM Talent Challenges. The President's fiscal 2027 budget request proposes closing EDA; that is a request to Congress, not an enacted cut.

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Showing 128 of 128 programs

1. EDA planning, technical assistance and research

EDA's planning and technical assistance grants pay for the strategy and studies that come before construction money. Partnership Planning gives Economic Development Districts and tribes multi-year support to write and carry out a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS); EDA has historically made about 310 of these awards a year, with a median near $70,000. Cities, counties, states, colleges and nonprofits use Short-Term and State Planning, and Local Technical Assistance (median about $100,000), for feasibility studies, impact analyses and resiliency plans. All three run under one standing notice with no deadlines, posted once for each of EDA's six regional offices. Tribes can also apply for Assistance to Indigenous Communities ($75,000 to $200,000), and places hit by 2023 and 2024 disasters can use the disaster supplemental's Readiness path. The common mistake is treating these grants as fully paid: EDA covers only a share set by your region's distress, and the rest must be committed when you apply. Talk to your EDA regional representative before you write.

5 programs

EDA Partnership Planning (Economic Development Districts and Tribes)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

Varies — check official page (EDA's Planning NOFO puts the median Partnership and Short-Term Planning award at about $70,000; awards usually run three years)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: EDA pays only a share, set by the distress of the most distressed county you serve: the 2021 NOFO text caps it at 50%, rising to 80% in the most distressed regions, and the 2024 reauthorization raised EDA's baseline grant rate to 60% (EDA rule effective November 19, 2025). The award pays you to develop, carry out and update the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which EDA then uses to judge every Public Works and EAA application from your region.

Next deadline: Rolling (invitation only; your EDA regional office sets the renewal timing) · Rolling standing notice with no submission deadlines; awards are typically three years, renewed by invitation from the regional office (NOFO in effect since March 15, 2021, accepted until a new Planning and LTA NOFO is published)

Applicant tip: Partnership Planning is how a region gets a CEDS that EDA accepts, and every EDA construction application must be consistent with a CEDS. If your area is not in an Economic Development District, ask your regional office whether joining one, or a Short-Term Planning award, is the faster route.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Only the District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District, or an Indian Tribe (or consortium of tribes), can receive a Partnership Planning award. Cities, counties, universities and other nonprofits are not eligible for this award type; they use Short-Term Planning or Local Technical Assistance instead.
How to apply: Invite-only: your EDA regional office invites its existing District Organizations and tribal planning partners to apply, under the standing FY 2021–FY 2023 Planning and Local Technical Assistance NOFO posted separately for each of the six regions. The Grants.gov listings say invited Partnership Planning applications are submitted in EDA's EDGE portal (sfgrants.eda.gov). Start with your regional office's point of contact.
Applicant fit: EDO / district / COG, tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: EDA's Planning NOFO says it has historically made 320 to 450 Planning awards a year, about 310 of them Partnership Planning awards to District Organizations and tribes.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Short-Term Planning and State Planning grants

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

Varies — check official page (EDA's Planning NOFO puts the median Partnership and Short-Term Planning award at about $70,000; the Grants.gov listings show up to $300,000)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: Cost share is required and the commitment of your match is scored: the 2021 NOFO caps EDA's share at 50%, rising to 80% in regions with very high unemployment or very low per capita income, and the 2024 reauthorization raised EDA's baseline grant rate to 60% (EDA rule effective November 19, 2025). Your project must fit at least one of EDA's current investment priorities.

Next deadline: Rolling (until a new Planning and LTA NOFO is published or funds run out) · Rolling; no submission deadlines, applications accepted until a new Planning and LTA NOFO is published or funds run out (FY 2021–FY 2023 NOFO in effect since March 15, 2021); projects usually last 12 to 18 months

Applicant tip: EDA uses Short-Term Planning to pay for a CEDS in places no District Organization serves, and for fast responses such as planning after a major employer announces a closure. If you are preparing for a Public Works request, a short-term plan that names the project can be the first step.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States, counties, cities and other political subdivisions (or consortia), District Organizations, tribes, colleges and universities, and nonprofits acting in cooperation with a local government. Individuals and for-profit companies are not eligible. Meeting EDA's distress criteria is not required to apply, but your region's distress sets EDA's share of the cost.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline under the standing Planning and Local Technical Assistance NOFO, posted once for each EDA regional office on Grants.gov. Contact the EDA representative for your state first. The Grants.gov listings say applications have gone through EDA's EDGE portal (sfgrants.eda.gov) since April 6, 2023; EDA's funding page now says applications go through Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your regional office.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: EDA's Planning NOFO reports 320 to 450 Planning awards a year in total; Short-Term and State Planning is the small share outside the roughly 310 Partnership Planning awards.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Local Technical Assistance

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

Varies — check official page (EDA's NOFO puts the median Local Technical Assistance award at about $100,000; the Grants.gov listings show up to $300,000)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: Cost share is required: the 2021 NOFO says EDA's share of a Local Technical Assistance award generally may not exceed 50% of project cost, and the 2024 reauthorization raised EDA's baseline grant rate to 60% (EDA rule effective November 19, 2025). The availability and firmness of your match is a competitiveness factor.

Applicant tip: LTA is built for the study that comes before a construction request: EDA's own example is a city's feasibility study for reusing an abandoned manufacturing plant. With only 30 to 50 awards a year, tie the study to a specific project your CEDS already names.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States, counties, cities and other political subdivisions (or consortia), District Organizations, tribes, colleges and universities, and nonprofits acting in cooperation with a local government. Individuals and for-profit companies are not eligible. Distress is not an entry test, but it sets EDA's share of the cost.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline under the standing Planning and Local Technical Assistance NOFO, posted once per EDA regional office on Grants.gov. Talk to your state's EDA representative before you apply. Per the Grants.gov listings and EDA's EDGE page, Local Technical Assistance applications are submitted in EDGE (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm with your regional office.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: EDA's NOFO says it has historically made 30 to 50 Local Technical Assistance awards a year, with a median of about $100,000.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Assistance to Indigenous Communities (AIC addendum to the PWEAA NOFO)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations

$75,000–$200,000 per non-construction project (about $5 million available under the addendum)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: Projects must be consistent with a CEDS, a tribal strategy or another EDA-accepted plan, which you attach or link; if you have none, you can apply for a strategy grant to write one. The PWEAA NOFO's cost-share rules apply, and EDA's regulations allow up to a 100% federal share for Indian tribes.

Next deadline: Rolling (until the addendum's funds are committed) · Rolling; no submission deadlines under the standing PWEAA NOFO, until funds are expended or a new NOFO is published (addendum funded at $5 million from FY2024 appropriations)

Applicant tip: EDA scores AIC projects on 11 equally weighted criteria, including readiness to start quickly and alignment with your strategy. Capacity building and planning for future broadband, water, energy or training facilities fits the addendum best.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Federally recognized Indian Tribes or consortia (including Alaska Native villages and regional corporations, and tribally owned nonprofit entities), plus nonprofits whose activities principally benefit Native Hawaiians or Native Pacific Islanders of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia or Palau. Those nonprofits must show they act in coordination with a local government, for example with a letter of support.
How to apply: Direct application: rolling, under the Assistance to Indigenous Communities addendum (section I) of the FY 2025 PWEAA NOFO. Contact your EDA regional representative or [email protected] first. The NOFO (updated May 12, 2026) says to submit through EDA's EDGE portal (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route.
Applicant fit: tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Disaster supplemental: EDA FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental — Readiness Path (EDA-DISASTER-2025)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience

Disaster supplemental: $250,000–$500,000 per Readiness grant (non-construction)

GrantEquity-freedisaster recoveryplanning & capacity

The catch: EDA typically funds up to 80% of project cost (up to 100% for tribal and severely distressed applicants). Readiness grants are non-construction only: recovery strategies, disaster recovery coordinators and other capacity, and predevelopment costs for later projects. The NOFO places heavy weight on private-sector buy-in.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling until funds are exhausted or the NOFO is canceled; one-time supplemental appropriation (American Relief Act, 2025, P.L. 118-158) for disasters in 2023 and 2024

Applicant tip: The NOFO tells Readiness applicants who plan to come back for a larger grant to apply as early as possible and describe the follow-on request in their Impact and Engagement Narrative. A COG can use a Readiness award to hire the coordinator who then writes the Implementation application.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Places that received a Presidential major disaster declaration for hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes or other natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Applicants are District Organizations, tribes, state and local governments, colleges, nonprofits working with local government, economic development organizations and public-private partnerships for public infrastructure; individuals and for-profit companies are not eligible.
How to apply: Direct application: rolling under the FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental NOFO (EDA-DISASTER-2025). Work with the Economic Development Representative for your state. EDA runs path-specific application portals in EDGE (sfgrants.eda.gov) for this NOFO; EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your EDR.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In July 2026 EDA's western North Carolina awards included $500,000 each to the Land of Sky and Western Piedmont councils of governments (recovery capacity and a regional disaster recovery coordinator) and $400,000 to Centralina Economic Development Commission for a regional resilience strategy.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

2. EDA public works, economic adjustment and innovation grants

EDA construction and adjustment money runs through one standing notice, the FY 2025 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance NOFO, which has no deadline and was last updated May 12, 2026. Public Works pays for the infrastructure a named industry needs, such as water and sewer lines, industrial parks, roads and training buildings; EDA expects $600,000 to $5 million per award. Economic Adjustment Assistance ($150,000 to $2.5 million) is the flexible version for places hit by a closure, a trade shift or a disaster, and it also capitalizes revolving loan funds. Coal-impacted communities have their own set-aside inside it. A separate disaster supplemental, about $1.45 billion for 2023 and 2024 disasters, is still taking Readiness and Implementation applications on a rolling basis. Applicants are cities, counties, states, tribes, districts, colleges and nonprofits, never a business. What applicants get wrong is readiness: your region must meet EDA's distress test on the day the application is complete, the project must fit your CEDS, and every match dollar needs a signed commitment letter.

5 programs

EDA Public Works Program (FY 2025 PWEAA NOFO, PWEAA2023)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

$600,000–$5 million expected per award in FY2025 (historical average about $1.4 million)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiessite readiness & brownfields

The catch: EDA's baseline share is 60% of project cost, rising to 80% in the most distressed regions and up to 100% for tribes or for governments and nonprofits that document exhausted taxing or borrowing capacity; every match dollar needs a signed commitment letter and must be unencumbered at award. EDA rechecks distress if no award is made within six months of a complete application, construction is expected to finish within five years of award, and projects go through NEPA review and Build America, Buy America rules.

Next deadline: Rolling (until a new PWEAA NOFO is published or funds run out) · Rolling; no submission deadlines under the standing PWEAA NOFO, applications accepted until a new PWEAA NOFO is published, the NOFO is canceled or funds run out (effective March 15, 2023; updated October 1, 2024, September 16, 2025 and May 12, 2026)

Applicant tip: You do not pick Public Works or EAA on the form; EDA places the application in the best-fitting pool, so spend your words on the project and the employers it serves. EDA's 2026 award announcements tie each project to a named local industry, such as automotive, manufacturing or aviation.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: District Organizations, tribes, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions (including special-purpose units such as port or water authorities), colleges and universities, nonprofits acting in cooperation with a local government, economic development organizations, and public-private partnerships for public infrastructure; businesses and individuals cannot apply. The project's region must meet EDA's distress test: 24-month unemployment at least 1 percentage point above the national average, per capita income at or below 80% of the national average, or an EDA-recognized Special Need such as a major layoff, a disaster declaration or a persistent-poverty county.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline. Talk to the Economic Development Representative for your state first. The NOFO (PWEAA2023, updated May 12, 2026) says to register and submit in EDA's EDGE portal (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding-opportunities page now says all applications go through Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your EDR before you build the package.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: October 8, 2026: $40 million in PWEAA awards in seven states, including $5.5 million to the Atoka Municipal Authority (OK) for a water tower and $4.0 million to the City of Manchester (TN) for sewer improvements. July 8, 2026: $3.2 million to Fennimore (WI) for industrial park roads, water and wastewater.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (FY 2025 PWEAA NOFO, PWEAA2023)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

$150,000–$2.5 million expected per award in FY2025 (historical average about $650,000)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesplanning & capacityworkforce

The catch: Same cost-share rules as Public Works: a 60% baseline EDA share, up to 80% by distress or Special Need, up to 100% in limited cases, with signed match commitment letters. Projects must be consistent with your region's CEDS unless the grant is a strategy grant to write one, and workforce projects must meet the NOFO's sectoral-partnership requirements, including any plan for a registered apprenticeship.

Next deadline: Rolling (until a new PWEAA NOFO is published or funds run out) · Rolling; no submission deadlines under the standing PWEAA NOFO, applications accepted until a new PWEAA NOFO is published or funds run out (effective March 15, 2023; last updated May 12, 2026)

Applicant tip: EAA is the route for work Public Works does not cover: strategy grants to write a CEDS, design and engineering, workforce training, technical assistance and loan-fund capital. If a major employer has announced a closure, document the job numbers against the Special Need thresholds; that can qualify a region that misses the income and unemployment tests.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Same applicants as Public Works (no businesses or individuals), for regions facing sudden or gradual economic change such as a plant closure, shifting trade patterns, a natural disaster or a military base closure. The region must meet EDA's distress test or a Special Need: for a layoff, a closure within the past 24 months or announced for the next four years that costs 500 jobs or 1% of the labor force (200 jobs or 1% in regions under 100,000 people), whichever is less.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline. Start with your state's Economic Development Representative. The NOFO (PWEAA2023, updated May 12, 2026) says to submit in EDA's EDGE portal (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding-opportunities page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your EDR.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: EDA announces Public Works and EAA awards together without naming the program for each. Its September 11, 2026 PWEAA announcement totaled $23 million in ten states, including $2.7 million to Build Pagosa, Inc. (CO) for a workforce development facility and $1.5 million to Baker Technical Institute (CA) for construction workforce training.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Revolving Loan Fund capitalization grants (EAA; a grant that funds a local business loan fund)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

Grant to capitalize or recapitalize a loan fund: varies — check official page (RLFs are funded through EAA, which EDA expects at $150,000–$2.5 million per award in FY2025; September 2026 RLF grants were $1.0 million and $4.0 million)

GrantEquity-freecapital access

The catch: You must submit a draft RLF Plan that meets 13 C.F.R. § 307.9 and then operate the fund under EDA's RLF Standard Terms and Conditions, filing financial reports that EDA scores in its Risk Analysis System. Cost share follows the PWEAA NOFO (60% baseline EDA share, more in the most distressed regions).

Applicant tip: Check EDA's downloadable list of current RLF recipients (on the RLF page, sortable by state and lending area) before you apply; recapitalizing an existing EDA fund is an eligible use, as is starting a new one.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The EAA applicants (local and state governments, tribes, District Organizations, economic development organizations and nonprofits working with local government) in a region that meets EDA's distress test. The fund you run lends to small businesses that cannot get traditional bank financing, and in limited cases to governments for public infrastructure; businesses are borrowers, never the applicant.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline, under the EAA program in the FY 2025 PWEAA NOFO. Talk to your EDA regional office's RLF staff or your state's EDR first. The NOFO (updated May 12, 2026) says to submit in EDGE (sfgrants.eda.gov) with a draft RLF Plan; EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: September 11, 2026: $4.0 million to Panhandle Area Council, Inc. (ID) to capitalize an RLF lending across five Idaho and two Washington counties, and $1.0 million to the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (ME) to capitalize an RLF for small local businesses.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EDA Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC, an EAA set-aside in the PWEAA NOFO)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Regional Operations (six regional offices)

$500,000–$3 million for implementation projects; $100,000–$350,000 for planning (the range ACC, nuclear-closure and biomass-closure awards have generally fallen in, per the FY2025 NOFO)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesplanning & capacity

The catch: You must document the coal-related harm with third-party economic and demographic data. For Special Need projects EDA sets its share, up to 80%, based on the region's economic situation (up to 100% for tribes and for governments that document exhausted taxing and borrowing capacity), and the usual PWEAA match-commitment, NEPA and CEDS rules apply.

Next deadline: Rolling (until a new PWEAA NOFO is published or funds run out) · Rolling; no submission deadlines, applications accepted until a new PWEAA NOFO is published (Congress has directed a coal-community set-aside since FY2014, per CRS R46991)

Applicant tip: EDA prioritizes ACC projects that are named in a collaboratively produced local or regional plan and that produce several outcomes at once, such as new jobs plus training for displaced coal workers. Cite the federal data sources the NOFO lists (BEA, Census ACS, BLS, MSHA, EIA, StatsAmerica, Argonne's NERDE).

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The PWEAA applicants (no businesses or individuals) in communities hurt by contraction of the coal economy: mines, coal-fired power plants, or related transportation, logistics and supply-chain firms. For past events, EDA generally considers closures within 15 years before you apply; future closures need documentation. The same NOFO section covers Nuclear Closure and Biomass Closure Communities.
How to apply: Direct application: no deadline, under the EAA program in the FY 2025 PWEAA NOFO. Talk to your state's Economic Development Representative first. The NOFO (updated May 12, 2026) says to submit in EDGE (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your EDR.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: October 8, 2026: $2.2 million to River Falls (WI) through the Assistance to Coal Communities program to expand the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Disaster supplemental: EDA FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental — Implementation Path (EDA-DISASTER-2025)

U.S. Economic Development Administration — Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience

Disaster supplemental: $2 million–$20 million for construction; $100,000–$5 million for non-construction (the $20 million–$50 million Industry Transformation path is closed)

GrantEquity-freedisaster recoveryinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforce

The catch: EDA typically funds up to 80% of project cost (up to 100% for tribal and severely distressed applicants). The NOFO treats private-sector buy-in and investment as a critical indicator of project viability, and projects must aim to lift the local economy above its pre-disaster baseline rather than only rebuild what was lost.

Applicant tip: Implementation money is not limited to repairing damage: EDA's FAQ lists revolving loan fund capitalization, workforce training programs and commercialization centers as eligible. Name the private employers and investment the project unlocks; the NOFO weighs that heavily.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Places that received a Presidential major disaster declaration for hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes or other natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024 (for example, Hurricanes Helene and Milton). Applicants are District Organizations, tribes, state and local governments, colleges, nonprofits working with local government, economic development organizations and public-private partnerships for public infrastructure; individuals and for-profit companies are not eligible.
How to apply: Direct application: rolling under the FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental NOFO (EDA-DISASTER-2025). Work with the Economic Development Representative for your state. The Implementation path has its own application portal in EDA's EDGE system (sfgrants.eda.gov); EDA's funding page says Grants.gov, so confirm the route with your EDR.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, EDO / district / COG, university, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: October 8, 2026: $6 million to Kleberg County (TX) for a regional nursing training facility, $2.4 million to North Wilkesboro (NC) for sewer improvements after Hurricane Helene, and $2.0 million to Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (TN) for a new substation. July 27, 2026: $2.1 million to the Town of Murphy (NC) for a sewer lift station.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

3. Federal-state regional commissions

The federal-state regional commissions are small federal agencies, each run by a federal co-chair and the governors of its member states, that fund economic development in defined distressed regions: the Appalachian Regional Commission (423 counties in 13 states), the Delta Regional Authority (255 counties and parishes in eight states), the Denali Commission in Alaska, and the Northern Border, Southeast Crescent and Southwest Border commissions. Local governments, tribes, nonprofits, development districts and, for some programs, colleges apply; businesses cannot. Most awards run from $50,000 to $1 million, while multi-state ARC grants reach $10 million. Most programs open once a year (NBRC and Denali's transportation program twice), and nearly all start with a pre-application, letter of intent or summary sent to your state program manager. Match follows each county's annual distress designation, usually 20% in distressed counties and 50% in transitional ones. The common mistake is writing to the commission's national priorities and skipping the state: the state decides which pre-applications move forward, so a project missing from its commission plan stalls early.

14 programs

Appalachian Regional Commission

ARC Area Development Program

Appalachian Regional Commission — state ARC program offices

Varies — set by each state and project type (ARC can pay up to 80% of project cost in distressed counties, 70% in at-risk, 50% in transitional and 30% in competitive counties; attainment counties are ineligible)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforceentrepreneurship & business supportplanning & capacity

The catch: Match is set by each county's ARC economic status for the fiscal year: 20% in distressed counties, 30% at-risk, 50% transitional, 70% competitive, with blended rules for multi-county projects. Construction projects run through a basic agency; Kentucky, for example, requires a stamped preliminary engineering or architectural report completed within the last 12 months before a full application.

Next deadline: Varies by state — check your state ARC program page · Annual allocation to each of the 13 Appalachian states, which set their own pre-application and application dates

Applicant tip: Check your county's FY 2027 designation before you budget the match: ARC classified 76 counties as distressed and 85 as at-risk for FY 2027. If you have no preliminary engineering report yet, ask your state program manager about a planning grant first; ARC planning grants can fund the design of a future construction project.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local development districts, tribes, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions (including special-purpose units engaged in economic or infrastructure development), colleges and universities, and public or private nonprofits, for projects in ARC's 423-county Appalachian Region across 13 states. For-profits and individuals cannot apply, and projects serving only attainment counties are ineligible.
How to apply: Through the state: every Area Development proposal starts with your ARC state program manager, and the state invites full applications that fit its ARC development plan and strategy statement. Construction grants (water, sewer, roads, broadband, buildings) are administered by a designated basic agency, a federal or state agency such as USDA Rural Development. Access to Capital (revolving loan fund) and broadband projects also start here, with their own application requirements.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

ARC Local Access Road Program

Appalachian Regional Commission — state ARC program offices and state DOTs

Varies — each state with unfinished Appalachian Development Highway System corridors may use up to $5 million a year of its ADHS balances for local access roads; federal share up to 100% as the state determines (30% maximum in competitive counties)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiessite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Money covers preliminary engineering, right-of-way and initial construction only, not resurfacing, rehabilitation or safety upgrades on roads previously built with ARC access-road funds. It is a reimbursable federal-aid highway program, roads must meet Title 23 and state design standards for 20 years of projected traffic, and a funded or planned program to develop the site served must exist.

