Looking for funding for a new project in your community? HUD, DOT, EPA, and several other agencies have made available millions of dollars in funding to support the planning and implementation of projects that promote sustainable communities. Funding is available for a variety of uses, including community planning, affordable housing finance, technical assistance, research, and capital infrastructure investments. To help you navigate the complex maze of opportunities, Reconnecting America has compiled a list of all upcoming programs and deadlines. The following matrix provides more information on upcoming opportunities, including eligibility requirements, program descriptions, and deadlines. For more information on an individual program, click on the link or go to www.grants.gov to start an application.
Federal Funding Opportunities
- HUD Grants Homepage
- DOT Grants Homepage
- FTA Grants Homepage
- EPA Grants Homepage
- EPA Smart Growth Grants Homepage
- Partnership for Sustainable Communities Grants:
- Smart Growth Grants (multiple agencies)
A link to download the table of current and possible grant opportunities appears at the bottom of the page.
Upcoming Grant Opportunities
(Last Updated October 9, 2013)
| Program | Agency | Funding Available | Who Can Apply? | Description | Uses | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) | ||||||
| Community Facilities Grants | USDA | $2 billion requested for FY13 | Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments. | Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grant funds may be used to assist in the development of essential community facilities. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and community and public services. | Development Financing, Construction | Check website for application procedure |
| Farm to School Grant Program | USDA | $5 million (award ceiling $100,000 and award floor is $20,000) | Eligible Schools; State and Local Agencies; Indian Tribal Organizations Agricultural Producers or Groups of Agricultural Producers; and Non-Profit Entities | Grants to assist implementation of programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools, particularly farm to school programs. For example, nutritional-based education efforts, school gardens, standards-based curriculum, field trips to local farms, and other hands on activities. Three types of funding available: planning, implementation and support grants. Applicant must provide at least 25% of project costs. | Training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing gardens, partnerships and implementing farm to school programs | Check website for Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) |
| Healthy Food Financing Initiative | USDA | $50 million | Businesses, local and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, cooperatives and universities, State Dept. of Agriculture, Colleges and Universities, Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Entities, Community Development Corporations | Provides funding to increase access to healthy food in communities, particularly lower-income neighborhoods without grocery stores or other sources of fresh produce and nutritious food. Funds can be used to finance the opening of new grocery stores or renovate existing stores to expand supply of healthy food. Funds can also be used to improve distribution systems and do outreach and education to consumers about healthy food choices. | Financial and Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program | USDA | Generally grants range $10,000 up to $500,000. ($30 million requested for FY13) | Rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding. | The RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. Examples of eligible fund use include: Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, renovation, of buildings, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities; pollution control and abatement; capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; training and technical assistance; distance adult learning for job training and advancement; rural transportation improvement; and project planning. | Acquisition, Construction, Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) | USDA | The maximum grant for a project serving a single state is $50,000. The maximum grant for a project serving two or more states is $150,000. | Rural public bodies, rural nonprofit corporations, rural Indian tribes, and cooperatives with primarily rural members. | The RBOG program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs through provision of training and technical assistance for business development, entrepreneurs, and economic development officials and to assist with economic development planning. | Training and Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Rural Community Development Initiative | USDA | $8 million requested for FY13 | Check website | To develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, and low income rural communities to improve housing, community facilities, community and economic development projects in rural areas. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) | USDA | $43 million requested for FY13 | A not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive assistance from the Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Program or a current Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Programs Borrower. Other eligibility restrictions apply. | USDA provides grant funds to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish revolving loan funds. Loans are made from the revolving loan fund to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. Among other uses, funds can be used for community development assistance to non-profits and public bodies (particularly job creation or enhancement) and facilities and equipment for education and training for rural residents to facilitate economic development. | Technical Assistance, Capitalization of revolving loan funds | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) | ||||||
| Strong Cities, Strong Communities Visioning Challenge (SC2) | EDA and HUD |
$6 million total; $1 million will be awarded to six total cities | Cities | Funding will support the development and implementation of comprehensive economic development strategic plans. Grant recipients run a local Challenge Competition, inviting multidisciplinary teams to submit proposals for comprehensive economic development strategic plans establishing and promoting a vision and approach to stimulate local economic development. | Economic development planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs | EDA | Varies | State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits, Private institutions of higher education and Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification). |
These programs will help communities develop the planning and technical expertise to support communities and regions in their comprehensive, entrepreneurial, and innovation-based economic development efforts. Under the Planning Program, EDA provides assistance to eligible recipients to create regional economic development plans in order to stimulate and guide the economic development efforts of a community or region. | Planning/ Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) | ||||||