Next deadline: Varies by state — check your state ARC program page · Annual state authority that must be approved by ARC within the year of availability (access road authority does not carry over)

Applicant tip: For a road to an industrial or commercial site, document significant employment (or a fit with the state strategy statement) and how utilities for the site will be provided; those are the ARC Code tests. If ADHS balances are short, a state can fund the road from its Area Development allocation instead, administered by the state DOT and FHWA.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Road projects in the Appalachian Region that serve industrial and commercial areas, residential developments, recreation areas, educational sites or commercially valuable timberland. Projects in attainment counties are ineligible, and the project must be in, or headed for, the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP).
How to apply: Through the state: work with your ARC state program manager and state department of transportation. The application (including ARC Form 2) needs the DOT's certification that the project is or will be in the STIP, meets state design criteria and has ADHS funds and obligation authority; ARC, the state DOT and FHWA must all approve, and the DOT usually administers the project.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency
Equity taken: None
Who wins: As of 2025, ARC had approved over 1,058 miles of local access roads.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

ARC POWER Initiative (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization)

Appalachian Regional Commission

Implementation: $400,000–$2 million ($2.5 million for broadband construction or broadband-as-a-service); planning: up to $100,000 (FY 2026 round: up to $65 million total)

GrantEquity-freeworkforceentrepreneurship & business supportinfrastructure & facilitiesplanning & capacity

The catch: You need a non-ARC match (cash or in-kind, federal or non-federal) of 20% in distressed counties, 30% at-risk, 50% transitional or 70% competitive, confirmed within two weeks of finalist notice or the application can be disqualified. Implementation grants run 12–36 months (up to 48 with construction; broadband-as-a-service at least 7 years), and a full application that differs substantially from the LOI is disqualified.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY 2026 applications closed July 8, 2026; awards expected winter 2027) · Annual; NOSA, letter of intent and full application fall within about two months, with timing that varies by year (FY 2026: NOSA May 5, LOI May 22, applications July 8, 2026; FY 2025: LOI September 12, applications October 22, 2025)

Applicant tip: Register in Pathways early: in the FY 2026 round ARC could not guarantee LOI access to organizations that registered after May 15, one week before LOIs were due. Up to one-third of POWER funds can go to broadband projects, which carry extra application requirements in the NOSA appendices.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local development districts, tribes, states and their political subdivisions, colleges and universities, and public or private nonprofits (including faith-based organizations), for projects in Appalachian communities hit by job losses in coal mining, coal power plants or coal-related supply chains. For-profits, individuals and projects serving only attainment counties are ineligible.
How to apply: Pitch gate: email a project summary to the ARC state program manager of every state the project touches, register in ARC's Pathways portal, then file the required letter of intent. Only applicants ARC invites after reviewing the LOI may submit a full application.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Since 2015, ARC has invested nearly $518 million in 605 POWER projects touching at least 365 counties.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

ARC ARISE (Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies)

Appalachian Regional Commission

Implementation: up to $10 million (up to 5 years); planning: up to $500,000 (up to 18 months)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforceentrepreneurship & business supportplanning & capacity

The catch: Match follows county economic status (20% distressed, 30% at-risk, 50% transitional, 70% competitive; attainment-only projects ineligible), and in the 2025 round it had to be confirmed by the full-application deadline. Planning money can be spent only in the states named in the scope, and a planning award does not guarantee an implementation award.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Periodic multi-state rounds funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2025 round: NOSA September 9, 2025; pre-applications due December 5, 2025; invited full applications due May 15, 2026; awards summer 2026)

Applicant tip: Start state outreach weeks ahead: every state program manager in the project must acknowledge your summary before you can file a pre-application. In the 2025 round, invited applicants could not change geography, primary activities or the budget significantly between pre-application and full application.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The same applicant types as other ARC grants (local development districts, tribes, states and local governments, colleges and universities, nonprofits), but the project must serve at least two Appalachian states, with at least two eligible partners and at least one partner from each state, one of them the lead applicant. For-profits and individuals cannot apply.
How to apply: Pitch gate: send ARC's project summary template to the state program managers of every state in the project and get each to confirm alignment, then email a pre-application to [email protected]. ARC invites the strongest pre-applications to submit a full application.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Since January 2023, ARC has invested $188.6 million in 69 ARISE projects reaching all 13 Appalachian states.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

ARC INSPIRE Initiative (Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems)

Appalachian Regional Commission

Implementation: up to $500,000 (up to 36 months); planning: up to $100,000 (FY 2026 round: up to $15 million total)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: Match follows county economic status (20% distressed, 30% at-risk, 50% transitional, 70% competitive). Implementation applicants must already have partnerships supporting a recovery ecosystem, evaluation work must be framed as a planning grant, and current or past INSPIRE grantees cannot simply extend or expand a funded project.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY 2026 applications closed June 15, 2026) · Annual since 2021, with timing that varies by year (FY 2026: NOSA April 21, LOI May 12, applications June 15, 2026; FY 2025: LOI February 14, applications March 10, 2025)

Applicant tip: In FY 2026, ARC gave 3 priority points to lead applicants that had never held an INSPIRE implementation grant (past planning grantees still qualified) and 2 points to projects serving a federal Opportunity Zone tract, listed by its 11-digit FIPS code. Past planning grantees may apply to implement the plan they wrote.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local development districts, tribes, states and local governments, colleges and universities, and public or private nonprofits (including faith-based organizations) in the Appalachian Region, for projects that help people in recovery from substance use disorder enter or stay in the workforce. One application per organization; projects with substantial construction and attainment-only projects are ineligible.
How to apply: Pitch gate: email your ARC state program manager(s), register in Pathways, and file the required letter of intent. ARC invites selected applicants to complete the full application in Pathways.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Since April 2021, INSPIRE has invested $65.7 million in 200 projects touching 380 counties in all 13 Appalachian states.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Delta Regional Authority

DRA States' Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)

Delta Regional Authority

$50,000–$500,000 (2026 round: about $16.6 million, allocated among the eight states by formula)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforceentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Cost share must come from non-federal sources unless another federal program allows otherwise; projects providing transportation or basic public services to distressed counties or isolated areas of distress are exempt. Basic public infrastructure is funded only in distressed counties and isolated areas of distress, projects must finish within 24 months, and infrastructure projects carry Build America, Buy America requirements.

Next deadline: Expected: July 2027 · Annual; NOFA in early summer with applications due in mid-to-late summer (2026 NOFA June 1, due July 31, 2026; 2025 round due August 25, 2025)

Applicant tip: Money is split by state formula (2026: Louisiana 19.71%, Mississippi 15.53%, Arkansas 14.58%, down to Illinois 8.10%), so you compete against projects in your own state. Applications not funded can be revised and resubmitted in a later cycle.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Counties, parishes, cities and other local governments; public or private nonprofits including special purpose districts; regional and economic development organizations; workforce boards, labor unions, community and faith-based organizations; colleges, trade schools and minority-serving institutions including HBCUs; and federally recognized tribes, for projects in DRA's 255 counties and parishes in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through DRA's SEDAP portal during the annual window. Your Local Development District can help build the application, and unfunded applicants can request feedback at [email protected] after the cycle.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In 2025, DRA invested about $37 million in 87 SEDAP projects.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

DRA Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF)

Delta Regional Authority

$250,000–$1 million (2026 round: about $15 million)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Non-federal cost share, waived for projects providing transportation or basic public services to distressed counties or isolated areas of distress; projects offering more cost share are prioritized. Projects must be finished within 24 months of the notice to proceed, and Build America, Buy America applies to infrastructure work.

Next deadline: Expected: August 2027 · Annual (2026 NOFA May 26, proposals due August 24, 2026; the 2025 round ran as an annual rolling cycle with monthly funding decisions)

Applicant tip: Even where match is waived, CIF prioritizes projects that offer more cost share, so documenting any local or state contribution can help your score. Check DRA's distressed county and isolated-area census tract lists before deciding whether you owe a match.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The same applicants as SEDAP (local governments, nonprofits and special purpose districts, regional and economic development organizations, workforce boards and community organizations, colleges and minority-serving institutions, and tribes), for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure and flood-control projects in DRA's 255 counties and parishes.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through DRA's CIF portal during the window; your Local Development District or DRA program staff can help with the application.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In 2025, DRA invested about $45.9 million in 35 CIF projects.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

DRA Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP)

Delta Regional Authority

$50,000–$300,000 (2026 round: about $4 million; requests above $300,000 are not considered)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: At least 10% cost share (cash or in-kind) from non-DRA sources, waived for applicants located in or serving distressed counties or parishes. Projects are non-construction only, run up to 24 months, and must document employer demand.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Annual competition; the window has moved (2026 program: March 17–May 15, 2026; 2025 program: September 20–December 20, 2024)

Applicant tip: The FOA scores documented employer need and requires a letter from at least one local or regional employer, so line up that letter before the window opens. Registered apprenticeship, on-the-job training and other work-based learning models are named as eligible priorities.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments and special purpose districts, public or private nonprofits, regional and economic development organizations, workforce investment boards, unions, community and faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, trade or technical schools, and federally recognized tribes, for non-construction workforce projects that serve part of the Delta region.
How to apply: Direct application: apply through DRA's grants management system (dra.communityforce.com) with at least one employer letter of engagement; DRA runs a pre-award technical assistance workshop during each window.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In 2025, DRA invested about $7 million in 25 workforce development projects.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

DRA Strategic Planning Program

Delta Regional Authority

$25,000–$150,000; no match required

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: Planning only: comprehensive and master plans, capital improvement plans, preliminary engineering reports, rate and feasibility studies, workforce and broadband plans; no implementation, training or marketing. Costs incurred before the agreement and notice to proceed are not reimbursed, and the performance period is 24 months.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (no 2026 cycle posted as of October 2026) · Annual since 2023, with two windows in 2025 (January 8–March 7 and June 2–August 1, 2025) and decisions within about 60 days

Applicant tip: Use it to produce the preliminary engineering report or capital improvement plan that a later SEDAP or CIF construction application will need. You can apply even if you have started a plan and run short of funds, but DRA will not reimburse work done before the agreement.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments (cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, special purpose districts), tribes, public authorities and associations (airports, economic development organizations, water associations), relevant nonprofits, and colleges in or serving DRA's 255 counties and parishes. Local development districts and MPOs may apply only on behalf of another public entity; private entities are ineligible.
How to apply: Direct application: apply in DRA's grant system during a cycle window; questions go to [email protected].
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In September 2025, DRA awarded nearly $1.8 million to 16 communities in the program's final 2025 round.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Denali Commission

Denali Commission Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program

Denali Commission

$50,000–$1 million per community per application (fall 2026 round: up to $7.5 million, about 11 awards)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Denali money can serve as the non-federal share of Title 23 federal-aid highway projects, but the project must already have, or be applying for, the primary funding. Payment is by reimbursement, the Commission may fund only part of a request, and entities without an active or pending Denali transportation award get priority.

Next deadline: Expected: February 2027 · Statement-of-interest rounds, in February and late summer (2026 rounds closed February 13 and August 28, 2026; the FY 2025 round accepted SOIs on a rolling basis until February 28, 2025)

Applicant tip: Lead the SOI with construction readiness (permitting substantially complete, design advanced, land secured), the first listed priority. Name the primary funding program and its required match on the form: the request qualifies only as that match or as a gap of 30% or less of construction cost.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Municipal, borough and tribal governments, Indian tribes, regional tribal nonprofits and other nonprofits, for construction-ready rural Alaska transportation projects (roads and boardwalks, ATV and multi-use trails, rural transit, ports, harbors, docks and barge landings) that need a local match for another funding program or face a gap of 30% or less of total cost. Projects must benefit the public in Alaska.
How to apply: Pitch gate: email a statement of interest form to [email protected] (do not upload to Grants.gov); the Commission invites selected respondents to submit a full proposal within about 30 days.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Northern Border Regional Commission

NBRC Catalyst Program

Northern Border Regional Commission

Implementation: up to $1 million for infrastructure, up to $3 million for multi-infrastructure or multi-jurisdiction infrastructure, up to $500,000 for other projects; feasibility: up to $100,000 (2026: up to $60.5 million across both rounds)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforceentrepreneurship & business supportplanning & capacity

The catch: Match on total project cost: 20% in distressed counties, 50% in transitional counties and isolated areas of distress; attainment counties are ineligible unless the site is an isolated area of distress or NBRC grants a waiver, and multi-location projects average the rates. Full applications need a NEPA intake form and an authorized-official resolution.

Next deadline: Expected: February 2027 · Two rounds a year: spring (pre-applications late February, applications mid-April, awards about June) and fall (pre-applications late August, applications mid-October, awards about December) (2026: February 27 and April 17; August 21 and October 16)

Applicant tip: NBRC's agency priorities favor projects that directly benefit communities of fewer than 5,000 people and show job creation, retention or leveraged private funds. Sending the optional Project Interest Form to your state program manager before the pre-application gets you early feedback.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The state governments of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York; local governments and secondary and career technical centers; other political subdivisions such as regional planning commissions and state authorities; 501(c) nonprofits with established operations in a member state; and federally recognized tribes, for projects in NBRC's service area (13 Maine counties, 7 in New Hampshire, 29 in New York and all of Vermont). For-profits cannot apply.
How to apply: Pitch gate: submit the required pre-application in NBRC's grants management system. NBRC checks eligibility, your state decides whether to invite a full application, and the pre-application fixes your maximum award; talk to your NBRC state program manager and Local Development District first.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Spring 2026: $32.3 million to 45 Catalyst projects, including childcare, water and sewer upgrades, outdoor recreation and workforce training.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

NBRC Forest Economy Program (FEP)

Northern Border Regional Commission

Up to $1 million (2026: up to $8 million available)

GrantEquity-freeworkforceentrepreneurship & business supportinfrastructure & facilitiesinnovation & tech-based

The catch: Same match as Catalyst: 20% in distressed counties, 50% in transitional counties or isolated areas of distress. Basic research is not funded, and marketing or education work must be paired with an infrastructure, community development or workforce project.

Next deadline: Expected: February 2027 · Two rounds a year on the Catalyst schedule (2026: pre-applications February 27 and August 21; applications April 17 and October 16); running since 2020

Applicant tip: Preference goes to projects that build markets for low-grade harvest residuals, train workers across the forest-products chain, sustain existing forest businesses, or reach several counties or states; FEP weighs region-wide impact more than Catalyst does. Applied research and demonstration with a strong industry tie beats basic research.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The same applicants as Catalyst, but nonprofits must also show federal grant experience related to economic development; Vermont's NBRC office lists colleges with existing industry partnerships as eligible for this program only. Projects must serve the forest-based economy in NBRC's service area, and infrastructure must directly support the forest industry.
How to apply: Pitch gate: submit a pre-application in NBRC's grants management system, then an invited full application. NBRC asks Forest Economy applicants to send a Project Interest Form to its Forest Economy program manager, the state program manager or an advisory board member first.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Spring 2026: $2.1 million to three projects, including $1 million to Southern Aroostook Development Corporation for a forest-products manufacturing facility in Houlton, Maine.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

NBRC Timber for Transit Program (T4T)

Northern Border Regional Commission

Feasibility: up to $1 million; implementation: up to $1 million, or up to $5 million if the project meets a higher-maximum test (two or more program priorities, a state-identified time-sensitive issue, or construction in two or more communities, counties or states) (2026: up to $14 million)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesinnovation & tech-based

The catch: Same match as Catalyst (20% distressed, 50% transitional or isolated areas of distress). Deferred maintenance is not funded, and requests above $1 million must clear the higher-maximum test at pre-application.

Next deadline: Expected: February 2027 · Two rounds a year on the Catalyst schedule (2026: pre-applications February 27 and August 21; applications April 17 and October 16); running since 2024

Applicant tip: Build promotion into the deliverables: publicizing the project is a stated funding priority, alongside domestically sourced timber and using the project for university and industry training. Feasibility awards can fund the inventory, design and permitting that a later implementation request needs.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The same applicants as Catalyst, for projects in NBRC's service area that use wood products (glulam, cross-laminated timber, composites) in publicly accessible transportation or transportation-adjacent infrastructure such as bridges, piers, rail structures, rest stops, terminals and trail bridges.
How to apply: Pitch gate: submit a pre-application in NBRC's grants management system (eligibility for the $5 million maximum is decided there), then an invited full application; a Project Interest Form to NBRC's T4T program manager is recommended first.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Spring 2026: $11 million to eight projects in all four states, including $4 million to the City of Rockland, Maine, for a storm-resilient public landing pier.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

SCRC State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) Grant Program

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

$50,000–$1 million (a state may exceed the maximum with justification)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforceentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Match of 20% in distressed counties and 50% in transitional counties or isolated areas of distress; regional projects covering three or more counties or two or more states can get up to 90% SCRC funding (10–40% match, from SCRC's match calculator). Two-year grant period with up to two one-year extensions, quarterly financial and program reports, reimbursement by SF-270, and evidence of match with the full application.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (no FY 2026 SEID notice posted as of October 2026) · Annual competition with funds allocated to each state by formula (FY 2025: pre-applications May 12–27, full applications by July 18, 2025; inaugural round: full applications due February 2, 2024)

Applicant tip: Each state sets its own limits and priorities: North Carolina's 2026–2030 SCRC plan, for example, generally caps assistance at $700,000 for infrastructure and $350,000 for non-infrastructure and favors projects with all other funding committed. Read your state's SCRC plan before you size the request.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The state governments of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, local governments, federally recognized tribes and 501(c) nonprofits, for projects in SCRC's footprint in those six states. Projects in attainment counties are ineligible unless they sit in an isolated area of distress or are part of a multi-county project.
How to apply: Pitch gate: contact your SCRC state program manager, then submit the required pre-application in the SCRC grant portal; your state reviews it and invites full applications, and states may accelerate the full-application timeline.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY 2025: $34.8 million to 83 projects in six states; the inaugural 2024 round awarded $19 million to 57 projects.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

4. HUD Community Development Block Grants and state CDBG economic development

Community Development Block Grants are HUD's flexible formula money: $3.3 billion in FY2026, with $2.31 billion going directly to entitlement cities and urban counties and $987.9 million to states. Entitlement communities receive their share through a five-year consolidated plan, so nobody competes at HUD; smaller towns and counties apply to their state, and most states keep an economic development set-aside that pays for infrastructure, buildings or loans tied to a named employer. State caps run from about $400,000 to $2.5 million, limited to $20,000 to $35,000 of CDBG per job. Nonprofits, EDOs and CDFIs take part as subrecipients of a city or county; tribes apply to HUD directly for ICDBG. The thing applicants get wrong: this is job-performance money. The local government signs the grant, so if the business misses its low- and moderate-income hiring target, the town can be the one repaying the state. Every award also carries federal cost principles (2 CFR 200), plus a Single Audit once the recipient spends $1,000,000 in federal awards in a year.

24 programs

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Office of Community Planning and Development

Formula allocation, not a competitive award: $2,305,100,000 went to entitlement communities out of the $3.3 billion FY2026 CDBG formula appropriation; your city's or county's share is set by HUD's formula

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesentrepreneurship & business supportdowntown & placemaking

The catch: Each activity must meet a national objective (low- and moderate-income benefit, slum and blight, or urgent need); public services are capped at 15% of the grant plus prior-year program income and planning plus administration at 20%. Economic development aid to a business must clear HUD's public benefit test (no more than $50,000 of CDBG per job for any one activity). Grantees and subrecipients follow 2 CFR 200, including the Single Audit once federal spending reaches $1,000,000 a year.

Next deadline: Varies by city or county — check your local CDBG office's funding calendar · Annual formula allocation once appropriations are enacted; each grantee files its Annual Action Plan, which HUD asks for at least 45 days before the grantee's program year starts and will not accept after August 16 of the federal fiscal year

Applicant tip: Read your city's or county's current Annual Action Plan before you pitch: if your project is not tied to a priority need in the Consolidated Plan it is unlikely to be funded. Because HUD cannot accept an action plan after August 16, local funding rounds usually close months before the program year begins.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Principal cities of metropolitan areas, other metro cities of 50,000 or more, and qualified urban counties of 200,000 or more (excluding entitled cities) receive CDBG directly from HUD. Over one to three years at least 70% of the money must benefit low- and moderate-income people. HUD does not fund businesses or nonprofits directly; they reach the money as subrecipients of their city or county.
How to apply: Through your city or county: there is no competition at HUD. The entitlement community writes a five-year Consolidated Plan and an Annual Action Plan, and nonprofits, EDOs and CDFIs apply to its local funding round (often an RFP or NOFA) to be written into that plan.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

State Community Development Block Grant Program (non-entitlement areas)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Office of Community Planning and Development

Formula to states ($987,900,000 for states in FY2026); each state sets its own award caps and set-asides — see the state cards below

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesentrepreneurship & business supportdowntown & placemaking

The catch: Each activity must meet a CDBG national objective, and at least 70% of the state's funds over one to three years must benefit low- and moderate-income people. Federal CDBG rules impose no match (2 CFR 200.306 does not apply to CDBG), but most states require one for economic development. Local governments must hold public hearings under 24 CFR 570.486.

Next deadline: Varies by state — check your state CDBG administrator · Annual formula allocation to states; each state sets its own application calendar in its annual action plan and method of distribution

Applicant tip: Find your state's CDBG administrator on HUD Exchange and read its current method of distribution: it lists the economic development set-aside, the per-job cap and the match, which vary widely from state to state. Regional planning and development districts often prepare these applications for small towns.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Non-entitlement units of general local government: cities under 50,000 (other than principal cities of metro areas) and counties under 200,000. 49 states and Puerto Rico run the program; HUD runs it directly for Hawaii's non-entitled counties. Nonprofits and businesses take part through a sponsoring city or county.
How to apply: Through the state: your city or county applies to the state agency that administers CDBG under the state's annual method of distribution (competitive rounds for public facilities; most states also keep an economic development set-aside that is open year-round).
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program (FY2026 forecast PIH-2600-DC-0023)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Office of Native American Programs

$500,000–$2,250,000 per grant (FY2026 forecast: about $90,000,000 for about 60 awards); FY2025 NOFO range was $500,000–$2,000,000

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: No cost share is required. Economic development projects (commercial, industrial or agricultural, tribally owned or run by a third party) must still principally benefit low- and moderate-income people, and a tribe that spends $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a year needs a Single Audit (2 CFR 200.501).

Next deadline: Expected: March 2027 · Annual NOFO on Grants.gov; recent rounds posted in late summer or fall with applications due in fall or winter (FY2025 NOFO FR-6900-N-23 posted September 9, 2025 and closed December 10, 2025)

Applicant tip: Do not wait for the NOFO if the need is an emergency: HUD may set aside up to $5 million a year for Imminent Threat grants under Notice PIH 2025-09, outside the competition. For economic development projects, HUD's ICDBG page lets the business be owned or operated by a third party, so a tribal enterprise partner can run the facility.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. A tribal organization eligible under Title I of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act may apply on a tribe's behalf with the tribe's concurring resolution. Projects must principally benefit low- and moderate-income people (24 CFR 1003.208); individuals and sole proprietors cannot apply.
How to apply: Direct application: single-purpose grants are competed through an annual NOFO on Grants.gov, scored by your Area ONAP region. Imminent Threat grants are separate, first come first served, requested from your Area ONAP office.
Applicant fit: tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2025 round: HUD awarded $70 million to 66 tribal communities on July 10, 2026, for example Hopi Tribal Housing Authority ($1.5 million) and Chilkoot Indian Association ($1 million).

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program (loan guarantee)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Office of Community Planning and Development

Loan guarantee: borrow up to five times your latest approved CDBG grant (states: five times the state's grant), minus outstanding Section 108 balances; terms up to 20 years

OtherEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: You pledge current and future CDBG grants, and HUD requires additional security for any loan of 10 years or longer (liens, tax increment, debt service reserves). Projects must meet CDBG national objective and public benefit standards; public services and buildings for the general conduct of government are ineligible, and interest on the guaranteed notes is federally taxable.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling — applications accepted year-round

Applicant tip: HUD's goal is for the project's own cash flow to repay the loan, not your future CDBG grants, so bring a repayment source (project revenue, tax increment or a third-party borrower) along with the CDBG pledge. Administration costs can be charged as activity delivery costs instead of against the 20% CDBG administration cap.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States, CDBG entitlement cities and urban counties, and non-entitlement communities with their state's pledge of its CDBG funds (or HUD-administered non-entitlement areas in Hawaii). The borrower can relend to a business or developer or spend the money directly or through a nonprofit or public subrecipient; every project must meet a CDBG national objective.
How to apply: Direct application: entitlement communities apply to HUD's Section 108 office at any time (email [email protected]); non-entitlement communities apply with their state, which must pledge its CDBG funds.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency
Equity taken: None (federally guaranteed loan, repaid with interest; current and future CDBG grants pledged as security)
Who wins: HUD project profiles: Cleveland lent $8 million of Section 108 financing to the Green City Growers greenhouse cooperative (42 full-time jobs); Anaheim used $7 million to restore the 1919 Packing House as a food market.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Disaster supplemental: Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Office of Community Planning and Development (Disaster Recovery)

Disaster supplemental: allocations vary by disaster and grantee (the latest supplemental, P.L. 118-158 of December 21, 2024, provided $12.039 billion for major disasters in 2023 or 2024)

GrantEquity-freedisaster recoveryinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Each appropriation comes with a Federal Register notice that sets waivers and alternative requirements on top of CDBG rules at 24 CFR 570; funds are limited to the named disasters and areas, and 2 CFR 200 applies, including the Single Audit at $1,000,000 a year in federal spending.

Next deadline: No federal deadline — check your grantee's CDBG-DR action plan · Irregular — follows each disaster supplemental appropriation; CDBG-DR is not permanently authorized (most recent: P.L. 118-158, December 2024)

Applicant tip: After a declared disaster, watch the grantee's draft action plan and its public comment period: that is where the split between housing, infrastructure and economic revitalization is set, and where local governments can argue for their projects before programs open.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States and local governments that HUD names as grantees in the Federal Register notice for a specific appropriation, based on FEMA and SBA damage data. Money can be spent only on recovery from the disasters named in that appropriation, usually in the 'most impacted and distressed' areas. Other local governments, nonprofits and businesses reach it through the grantee's programs.
How to apply: Through the state: there is no federal application. HUD allocates to grantees; your city, county, tribe or nonprofit applies to the programs (infrastructure, housing, economic revitalization) set out in your state or local grantee's published CDBG-DR action plan.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Alabama

Alabama CDBG Economic Development Fund (infrastructure, incubator and float loans)

Alabama — Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Community and Economic Development Division (CDBG)

Infrastructure: up to $400,000 (ceiling can be waived); incubator projects: $400,000; float loans: up to $10 million

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: 20% local match. No construction before the grant award or release of environmental conditions, and at least 51% of the jobs must go to low- and moderate-income people under HUD's job-creation objective.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling — continuous funding cycle

Applicant tip: Typical uses are water, sewer and road extensions, rail spurs and docks for a named employer. The $400,000 ceiling can be waived, so if the job count supports a bigger project, ask ADECA about a waiver before you cut the scope.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Alabama non-entitlement cities and counties, applying for a business that commits to create or retain 15 or more jobs. The business should be in SIC codes 20–39 (manufacturing) or bring a significant economic benefit, and the project cannot move jobs from elsewhere in Alabama. The business benefits; the local government applies.
How to apply: Direct application, any time: a city or county applies to ADECA's CDBG program on the continuous cycle; call ADECA at (334) 242-5468 for the incubator and float-loan applications.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Arkansas

Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) — Economic Development set-aside

Arkansas — Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Grants Division (ACEDP)

Varies — check official page (no published per-project cap; $6,175,000, 35% of Arkansas's PY2025 CDBG allocation, was reserved for economic development)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiescapital accessworkforce

The catch: AEDC funds only projects that need the money: the set-aside 'is not to provide capital to businesses' on better terms than are otherwise available. At least 51% of the jobs must go to low- and moderate-income people, and HUD's public benefit test caps CDBG at $50,000 per job for any one activity.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling — first come, first served until the program year's economic development set-aside is used

Applicant tip: Uses can be combined in one project: infrastructure to the site, a loan to the company, construction of a facility and an AEDC-approved training program. Because awards go first come, first served, have the company's job commitment and financials ready before the city or county files.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Arkansas non-entitlement cities and counties, applying for a new or expanding business that will create or retain jobs, primarily for low- and moderate-income people. The business is the beneficiary; the city or county is the applicant.
How to apply: Direct application, first come, first served: the city or county applies to AEDC's Grants Division on the business's behalf; request the separate Economic Development Application and Guidelines from AEDC.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Colorado

Colorado CDBG Economic Development (Infrastructure Grant and regional Business Loan Funds)

Colorado — Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government (CDBG-ED)

Varies — check official page (no published cap; CDBG must support at least one job per $35,000; microenterprise loans through the Business Loan Funds up to $100,000)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiescapital access

The catch: One job created or retained per $35,000 of CDBG, at least 51% of them for low- and moderate-income people, and an environmental review before work starts. Eligible costs are acquisition, design and engineering, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of public improvements.

Next deadline: No fixed deadline published — consult DOLA's CDBG-ED program manager · Rolling — no fixed deadline published; projects start with a consultation with the CDBG-ED program manager

Applicant tip: If your region's nonprofit development group wants to run CDBG economic development projects itself, DOLA certifies Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO-ED); the certification requires a loan review committee with a banker, a business owner and a low- or moderate-income representative.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Infrastructure Grant: Colorado non-entitlement cities and counties, for public improvements tied to a business project that creates or retains one job per $35,000, with at least 51% of the jobs filled by low- and moderate-income people. The rest of the CDBG-ED money capitalizes 12 regional Business Loan Funds that lend to businesses in rural Colorado; the business is the borrower there, not the applicant here.
How to apply: Direct application: consult DOLA's CDBG-ED program manager and your DOLA regional manager first, then apply through the online grants portal. Businesses seeking a loan go to the Business Loan Fund manager for their region instead.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Georgia

Georgia CDBG Employment Incentive Program (EIP)

Georgia — Department of Community Affairs (CDBG Employment Incentive Program)

Up to $1,000,000 per project; up to $4,000,000 a year set aside from the state's CDBG allocation

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiescapital accessworkforce

The catch: An application must score at least 300 points to be funded; scoring weighs the private-to-EIP funding ratio, cost per job and the business's financials. Loans to companies have been fixed at about 3% over five to fifteen years (DCA 2023 fact sheet), and LMI hiring must be documented before closeout.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling — applications accepted throughout the year until the set-aside is used

Applicant tip: When fundable applications exceed the set-aside, DCA funds the one with the most jobs for low- and moderate-income people first, so that count is your tiebreaker. Pair EIP with DCA's Redevelopment Fund if the site is blighted.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Georgia cities and counties outside HUD entitlement jurisdictions (DCA publishes the excluded list), applying for public infrastructure, a loan to a business or a job-training facility tied to a firm job commitment. At least 51% of the jobs created or retained must go to low- and moderate-income people; the business benefits, the local government applies.
How to apply: Direct application, any time: DCA strongly encourages an initial project assessment meeting first, and the locality must hold a public hearing before it applies ([email protected]).
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Illinois

Illinois CDBG Economic Development Program (NOFO 1631-2890)

Illinois — Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Community Development (CDBG)

$300,000–$1,000,000 per award; no more than $25,000 per job created or $10,000 per job retained ($1,900,000 allocated, based on 2024 HUD funding)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiescapital access

The catch: Cost sharing is required, and DCEO must find that the project and investment would not happen without CDBG. Jobs must be created or retained within 24 months of award; if they are not, DCEO can terminate the grant and recover funds.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling — open NOFO with no specific due date, funded as needed until the component's money is used (posted October 23, 2024)

Applicant tip: DCEO sets the per-job ratio by project risk and makes no exceptions, so a retention-heavy project ($10,000 a job) needs far more jobs per dollar than one that creates jobs ($25,000 a job). Make the 'but for' case in writing: why bank financing alone does not work.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Illinois non-entitlement units of general local government, applying for a for-profit or not-for-profit business that will create or retain permanent jobs, at least 51% for low- and moderate-income people. DCEO considers businesses in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, wholesale, transportation and warehousing, and health care (NAICS 11, 21, 23, 31–33, 42, 48–49, 62). The business benefits under a Participation Agreement; the local government applies.
How to apply: Direct application, any time: the NOFO is a general announcement with no due date. Hold the required public hearing, pass a resolution of support afterward, and apply to DCEO under NOFO 1631-2890 (CSFA 420-75-1631; [email protected]).
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Kansas

Kansas CDBG Economic Development Grant (partly repaid at 0%)

Kansas — Department of Commerce (CDBG)

Up to $750,000 per award ($750,000 total for 2026); 25% (non-retail) or 50% (retail and local service) of the award is repaid at 0% over 10 years

OtherEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Match equal to 50% of the CDBG request, at least 10% of it local cash; no more than $35,000 of CDBG per job, with 51% of jobs for low- and moderate-income people within 24 months. If the national objective is missed, the state requires immediate repayment, and the city or county must pursue collection on a default.

Next deadline: Oct 30, 2026 · Annual window; applications accepted from March through late October (2026 window: March 2 – October 30, 2026 per the program page)

Applicant tip: The program page lists an October 30, 2026 close but the 2026 guidelines PDF says October 16, and the pre-application must be approved first, so for 2026 confirm with Commerce now or plan for the March 2027 opening. A company can receive no more than $1.5 million in total from the Kansas CDBG economic development components.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Kansas non-entitlement cities and counties (not Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita or Johnson County), applying with up to two for-profit businesses or agricultural cooperatives for public infrastructure (roads, drainage, off-site water and sewer, rail spurs) that the business needs. The business must be in a non-entitlement area; the city or county is the legal applicant.
How to apply: Pre-application gate: an approved pre-application is required before the full application (Commerce reviews it within 10 days); full applications are reviewed within 45 days ([email protected]).
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None (part of the award is repaid by the business at 0% interest through a special assessment)
Who wins: Kansas Commerce's 2026 grants guide cites the city of Neodesha, which used economic development funds to repair street infrastructure needed to keep jobs at Cobalt Boats.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Kentucky

Kentucky CDBG Economic Development (Traditional and Non-Traditional)

Kentucky — Department for Local Government (KCDBG)

Up to $1,000,000 per community ($2,000,000 for a multi-jurisdiction application); Non-Traditional multi-jurisdiction up to $500,000 ($250,000 per jurisdiction); CDBG capped at $20,000 per job

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforce

The catch: CDBG may not exceed $20,000 per job or one third of total project cost, and no funds are obligated until the business gives written assurance of the permanent jobs.

Next deadline: Mar 1, 2027 · Annual window; applications accepted April 1 through March 1 of the following year (2026–27 window: April 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027)

Applicant tip: If the assistance is a loan or lease to the business, DLG may let the repayments stay in your jurisdiction for future economic development projects, so structure the deal as a loan when the company can repay.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: All Kentucky cities and counties except entitlement areas. Traditional projects assist a specific business or industrial client that creates or retains jobs for low- and moderate-income people; Non-Traditional projects fund job training, placement and support services such as childcare and transportation that are not tied to one employer.
How to apply: Direct application: the city or county applies to DLG's Office of Federal Grants during the annual window ([email protected]).
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Louisiana

Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Economic Development Program

Louisiana — Office of Community Development, Local Government Assistance (LCDBG)

Startups up to $700,000; expansions of existing businesses up to $1,100,000 (each including up to $100,000 for administration); capped at $35,000 per job; $2,000,000 set aside for FY2026

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: A firm private commitment of at least $1 private for every $1 of CDBG, and management, marketing and financial feasibility documentation. Funds cannot build a speculative industrial park or a building for future tenants, and projects in which an elected official or family member is the developer are ineligible.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling — awards made continuously from April 1 through March 31 of each program year, subject to funds

Applicant tip: Submit the environmental review record before the application: OCD-LGA then pays up to $9,000 of pre-agreement costs instead of $4,000. Expansions of existing businesses can draw up to $1.1 million, against $700,000 for startups.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Louisiana non-entitlement municipalities and parishes, for publicly owned infrastructure (sewer, water, street or road access to the site boundary) or a publicly owned building that serves a specific business creating or retaining at least 10 jobs, 51% of them held by low- and moderate-income people. The business benefits; the local government applies and keeps ownership of what is built.
How to apply: Pitch gate: hold a pre-application meeting with OCD-LGA, then apply at any time during the program year (April 1 through March 31) while funds last.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Mississippi

Mississippi CDBG Economic Development Program

Mississippi — Mississippi Development Authority, Community Incentives Division (CDBG)

Up to $20,000 per job, capped at $2,500,000 per project

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: MDA's 2023 application training lists a minimum 10% local match plus dollar-for-dollar private investment, with CDBG limited to 50% of total project cost. If the company misses its job or investment commitment the local government must repay MDA, and no site work may start before federal environmental clearance.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling — applications accepted year-round after an MDA invitation

Applicant tip: MDA requires a memorandum of agreement with the company before award; its template is a floor, so add your own clawback language so that the business, not the town, carries the repayment risk.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Mississippi non-entitlement municipalities and counties, applying for publicly owned infrastructure directly tied to a business's location, expansion or retention. The business commits to jobs and investment; the local government is the applicant and the responsible party.
How to apply: Pitch gate: the project starts with an MDA project manager in the Global Business or Existing Industry and Business division, and MDA invites the local government to submit an application, which is accepted year-round.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Missouri

Missouri CDBG Economic Development (Industrial Infrastructure and Downtown Revitalization)

Missouri — Department of Economic Development (CDBG)

Industrial Infrastructure: up to $2,000,000, no more than $20,000 per job; Downtown Revitalization: up to $750,000 ($75,000 per building)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesdowntown & placemaking

The catch: Industrial Infrastructure needs $1 of private capital investment pledged per $1 of grant, 51% of new jobs filled by low- and moderate-income people, and prevailing wages on construction; facilities owned by the company are ineligible. Downtown Revitalization requires a 20% match that DED will not waive.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling — open year-round, reviewed monthly until funds are exhausted

Applicant tip: DED funds 'the least amount needed for the project to occur' and expects the local government to put in as much unrestricted cash or in-kind as it has, so show your own contribution before asking for the $2 million ceiling.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Missouri non-entitlement cities and counties. Industrial Infrastructure pays for publicly owned streets, water and sewer lines and other public facilities that let an industry locate, expand, avoid closing or stay in Missouri; more than one business must be able to benefit, and manufacturers paying above the county average wage with medical benefits get priority. Downtown Revitalization pays for facades and code corrections in core downtowns under the slum and blight objective.
How to apply: Direct application, any time: open year-round cycle with applications reviewed at the start of each month until funds run out.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Montana

Montana CDBG Economic Development Program (CDBG-ED)

Montana — Department of Commerce, Community Development Division (CDBG-ED)

Up to $525,000 per local government per program year; no more than $35,000 per job created or retained, or $5,000 per job trained (draft 2026 guidelines)

GrantEquity-freecapital accessworkforce

The catch: The draft 2026 guidelines require a match of at least $1 for every $1 of CDBG-ED (waivable) and count only jobs created within 24 months of award. Retained jobs need clear evidence they would be lost without the assistance; creating a revolving loan fund on its own is not an eligible activity.

Next deadline: Varies — open cycle; check Montana Commerce's CDBG-ED page for intake dates · Open cycle per Commerce's program page; the draft 2026 guidelines describe semi-annual intake subject to available funding

Applicant tip: Commerce can structure the business loan with payment deferrals, lower first-year payments or interest-only periods, and training is funded at up to $5,000 per job, so a workforce-heavy expansion can qualify without large capital costs.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Montana counties, incorporated cities and towns, and consolidated city-county governments except Billings, Great Falls and Missoula, applying for a business that will create, retain or train jobs, at least 51% of them held by or available to low- and moderate-income people. The local government lends to the business (or grants to a nonprofit) for construction, working capital, equipment or employee training.
How to apply: Direct application: the local government applies to Commerce, now also through the Montana Grants and Loans Portal; read the current CDBG-ED application guidelines first.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Nebraska

Nebraska CDBG Economic Development Opportunity

Nebraska — Department of Economic Development (CDBG)

$105,000–$500,000 in CDBG project costs (plus $10,000 administration and $5,000 construction management); no more than $35,000 per job

GrantEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Local match equal to 100% of project costs (1:1). Retained jobs count only for a business in distress that would otherwise lose them, and the business must collect employee income certifications at application.

Next deadline: Rolling (2026 program year open through June 30, 2027; reviewed quarterly) · Open cycle July 1 through June 30, reviewed quarterly (2026 program year: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)

Applicant tip: DED lowered the 2026 ceiling to $500,000 (floor $105,000), and its scoring gives points for asking less than $35,000 per job, so size the request to the job count rather than the cap.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nebraska incorporated municipalities and counties outside the entitlement cities of Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue and Grand Island, applying for loans to a business or for infrastructure a business needs to locate or expand. At least 51% of the jobs created must be held by or made available to low- and moderate-income people. Gaming, production agriculture, rolling-stock trucking and retail businesses (restaurants, lodging, gas stations, gift shops) are ineligible.
How to apply: Invite-only: submit a pre-application to DED; if invited, the community files a full application, which DED reviews quarterly during the open cycle.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

New Hampshire

New Hampshire CDBG Economic Development Grants

New Hampshire — Community Development Finance Authority (CDBG)

Up to $500,000 per municipality or county per year; microenterprise development up to $750,000 and business technical assistance up to $300,000 (outside the annual limit)

GrantEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilitiesentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: A 1:1 match of non-CDBG funds is mandatory; at least 60% of the jobs must go to low- and moderate-income people, with one full-time job per $20,000 of CDBG ($35,000 in New Markets Tax Credit or Opportunity Zone areas). For-profit businesses may receive only loans, never grants.

Next deadline: Jun 30, 2027 · Rolling — applications accepted until funds are obligated within each program year (2026 allocation: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)

Applicant tip: CDFA's 60% low- and moderate-income job test is stricter than HUD's 51%, so screen the employer's hiring plan early. Regional development corporations can deliver business technical assistance through a municipal application that does not count against the $500,000 limit.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: New Hampshire incorporated cities, towns and counties except the entitlement communities of Dover, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Rochester. Funds pass to a for-profit business (loans only) or a nonprofit subrecipient for buildings, equipment, land, public improvements or job training; nonprofits apply through their municipality or county.
How to apply: Direct application, rolling: the municipality or county applies in CDFA's online grants system; awards are announced about six to eight weeks after a complete application.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

North Dakota

North Dakota CDBG Economic Development

North Dakota — Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services (CDBG)

$100,000–$1,000,000 per project (including administration); CDBG should stay at or below $35,000 per job; grants or loans depending on the State Funds balance

GrantEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Working capital, inventory and stock purchases are ineligible, and in-state relocations are barred unless the original community is not harmed. A business with an existing program loan may not have more than $500,000 outstanding, and a borrower in default gets nothing new.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling — economic development requests accepted any time during the year

Applicant tip: When the CDBG State Funds balance runs low, North Dakota can switch economic development awards from grants to loans, so ask Community Services which form is available before you structure the deal.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: North Dakota non-entitlement cities and counties (not Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks or Minot), for primary-sector businesses certified by Commerce (including tourism, excluding production agriculture) where a funding gap exists. At least 51% of the jobs must be held by or made available to low- and moderate-income people; only jobs created within two years of award count.
How to apply: Pitch gate: contact the Division of Community Services; a pre-application must be reviewed and approved before the full application. Requests are accepted at any time during the year.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Ohio

Ohio CDBG Economic Development Program (business loans and off-site infrastructure)

Ohio — Department of Development, Office of Community Development (CDBG)

Up to $500,000 including administration, capped at $35,000 of CDBG per job; up to $50,000 more for job training ($10,000,000 budgeted for the Economic Development and Public Infrastructure Program in PY2025)

GrantEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforce

The catch: Awards are calculated per job and may not exceed $35,000 of CDBG per job; Development can reduce the request at review. Loan repayments from the business go into the local government's revolving loan fund, and training funds may only serve low- and moderate-income workers in the jobs created or retained.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Annual program year; pre-applications open each summer (June 1 in 2026) and awards are first come, first served until funds are depleted

Applicant tip: Ohio raised its cost-per-job limit from $25,000 to $35,000 for program year 2025, so a project that was too thin on jobs before may now qualify. With first-come, first-served awards, file the pre-application soon after the summer opening.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Ohio non-entitlement cities and counties; counties must apply on behalf of villages and townships and may apply for cities. The money becomes either a low-interest, fixed-asset gap loan to an expanding or staying business (land, buildings, machinery, equipment) or an off-site public infrastructure grant tied to a for-profit expansion; the business benefits, the local government applies.
How to apply: Pre-application gate: the county commissioners or city administrator submit a pre-application in Development's Community Organization Portal; only approved projects go on to a full application.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Oklahoma

Oklahoma CDBG Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (CDBG-EDIF)

Oklahoma — Department of Commerce, Community Development (CDBG-EDIF)

Up to $1,000,000 per project, the minimum needed to make it feasible; at least one job per $35,000

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Threshold rules: $1 of new, committed leverage per $1 of CDBG (no in-kind), one permanent job per $35,000, average new wages at 100% of the county average, and 51% of jobs for low- and moderate-income people. Retail, private prisons, educational institutions, refinancing and projects already under construction are ineligible; a startup needs cash equal to 25% of project cost.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling — applications accepted year-round; guidelines update each April 1 when the program year begins

Applicant tip: Towns with under $50,000 a year in revenue cannot apply directly; the county must apply on their behalf. Hold the application-phase public hearing after a full seven working days of notice, or ODOC rejects the application.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Oklahoma incorporated towns, cities and counties outside the entitlement cities and the Tulsa County urban county, applying for publicly owned infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, drainage, buildings, public fiber) for a specific expanding business; existing companies in key sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing are targeted. The applicant must own and maintain the improvements.
How to apply: Direct application, any time: apply online at ogx.ok.gov; complete applications are funded in the order received.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Texas

Texas CDBG Downtown Revitalization and Main Street Programs

Texas — Texas Department of Agriculture (TxCDBG)

Up to $1,000,000 per award; minimum $20,000 cash match

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemakinginfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Projects must eliminate designated slum and blight conditions or provide citywide benefit to low- and moderate-income residents, and a slum and blight resolution may be required. The minimum match is $20,000 cash (at least 2% of the request), with more points for a larger match.

Next deadline: Expected: April 2027 · Annual; Community Application due in early April, invited Project Applications due in August (2026 cycle: Community Application April 7, 2026; Project Application August 14, 2026)

Applicant tip: Document your downtown district's boundaries before the Community Application (zoning map, comprehensive plan, local resolution or Main Street map): TDA makes the final call on whether your area counts. TDA's current fund list names only Community Development, Downtown Revitalization, Colonia and State Urgent Need funds; the former Texas Capital Fund is not among them.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Incorporated non-entitlement Texas cities that levy a local property or sales tax and are meeting progress thresholds on existing TxCDBG grants. Work must be public infrastructure (sidewalks, lighting, streets, demolition of blighted structures) on public property inside a designated downtown district or Main Street area; Texas Historical Commission Main Street cities compete in their own set-aside.
How to apply: Direct application: two stages in TDA-GO. A Community Application in spring scores and ranks cities; TDA then invites the highest-scoring cities to submit a full Project Application in summer.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Vermont

Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) Implementation Grants — economic development projects

Vermont — Agency of Commerce and Community Development (VCDP)

Implementation grants $50,000–$1,000,000; planning grants $3,000–$75,000

GrantEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilitiesplanning & capacity

The catch: Economic development projects that assist a business need a credit analysis by an independent third party. The municipality must warn and hold a public hearing at least 5 days before submitting, with newspaper notice 15 days ahead, and a new hearing if the request rises more than 10% above the warned amount.