| Alternatives Analysis Program - Discretionary Livability Funding Opportunity | DOT (FTA) (MAP-21: TOD Planning Grants) | $25 million | MPOs, city agencies, transit agencies, and other local government authorities | Assist in financing the evaluation of all reasonable modal and multimodal alternatives and general alignment options for identified transportation needs in a particular, broadly defined travel corridor. Studies funded in this round of grants should further the Department's livability efforts. | Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Bus Livability Initiative | DOT (FTA) | $125 million | Transit agencies or other public transportation providers, States and Indian Tribes. | Provide funding to transit agencies to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as construct or rehabilitate bus facilities. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) Program | DOT (FHWA/FTA) (MAP-21: CMAQ) | Apportioned to States by a formula | N/A - Funding distributed to States via a statutory formula based on population and air quality classification designated by EPA. | Support for transportation projects or programs that improve air quality and relieve congestion in areas that do not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Includes capital transportation investments and pedestrian/bicycle facilities and programs. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check with state DOT or local MPO |
| Discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities (Section 5309): State of Good Repair Initiative | DOT (FTA) (MAP-21: Bus and Bus Facilities) | $650 million | Transit agencies or other public transportation providers, States or Indian Tribes. | Provide funding to rehabilitate bus and bus facilities. FTA will prioritize the replacement and rehabilitation of intermodal facilities that support the connection of bus service with multiple modes of transportation, including but not limited to: rail, ferry, intercity bus and private transportation providers. In order to be eligible for funding, intermodal facilities must have adjacent connectivity with bus service. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Innovative Transit Workforce Development Program | DOT (FTA) | $5 million | Eligible applicants are public transit agencies; state departments of transportation (DOTs) providing public transportation services; and Indian tribes, non-profit institutions and institutions of higher education. | FTA seeks proposals that promote diverse and innovative successful workforce development models and programs. Focus will be placed on programs that leverage investments in public transit that impacts local employment, support blue-collar operations and maintenance particularly in the area of new and emerging technologies and supports innovative methods of encouraging youth to pursue career in public transportation. | Faculty/instructors, including salaries and fringe benefits, support staff, classroom space, books, materials and supplies, transportation stipends for students. Capital expenses such as equipment purchases are not considered to be eligible costs unless they directly relate to the workforce development program being supported by FTA funds. | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| INVEST 1.0 Implementation Projects | DOT (FHWA) | Multiple awards between $25,000 to $150,000 | State DOTs, MPOs and other transportation agencies | Funding and technical assistance to MPOs, State DOTs, and local transportation agencies to evaluate the sustainability of transportation systems using INVEST 1.0. FHWA’s INVEST tool is a collection of voluntary best practices and criteria designed to help transportation agencies integrate sustainable practices into their projects, plans, and programs. | Implementation | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| National Scenic Byways | DOT (FHWA) | $43.5 million | State DOTs and Indian Tribes | Livability is a criteria that will be used in the consideration of projects. Projects on designated National Scenic Byways; All-American Roads; America's Byways®; State scenic byways; or Indian tribe scenic byways; could include construction of a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists; An improvement to a scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose of recreation; development of tourist information to the public (such as biking info and maps on scenic byways). | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| New Freedom Program (5317) | DOT (FTA) (MAP-21: Elderly and Disabled) | Apportioned to States by a formula | States and public bodies are eligible designated recipients. Eligible sub recipients are private non-profit organizations, State or local governments, and operators of public transportation services including private operators of public transportation services. | The New Freedom formula grant program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. The New Freedom formula grant program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program | DOT (FHWA) | State allocated | State/MPO allocated | Conduct research and develop guidelines, tools and safety countermeasures to reduce pedestrian and bicycle fatalities. | Planning/ research | Check website for next Notice of Funding Available (NOFA). |
| Public Lands Highways | DOT (FHWA) | $98.5 million | State DOTs, Federal Land Management Agencies, State government agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments – must apply through DOTs | Livability is a criteria that will be considered in the selection of projects. Transportation planning, research, and engineering and construction of, highways, roads, parkways, and transit facilities that are within, adjacent to, or provide access to Indian reservations and Federal public lands, including national parks, refuges, forests, recreation areas, and grasslands. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program | DOT (FTA) | Approximately $15 million | Eligible applicants include Federally-recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). | Provides grants to federally recognized tribes or other identified groups to fund public transportation capital projects, operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation, planning, and the acquisition of public transportation services, including service agreements with private providers of public transportation services. | Capital and operating costs, planning and acquisition of public transportation services | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Rail Highway Crossing Hazard Elimination in High Speed Rail Corridors | DOT (FHWA) | $21 million | States along the 11 designated high-speed rail corridors. | Elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings along 11 designated high-speed rail corridors; could include pedestrian crossing improvements, civil or utility improvements such as improved crossing surfaces, lighting, and improved sight distance. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Recreational Trails Program (RTP) | DOT (FHWA) (MAP-21: Transportation Alternatives) | State allocated | State/MPO allocated | Funding for maintenance and new construction of recreational trails and related facilities. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check with state DOT: |