Next deadline: Jan 13, 2027 · Annual; pre-applications due in winter and full applications in spring for a June Community Development Board meeting (2025–26 cycle: pre-application November 3, 2025, application March 2, 2026)

Applicant tip: VCDP technically accepts applications on a rolling basis, but only those in by the posted date make the June board agenda; for 2027 that means a pre-application by January 13 and a full application by April 14, 2027.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Any Vermont town, city (except Burlington) or incorporated village, or a consortium of them, with an adopted municipal plan. Implementation grants can assist businesses to create or retain jobs, as well as housing, infrastructure and childcare projects; most projects are built with local nonprofits or small businesses, but the municipality applies.
How to apply: Direct application: submit a pre-application in grants.vermont.gov, then, once VCDP approves it, a full application before the deadline for the Community Development Board meeting.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Virginia

Virginia CDBG Project Grants — Economic Development (Job Creation/Retention and Business District Revitalization)

Virginia — Department of Housing and Community Development (CDBG)

Job creation/retention: up to $1,250,000 (one locality) or $1,500,000 (two localities); Business District Revitalization: up to $1,250,000 (2026 program)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesdowntown & placemaking

The catch: DHCD has required an irrevocable letter of credit or other approved security equal to the grant for community economic development awards until all requirements are met (2024 program design manual). The same manual counted a locality's open CDBG grants against a $3 million limit until they were administratively closed out.

Next deadline: Expected: July 2027 · Annual competitive Project Grant round with applications due in early summer (2026 deadline: July 1, 2026; 2024 deadline: June 12, 2024)

Applicant tip: Use a planning grant (up to $40,000 for activation planning, $75,000 for project-driven planning) the year before to get engineering and job commitments in place; it is a separate sub-program from the Project Grant competition.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Virginia non-entitlement localities only; they may contract with planning district commissions, nonprofits or other competent entities to carry out the project. Job creation projects must document credible job projections, and CDBG is generally limited to $35,000 per job created.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the Project Grant application in DHCD's Centralized Application and Management System (CAMS) by the annual deadline.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

5. USDA Rural Development business and community programs

USDA Rural Development is the steadiest federal source of small-town economic development money, and almost none of it goes to a business directly. Cities, counties, tribes, nonprofits, utilities and colleges apply, then build the facility, capitalize the loan fund or run the training that local businesses use. Much of this section is loans or loan-and-grant packages. Community Facilities and Water & Waste take applications year round; the Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs (RBDG, IRP, RMAP, REDLG) run on annual or quarterly notices. Grants run from $50,000 capacity awards to Community Facilities grants covering up to 75% of a project. In fiscal 2027 the quarterly loan programs are on hold until Congress passes a full-year appropriation, and several notices now appear only on rd.usda.gov and Grants.gov. The common mistake is the word rural: each program sets its own test (10,000 residents for Water & Waste, 20,000 for Community Facilities, 50,000 for the business programs), so check your project's location against the program you want.

10 programs

Community Facilities Grant Program (Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Housing Service, Community Facilities Programs)

Varies — no dollar maximum published; the grant covers up to 75%, 55%, 35% or 15% of eligible project cost on a sliding scale set by community population (5,000 / 12,000 / 20,000 or fewer) and service-area median household income

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: You must show you cannot finance the project from your own resources or commercial credit at reasonable terms, that the facility serves the rural area, and that it has substantial community support, and you must complete an environmental (NEPA) review. The 75% maximum applies only to communities of 5,000 or fewer whose service-area median household income is below the higher of the poverty line or 60% of the state nonmetropolitan median; grant funds are limited, so many projects pair a grant with a Community Facilities direct loan.

Next deadline: Rolling (until the fiscal year's grant funds are committed) · Rolling; applications accepted year round, October 1 through September 30, and funded competitively while grant funds last

Applicant tip: Priority points go to communities of 5,500 or fewer and to service areas with median household income below 80% of the state nonmetropolitan median, so document both before you meet the state office. Send RD a Preliminary Architectural Feasibility Report with a cost estimate early: the RD architect uses those two documents to decide whether the project is feasible.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes building, buying or improving an essential community facility (clinic, fire station, town hall, child care center, library, food bank) in a rural city, town or tribal area of no more than 20,000 residents. Private, commercial or business undertakings are not eligible. Your grant share depends on population and on median household income measured against the state nonmetropolitan median.
How to apply: Through your regional office: talk to the Community Programs Specialist at your USDA Rural Development state office, then apply there. Applications are accepted year round (October 1 to September 30). Get a UEI and register in SAM before you apply.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Community Facilities Direct Loan Program (loan)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Housing Service, Community Facilities Programs)

Loan: no published maximum; up to 40 years (or the facility's useful life or legal limit, if shorter) at a fixed rate set by service-area income and population (4.500% poverty, 4.625% intermediate, 4.750% market for October 1 – December 31, 2026)

OtherEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: You need legal authority to borrow, pledge security, repay, and build and operate the facility, and you must show you cannot finance it from your own resources or commercial credit. The rate is fixed for the life of the loan once approved and there is no prepayment penalty. An acceptable environmental review is required before approval.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; applications accepted year round, October 1 through September 30; funding is competitive

Applicant tip: One project can stack a Community Facilities direct loan with a Community Facilities grant, a Community Facilities loan guarantee and commercial financing, which stretches a small grant. The rate tier is set by your service area's median household income and population, so confirm with the state office which tier you qualify for before you size the debt.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes financing an essential community facility in a rural city, town or tribal area of no more than 20,000 residents, when they cannot get commercial credit at reasonable rates and terms. Private, commercial or business undertakings are not eligible.
How to apply: Through your regional office: discuss the project with the Community Programs Specialist at your USDA Rural Development state office, then apply there year round using the RD Form 1942-40 (public body) or 1942-39 (other) checklist and the Direct Loan Applicant Guidance Book.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest)

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program (loan and grant)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Utilities Service, Water & Environmental Programs)

Loan: no published maximum; up to 40 years at a fixed rate (2.875% poverty, 3.750% intermediate, 4.750% market for October 1 – December 31, 2026). Grant: added to a loan only when funds are available and needed to keep user costs reasonable

OtherEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Facilities must serve a public purpose, you must have legal authority to build, operate and maintain them, and the project must be financially sustainable. Grants come only when funds allow and only to keep user rates reasonable, so expect most of the package to be a loan.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; applications accepted year round, October 1 through September 30

Applicant tip: The rate tier depends on the need for the project and the service area's median household income, and the poverty rate (2.875% for October–December 2026) is nearly 2 points below market, so document income carefully. If your community is a distressed community inside a persistent poverty county, also ask about USDA's Persistent Poverty One Percent Loan Program, which takes applications on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Most state and local governmental entities, private nonprofits and federally recognized tribes that cannot get commercial credit on reasonable terms, for drinking water, sewer, solid waste and storm water systems serving rural areas and towns of 10,000 or fewer residents, rural tribal lands or colonias.
How to apply: Direct application: file year round online through RD Apply or through your local Rural Development office, after talking to a state program specialist.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest; any grant portion is not repaid)

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Agriculture Innovation Center Program (RBCS-2026-AIC)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

$600,000–$1,000,000 per center; $2.5 million in the FY2026 round, about 3 awards

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Matching funds must cover at least one-third of the total project budget, in cash from you or a third party or in-kind from a third party, available during the performance period. Only about three awards are expected nationwide. The program runs under 7 CFR 4284 subpart K, revised September 16, 2024.

Next deadline: Jan 31, 2027 · Periodic national notice on Grants.gov (FY2026 window: September 9, 2026 to January 31, 2027)

Applicant tip: A center can regrant up to $5,000 per producer for eligible services, which lets you put money directly in producers' hands. Start gathering match verification, support letters and board commitment letters at least two months ahead, as the program page advises: Form RD 4284-1 is long.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local and state governments, federally recognized tribes, colleges and universities and nonprofits (commercial organizations can also apply) that operate an agriculture innovation center giving business, market, product and process development services to agricultural producers who develop and market value-added products.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the SF-424 and Form RD 4284-1 through Grants.gov (RBCS-2026-AIC) by January 31, 2027, after contacting a program official in your state.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

Varies — no maximum grant, and smaller requests get higher priority. FY2026 round: $27.7 million nationwide, about 450 expected awards; Opportunity grants are limited to 10% of annual RBDG funding

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business supportcapital accessinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: No cost share is required, but scoring rewards the percent of non-federal funding committed, job creation at local businesses, economic need, consistency with local priorities and your experience with similar efforts. Enterprise grants must benefit small and emerging rural businesses named in the application. The FY2027 budget request proposes terminating the program, so FY2027 money depends on Congress.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (no FY2027 notice posted as of October 24, 2026) · Annual; one national notice a year with its own deadline, now announced only on rd.usda.gov and Grants.gov (FY2025 deadline February 28, 2025; FY2026 deadlines June 15, 2026 for SECD applications and June 30, 2026 for all others)

Applicant tip: If the project sits in a multi-jurisdictional regional plan, file the separate SECD application (Form RD 1980-88) too: SECD projects compete for reserved funds, but in FY2026 that track closed two weeks early, on June 15. Enterprise grants can capitalize a revolving loan fund, which keeps lending after the grant is spent.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public bodies and government entities, federally recognized tribes and nonprofits (including public colleges) primarily serving rural areas, for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city of 50,000 or more. Businesses and individuals cannot apply; small and emerging rural businesses benefit through your project.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through Grants.gov under the year's notice (FY2026: RDBCP-RBDG-2026) after reviewing the project with a Business Programs Specialist at your Rural Development state office.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) (loan)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

Loan: up to $1 million per loan at a fixed 1% for up to 30 years; total outstanding IRP debt per intermediary capped at $15 million

OtherEquity-freecapital access

The catch: At least $250,000 of loan funds must be used within 6 months of closing, and you must be able to close within 6 months of approval. Loans to an ultimate recipient are capped at the lesser of $400,000 or 50% of your IRP loan, and recipients must be unable to get affordable commercial credit. Interest-only payments may be allowed for the first three years.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2027 quarterly competitions are on hold until a full-year appropriation passes and the notice is cleared; missed quarters roll into the next one) · Quarterly windows: Sep 30, Dec 31, Mar 31, Jun 30, when a fiscal-year notice is in force (FY2026 notice published June 18, 2026; FY2026 deadlines March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2026)

Applicant tip: Use the on-hold period to finish your application: the program page says quarters that pass will be combined into the next quarter after the FY2027 notice posts. Watch rd.usda.gov, not the Federal Register — the FY2026 notice said future IRP notices will appear only on the agency website.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nonprofits, cooperatives, federally recognized tribes and public agencies with legal authority to run a revolving loan fund, a record of making and servicing commercial loans, and a board of business and civic leaders. You relend to businesses and community projects in rural areas of fewer than 50,000 residents; the intermediary itself can be located anywhere.
How to apply: Through your regional office: apply to your USDA Rural Development state office by a quarterly deadline in the year's IRP notice, using the IRP checklist and Form RD 4274-1.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, CDFI
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid at 1% interest)

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) (loan and technical assistance grant)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

Loan: $50,000–$500,000 per loan to capitalize a rural microloan revolving fund, up to $2.5 million aggregate debt, up to 20 years with a 2-year payment deferral. Grant: up to $100,000 a year for technical assistance. FY2026 round: about $21 million in total

OtherEquity-freecapital accessentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: You must establish a loan loss reserve, score at least 60 points to be considered, and match the TA grant with at least 15% (cash, indirect costs or in-kind). Microloans to borrowers are capped at $50,000, carry a fixed rate and cover no more than 75% of project cost. Unfunded applications scoring 60 or more stay in the pool for up to four consecutive quarterly reviews.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2027 quarterly competitions are on hold until a full-year appropriation passes and the notice is cleared; missed quarters roll into the next one) · Quarterly windows: Sep 30, Dec 31, Mar 31, Jun 30 (FY2026 notice posted February 25, 2026 and covered all four FY2026 quarters through June 30, 2026; the FY2026 annual microlender TA grant request was due August 1, 2026)

Applicant tip: Apply for the loan and the TA grant together: the notice allows a combined application, and the grant pays for the borrower training that protects your repayment record. Once you hold an RMAP loan, the annual microlender TA grant is non-competitive and sized from your outstanding microloan balance.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Microenterprise Development Organizations: nonprofits, federally recognized tribes and public institutions of higher education that have managed a revolving loan fund, trained staff through a qualified microenterprise training entity, or lend in good standing under SBA's Microloan Program or a similar program. Your microloans go to rural businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees, in areas outside cities of 50,000 or more.
How to apply: Through your regional office: submit electronically to the Rural Development state office where the project is located, by a quarterly deadline in the year's notice, after contacting the state Business Programs Specialist.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, tribe, university, CDFI
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid; technical assistance grant not repaid)

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Programs (REDLG) (zero-interest loan and revolving loan fund grant)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

Loan: up to $1 million at 0% for 10 years, passed through to a local project. Grant: up to $300,000 to set up a revolving loan fund (20% match; repaid to USDA when the fund closes). FY2026 notice estimated about $50 million in loans and $10 million in grants

OtherEquity-freecapital accessinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Ultimate recipients borrow at 0% for up to 80% of project cost and must supply or arrange the other 20%; the utility may add interest or fees only after the funds have revolved once. Grants need a 20% utility match, up to 10% of grant funds may cover the fund's operating costs, and the grant goes back to USDA when the fund is terminated.

Applicant tip: If you are a town, county, hospital district or EDO, bring a ready project to your rural electric or telephone co-op: REDLG can fund community facilities, medical and training facilities and business incubators, and repayment can be deferred up to two years for start-ups and Community Facilities projects.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Only current or former Rural Utilities Service electric or telecommunications borrowers, and not-for-profit utilities eligible under the Rural Electrification Act, apply. The utility passes the money to local businesses, nonprofits and public bodies for job-creating projects in rural areas or towns of fewer than 50,000 residents, so a city, county or EDO gets REDLG money by partnering with its rural electric or telephone cooperative.
How to apply: Through your regional office: the utility applies to the Rural Development state office on behalf of a named local project, by a quarterly deadline in the year's notice.
Applicant fit: nonprofit
Equity taken: None (zero-interest loan, repaid; grant repaid to USDA when the revolving loan fund ends)

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG)

U.S. Department of Agriculture — National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

$200,000–$1,000,000 per award; about $5 million and 12 awards in the FY2026 round

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: You must commit a 25% match from private funds and in-kind contributions (5% for 1994 land-grant institutions). Grants run 12–36 months. The FY2026 notice accepted only new applications and asked projects to align with USDA's departmental priorities for farmers and ranchers.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Annual; one national notice a year, issued by NIFA since FY2025 (FY2025 deadline September 15, 2025; FY2026 deadline July 24, 2026)

Applicant tip: Preference goes to centers with a track record of cooperative development and rural technical assistance and to multi-organization or multistate approaches, so document past co-op starts and your partner network. Set alerts on Grants.gov and NIFA, not only rd.usda.gov: the FY2026 notice was issued by NIFA.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nonprofit institutions, including accredited colleges and universities, that establish and operate a center for rural cooperative development. All project activities must serve cooperatives, mutually owned businesses, small businesses or similar entities in rural areas.
How to apply: Direct application: apply to NIFA through Grants.gov under the year's notice (FY2026: USDA-NIFA-OP-012058).
Applicant fit: nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Grants

U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development (Rural Housing Service, Community Facilities Programs)

$50,000–$500,000 per grant

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: You must match the grant dollar for dollar, and in-kind contributions cannot count toward the match. The money pays for your technical assistance to recipient organizations (strategic plans, board training, finding funding, homeownership and business-entrepreneur education), not for your own projects.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (USDA is rewriting the notice; applications under the rescinded FY2025 notice will not be reviewed) · Annual NOFO in a normal year (FY2025 NOFO published July 8, 2025 and rescinded July 2, 2026)

Applicant tip: If you applied under the July 2025 notice, you must file a new application when the revised NOFO appears; nothing carries over. Secure the cash match now, because in-kind cannot be used for it.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public bodies, nonprofits, qualified private organizations and federally recognized tribes act as intermediaries, giving technical assistance to rural nonprofit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities or tribes. The area served must be outside any city or town of more than 50,000 and its adjacent area.
How to apply: Direct application: apply under the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity (Federal Register and Grants.gov) when one is open; contact your local Rural Development office with questions.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

6. EPA Brownfields grants for redevelopment

EPA's Brownfields Program is the main federal source of money to study and clean up contaminated land so it can be redeveloped: closed factories, gas stations, rail yards and mill sites that no buyer will take on until someone knows what is in the ground. Cities, counties, tribes, regional councils, redevelopment agencies, states and 501(c)(3) nonprofits apply; businesses benefit later as buyers or tenants of the cleaned-up site. Assessment grants run up to $500,000 for one community and up to $1 million for coalitions or for states and tribes, Cleanup grants up to $500,000 per application, and revolving loan fund grants up to $1 million. Most share one competition: guidelines post in the fall and applications are due about 60 days later. FY2027 changes the math: per-grant caps fall, Multipurpose grants are not offered, and Cleanup and loan-fund grantees again owe a 20% cost share. The common mistake is applying for Cleanup before you own the site or before an environmental professional can certify it is characterized.

10 programs

EPA Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $500,000 over up to 4 years (FY2027 estimate: about 30 awards, $15 million total; EPA says amounts may change)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsplanning & capacity

The catch: The money pays for site inventories, Phase I and II assessments, cleanup and reuse planning and community involvement, not cleanup itself, and assessment costs are capped at $200,000 per site. If you already hold an EPA Assessment or Multipurpose grant, you must have drawn down and disbursed at least 70% of each by October 1, 2026, to apply for FY2027.

Next deadline: Expected: January 2027 · Annual; guidelines post in the fall with applications due about 60 days later (FY2026 deadline was January 28, 2026; FY2027 guidelines anticipated fall 2026)

Applicant tip: Check your drawdown before anything else: an existing EPA grantee under 70% on October 1, 2026, is ineligible for FY2027 however strong the application. The grant can also pay for site-specific cleanup plans and reuse plans, so budget one for the site you most want shovel-ready: a draft cleanup alternatives analysis is what a later Cleanup application is built on.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Cities, counties, towns and other general-purpose local governments, land clearance authorities, regional councils and councils of governments, state-chartered redevelopment agencies, states, federally recognized tribes outside Alaska (plus Alaska Native corporations and the Metlakatla Indian Community), 501(c)(3) nonprofits and qualified community development entities. Businesses and individuals cannot apply.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through Grants.gov during EPA's annual Assessment, RLF and Cleanup competition. Confirm eligibility with your EPA Regional Brownfields Contact first.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, CDFI
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In June 2026 EPA selected 130 Assessment Grant applications for $123.8 million across all three Assessment types, including the City of Caribou, Maine ($500,000 for 16 Phase I and 10 Phase II assessments).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $1,000,000 per coalition over up to 4 years (FY2027 estimate: about 13 awards, $13 million; the FY2026 cap was $1.5 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsplanning & capacity

The catch: The coalition must assess at least two sites in each member's area, and a Memorandum of Agreement on site selection and fund distribution must be signed before any money is drawn. Members cannot be swapped after the deadline. The 70% drawdown test (by October 1, 2026) applies to the lead and to every member holding an EPA Assessment or Multipurpose grant.

Applicant tip: A regional council or COG is the natural lead: the grant exists for small towns that could not manage an EPA cooperative agreement alone. Because every member needs at least two site assessments and sites are capped at $200,000 each, build the site list with all members before you write.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: One lead entity from the Assessment eligibility list (local governments, regional councils and COGs, redevelopment agencies, states, tribes, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, qualified community development entities) applying with two to four eligible partners that lack the capacity to manage their own EPA grant. The coalition's target areas must span at least three distinct municipalities or jurisdictions.
How to apply: Direct application: the lead submits one Grants.gov application for the coalition in EPA's annual Assessment, RLF and Cleanup competition, with signed letters from each member.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, CDFI
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $1,000,000 over up to 5 years (FY2027 estimate: about 12 awards, $12 million; the FY2026 cap was $2 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsplanning & capacity

The catch: Current holders of this grant type must have drawn down and disbursed at least 60% by October 1, 2026, to apply for FY2027. The $200,000-per-site assessment cap applies, and the grant cannot pay for cleanup.

Applicant tip: A state or tribe can use this grant to assess sites for rural communities that will never apply on their own. Pair it with your Section 128(a) response-program request, which is a separate, non-competitive ask due to EPA each December.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States, federally recognized tribes outside Alaska, intertribal consortia of eligible tribes, Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations and the Metlakatla Indian Community only.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through Grants.gov in EPA's annual Assessment, RLF and Cleanup competition.
Applicant fit: state agency, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessments (TBA)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (EPA regional offices)

In-kind: an EPA contractor performs the assessment; EPA puts the typical cost at $50,000–$100,000 per site. No cash goes to the requester.

In-kind / lab accessEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: A TBA covers Phase I and Phase II assessments, cleanup options and cost estimates; it does not pay for cleanup or demolition. The property owner must sign a site access agreement, and sites on or proposed for the Superfund National Priorities List are ineligible.

Next deadline: Rolling (as EPA regional funding allows) · Rolling; requests reviewed year-round, first come, first served as funding allows

Applicant tip: Some regions (Region 7, for one) give priority to applicants whose EPA competitive grant proposals were not selected, so a TBA is the fallback when an Assessment application loses. Region 6 asks you to check first whether a local Assessment grantee or your state can do the work.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public entities such as municipalities and regional planning commissions, tribes, and nonprofits that already have a redevelopment plan for the property. You must own the site, be able to acquire it (for example through tax foreclosure), or show it is abandoned, and you cannot be responsible for the contamination. Private parties cannot request a TBA for their own redevelopment.
How to apply: Through your regional office: send your EPA region's TBA request form (or ask your state brownfields response program); EPA selects sites on a rolling basis.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $500,000 per application, for one or more sites, over up to 4 years; a single-site applicant may request a waiver up to $650,000, approved on an extremely limited basis (FY2027 estimate: about 28 awards, $14 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: FY2027 brings back the statutory 20% cost share (money, labor, material or services); governments serving 50,000 people or fewer, tribes and nonprofits can request a hardship waiver, which EPA grants on an extremely limited basis. You must hold a public meeting on the draft application and cleanup alternatives analysis at least 7 days before the deadline, advertised at least 7 days before the meeting, or you fail threshold. Sites that already received Cleanup Grant money are ineligible.

Applicant tip: The state or tribal site-characterization letter is gone for FY2027: an Environmental Professional must instead certify that characterization is sufficient (or will be before award), so line up that certification before you write. FY2026 winners got up to $4 million, but the FY2027 cap is $500,000, so scope the request to sites you can finish in four years.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: The Assessment eligibility list plus other nonprofits, including nonprofit colleges and universities. You must be the sole owner of the site (fee simple, or an arrangement EPA approves as equivalent) by the application deadline and show a CERCLA liability protection such as bona fide prospective purchaser status. Businesses cannot apply.
How to apply: Direct application: one Cleanup application per competition cycle, through Grants.gov, after holding the required public meeting on your draft application.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, university, CDFI
Equity taken: None
Who wins: In June 2026 EPA selected 43 Cleanup applications for $104.4 million under the FY2026 rules (up to $4 million each), including $4 million each to the Town of East Millinocket and Our Katahdin in Maine for former Great Northern Paper mill sites.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $1,000,000 to capitalize a revolving loan fund, over up to 5 years (FY2027 estimate: about 10 awards, $10 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldscapital access

The catch: FY2027 brings back the 20% cost share, with hardship waivers granted on an extremely limited basis. Subgrants are capped at $500,000 per site and subgrantees must own the site; loan principal can be forgiven up to 50% (no more than $500,000 per site), and for-profit borrowers cannot receive forgiven loans. You manage program income for years and keep reporting after closeout.

Next deadline: Expected: January 2027 · Annual when offered; guidelines post in the fall (FY2025 RLF deadline was November 14, 2024; no FY2026 RLF competition; FY2027 RLF solicitation anticipated fall 2026)

Applicant tip: EPA funds free RLF technical assistance through Grow America and ICMA for prospective applicants; use it to test underwriting, servicing and staffing plans before the solicitation posts. Once you hold an RLF, a depleted fund with ready projects qualifies you for EPA's non-competitive supplemental money.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments, land clearance authorities, regional councils, state-chartered redevelopment agencies, states, tribes, 501(c)(3) nonprofits and qualified community development entities that do not already have, or belong to a coalition with, an open EPA Brownfields RLF cooperative agreement. Two or more entities can apply as an RLF coalition.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov in EPA's fall competition. No RLF solicitation was issued in FY2026.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, CDFI
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields RLF Supplemental Funding (non-competitive; existing RLF grantees only)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Varies — check official page (FY2026: an estimated $25 million offered; EPA selected 31 grantees for $22.5 million, with Maine awards of $500,000 and $1,000,000)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldscapital access

The catch: Not open to new applicants. EPA may award a new RLF grant instead of extending your existing agreement, which resets the terms you report under. FY2027 grants are funded solely from annual appropriations, which carry the statutory 20% RLF cost share.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (the FY2025 and FY2026 rounds used Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money; FY2027 brownfields grants are funded from annual appropriations only) · Annual request window for open RLF grantees when funds are available (FY2025 requests were due March 26, 2025; FY2026 requests were due March 16, 2026)

Applicant tip: EPA's test is a depleted fund plus viable cleanup projects ready for work, so keep a named pipeline of sites; the 2026 Maine grantees listed specific mills and buildings in their requests.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Only recipients with an open Brownfields RLF cooperative agreement awarded competitively under CERCLA Section 104(k)(3), or transitioned to it, that meet EPA's other criteria. EPA says the money goes to grantees that have depleted their funds and have cleanup projects ready for work.
How to apply: Invite-only: open RLF grantees submit a supplemental funding request to EPA during the annual request window; awards are non-competitive.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2026: 31 RLF grantees selected for $22.5 million (June 2026), including Greater Portland Council of Governments ($1 million) and Kennebec Valley Council of Governments ($500,000).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Multipurpose Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $1,000,000 over up to 5 years (FY2026: about 20 awards, $20 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsplanning & capacity

The catch: The target area must be one discrete area (a neighborhood, corridor, district or census tract), and grant money can pay for cleanup only at sites you own; you cannot subaward cleanup to another owner. EPA lists a $40,000 cost share that may be required; the FY2026 competition required none.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (EPA will not issue a Multipurpose solicitation in FY2027) · Offered in EPA's fall competition when funded (FY2026 deadline was January 28, 2026; EPA will not issue a Multipurpose solicitation in FY2027)

Applicant tip: With no FY2027 round, split a Multipurpose-style plan into an FY2027 Community-wide Assessment application and a Cleanup application for a site you already own; EPA's FY2027 eligibility chart confirms one entity can submit both.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments, land clearance authorities, regional councils and COGs, state-chartered redevelopment agencies, states, tribes, 501(c)(3) nonprofits and qualified community development entities with one discrete target area containing one or more brownfield sites; cleanup money can be spent only on sites the applicant owns.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov when EPA offers the competition. EPA will not issue a Multipurpose solicitation in FY2027.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, CDFI
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2026: EPA selected 20 Multipurpose applications for $20 million (June 2026).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization

Up to $300,000 over up to 3 years (FY2027 round: $5–6 million for up to 20 awards; the FY2026 cap was $500,000)

GrantEquity-freeworkforcesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Every graduate must hold a 40-hour HAZWOPER certificate, and the training cannot duplicate other federally funded environmental training you run. No cost share is accepted, and participant support costs may not exceed 40% of the award. Applicants with an open Job Training grant had to have drawn down at least 50% of it by August 1, 2026.

Next deadline: Expected: September 2027 · Annual; guidelines post in July with applications due in late September (FY2026 closed September 26, 2025; FY2027 closed September 23, 2026)

Applicant tip: Target an area where EPA Assessment or Cleanup grants are already under way: the program exists to train residents for the remediation jobs in their own community, and those projects are your placement pipeline. EPA anticipated notifying FY2027 selections in December 2026, so an unfunded applicant's next window is the July–September 2027 round.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments (including councils of governments and public housing agencies), land clearance authorities, regional councils, redevelopment agencies, states, tribes outside Alaska and Alaska Native corporations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, qualified community development entities, and other nonprofits, including qualifying workforce boards and labor unions, plus public and nonprofit colleges, community colleges included. Organizations that won in FY2026 could not apply in FY2027.
How to apply: Direct application: one Grants.gov application per organization, serving one target area, during the summer competition.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2026: 25 grantees selected for $12 million (February 2026), including the City of Austin Economic Development Department, Nevadaworks, the Summit and Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments, the Port of Oakland and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

EPA Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program Grants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (EPA regional offices)

Up to $1,000,000 per state or tribe a year (requests from new entities about $150,000; programs being established up to $300,000); about $46.25 million total for FY2027, plus up to three $20,000 technical assistance grants (TAGs) per recipient for small, rural or disadvantaged communities

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsplanning & capacity

The catch: Non-competitive, but demand exceeds funds, so requests may be cut. You must maintain a public record of sites, and site-specific assessment and cleanup spending is limited to 50% of the award and $350,000 per site without EPA approval. The program must include, or be making progress on, the four response-program elements in CERCLA 128(a)(2), starting with a site inventory.

Next deadline: Dec 11, 2026 · Annual; funding guidance posts at the end of September with requests due in mid-December and TAG requests due in early March (FY2027 requests due December 11, 2026; FY2027 TAG requests due March 5, 2027)

Applicant tip: EPA's guidance asks states and tribes to aim inventories and site work at communities with little capacity to compete for EPA grants, so put those towns in the request. The separate $20,000 TAGs for small, rural or disadvantaged communities are due March 5, 2027.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States (including DC and the territories), federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia only; one request per state or tribe each year.
How to apply: Through your regional office: email the annual funding request to your EPA Regional Brownfields Contact; allocations are non-competitive.
Applicant fit: state agency, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

7. State economic development and site-readiness grants

State economic development grants pay for the groundwork federal programs rarely fund fast: grading and utilities on an industrial site, a sewer line or road for an expanding plant, the rehab of a vacant downtown building, the cleanup of a brownfield. The applicant is the city, county, development authority, regional council or tribe; a business benefits only through the site, building or infrastructure the grant improves. Awards run from $100,000 downtown building grants in Iowa and Kansas to $5 million site grants in Tennessee and Ohio, and many require a local match that shrinks as county distress rises. Cadence varies: some states run one annual round, others take applications year-round until money runs out, and several fund a round only when the legislature appropriates it. The most common mistake is applying with a site that is not ready to compete. Most site programs want public ownership or a long option, a prior characterization or certification visit, and the match committed before they will score the project.

31 programs

Colorado

Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI)

Colorado — Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Division of Local Government (REDI)

Up to $150,000 per application ($923,000 available in the 2026 cycle)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacityentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Grantees have two years to spend the money. A project that passes funds to a private employer must show it creates jobs, aligns with local economic development priorities and meets a substantial community need. Repeat requests for ongoing costs score lower, and mobile or temporary equipment is ineligible.

Next deadline: Expected: February 2027 · Annual cycle in winter (2026 cycle: portal open January 7 to February 4, 2026; awards by June 2026).

Applicant tip: REDI can pay for local economic development staff only when the position is tied to a specific outcome, project and timeline, so write the job description around deliverables, and show how the project continues after the two-year grant.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Rural Colorado county or municipal governments and councils of governments: counties under 50,000 people, or municipalities under 25,000 that are not next to a municipality of 25,000 or more. Applicants can partner with, and pass funds through to, intergovernmental agencies, housing authorities, economic development organizations, nonprofits, private employers and tribes. Every project must create or retain jobs, directly or indirectly.
How to apply: Direct application: discuss the project with your DOLA Regional Manager first, then apply through the DOLA Grants Portal during the cycle window.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Connecticut

Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP)

Connecticut — Office of Policy and Management (OPM)

Up to $1,000,000 per municipality per fiscal year (2025 round: $30 million total)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesdowntown & placemaking

The catch: Capital projects only (new construction, expansion, renovation or replacement), and all non-STEAP funding must be secured at application. A 20% municipal match is preferred but not required, and other state or federal grants cannot count as match. Towns that have not adopted a plan of conservation and development within ten years are barred from discretionary state funding over $25,000, and grants run four years (one extension, five years maximum).

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced · Rounds opened by OPM, recently in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025; the 2025 round released applications January 9 and closed February 20, 2025.

Applicant tip: Apply only for a shovel-ready piece of work: unspent money is forfeited at the end of the term, and towns with STEAP projects more than five years old or unclosed contracts cannot apply. If your town is eligible to opt in, file the opt-in request before the application.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Connecticut municipalities on OPM's STEAP eligibility list, which excludes towns eligible for Urban Action bonds and towns with an Urban Center in the State Plan of Conservation and Development. Distressed or Public Investment Community towns without an urban center can opt in for four years, giving up Urban Act funding for that period. Only municipalities may apply.
How to apply: Direct application: when OPM opens a round, the municipality emails a PDF application, checklist and statement of work and budget to OPM; OPM then assigns a state agency to administer each award.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None
Who wins: 2025 round: $30 million to 46 small towns, announced May 2025.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Brownfield Municipal Grant Program (Remediation and Assessment-Only grants)

Connecticut — Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Office of Community Development

Remediation (with limited assessment): $200,000 to $6,000,000; Assessment-only: $100,000 to $200,000

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: DECD takes a mortgage lien or completion guarantee on the property until redevelopment is finished, plus a ten-year negative pledge against sale or transfer without the Commissioner's consent. Prevailing wages apply to cleanup contracts when DECD assistance totals $1 million or more, and housing components must meet DECD's affordable housing policy.

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced · Periodic competitive rounds announced by a Notice of Funding Availability (Round 24: NOFA July 15, 2026, applications due September 9, 2026, awards expected November or December 2026).

Applicant tip: A municipality can pass the grant through to a private developer if the developer accepts DECD's collateral and use restrictions, and the scoring rewards a named development partner, private leverage and distressed-municipality or Opportunity Zone locations.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Connecticut municipalities, economic development agencies and Connecticut Brownfield Land Banks (councils of governments can bundle sites in assessment-only applications), with proof of site access or a path to site control. Parties responsible for the contamination, and development partners with related liability, are ineligible.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through DECD's Euna electronic grant portal during a funding round; email and paper applications are not accepted.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Georgia

Rural Site Development Initiative (Site Improvement and Due Diligence grants)

Georgia — OneGeorgia Authority, with the Department of Community Affairs (Rural Site Development Initiative)

Site Improvement: up to $2,000,000; Survey and Due Diligence (GRAD scholarship): up to $250,000; applications under $50,000 not accepted

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Match of at least 10% of the grant in eligible counties and 25% in conditionally eligible counties. Improved property cannot be used for solar farms, data centers or mini-storage, and noncompliant sales or leases carry penalties. One application per applicant per cycle, and a second site is not considered until the first is certified, built out and marketed.

Next deadline: Apr 9, 2027 · Semi-annual: applications due in early October and early April, with awards in December/January and June/July (FY2027 deadlines: October 9, 2026 and April 9, 2027).

Applicant tip: For the April 9, 2027 deadline the pre-application is due 30 days earlier, about March 10. A site without GRAD certification should start with the due diligence grant; site improvement money comes only after certification.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Development authorities and other local, regional or state authorities, and general-purpose local governments, in OneGeorgia eligible or conditionally eligible (rural) counties. Sites must be at least 50 contiguous acres and publicly owned, or under a development authority option of at least three years. Site Improvement grants require a GRAD-certified or GRAD Select site; due diligence grantees must pursue GRAD certification.
How to apply: Pitch gate: meet with the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Site Development Program Manager, email a pre-application to OneGeorgia 30 days before the deadline, then file the online application when invited.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: June 2026 (fourth round): $7.8 million for ten projects, including Development Authority of Columbus ($2 million) and Effingham County Development Authority ($1.8 million); January 2026 (third round): $4.3 million, including Camden County and Toombs County development authorities ($2 million each).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Iowa

Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program

Iowa — Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)

Up to $100,000 per city per fiscal year

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemaking

The catch: Grants reimburse only costs directly related to the building (acquisition, deconstruction, redevelopment or rehabilitation), not furnishings, legal, accounting, financing or developer fees. Deconstruction is allowed only in dire or safety situations, and projects must finish within 24 months of award.

Next deadline: Apr 14, 2027 · Annual: pre-applications in fall and winter, full applications due in mid-April, awards in June (FY2026: pre-applications due January 29, 2026, applications April 15, 2026; FY2027 application deadline April 14, 2027).

Applicant tip: The full application deadline is April 14, 2027, but only cities that clear the earlier mandatory pre-application are invited (the FY2026 pre-application closed January 29), so start this winter. Cities with an emergency project can apply at any time.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Iowa cities only, for one underutilized commercial building, or two adjacent buildings with the same owner, located where remediation would spur further growth or private investment. The building can be privately owned; the city must explain the ownership and contribute financial or in-kind resources. Forty percent of the money goes to cities under 1,500 people.
How to apply: Invite-only: the city files a mandatory pre-application; IEDA then invites selected cities to submit the full application in IowaGrants.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Kansas

Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Grant, round 7.0

Kansas — Department of Commerce, Office of Rural Prosperity (HEAL)

Up to $100,000 per project ($1.5 million in round 7.0, about 15 awards)

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemaking

The catch: The building owner must show proof of a 1:1 match at application. Construction must start by July 1, 2027 and finish by July 1, 2029, with a tenant leasing the space by December 31, 2029; demolition and debris removal do not count as construction. One HEAL grant per city, Main Street design standards apply, and no work may start before the award.

Next deadline: Nov 20, 2026 · Annual round in fall: application window late September to late November, awards in January (HEAL 7.0: September 21 to November 20, 2026).

Applicant tip: Communities that have never won HEAL get extra points, and up to $750,000 of this round is set aside for distressed downtowns in cities of 50,000 or more. Line up the tenant before you apply, because occupancy is a grant condition.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, tribal nations, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations and community foundations, applying for an underutilized, vacant or dilapidated downtown building or facade in a city under 50,000 people (larger cities only in a distressed downtown census tract). A business owner can apply only with a local fiscal agent. Towns awarded in HEAL 6.0 are ineligible this round.
How to apply: Direct application: apply online at kansascommerce.gov/HEAL during the window.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Since 2021 HEAL has awarded $8.2 million to more than 120 projects, leveraging $45 million in local match.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Kentucky

Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) Program of 2026

Kentucky — Cabinet for Economic Development, with the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KPDI)

Up to $2,000,000 per project ($2,500,000 in heritage counties); counties can pool their allocations for a regional project

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Minimum local match of 10% to 20% of total project cost, set by the county's population-density rank and 10-year population change; in-kind services and state funds cannot count as match. Projects are scored on return on investment, so of two projects with the same impact the smaller request wins. Money spent on anything but an eligible use must be repaid in full.

Next deadline: Expected: July 2027 · Rounds run each summer: letter of intent in late July, full RFI in early September, recommendations about January (2026 Round 1: LOI due July 31, 2026, RFI due September 4, 2026). The 2026 program is funded for two fiscal years, so another round runs in 2027.

Applicant tip: A regional project can pool county allocations above the $2M cap, but the Regional Industrial Authority must already exist, with its articles and interlocal agreement filed with the RFI. Costs you incur after submitting the RFI can count as match or be reimbursed if you win, at your own risk.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Kentucky local governments and economic development authorities (cities, counties, riverport and industrial development authorities, other special-purpose government entities) with a site or building project on publicly owned land, or land under a legally binding letter of intent, option or sale agreement to the applicant. Projects on privately owned property are not eligible.
How to apply: Direct application: file a letter of intent, then a full Request for Information (RFI) with KAED, which scores it with an independent site selection consultant; short-listed sites host a site visit. A $1,000 application fee goes to the KAED Foundation.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: September 2026 state approvals: Cadiz-Trigg County Industrial Development Authority ($905,336, I-24 Business Park access road), Daviess County Fiscal Court ($1 million, Massie Site) and the Bourbon County-Nicholas County Joint Economic Development Authority (nearly $3.4 million, regional industrial park). The 2024 Round 2 drew 43 full RFIs asking for about $61M against about $35M available.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Maryland

Strategic Demolition Fund – Statewide (grant or loan)

Maryland — Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), State Revitalization Programs

Varies — no published cap; awarded as grants, loans or recoverable grants

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsdowntown & placemaking

The catch: No match is required, but DHCD may make the award a loan or recoverable grant and require future project profits to be repaid, secured by a promissory note and deed of trust. Projects must support the local Sustainable Communities Action Plan, and DHCD does not guarantee a round every year.

Next deadline: Expected: August 2027 · Annual State Revitalization Programs round in summer, with awards the following winter or spring (FY2028 round: June 22 to August 6, 2026; awards winter-spring 2027).

Applicant tip: SDF pays for pre-development work (demolition of non-contributing structures, site assembly, site infrastructure, construction-level design, stabilization), so pair it with Community Legacy or other State Revitalization Programs money for the vertical project, all in the same application window.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Maryland local governments and nonprofit community development organizations outside Baltimore City, for projects inside a designated Sustainable Community, or in an Opportunity Zone in Allegany, Garrett, Somerset or Wicomico County. Baltimore City projects go through the separate Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative.
How to apply: Direct application: register in DHCD's Project Portal and apply during the annual State Revitalization Programs window.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Massachusetts

MassWorks Infrastructure Program (Community One Stop for Growth)

Massachusetts — Executive Office of Economic Development (MassWorks)

Infrastructure: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000; Pre-Development: $100,000 to $500,000; Small Town Road Improvement: $250,000 to $1,000,000 (about $95 million in the FY2027 round)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Cost reimbursement only, under state procurement law (chapters 30, 30B and 149). Priority goes to projects that can finish within three fiscal years after contract. Applications with less than 25% local match are steered toward a pre-development grant instead.

Next deadline: Expected: June 2027 · One annual competitive round through the One Stop: portal opens in January, full applications due in early June, awards in October (FY2027: open January 23, 2026, due June 3, 2026).

Applicant tip: Design and readiness plus leveraged private development carry 35 of 100 points and the project core 40, so show advanced design, a permitting path and a private project already in design; demand has nearly doubled and the program now caps awards.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Any Massachusetts city or town, acting through its officers or a designated agency, or any local public entity; two or more municipalities can apply jointly with one as fiscal agent. Construction projects must sit on public land or a public leasehold, right-of-way or easement and should leverage private mixed-use, housing or commercial development.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the full application through the Community One Stop for Growth portal (IGX); an optional Expression of Interest gets early feedback from the One Stop agencies.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Minnesota

Redevelopment Grant Program

Minnesota — Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Office of Brownfields and Redevelopment

Up to 50% of eligible redevelopment costs; no published per-project cap (February 2026 awards ran from $76,529 to $1,160,711)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsdowntown & placemaking

The catch: 50% local match. The grant pays for public acquisition, demolition, infrastructure, soil stabilization, ponding and abatement for adaptive reuse, but not for building construction, renovation or rehabilitation. The program is meant for new parties redeveloping a site, not long-term operators on it.

Next deadline: Feb 1, 2027 · Semi-annual; deadlines February 1 and August 1 each year (the next business day when either falls on a weekend).

Applicant tip: Scoring awards 25 of 145 points to projects in a tax increment financing redevelopment district where increments contribute, so set up TIF before you apply. Each site needs its own application.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Minnesota statutory or home rule charter cities, counties, port authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities and economic development authorities. The site can be public or private but must have been developed before and be slated for a new or more productive use; land never built on (a cornfield) does not qualify. At least half the money goes outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro when enough outstate applications arrive.
How to apply: Direct application: request the application from DEED's Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit and deliver one paper copy and two flash-drive copies, with signed resolutions, by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline. Emailed applications are not accepted.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: February 2026 round: Mankato ($1,160,711, Front Street Plaza), Melrose ($669,700, downtown redevelopment), Kenyon ($180,975) and Dundas ($76,529). DEED's funded-projects list totals $90,622,462 to date.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program

Minnesota — Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Office of Brownfields and Redevelopment

Up to 75% of investigation and cleanup costs; no published per-project cap

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: You cover at least 25% of costs. Cleanup costs incurred before the award are ineligible unless you apply within 180 days of the response action plan's approval. Administration, appraisals, development costs, contingencies and asbestos abatement not required by the plan are ineligible.

Next deadline: Nov 2, 2026 · Semi-annual; applications due around May 1 and November 1 each year (current call closes November 2, 2026).

Applicant tip: Social value (jobs, blight removal, readiness, the project's financial health) carries 65 of 145 points, far more than the health-threat score (25), so build the redevelopment case, not only the contamination case.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Minnesota cities, counties, port authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities and economic development authorities, for publicly or privately owned sites with known or suspected soil or groundwater contamination and an MPCA-approved response action plan. Twin Cities metro municipalities must take part in the Metropolitan Council's Local Housing Incentives Program, and the site must be headed for redevelopment that adds substantial tax base or an important public facility.
How to apply: Direct application: answer DEED's call for applications; request materials from the Office of Brownfields and Redevelopment.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Mississippi

Site Development Grant Program (Ready Sites and Premier Sites)

Mississippi — Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)

Ready Sites: up to $100,000; Premier Sites: up to $500,000; never more than 50% of project cost

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: At least a 50-50 match from other sources, and MDA money cannot be the primary funding source; other MDA-administered grants cannot count as Premier Site match. Reimbursement only, with Ready Site money paid after completion and an approved final report. MDA funds Ready Site work only if money is secured to finish all minimum site criteria.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Periodic solicitations by MDA; no fixed annual date is published (program rules revised July 2026).

Applicant tip: In-kind services count toward the match when they are tied directly to due diligence or site work. Optioned land qualifies for due diligence and for infrastructure serving the site, but on-site improvements need publicly owned property.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Mississippi counties, municipalities and public or private nonprofit economic development organizations (local authorities, commissions and similar entities). Ready Sites need at least 20 highly developable acres that are site-work ready within six months with utilities within 12; Premier Sites need at least 100 acres and a workforce study.
How to apply: Direct application: MDA solicits applications for Ready Site and Premier Site grants; contact MDA's Site Development Grant project manager for the current solicitation.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Nebraska

Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF)

Nebraska — Department of Economic Development (DED)

Varies — check official page (amounts depend on funding availability and the SBDF component)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Deadlines depend on funding availability, and windows have run as short as about two weeks. The program moves through an initial offer, a business certification agreement and an invitation to apply before contracting, with drawdown and reporting requirements after award.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Short application windows per component, set by funding availability (2026 windows: Private Sector Closure August 10 to 26; Building Rehabilitation for Food Distribution August 24 to September 11).

Applicant tip: Assemble the local development team, with your economic development corporation named, before a window opens; DED asks applicants to work with it on funding first, and the 2026 windows each lasted under three weeks.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nebraska local governments and Nebraska nonprofits (501(c)(3), (c)(4) or (c)(6) in good standing) working as a committed local development team that includes a local economic development corporation, for industrial-ready sites and buildings. Foreign adversarial companies cannot benefit.
How to apply: Direct application: work with DED to confirm funding, then apply in AmpliFund during the window for the relevant SBDF component.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

New York

County Infrastructure Grant Program (Round 3)

New York — Empire State Development (ESD)

Up to $1,000,000; up to $1,500,000 for projects that directly support at least 10 new housing units

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesdowntown & placemaking

The catch: Minimum 50% non-ESD match and a $250 non-refundable application fee. One application and one grant per county per round. Design and engineering can be no more than 20% of total project cost.

Next deadline: Feb 5, 2027 · Rounds since November 2024 (Round 1 awards July 2025, Round 2 awards August 2026); Round 3 applications are due February 5, 2027.

Applicant tip: Round 3 doubled the non-housing cap to $1,000,000 and raised the housing cap to $1,500,000, so a county project that unlocks 10 or more housing units is worth framing that way. Send the Letter of Intent early, since the full application comes only after ESD confirms eligibility.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: New York State counties, excluding the five New York City counties (Kings, Queens, Richmond, Bronx and New York), for small and moderate-scale county-priority infrastructure that supports economic development, housing, placemaking or tourism.
How to apply: Pitch gate: email a Letter of Intent to ESD ([email protected]) to confirm eligibility, then file the full application in the CFA portal.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward

New York — Department of State, with the Regional Economic Development Councils (DRI and NY Forward)

DRI: $10,000,000 per region ($20,000,000 in New York City); NY Forward: two $4,500,000 awards per region

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemakingplanning & capacity

The catch: Winning communities do not receive a lump sum: they go through a state-led planning process with a consultant to produce a Strategic Investment Plan, and the State then funds a subset of the projects in it, with contracts signed by each project sponsor. A municipality that has won before can reapply only for a different area once its awarded projects are substantially complete.

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced · Annual rounds: application released in early September, due in early November, awards early the next year (Round 9 DRI and Round 4 NY Forward: released September 3, 2025, due November 7, 2025).

Applicant tip: Get Pro-Housing certification under way now, because it is a condition of award, and pick the program carefully: each region gets one DRI award and two NY Forward awards, and you can apply to both in the same round.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Any New York town, city or village; in New York City the Borough President is the applicant. Communities must be certified Pro-Housing Communities before awards are announced. DRI suits larger downtowns with a regional draw (two or three contiguous communities can apply jointly); NY Forward suits villages, hamlets and neighborhood-scale centers.
How to apply: Through your regional council: submit the application to your Regional Economic Development Council through the Consolidated Funding Application portal; an optional intent to apply unlocks one-on-one technical assistance.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None
Who wins: As of September 2025 the two programs had awarded $1.2 billion to 151 communities, including $300 million to 60 communities over NY Forward's first three rounds.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

FAST NY Shovel-Ready Grant Program (Track B pre-development and Track C infrastructure)

New York — Empire State Development (ESD)

Track B pre-development: up to $500,000 per site; Track C infrastructure: no published cap (program total up to $400 million)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Track C money goes only to sites that have substantially met FAST NY Shovel-Ready certification requirements (SHPO consultation, an environmental assessment or impact statement, wetland, traffic and stormwater work). ESD may give priority to semiconductor and related supply-chain projects. Track B applications need a letter of support or resolution from the municipality with land-use control and a marketing plan for target industries.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; ESD accepts Letters of Intent and applications year-round and announces awards in rounds (eight rounds from August 2023 to March 2026).

Applicant tip: Use Track B to pay for the permitting and studies that earn Shovel-Ready Certification; certification is the gate to the much larger Track C infrastructure grants.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: New York counties, cities, towns and villages, and municipally designated nonprofit economic development organizations, local development corporations or industrial development agencies acting for the municipality where the site is. Sites must generally be at least 40 acres (smaller sites with compelling assets or brownfields may qualify), and the applicant needs ownership, control or the owner's written consent.
How to apply: Pitch gate: submit the Intent to Apply form; ESD decides within 30 days whether you may file a full application in the CFA portal.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Combined awards exceed $333 million for 44 projects covering nearly 8,800 acres; Track C infrastructure awards account for over $327 million and Track B pre-development for over $6 million.

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

North Carolina

Rural Building Reuse Program (state Rural Grant)

North Carolina — Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division (Rural Infrastructure Authority)

Varies — set by the Rural Infrastructure Authority from location, jobs and impact, and never more than half the renovation or construction cost (June 2026 awards: $125,000 to $400,000)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Dollar-for-dollar cash match equal to the grant. The grant is clawed back if the committed jobs are not created and kept for six consecutive months within the two-year grant period. Costs before the contract is signed are not reimbursable.

Next deadline: Jan 7, 2027 · Six deadlines a year tied to Rural Infrastructure Authority meetings, in early January, late February, late April, mid-June, late August and late October (2026 deadlines: January 8, February 26, April 23, June 18, August 20 and October 22).

Applicant tip: The rural health care category lets a town renovate or build a licensed clinic, hospice or physician office, not only a factory. An application that misses a deadline rolls to the next RIA meeting, which costs about two months.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Units of local government in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or in a rural census tract (under 500 people per square mile) in a Tier 3 county, applying for a building that a business will occupy and create full-time jobs in. Three categories: vacant buildings (empty at least three months), existing business buildings (company in place at least 12 months, meeting the county wage standard and paying at least 50% of health premiums) and licensed rural health care facilities.
How to apply: Through your local government: the town or county emails the application to [email protected] by a deadline, and the Rural Infrastructure Authority votes on it at its next meeting.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None
Who wins: June 2026 RIA meeting: Rockingham County ($400,000, Talalay Global, 52 jobs), Gaston County ($272,000, Textum OPCO, 34 jobs), City of Lexington ($250,000, Supreme Nonwoven Industries) and Town of Taylorsville ($125,000, VitalNow Urgent Care, 10 jobs).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Infrastructure Program (state Rural Grant)

North Carolina — Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division (Rural Infrastructure Authority)

Varies — set by the Rural Infrastructure Authority from location, jobs and impact; no published cap

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Cash match of 5% of the grant, which cannot come from other state or federal grants. The grant must be repaid if the committed jobs are not created and kept for six consecutive months within the two-year grant period, and the business signs a legally binding commitment with the local government to secure that repayment.

Applicant tip: Building Reuse and Infrastructure share one application form, and this program's 5% match is far lighter than Building Reuse's dollar-for-dollar match, so a utility extension to a site belongs here.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Units of local government in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or in a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county, for public infrastructure that leads directly to new full-time private-sector jobs: drinking water and wastewater plants and lines, publicly owned natural gas lines, public access roads not owned by NCDOT, and public rail spurs.
How to apply: Through your local government: the town or county emails the application to [email protected] by a deadline, and the Rural Infrastructure Authority votes on it at its next meeting.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Ohio

Brownfield Remediation Program

Ohio — Department of Development (Brownfield Remediation Program)

Remediation: up to $5,000,000 per project, up to $10,000,000 with justification at the Director's discretion (about $120 million in the FY2027 round)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: FY2027 funds remediation only (no assessment grants); acquisition is capped at 10% of the request and administration at 10%. Grant agreements expire one year after the award announcement, and state prevailing wages apply to construction. No match is required, but match makes a project more competitive.

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced · Funding rounds set by each two-year state budget (FY2026: applications November 12 to December 5, 2025; FY2027: August 11 to September 11, 2026). HB96 funded FY2026-27 only.

Applicant tip: Match is optional but scored, and costs incurred on or after July 1, 2024 (including assessment work) counted as match in FY2027, so document every dollar already spent on the site. Expect the next round only after the FY2028-29 budget passes.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Ohio counties, townships, municipal corporations, port authorities, conservancy and park districts, and county land reutilization corporations (land banks); for-profit organizations are also eligible lead entities. Entities that caused or contributed to the contamination cannot apply or partner. Sites must be fully assessed before application, with legal access documented.
How to apply: Direct application: the lead entity applies online through the Ohio grants portal with an OH|ID during the round, one application per project.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Since 2021 the program has awarded nearly $800 million to 904 projects in 87 of Ohio's 88 counties.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Oregon

Special Public Works Fund (SPWF) (loan, limited grants)

Oregon — Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Department)

Loan: varies, with terms up to 30 years or the project's useful life; limited grants for technical assistance and emergency projects based on financial analysis

OtherEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Mainly a loan you repay; grant money is limited and depends on Business Oregon's financial analysis. For disaster emergency projects the request cannot exceed the 25% local share the federal government requires, federal disaster aid must already be committed, and the facility must be municipally owned.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling; applications accepted year-round based on funding availability.

Applicant tip: SPWF can cover the 25% local share of a FEMA-funded rebuild of a city hall, water system, road or other municipally owned facility in a declared disaster area.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Oregon municipally incorporated entities: cities, counties, county service districts, tribal councils, ports, special districts and airport districts, for planning, design and construction of publicly owned utilities and facilities essential to industrial growth, commercial enterprise and job creation.
How to apply: Direct application: talk with your Business Oregon Regional Development Officer, then submit a completed application; applications are accepted year-round.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest)

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Oregon Brownfields Redevelopment Fund (loan, limited grants)

Oregon — Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Department)

Loan: varies, terms up to 20 years; grants case by case for publicly owned projects

OtherEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Primarily a revolving loan fund: Business Oregon sizes any grant from your debt capacity and the project's public benefits, such as family-wage jobs in rural or distressed communities or an urgent local need. The scope of work must satisfy Oregon DEQ requirements.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; applications accepted year-round.

Applicant tip: Business Oregon runs a second pot, the Oregon Brownfields Cleanup Fund, for the cleanup phase itself; ask which fund fits before you apply, and bring your debt capacity numbers, since they decide how much can be grant.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Any individual, business, nonprofit, prospective purchaser, municipality, special district, port or tribe can apply; grants go only to publicly owned projects. The environmental work, from assessment through cleanup, must be tied to redevelopment for economic development or community revitalization; market-rate housing and cleanup-only projects are ineligible.
How to apply: Direct application: contact Business Oregon's Brownfields Program Policy Coordinator; applications are accepted year-round.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest)

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) (grants and loans)

Pennsylvania — Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)

No minimum or maximum: planning grants, and construction grants and loans as gap financing, subject to annual funding

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: All other funding must be committed before DCED approves, and the amount of non-state match drives scoring. Work started before approval makes the project ineligible. Engineering is capped at 10% of construction and administration at 5% of the award; loans run up to 20 years with payments deferred until the site is sold or leased.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Rolling; Letters of Intent accepted year-round until funding is exhausted (LOI step added October 1, 2026).

Applicant tip: The LOI must name the funding request, the matching sources and the site's strategic importance; DCED also weighs grant dollars per potential job, so bring the job and investment estimate with it.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Pennsylvania municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities and industrial development agencies (for-profit organizations are also eligible). Construction projects must redevelop a previously used site or develop an undeveloped site consistent with the county or municipal comprehensive plan and zoned for the use; applicants need site control.
How to apply: Pitch gate: from October 1, 2026, email a Letter of Intent to DCED ([email protected]); DCED invites a limited number of competitive projects to submit the Single Application at grants.pa.gov.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Main Street Matters Program

Pennsylvania — Department of Community and Economic Development (Main Street Matters)

Planning: up to $50,000; Facade and Business Improvement: up to $100,000 each; District Development: up to $1,000,000

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemakingentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Match: 25% for planning, dollar-for-dollar for facade and business improvement grants, and at least 50% for district development (designated Main Street programs 25%, Elm Street 10%; a hardship waiver can lower it to 10%). Projects benefiting a private party need DCED pre-approval at least 30 days before the deadline, and loans to them must be repaid into a revolving loan fund.

Next deadline: Expected: August 2027 · Annual funding window in summer (2026 applications accepted through August 31, 2026); Main Street and Elm Street designation applications are accepted year-round.

Applicant tip: Facade grants need documented demand (names, addresses and cost estimates of interested owners) and written local design guidelines at application, so survey your district before the summer window. Per-building facade grants top out at $10,000 unless DCED agrees otherwise.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Pennsylvania counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns and home rule municipalities; redevelopment and housing authorities; nonprofits including economic development organizations and community development corporations; and business, neighborhood and downtown improvement districts. Individual property and business owners cannot apply; they receive money through a local program run by an eligible applicant.
How to apply: Direct application: talk with your DCED Regional Office, then submit the Single Application at grants.pa.gov during the window.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Earlier in 2026, DCED awarded more than $17.2 million to 56 projects; the round drew more than 220 applications requesting more than $68 million.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

South Carolina

Economic Infrastructure Grant Program

South Carolina — Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA)

Up to $1,500,000 (larger requests considered with written justification)

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: RIA pays construction only; you pay planning, engineering, permitting, acquisition and legal costs. Applicants in Tier I and II counties must also cover at least 25% of construction costs. For a job-creation project the employer signs a performance agreement to create the jobs within five years, and RIA funds only the gap left after other state and local incentives.

Next deadline: Mar 22, 2027 · Two competitive rounds a year, fall and spring (FY2027 deadlines September 14, 2026 and March 22, 2027; FY2026 deadlines September 15, 2025 and March 23, 2026).

Applicant tip: Only about $8.8 million of RIA's estimated $44.8 million FY2027 grant budget is set aside for Economic Infrastructure, against $35 million for Basic Infrastructure, so if the project also fixes a compliance or aging-system problem, ask RIA staff which category it competes better in.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: South Carolina local governments and public utilities, for construction, upgrades or extensions of water, wastewater or stormwater facilities that support job creation or retention, publicly owned industrial sites or parks, or other public properties with job potential; nonprofit utilities can receive funds as subrecipients.
How to apply: Direct application: the chief executive official signs and submits the RIA application by 5:00 p.m. on a round deadline. Projects needing a fast answer to secure a job-creation commitment can apply any time.
Applicant fit: local government
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Tennessee

Site Development Grant (Select Tennessee)

Tennessee — Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), Rural Development

Up to $5,000,000 per site; due diligence grants up to $100,000

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Cash match by county tier: 50% (Tier 1), 30% (Tier 2), 10% (Tier 3) or 5% (Tier 4), cut in half if the site had an Austin Consulting visit through the Certified Sites program; in-kind does not count. Costs before the state contract date are not reimbursable, and grant administration is capped at 4% of the request.

Next deadline: Nov 19, 2026 · Two rounds a year: letters of intent in mid-October and mid-April, applications due in November and May, presentations in January and July (2027 Round 1: LOI October 15, 2026, application November 19, 2026; 2027 Round 2: LOI April 15, 2027, application May 20, 2027).

Applicant tip: The November 19, 2026 deadline is open only to entities that filed the October 15 letter of intent; if you missed it, target the April 15, 2027 letter of intent for Round 2 and register in TN Connect well before then.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Tennessee governmental entities (cities, counties, industrial development boards); a city or county economic development organization may apply if it can receive and spend funds. Sites must be at least 20 acres (10 in Tier 3 and 4 counties), publicly owned at application unless the request is to buy the land or for due diligence, and already visited through the Tennessee Certified Sites, PEP or Invest Prep program. One application per entity and per site; sites with open grants are ineligible.
How to apply: Direct application: file a letter of intent and then the full application in TN Connect; short-listed applicants present to the grant committee.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Virginia

Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) Site Development Grants

Virginia — Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VBRSP)

Varies — no published cap; the state share runs from 35% to 75% of project cost depending on locality distress and public or private ownership

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: Local match of 25% to 65% of project cost by distress level and ownership; other state grants cannot count as match (Tobacco Commission grants can). Reimbursement only, for work after the award. If the site is rezoned or used outside manufacturing and the other targeted sectors, you repay 100% of the grant within a year of the Performance Date, declining by 10 points a year. A request becomes ineligible if a company picks the site before the funding decision.

Next deadline: Expected: May 2027 · Annual round; pre-applications due in spring and the full application about 30 days later (FY2026 round: pre-applications due May 6, 2026).

Applicant tip: An uncharacterized site cannot apply for development money, so get a Site Characterization grant first (25-acre minimum). Up to $50,000 of unmatched money can fund marketing for a market-ready site as the last item of a larger scope.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Virginia counties, cities and towns, local industrial or economic development authorities, and regional industrial or economic development authorities. The site must be listed in VirginiaScan, zoned for industrial or commercial use, already characterized, and at least 100 contiguous developable acres (50 in GO Virginia Regions 1 and 2 or where terrain limits large sites; 25 in localities of 35 square miles or less; any brownfield). Privately owned sites qualify through a locality with a performance agreement and a capped per-acre price.
How to apply: Pitch gate: email a pre-application to [email protected]; if approved, VEDP sends the full application and a FileShare folder. Finalists present and host a site tour.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

GO Virginia (Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund) Regional Per Capita and Competitive Grants

Virginia — Department of Housing and Community Development (GO Virginia)

Implementation: no set maximum; planning grants up to $100,000 (per capita) or $250,000 (competitive)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacityworkforcesite readiness & brownfieldsentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Each $2 of GO Virginia money needs $1 of non-state match, and at least 20% of the match must come from local governments (a waiver can be requested). Competitive applications must score 75 of 100. Regional implementation grants exclude capital construction, single-company incentives and existing programs; site work goes through the separate Sites and Infrastructure category.

Next deadline: Dec 8, 2026 · Quarterly State Board deadlines (FY2027: September 15, 2026; December 8, 2026; March 9, 2027; June 8, 2027); per capita planning grants have eight review deadlines a year.

Applicant tip: Regional council deadlines fall several weeks before the State Board dates, so check your region's calendar now for the December 8 cycle. Planning requests under $100,000 can be approved administratively by DHCD.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments, political subdivisions and organizations working on their behalf: regional economic development organizations, nonprofits, chambers, planning district commissions, colleges and universities. Projects need at least two participating localities; competitive grants need two GO Virginia regions, or a single-region request larger than that region's per-capita balance.
How to apply: Through your regional council: build the project with one of the nine GO Virginia Regional Council support organizations; the council approves it and submits it to DHCD for State Board review.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG, nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) (grant or loan)

Virginia — Department of Housing and Community Development (IRF)

Grant or loan up to $1,000,000 per project

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfieldsdowntown & placemaking

The catch: At least a 1:1 match tied to physical improvements on the property (local, state, federal or private; up to 5% can be administrative costs). IRF is gap financing and cannot replace money already committed. Projects have 24 months after contract signing to spend the award, and FY2027 funding was $2.6 million statewide.

Next deadline: Expected: July 2027 · Annual; applications open June 1 and close July 31 (FY2027 round closed July 31, 2026, with awards expected in fall 2026).

Applicant tip: List historic tax credits, New Markets Tax Credits and Opportunity Zone equity in your sources and uses; DHCD funds only the gap that remains after them, so a complete capital stack is what makes the request credible.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Virginia cities, counties and towns, and regional or local economic or industrial development authorities; a locality can designate a redevelopment authority to implement and can partner with private and nonprofit developers. The structure must be vacant and blighted: former factories, warehouses, mines, transportation or power buildings, or large department stores, theaters, hotels and shopping centers. Solely residential end uses are ineligible.
How to apply: Direct application: submit through DHCD's Centralized Application Management System (CAMS) with a governing body resolution, local assurances and photos of interior and exterior blight.
Applicant fit: local government, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Washington

CERB Committed Private Partner Program (loan with partial grant)

Washington — Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), Department of Commerce

Loan: up to $5,000,000 per project at 1% to 3% for up to 20 years; up to 25% of the award can be grant, set by underwriting

OtherEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilities

The catch: Cash match of 20% of total project cost. You must show that no other timely funding source exists and that the private development hinges on CERB approval. Projects go through the Executive Order 21-02 cultural resources review.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; applications considered on an ongoing basis at board meetings every two months, with due dates published for 2025-2027.

Applicant tip: With no committed business yet, use CERB's Prospective Development program instead: rural counties and communities only, a $3 million loan cap, a 50% match and an economic feasibility study.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Washington cities, towns, counties, federally recognized tribes, port districts, special purpose districts and municipal or quasi-municipal corporations, with a private business ready to locate or expand that depends on CERB funding. The private jobs created must pay a median wage above the county median. Retail and gambling projects, and projects that move jobs within the state, are ineligible.
How to apply: Pitch gate: discuss the project with CERB staff before you receive the online application link; the board meets every two months.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest)
Who wins: January 15, 2026: $9,605,000 in loans and grants for projects in 11 counties; May 21, 2026: $3,360,000 across six counties.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Wisconsin

Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program

Wisconsin — Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Development CDI: up to $250,000; Vibrant Spaces: $25,000 to $50,000

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemaking

The catch: 3:1 match, cut to 1:1 in economically distressed or rural communities, Opportunity Zones, Main Street districts, or projects with a child care or housing component. Other state and federal grants can cover no more than 50% of project costs. One grant per municipality per fiscal year (two in distressed communities or Opportunity Zones), with annual performance reports.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Continuous applications through each state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30); the FY2027 budget is $6.25 million.

Applicant tip: Vibrant Spaces grants pay for plazas, alleys, parklets and public restrooms at a 1:1 match, or 25% in distressed communities and places under 5,000 people, and do not count against your CDI grant.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Wisconsin municipalities (counties, cities, villages, towns), tribal entities and other governmental authorities, or a private developer the municipality designates to apply, with a signed governing-body resolution. Projects must be shovel-ready: a destination attraction, reuse of an underutilized or landmark building, infill, historic preservation, downtown infrastructure or mixed-use development that is not exclusively residential.
How to apply: Pitch gate: talk with a WEDC Account Manager; if the project fits, WEDC invites an application through Network Wisconsin.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Idle Sites Redevelopment Program

Wisconsin — Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Up to $250,000 ($2,000,000 budgeted for FY2027)

GrantEquity-freesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: 3:1 match, or 1:1 in an economically distressed community; in-kind contributions, soft costs and new construction cannot count. You need a draft development agreement with a private developer, or a resolution describing the redevelopment plan, executed before the first draw. One award per applicant per fiscal year, with annual performance reports.

Next deadline: Rolling (until funds are committed) · Continuous applications through each state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).

Applicant tip: WEDC's separate Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (up to $150,000 for local governments) can pay for the environmental work first, so the Idle Sites grant goes to demolition, remediation and infrastructure.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Wisconsin cities, villages, towns, counties, other governmental entities and tribal entities that own or can access a site idle, abandoned or underused for at least two years: industrial parcels over four acres with more than 25 years of industrial use, or commercial or institutional parcels over four acres (over two acres in distressed communities, Opportunity Zones or commercial corridors) with long-term use.
How to apply: Pitch gate: talk with a WEDC Account Manager; if the project fits, WEDC invites an application through Network Wisconsin with a governing-body resolution.
Applicant fit: local government, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

8. Entrepreneurship, small business support and innovation ecosystems

This section covers federal money that pays an organization to run business support: training and counseling for microentrepreneurs, women's business centers, SBIR/STTR outreach, supplier-development accelerators, export assistance, manufacturing extension and job-creating business investment. The applicant is a nonprofit, community development corporation, CDFI, college, tribe, state trade agency or local government; the entrepreneurs it serves never apply. Most awards come from the Small Business Administration and run $75,000 to $900,000, though a NIST MEP Center gets $15.6 million in year one in California and the SBA Microloan Program lends intermediaries up to $3 million a year. Most competitions post on Grants.gov once a year, usually in summer with windows of 30 to 50 days, and several are limited to the states named in that year's notice. The mistake applicants make is starting when the notice posts: these programs demand match commitments of 25 percent or more, governor endorsement letters or statewide partner networks that take months to assemble, so line them up in the spring.

8 programs

SBA Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of Capital Access

$75,000–$300,000 (Track I, technical assistance to entrepreneurs) or $75,000–$400,000 (Track II, capacity building for microenterprise organizations); about 27 awards from up to $10.8 million in FY2026

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: 50 percent non-federal match, cash or in-kind (in-kind no more than half the match; CDBG funds count), which SBA may reduce or waive on a written request. One-year period of performance; Track I money cannot be subgranted, while Track II recipients may subgrant up to 95 percent but spend no more than 7.5 percent of federal funds administering those subgrants.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2026 closed August 12, 2026) · Annual, subject to appropriations; SBA says PRIME announcements usually post on Grants.gov in April or May (FY2026 posted July 15 and closed August 12, 2026; FY2024 posted in March 2024)

Applicant tip: A project that trains economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in nonmetropolitan (rural) counties earns up to 10 bonus points. SBA scores merit before cost, so asking for a match waiver does not count against your financial-capacity score.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Private nonprofit microenterprise development organizations (including nonprofit CDFIs) with a record of serving disadvantaged entrepreneurs, intermediaries with that experience, microenterprise programs run by or with a state, local or tribal government, and tribes (a tribe applying alone must certify that no private microenterprise program exists in its jurisdiction). The microbusinesses you serve do not apply.
How to apply: Direct application: submit on Grants.gov under that year's PRIME announcement (FY2026: SB-OCAPR-26-001) and pick one track, Track I or Track II. Nonprofits may apply alone or as a Collaborative if every member meets the eligibility rules.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, CDFI, tribe, local government
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2024: 28 organizations shared $7 million, with grants from $83,000 to $400,000 (SBA).

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

SBA Women's Business Center (WBC) Program — Lead Center competitions

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of Women's Business Ownership

Set by state population: $200,000 (U.S. Virgin Islands) to $2,084,765 (Texas) for the base year in the FY2026 eight-state round; $766,218 in the separate FY2026 Georgia round

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Non-federal match of 1 dollar for every 2 federal dollars in the base year and first option year, then 1:1 for the last three years, at least half of it cash; SBA can withhold payment until match is certified. No subgrants, no more than 49 percent of award funds on subcontracts, and an existing WBC that becomes a Lead Center forfeits its other WBC funding for the period.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (SBA's FY2026 notices state that the 2027 budget request does not fund the WBC program) · Competitions are posted state by state; funded centers can receive up to four 12-month continuations after the base year, subject to appropriations (FY2026 rounds closed August 10 and September 13, 2026)

Applicant tip: SBA strongly encourages Lead Center applicants to bring the state's existing WBCs into the proposal as Service Centers, so get their written commitment before you apply. SBA's FY2026 priorities named onshoring and manufacturing, food supply chains, critical minerals, rural reach, skilled labor and childcare shortages.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Private 501(c) nonprofits with experience delivering technical and entrepreneurial development services to small businesses, based in the state they would serve as Lead Center. FY2026 competitions covered only Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Wyoming and, in a separate round, Georgia.
How to apply: Direct application: apply on Grants.gov when SBA posts a WBC competition for your state (FY2026: SB-OEDWB-26-002; Georgia: SB-OEDWB-26-003). The Lead Center must build a statewide network that includes the state's existing WBCs as Service Centers.
Applicant fit: nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of Investment and Innovation

Up to $180,000 per state for one year; $9,000,000 total in FY2026

GrantEquity-freeinnovation & tech-basedentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Non-federal match set by your state's SBIR/STTR rank: 50 cents per federal dollar in the 22 states and territories with the fewest Phase I awards, 75 cents in the middle group and $1 in the 16 states with the most, with 50 cents for dollars spent in low-income census tracts. At least half the match must be cash, no other federal funds count except CDBG, and up to 5 percent of the award used for planning is exempt.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2026 closed July 22, 2026) · Annual one-year cooperative agreements, subject to appropriations (FY2026 notice posted June 2 and closed July 22, 2026, for awards starting September 30, 2026)

Applicant tip: Ten of the 40 project-design points go to reaching entrepreneurs in places with historically low SBIR/STTR participation, especially rural areas, so name the counties and how you will reach them.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: One public or private organization per state or territory, endorsed in writing by the governor or a designee as the state's only applicant, that will run outreach, proposal help or financial support to raise SBIR/STTR proposals and awards. The FY2026 competition for new awards was open only in American Samoa, Connecticut, DC, Guam, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Vermont and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How to apply: Direct application: get the governor's endorsement letter first, then apply on Grants.gov under that year's FAST notice (FY2026: SBA-OIIFT-26-001). One proposal per applicant.
Applicant fit: state agency, university, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: SBIR.gov lists 50 current FAST awardees, including state agencies (Arizona Commerce Authority, Louisiana Economic Development), universities (University of Georgia Innovation Gateway, Wichita State) and SBDC networks (Iowa, Missouri, Wyoming).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

SBA Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program (formerly Growth Accelerator Fund Competition)

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of Investment and Innovation

Up to $500,000 over 24 months; about 20 awards from $9,000,000 in FY2026

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business supportinnovation & tech-based

The catch: No cost share. The 2026 version moved from general startup-ecosystem prizes to supplier development: you must target one priority supply chain, show measurable gains in small-business supplier readiness and participation, and file annual and final financial and performance reports over the 24-month award.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2026 closed August 2026) · Annual competition, run since 2014 as the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and renamed SCALE in 2026 (FY2026 notice posted July 7, 2026 and closed in August 2026; the 2025 GAFC Stage One ran January 8–31, 2025)

Applicant tip: City and county governments, colleges and tribal organizations are all eligible, so an economic development organization running a supplier-readiness program for one of the six supply chains can apply directly; for-profit firms are eligible too, so expect consultancies in the pool.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Any public or private entity, nonprofit, institution or for-profit organization that will deliver accelerator programming, technical assistance or industry engagement to small businesses in one of six supply chains: advanced manufacturing; biotechnology and biomanufacturing; defense industrial base; energy, critical materials and industrial inputs; food and agriculture; or transportation, logistics and industrial infrastructure.
How to apply: Direct application: apply on Grants.gov under that year's notice (FY2026: SBA-OIIGA-26-001) and name the one priority supply chain your project serves.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, university, local government, tribe, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Its predecessor, the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, made more than 500 prize awards in all 50 states and three territories since 2014 (SBA).

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of International Trade

$100,000–$900,000 per state for 12 months; $20 million total in FY2026

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: State match of 25 percent of total project cost (33 cents per federal dollar), or 35 percent in high-export states (California, New York and Texas in FY2026); at least half the match must be cash, and none can come from federal funds or program income. The 10 states with the most small-business exporters share no more than 40 percent of the appropriation; insular areas can have up to $200,000 of match waived.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2026 closed August 18, 2026) · Annual, subject to appropriations; the notice has posted in late spring or summer (FY2026 posted July 9 and closed August 18, 2026; FY2024 closed June 6, 2024)

Applicant tip: Return on investment is worth 20 points, measured as export sales reported by STEP-assisted companies against the award amount, so collect sales results from prior clients before you apply.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States, DC and the U.S. territories only, through the single agency or entity the governor has designated as lead for the state's trade and export activities. Established small business exporters get the help from the state; they do not apply to SBA.
How to apply: Through the state: the governor-designated trade agency applies on Grants.gov with the governor's designation letter (FY2026: OIT-STEP-2026-01). Small businesses apply to that state agency for STEP-funded export assistance.
Applicant fit: state agency
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2024 awards included $900,000 to California and $525,000 to Hawaii (SBA STEP awardee directory).

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center State Competition

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Set per state: year-one federal funding from $706,300 (Alaska) to $15,641,800 (California) in the FY2026 Round 2 competition; five-year federal totals from $3,531,500 to $78,209,000

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business supportinnovation & tech-based

The catch: At least 50 percent non-federal cost share every year, with no carryover of excess match from one year to the next. The five-year initial award is funded one year at a time, subject to annual performance reviews and appropriations, with a possible non-competitive five-year renewal; NIST generally will not fund a structure that hands core center management to another organization, and you must have an oversight or advisory board, or set one up within 90 days of the award start.

Next deadline: Varies by state — NIST posts a competition when a state's MEP Center agreement is recompeted · Competitions run when a state's MEP Center agreement is recompeted, not every year for every state (FY2026 Round 2 covered 13 states and Puerto Rico; posted July 22 and closed August 21, 2026)

Applicant tip: Get a commitment letter for every third-party source of cost share: NIST says applications without them may be considered less favorably, and your own letter must state your total cost share for the first year.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, colleges and universities, state, territorial, local or tribal governments, or consortia, applying to run the MEP Center for a state named in that competition; operators of incumbent centers in good standing after 10 consecutive years may also apply. Small and mid-sized manufacturers are the clients, not the applicants.
How to apply: Direct application: when NIST posts a center competition for your state, apply on Grants.gov under that notice (FY2026 Round 2: 2026-NIST-MEP-02). NIST holds a virtual information session after posting.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, university, state agency, local government, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

SBA Microloan Program for intermediary lenders (loan, plus technical assistance grant)

U.S. Small Business Administration — Office of Capital Access

Loan: up to $750,000 in your first year as an intermediary and up to $3,000,000 a year after that, with total SBA debt capped at $7 million; plus a technical assistance grant of up to 25 percent of your outstanding SBA loan balance (25–30 percent when appropriations cover it), with a 5 percent bonus grant for qualifying lenders

OtherEquity-freecapital accessentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Interest at the five-year Treasury rate minus 1.25 percent (minus 2 percent if your microloans average $10,000 or less), no payments in year one, repaid within 10 years, secured by a first lien on your revolving fund, loss reserve and microloan notes. You keep a loan loss reserve of 15 percent of your microloan portfolio for at least five years, match technical assistance grants with 25 percent from non-federal sources, and usually operate in one state.

Next deadline: Rolling (subject to annual appropriations for loans and grants) · Rolling; SBA accepts intermediary applications on request, and active intermediaries receive technical assistance grants each year based on their outstanding SBA loan balance

Applicant tip: An extra grant of 5 percent of your SBA loan balance, with no added match, goes to intermediaries whose microloans average $10,000 or less, or that place at least 25 percent of loans in economically distressed or rural areas, so build your portfolio to meet one of those tests.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Private nonprofit community development organizations or consortia, quasi-governmental economic development entities (other than a state, county or city government), and tribal agencies or tribe-established nonprofits, with at least one year of making and servicing business loans of $50,000 or less and one year of providing technical assistance to borrowers. The microloans go to small businesses and nonprofit childcare centers.
How to apply: Direct application: contact SBA for the intermediary application. The narrative must cover past and intended borrowers, average loan sizes, rural lending plans, service area and local credit conditions, and your technical assistance capacity.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, CDFI, tribe, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None (loan, repaid with interest)

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

HHS Community Economic Development (CED) Projects (HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services

$100,000–$800,000 per project; about 22 awards from $17.48 million under the FY2026 notice

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business supportcapital access

The catch: You must create a minimum number of full-time jobs: one per $27,000 of CED funds for non-construction projects or one per $32,000 with construction, with 75 percent filled by individuals with low income who are authorized to work in the U.S., and the businesses and jobs must stay viable for a year after the project ends. No cost share; three-year project period, or four years with construction.

Next deadline: May 27, 2027 · Annual; the current notice runs three application rounds, with later rounds due in late May (due dates September 8, 2026, May 27, 2027 and May 25, 2028)

Applicant tip: Up to 4 bonus points go to projects in rural communities, persistent-poverty counties, or states and territories with no active CED job-creation project (the notice lists them), so check that list before choosing a site.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Private 501(c)(3) community development corporations whose bylaws make low-income housing or community development a principal purpose and whose board includes community residents, business leaders and civic leaders; faith-based and tribal or Alaska Native organizations that meet the test qualify. Businesses receive CED money as loans or equity from the CDC.
How to apply: Direct application: apply on Grants.gov under HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026, which has three due dates (September 8, 2026, May 27, 2027 and May 25, 2028).
Applicant fit: nonprofit, tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2025: OCS awarded $18.57 million to 24 new CED projects (ACF).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

9. CDFI Fund awards and loan-fund capital

The Treasury's CDFI Fund does not lend to businesses or cities. It capitalizes certified Community Development Financial Institutions (loan funds, credit unions, community banks) and Community Development Entities, which then lend and invest in low-income communities. If your organization already lends, these programs grow its balance sheet: Base Financial Assistance awards of up to $1 million ($1.5 million under NACA, more with supplements), Technical Assistance grants of $10,000 to $200,000, New Markets Tax Credit allocations of up to $100 million and Treasury-guaranteed bonds starting at $100 million. If you are a city, county or EDO, the route is partnership: bring projects to a local CDFI or CDE, or sponsor one. Rounds are annual but irregular. FY2025 CDFI Program and NACA awards were announced only in September 2026, no FY2026 round had opened by late October 2026, and the CY 2026 tax-credit round closes November 10, 2026. The common mistake is treating certification as part of the application: Financial Assistance requires CDFI certification first, and NMTC requires CDE certification before the round's cutoff.

5 programs

New Markets Tax Credit Program, CY 2026 allocation round (tax-credit allocation)

U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund (New Markets Tax Credit Program)

Tax-credit allocation: up to $100 million in allocation authority per allocatee (anticipated); $5 billion available in the CY 2026 round. Investors claim a credit worth 39% of their equity investment over seven years

OtherEquity-freecapital access

The catch: An allocation is tax-credit authority, not cash: you must raise Qualified Equity Investments from investors and deploy them as Qualified Low-Income Community Investments within program rules. Prior allocatees face QEI issuance and investment deadlines (January 7, 2027 for this round), and the CDFI Fund may allocate more, less or nothing to any applicant.

Next deadline: Nov 10, 2026 · Annual allocation round (CY 2026: NOAA published September 15, 2026; applications due November 10, 2026; awards expected fall 2027)

Applicant tip: If your organization missed the September 22 certification and October 6 registration cutoffs, it cannot file this round; use the year to get CDE-certified before the next notice. A city or county with no CDE of its own can still use NMTC by bringing a project in a low-income community to an existing CDE; the CDFI Fund's awardee states-served map shows who covers your state.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Certified Community Development Entities (CDEs): community development financing intermediaries, such as CDFIs, nonprofit loan funds and EDO-sponsored CDEs, that invest in businesses and real estate in low-income communities. Businesses that want NMTC financing do not apply; they go to a CDE.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the allocation application, with attachments, in the CDFI Fund's AMIS by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 10, 2026. This round required CDE certification applications by September 22 and AMIS registration by October 6, 2026.
Applicant fit: CDFI, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG
Equity taken: None (tax-credit allocation; the CDE sells the credits to investors, who make equity investments in the CDE)
Who wins: Since the program began, 21 allocation rounds have awarded $91 billion in allocation authority to certified CDEs (CDFI Fund, September 2026).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

CDFI Program Financial Assistance (FA) Awards

U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund (CDFI Program)

FY2025 round: Base-FA $125,000–$700,000 (Category I, small and emerging CDFIs) or $500,000–$1,000,000 (Category II, Core); supplements of $100,000–$400,000 (Persistent Poverty Counties), $100,000–$1,000,000 (Disability Funds), $500,000–$5,000,000 (Healthy Food Financing) and $1,000,000–$5,000,000 (Housing Production). Awards take the form of your matching funds (grant, loan, equity, deposit or credit union shares); no organization may receive more than $5 million in CDFI and NACA awards over three years

GrantEquity-freecapital access

The catch: Core applicants must match each FA dollar with non-federal funds in the same form as the award (Native CDFIs are permanently exempt; the match was waived for small and emerging and Healthy Food applicants in the FY2024 appropriation). You commit to performance goals over three full fiscal years, and Treasury says it will audit and review awards and may terminate unused funds or recapture disbursed funds for material noncompliance.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (no FY2026 CDFI Program round opened as of October 24, 2026) · Annual Notice of Funds Availability (FY2025 round: opened January 16, 2025, closed March 21, 2025; FA awards announced September 15, 2026)

Applicant tip: You may request FA or TA in a round, not both, so choose the one your balance sheet supports. The Housing Production and Healthy Food Financing supplements are scored separately from Base-FA, and a Housing Production-only request is allowed.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Certified CDFIs only: community development banks, credit unions, loan funds and venture funds certified by the CDFI Fund as serving low-income and underserved markets. Native CDFIs may apply here or under NACA but cannot receive awards under both in the same round.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the SF-424 in Grants.gov, then the full application in the CDFI Fund's AMIS, under the year's Notice of Funds Availability (FY2025: CDFI-2025-FATA).
Applicant fit: CDFI
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

CDFI Program Technical Assistance (TA) Grants

U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund (CDFI Program)

FY2025 round: $10,000–$150,000 per grant; about $39 million estimated for TA

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacitycapital access

The catch: No matching funds are required. Emerging CDFI recipients must become certified within three years; certified recipients have two full fiscal years to meet performance goals. TA pays for capacity (staff, systems, training) and for operating support that helps emerging CDFIs become certified, not for loan capital.

Applicant tip: TA is the entry point for a nonprofit that lends but is not yet certified: an Emerging CDFI can win TA and use it to complete certification. You cannot request TA and FA in the same round.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Certified CDFIs and Emerging CDFIs, meaning organizations that can show they will become certified within three years of the award. A nonprofit loan fund working toward certification applies as an Emerging CDFI.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the SF-424 in Grants.gov, then the TA application in the CDFI Fund's AMIS, under the year's Notice of Funds Availability (FY2025: CDFI-2025-FATA).
Applicant fit: CDFI, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2025 round: 56 organizations received nearly $8.8 million in CDFI Program and NACA TA awards on September 30, 2025, more than $6.8 million of it under the CDFI Program.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program, Financial and Technical Assistance

U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund (Native Initiatives)

FY2025 round: Base-FA $150,000–$1,500,000; Persistent Poverty Counties FA $100,000–$400,000; TA $10,000–$200,000; about $28 million for NACA, with Disability, Healthy Food and Housing Production supplements competed jointly with the CDFI Program

GrantEquity-freecapital accessplanning & capacity

The catch: Native CDFIs are permanently exempt from the FA match, so Base-FA comes as a grant. Awards count toward the $5 million three-year cap on CDFI and NACA awards combined, and an Emerging CDFI cannot receive TA if it already got three or more TA awards in the prior ten fiscal years.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (no FY2026 NACA round opened as of October 24, 2026) · Annual Notice of Funds Availability run alongside the CDFI Program (FY2025 round: opened January 16, 2025, closed March 21, 2025; updated applications due April 10, 2026; FA awards announced September 15, 2026)

Applicant tip: If you qualify for NACA, you may also apply under the CDFI Program for the same award type; if both select you, you receive the NACA award, so the second application is a hedge, not a double award. A Sponsoring Entity should map the new entity's certification path up front, since it must be certified within four years.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: FA: certified CDFIs with at least 50% of activities serving Native American, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian communities. TA: certified CDFIs, Emerging CDFIs serving Native Communities, and Sponsoring Entities, meaning organizations primarily serving Native Communities that propose to create a separate CDFI certified within four years.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the SF-424 in Grants.gov plus the AMIS application under the year's NACA Notice of Funds Availability (FY2025: CDFI-2025-NACA).
Applicant fit: CDFI, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2025 round: $1.95 million in NACA TA awards announced September 30, 2025; FA awards announced September 15, 2026.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

CDFI Bond Guarantee Program (loan guarantee)

U.S. Department of the Treasury — CDFI Fund (CDFI Bond Guarantee Program)

Guarantee: bonds of at least $100 million per issue, with each participating CDFI at least $10 million; up to $500 million in guarantee authority in FY2026; 100% Treasury guarantee, maturities up to 30 years

OtherEquity-freecapital access

The catch: This is debt, not a grant: bond proceeds must be repaid, and the program is designed to cost taxpayers nothing. The $100 million minimum bond and $10 million minimum per CDFI put it out of reach of a small loan fund unless it joins a pooled bond.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced · Annual Notice of Guarantee Availability (FY2026 window: opened June 30, 2026; Qualified Issuer applications due July 7 and Guarantee applications due July 8, 2026)

Applicant tip: Smaller CDFIs can take part by joining a pooled $100 million bond at the $10 million minimum each, so talk to an existing Qualified Issuer well before the next notice. In FY2026, applications from FY2025 that were neither withdrawn nor declined were considered under the new authority, so a pending application can carry forward.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Certified CDFIs, through a Qualified Issuer (a CDFI or its designee) that issues bonds guaranteed by the Treasury and sold to the Federal Financing Bank. Proceeds finance or refinance community development loans in 12 asset classes, including affordable housing, small businesses and charter school facilities.
How to apply: Direct application: Qualified Issuer and Guarantee applications go through the CDFI Fund's AMIS under the year's Notice of Guarantee Availability.
Applicant fit: CDFI
Equity taken: None (Treasury-guaranteed debt, repaid with interest)
Who wins: Treasury has obligated more than $2.9 billion through the program since it began (CDFI Fund, June 2026).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

10. Workforce grants tied to regional economies

Workforce grants pay for the training side of economic development: sector partnerships, community college programs, pre-apprenticeship and reentry pipelines tied to the employers a region wants to keep or attract. Most of the competitive money comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, which posts each competition on Grants.gov with a window of roughly five to fourteen weeks. Local governments and workforce boards, tribes, community colleges and nonprofits apply; businesses join as partners and hire the graduates. Awards are large and multi-year: $1 million to $2 million for YouthBuild, $2 million to $8 million for rural WORC partnerships and $6.5 million to $10.8 million for community college consortia, while National Dislocated Worker Grants of $150,000 to $10 million stay open year-round for major layoffs and disasters. Rounds recur but not on a fixed calendar, and the 2026 notices favored Registered Apprenticeship, Workforce Pell-ready short-term training and statewide consortia. The common mistake is starting when the notice posts: the employer commitments, state letters and consortium agreements take months to assemble.

6 programs

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative

U.S. Department of Labor — Employment and Training Administration, with the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority and Northern Border Regional Commission

$2,000,000–$8,000,000 per grant over 36 months (Round 7: $49.2 million announced for 6–24 grants, with up to about $54 million more in FY2026 money allowed; 13 grants totaling $81,542,854 awarded)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: Round 7 projects had to target at least one of six sectors (skilled trades and construction, health care, IT, manufacturing, domestic energy production, business and professional services), embed Registered Apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship pathways, and start enrolling participants by month nine. No cost share is required; leveraged resources are encouraged.

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced (Round 7 closed July 23, 2026) · Roughly annual rounds (Rounds 1–6 awarded 2019–2024; Round 6 applications closed June 20, 2024; Round 7 posted June 10, 2026 and closed July 23, 2026)

Applicant tip: Round 7 funded fewer, larger partnerships (13 grants averaging about $6.3 million) than Round 6 (35 averaging about $1.4 million), so build a multi-county consortium with named employers and an apprenticeship sponsor rather than a single-site program. Call your regional commission's WORC contact before the next round; they run the pre-application sessions.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Organizations serving the Appalachian, Delta or Northern Border regions: state, county and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, workforce development entities, education and training providers, industry and employer associations, and labor-management organizations, leading a regional industry or sector partnership that spans multiple counties, jurisdictions or census tracts.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov when DOL posts a WORC round. ARC, DRA and NBRC run pre-application technical assistance for applicants in their regions.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Round 7 (2026): 13 grants totaling $81,542,854. Round 6 (2024): 35 grants totaling $48,915,290.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (SCC)

U.S. Department of Labor — Employment and Training Administration

$6,500,000–$10,800,000 per grant over 48 months (Round 6: $65 million for 6–10 grants, with up to $65 million more in FY2026 money allowed)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: Round 6 money had to build short-term programs (150 to 599 clock hours, 8 to 15 weeks) that can qualify for Workforce Pell Grants and to integrate state workforce and education data. Grantees must hire a third-party developmental evaluator and enroll participants by month 12, and DOL does not expect to extend the 48-month period. No cost share.

Next deadline: Next round not yet announced (Round 6 closed May 20, 2026; DOL reserved FY2026 money to fund more Round 6 applicants) · Roughly annual rounds (awards January 2021, September 2022, February 2023, April 2024, December 2024 and September 2026; Round 6 posted February 17, 2026 and closed May 20, 2026)

Applicant tip: The two state letters are an eligibility test, not a scoring item: line up your governor's workforce office and your state higher-education or CTE office before the notice posts. Round 6 rewarded statewide systems (the Alamo Community College District led a 37-college consortium), so a single college is usually better placed as a consortium member than as a lone applicant.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Community colleges (schools where the associate degree is primarily the highest degree awarded), including tribally controlled colleges, applying as the lead of a consortium. Round 6 required consortia and prioritized statewide community college systems; members may be community colleges and public or private nonprofit four-year institutions.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov when DOL posts a round, with one letter of support from a state workforce official (Group A: governor, workforce cabinet, state workforce board or labor agency) and one from a state education official (Group B).
Applicant fit: university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: Round 6 (September 2026): $65 million to seven lead colleges and 102 consortium members, from Hawkeye Community College, Iowa ($10.8 million) to the Community College of Rhode Island ($5,958,273). Round 5 (December 2024): $65 million to 18 lead colleges.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

National Dislocated Worker Grants (Employment Recovery and Disaster Recovery)

U.S. Department of Labor — Employment and Training Administration

$150,000–$10,000,000 per grant (standing Grants.gov announcement: about 150 awards, $300 million); disaster grants are often released in increments, e.g. an initial $2 million on a North Carolina grant of up to $10 million

GrantEquity-freeworkforcedisaster recovery

The catch: Money responds to a specific event that exceeds what WIOA formula funds can handle: a plant closure or mass layoff (DOL's example is 50 or more workers from one employer), or a disaster that FEMA has designated eligible for public assistance. Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the award, and opioid-crisis disaster grants are accepted only July 1–September 30.

Next deadline: Rolling (standing announcement; apply after a qualifying layoff or disaster) · Rolling; standing announcement accepts applications year-round (current Grants.gov posting dated May 8, 2026, closes December 31, 2028) · Listing open through Dec 31, 2028

Applicant tip: Local workforce boards and Section 166 tribal grantees can apply for Employment Recovery grants themselves, not only the state, so a board facing a large closure does not have to wait for the state to act. DOL also issues occasional targeted DWG notices, such as the summer 2026 Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery DWGs (TEGL 15-25, closed August 3, 2026).

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Employment Recovery grants: state workforce agencies or outlying areas, local workforce development boards or consortia of boards, WIOA Section 166 Indian and Native American grantees, entities the governor designates, and other entities that show DOL they can respond to a specific dislocation. Disaster Recovery grants: state workforce agencies administering WIOA formula funds, outlying areas and tribal governments.
How to apply: Direct application: apply through the standing Grants.gov announcement (ETA-TEGL-09-24-CH1) after a qualifying layoff, closure or declared disaster, using DOL's suggested application templates.
Applicant fit: state agency, local government, tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: January 2026: Washington's Employment Security Department received $1 million for December 2025 storm and flood recovery. North Carolina's Department of Commerce holds a Hurricane Helene grant of up to $10 million, released in increments since October 2024.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

YouthBuild (U.S. Department of Labor)

U.S. Department of Labor — Employment and Training Administration (Division of Youth Services)

$1,000,000–$2,000,000 per grant over 40 months (YouthBuild 2025: $98 million for about 57 grants; returning grantees could request up to $2,000,000, new applicants up to $1,500,000)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: 25% match of the federal share in cash or in kind; tribal entities and U.S. insular areas are exempt. Programs must include construction training with hands-on building of affordable housing, spend at least 40% of program time on occupational skills training, and reserve at least 5% of funds for 12 months of follow-up. Participants are 16–24 and left high school without a diploma.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (YouthBuild 2025 closed March 2, 2026) · Annual competition; timing varies (FY2024 round closed September 16, 2024; YouthBuild 2025 posted December 23, 2025 and closed March 2, 2026)

Applicant tip: At least half the money goes to returning grantees (Category A), so a new applicant competes for the rest at up to $1.5 million. The 2025 round set a target for exits entering Registered Apprenticeship within a year and gave priority to charter schools and education-choice partners, so bring signed apprenticeship sponsors and a school partner.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: State, county, city and special-district governments, school districts, public and nonprofit colleges, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public and Indian housing authorities, and nonprofits (including charter schools) with a physical presence in the target community. Grantees from the previous competition cannot apply in the next one.
How to apply: Direct application: one Grants.gov application per organization during the annual competition.
Applicant fit: local government, state agency, tribe, nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: YouthBuild 2025 awards were made in summer 2026; CobbWorks, Cobb County, Georgia's workforce development board, received $1.5 million (Cobb County announcement, July 22, 2026).

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO): RESTART Initiative

U.S. Department of Labor — Employment and Training Administration

$1,000,000–$5,100,000 per grant over 42 months (RESTART 2026: about 20 awards from $81 million, at least $30 million to national or regional intermediaries; DOL could add up to $110 million in FY2026 money)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: Enrollment minimums scale with the request: 200 participants for $1.0–1.5 million, rising to 600 for $4.0–4.5 million. Intermediaries may serve only youth and young adults (ages 15–24); projects for adults 25 and older must come from states, territories or tribes.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (RESTART closed April 15, 2026) · Annual competitions under the REO line, under changing names (2025 awards: Pathway Home 6 and Growth Opportunities; RESTART posted February 25, 2026 and closed April 15, 2026)

Applicant tip: DOL said it would give priority consideration to shipbuilding-focused applicants, so tie training to a named regional employer sector. Cities, counties and local boards were not eligible leads in 2026; get into the next round as a subgrantee of your state workforce agency or a regional intermediary.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: States and territories, federally recognized and other tribal governments, tribally designated organizations, and national or regional intermediary nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status) that place subgrantees in three or more non-contiguous metro or rural areas, which may be in one state. Colleges and universities do not count as intermediaries.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov when DOL posts the REO competition. In 2026 intermediaries could submit one application; states, territories and tribes up to two (one for youth and young adults, one for adults).
Applicant fit: state agency, tribe, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant Program (ALN 84.116W)

U.S. Department of Education — Office of Postsecondary Education (FY2026 competition run by DOL's Employment and Training Administration)

$1,500,000–$2,500,000 per grant for a 48-month project (FY2026: $45 million for about 20 awards, average $2.25 million)

GrantEquity-freeworkforce

The catch: Applications must meet three absolute priorities (serving rural areas, work-based learning, and career pathways and workforce readiness). Grantees report on postsecondary enrollment, credential completion (including Registered Apprenticeship) and participation in internships or other work experience.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (FY2026 competition closed June 23, 2026) · Annual when funded (awards in FY2021 through FY2024 and none listed for FY2025; FY2026 posted May 21, 2026 and closed June 23, 2026)

Applicant tip: A letter of designation or endorsement from your governor or chief state education official earns the 10-point competitive preference priority, so request it as soon as a notice posts. Work-based learning is an absolute priority, so recruit regional employers that will host apprentices, interns or paid work experience before you write.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Public and private nonprofit colleges and universities and public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies, including state education and state higher education agencies, proposing career pathways for rural students aligned with high-skill, high-wage, in-demand industries in their region.
How to apply: Direct application: through Grants.gov; one application per lead applicant, though partners may join several applications.
Applicant fit: university, nonprofit, state agency
Equity taken: None
Who wins: FY2024: 21 new awards averaging $2,096,574; FY2023: 22 new awards averaging $2,025,000.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

11. Foundation and corporate funding for community economic development

Private and corporate money for community economic development comes in three shapes. Statewide and regional foundations such as Golden LEAF (North Carolina), Blandin (rural Minnesota), Benedum (West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania) and the Danville Regional Foundation fund local governments and nonprofits inside their footprint, typically $25,000 to $500,000, on rolling or annual cycles. Federal Home Loan Banks run voluntary grant programs that reach nonprofits and local governments only through a member bank or credit union, from $2,500 capacity grants in the Dallas district to $200,000 AHEAD awards in Arizona, California and Nevada. National programs such as the AARP Community Challenge and Community Heart & Soul make small, fast grants for placemaking and resident-led planning in small towns. These awards rarely pay for the large infrastructure that EDA or CDBG covers; they fill planning, capacity, pilot and match gaps. The mistake applicants make is applying cold: FHLB programs need a member institution to apply for you, and most foundations here expect a conversation with staff before a proposal arrives.

10 programs

Golden LEAF Foundation Open Grants Program

Golden LEAF Foundation (North Carolina)

Up to $500,000 per project

GrantEquity-freeinfrastructure & facilitiesworkforcesite readiness & brownfields

The catch: One-time investments only: ongoing programs must explain how they will be sustained after the grant, and competitive applications project measurable outcomes such as jobs or capital investment. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are usually decided at two separate Board meetings, and a declined project cannot be resubmitted for six months.

Next deadline: Dec 24, 2026 · Rolling, decided at Board meetings in February, April, June, August, October and December; applications are due about six weeks before each meeting (December 24, 2026 for the February 4, 2027 meeting)

Applicant tip: Because the two stages go to separate Board meetings, plan on three to four months from Stage 1 to award. Infrastructure requests do best when they name the employer and the jobs, as the 2026 Robbinsville water award did.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with economic development projects in North Carolina, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed or rural communities, that fit Golden LEAF's priority areas: job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, agriculture, and community competitiveness and capacity.
How to apply: Direct application: take the Project Fit Quiz and talk with Golden LEAF staff, then submit a short Stage 1 application online. The Board invites selected projects to a full Stage 2 application with audits and financials.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit, EDO / district / COG, university
Equity taken: None
Who wins: October 1, 2026: $360,000 to Mitchell County to turn a vacant school into an agricultural center, and $500,000 to the Town of Robbinsville to reactivate a water treatment plant for a manufacturer creating 300 jobs.

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

AARP Community Challenge

AARP (Livable Communities)

Flagship grants from a few hundred dollars to $15,000; demonstration grants typically $10,000–$20,000; capacity-building microgrants of $2,500 (2026 round)

GrantEquity-freedowntown & placemakingplanning & capacity

The catch: Projects must be finished in the same year (funded projects wrap up in December), so only quick, ready-to-go work fits. Flagship grants cannot pay for land, buildings or vehicles.

Next deadline: Expected: March 2027 · Annual; applications due in early March, decisions by May, projects completed in December (2026 applications closed March 4, 2026)

Applicant tip: AARP doubled the pool from $4 million to $8 million for 2026. Demonstration grants, aimed at pedestrian safety, digital connections and housing design competitions, run $10,000 to $20,000, larger than most flagship awards.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nonprofits and local governments with quick-action projects that make communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on adults 50 and older. Accessible housing, local transportation and public spaces are the main focus; flagship grants have also funded disaster management and high-speed internet.
How to apply: Direct application: apply online at AARP.org/CommunityChallenge during the winter window.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit
Equity taken: None
Who wins: 2026: $8.3 million to 750 projects; more than 2,800 grants and $32.6 million since 2017 (AARP).

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

FHLBank San Francisco AHEAD Economic Development Grants

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development)

Up to $200,000 per project (2026, up from $150,000 in 2025); $10 million to 72 projects in 2026

GrantEquity-freeentrepreneurship & business supportworkforceplanning & capacity

The catch: You need a member financial institution as partner and applicant. Funds must be requested within about two months of the September award and used in full within 18 months, with compliance documentation to both the member and the Bank.

Next deadline: Expected: May 2027 · Annual; members apply in April and May, awards are announced in September (2026 applications were due May 27, 2026)

Applicant tip: Recruit a member partner before April: 14 of the 63 sponsoring members in 2026 were first-time participants, so a local bank or credit union with no AHEAD history can still sponsor you. Job training (26 percent) and entrepreneurship (18 percent) took the largest shares of 2026 awards.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Nonprofits, local government agencies and tribal organizations (including tribal governments) doing economic development in Arizona, California or Nevada with an FHLBank San Francisco member as partner. Projects must create or retain jobs paying at or below area median income (100 percent urban, 115 percent rural), serve households at those incomes, or benefit the community; housing eligible for the Affordable Housing Program is excluded.
How to apply: Through a member bank: a member bank or credit union submits the application on your behalf through the Bank's secure portal during the April–May window.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, local government, tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: 2026: $10 million to 72 projects through 63 member institutions, including $200,000 to Community Investment Corporation (Tucson) with Vantage West Credit Union and $83,000 to St. Jude's Ranch for Children (Boulder City, Nev.) with Toyota Financial Savings Bank.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program (PGP)

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

$2,500–$25,000 per member application (the Bank matches a member's $500–$5,000 cash contribution 5:1); up to $50,000 per organization per year; $1.5 million available in 2026

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacityentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Awards are drawn by lottery (one initial draw per state, then a pooled draw) until funds run out, not scored. Funds cover capacity building, grant-writing help, studies, predevelopment services and social services, not construction materials or labor.

Next deadline: Expected: April 2027 · Annual; applications accepted for about three weeks in April, awards drawn by lottery and announced in summer (2026 window April 1–24, 2026)

Applicant tip: Applications for the same organization through several members are grouped as one lottery entry, so ask one member for the full $5,000 contribution, which unlocks the maximum $25,000 grant.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) community-based organizations with annual revenue of $1 million or less in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico or Texas that work in affordable housing or economic development, such as small business technical assistance or job skills training. Federally recognized tribes qualify with an IRS letter confirming tribal-government status.
How to apply: Through a member bank: an FHLB Dallas member institution makes a cash contribution to your organization and emails the application to the Bank during the April window; applications sent by the organization itself are not accepted.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, tribe
Equity taken: None
Who wins: 2026, the program's 30th year: more than $1.8 million through 44 members to 71 organizations, including $754,250 in Texas and $702,633 in Louisiana.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Varies — up to a $3 Bank match for every $1 a member contributes (minimum $2,500 per application), prorated when requests exceed funds; combined grants ran $10,000 to $1,000,000 in the 2025 Minnesota round

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: The 3:1 match is not guaranteed: when requests exceed funds the Bank prorates, but the member still pays its full contribution. Grantees must return a verification form within about two months of the award, and public announcements must credit FHLB Des Moines.

Next deadline: Next cycle not yet announced (2026 rounds closed in January, April and June) · Rounds open state by state with windows of about three weeks (2026 rounds: Alaska, South Dakota, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands January 12–30; Montana March 16–April 3; Missouri May 18–June 5; 2025 rounds included Minnesota, Guam, Hawaii and Utah)

Applicant tip: There is no limit on how many awards one grantee can receive, so a city or nonprofit can be sponsored by several local banks in the same round. Rounds rotate by state, so ask your bank when your state is next.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Not-for-profit organizations and government entities whose mission is affordable housing or community development, located in the state or territory covered by that year's round. The FHLB Des Moines district covers Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the Pacific territories.
How to apply: Through a member bank: only a member financial institution can apply, through FHLB Des Moines's online Voluntary Program System, contributing at least $2,500 of its own funds per application.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, local government
Equity taken: None
Who wins: 2026: $25.9 million to 720 Missouri organizations, $12.9 million to more than 350 organizations in Alaska, South Dakota, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and $5.6 million to more than 200 in Montana.

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible Grants (Work pillar)

U.S. Bank Foundation

Varies — check official page (no published range; operating, program and capital grants)

GrantEquity-freeworkforceentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: Capital grants go only to organizations with a funding history, whose entire mission fits a pillar and that have a U.S. Bank employee on the board, and cover no more than 1 percent of the campaign goal. Operating support also requires the whole mission to fit a focus area, and renewal is not assumed.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling for new organizations (letter of interest accepted any time); annual invitations for existing partners

Applicant tip: The foundation prioritizes proposals that span more than one pillar, such as job training paired with housing stability, and sets money aside each year for organizations new to it.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in and serving designated U.S. Bank communities, with priority for economic development work under the Work (workforce education and economic prosperity), Home and Play pillars and for services to low- and moderate-income people. 501(c)(4), (5) and (6) groups, merchant associations, private foundations and for-profits are excluded.
How to apply: Direct application: organizations new to the foundation submit an electronic letter of interest at any time; established partners apply annually by invitation from a U.S. Bank community affairs manager.
Applicant fit: nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗ · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Blandin Foundation Rural Minnesota Grants (Small Communities, Rural Placemaking, Community Wealth Building)

Blandin Foundation (rural Minnesota)

Typically $25,000–$150,000 for projects of up to 3 years; requests over $250,000 may follow a different review timeline

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacitydowntown & placemakingentrepreneurship & business support

The catch: No match required, but you must show community support such as volunteer time, donated services, space or equipment. Blandin will not replace public infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads or public safety, or fund for-profit ventures, and considers capital projects mainly in communities under 5,000.

Next deadline: Expected: April 2027 · Annual spring round: letters of inquiry in April, invited proposals from late April to mid-May, awards in June (2026: letters due April 17, proposals due May 15, notifications June 19)

Applicant tip: The full proposal is by invitation only, so put the case for need (population under 1,000, poverty, remoteness, broad resident engagement) into the short letter of inquiry, since that is what earns the invitation.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations (or fiscally sponsored groups), Tribal governments, public agencies and units of government with a charitable purpose, serving Native Nations, cities, towns and townships in rural Minnesota; metro-based organizations are ineligible. Communities under 5,000 people get preference, and the smallest (1,000 and below), lowest-income and most remote are scored favorably.
How to apply: Direct application: submit the eligibility screen and letter of inquiry in the spring window. Blandin invites selected applicants to a full proposal, followed by a call or site visit.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, local government, tribe
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation grants (economic development)

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania)

Varies — check official page (no published range)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: Benedum generally does not fund construction, vehicles, predevelopment costs, equipment, long-term operating or overhead costs, capital campaigns, or replacement of lost government funds, so frame the request as program work.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; no submission deadlines, applications accepted throughout the year

Applicant tip: Check fit with staff before applying: Benedum answers emailed project descriptions within 10 business days, and its 2025 survey found declined applicants wanted clearer guidance, which that first conversation provides.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations serving West Virginia (economic development, education, community development and health) or Southwestern Pennsylvania (economic development and education). National organizations qualify only with a significant presence and local partners in the region.
How to apply: Direct application: email a short project description to [email protected] or speak with program staff, then apply through the foundation's online portal at any time.
Applicant fit: nonprofit, university
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Danville Regional Foundation responsive grants

Danville Regional Foundation (Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County, Virginia–North Carolina)

Varies — check official page (no published range; proposals reviewed individually)

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: The budget must project expenses and income for the life of the request and at least one year beyond, and you must explain how the work will be sustained after DRF funding ends. DRF expects requests to exceed available funds.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; proposals accepted any time, and inquiry to receipt of funds takes three to eight months

Applicant tip: Tell DRF about problems up front (a lawsuit, a departing funder, staff turnover); its guidelines say the Board should hear it from you. Also note any staff or board members who attended the Duke Nonprofit Management Program offered through DRF.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Organizations working to create a healthy and thriving Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County region whose proposals fit DRF's mission and focus areas and show need, opportunity and potential impact together.
How to apply: Direct application: meet with a program officer (encouraged, not required), then submit a proposal at any time covering summary, organization, need, use of resources, impact, other funding and budget; the DRF Board decides.
Applicant fit: nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

Community Heart & Soul Seed Grants

Community Heart & Soul (national nonprofit, Shelburne, Vermont)

$10,000 per community

GrantEquity-freeplanning & capacity

The catch: A documented $10,000 cash match from the municipality or a partner is required, and you must staff a part-time project coordinator (10–20 hours a week) and a working Core Team through the four-phase Heart & Soul process.

Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling

Applicant tip: The application asks for your Community Network Analysis worksheet and match commitments, so finish the Getting Started workbook and line up the $10,000 match before applying; multi-town applications are allowed.

Eligibility, how to apply, past winners

Eligibility: Local governments, 501(c)(3) public charities or informal resident-led groups (with a fiscal sponsor) in a community or group of communities with a population under 30,000 that have completed Getting Started activities with a certified Heart & Soul Coach. Every participating municipality submits a letter of support.
How to apply: Direct application: contact Community Heart & Soul, get matched with a certified Coach, complete the Getting Started workbook activities, then submit the online Seed Grant application.
Applicant fit: local government, nonprofit
Equity taken: None

Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-24

12-month calendar

Each program with a known or expected deadline, plotted by month. Solid = a confirmed date, from the official page or the program's OpenGrants listing. Grey italic = expected, based on the program's past cycle. The calendar follows the filters above.

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