| Rural Transit Assistance Program (5311(b)(3)) | DOT (FTA) | Apportioned to States by a formula | States, local governments, and providers of rural transit services. | The Rural Transit Assistance Program (49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(3)) provides a source of funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Safe Routes to School | DOT (FHWA) (MAP-21: Transportation Alternatives) | State allocated | Determined by state DOT | Funding to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle infrastructure, and street improvements near elementary and middle schools. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check with state DOT |
| Section 5303-Metropolitan Planning; Section 5304-Statewide Planning, Section 5305-Planning Programs | DOT (FTA) | Apportioned to States by a formula | State DOTs and MPOs | These programs provide funds to support planning for transportation investment decisions in metropolitan areas and statewide; they are typically used to support planning for new and extension fixed rail projects paid for by New Starts. Eligible uses include planning for projects that protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns. | Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Surface Transportation Program - Transportation Enhancement | DOT (FHWA) (MAP-21: STP) | Apportioned to States by a formula | State/MPO allocated | Helps expand transportation choices and enhance transportation through 12 eligible transportation enhancement surface transportation activities, including pedestrian & bicycle infrastructure and safety programs, landscaping beautification, historic preservation, and environmental mitigation. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check with state DOT |
| Transportation, Community & System Preservation | DOT (FHWA) | $61 million | States, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments | Livability is a criterion that will be used to evaluate candidate projects. Planning grants, implementation grants, and research, could include transit projects, complete streets, streetscaping, ped/bike improvements or plans, implementation of transit-oriented development plans, traffic calming measures, and much more. Very flexible program – projects must improve relationships among transportation, community, and system preservation plans and practices. | Planning/ Research/ Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transit Cooperative Research Program (5313) | DOT (FTA) | Funds are allocated on an annual basis | Funds for projects are allocated by transit industry consensus through the Transportation Research Board (TRB). | The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is an applied, contract research program that develops near-term, practical solutions to problems facing transit agencies. The transit industry driven program, TCRP, promotes operating effectiveness and efficiency in the public transportation industry by conducting practical, near-term research designed to solve operational problems, adopt useful technologies from related industries and introduce innovation that provides better customer service. | Research | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities | DOT (FTA) | State allocated | States are direct recipients. Eligible subrecipients are private non-profit organizations, governmental authorities where no non-profit organizations are available to provide service and governmental authorities approve to coordinate services. | This program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to States for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs. Funds are apportioned based on each State’s share of population for these groups of people. | Transit Operating Assistance | Check with state DOT |
| Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) | DOT (FHWA) | $200 million as part of TIGER III | State departments of transportation; local governments; transit agencies; special authorities; special districts; railroad companies; and private firms or consortia that may include companies specializing in engineering, construction, materials, and/or the operation of transportation facilities. | Provides federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit to finance surface transportation projects of national and regional significance. TIFIA can help advance qualified, large-scale projects that otherwise might be delayed or deferred because of size, complexity, or uncertainty over the timing of revenues. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) | DOT | $473.8 million | State, local, and tribal governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multijurisdictional groups applying through a single lead applicant. | Competitive grant program funding infrastructure projects that promote economic competitiveness, improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve safety, quality-of-life and working environments in communities. Unlike last year, no planning grants will be awarded this year and all the funding will be for project implementation. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) | DOT (FTA) | $49.9 million | Transit agencies or state DOTs | Provides funding for (1) capital investments that assist in reducing the energy consumption of a transit system and (2) capital investments that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions of a public transportation system. | Capital Infrastructure Investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transit Oriented Development Planning Pilot | DOT (FTA) | $10 million for FY 2013 and 2014 | State and local government agencies | Provides funding to advance planning efforts that support transit-oriented development associated with new fixed-guideway and core capacity improvement projects. Creates a pilot grant program for TOD planning associated with a new fixed guideway or core capacity improvement project, as those projects are defined in 49 U.S.C. 5309 (Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants Program). | Planning/ research | This program was authorized by MAP-21, but Congress has not yet appropriated funds for this program. A NOFA will be available once funds are released. Check FTA website. |
| Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program (TPCB) | DOT (FHWA/FTA) | State, metropolitan, rural and small communities, tribal and public lands planning opportunities are available. | Provides training, technical assistance, and support to help decision makers, transportation officials, and staff resolve complex transportation needs in their communities. Resources available on topics including land use, scenario planning, TOD, non-motorized transportation, safety, community impact assessments, operations and management strategies, and analysis methods. | Planning/ research | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). | |
| Urbanized Area Formula Program | DOT (FTA) (MAP-21: Urbanized Areas) | Apportioned to States by a formula | Funding is made available to designated recipients that must be public bodies with the legal authority to receive and dispense Federal funds. Governors, responsible local officials and publicly owned operators of transit services are to designate a recipient to apply for, receive, and dispense funds for transportation management areas pursuant to 49USCA5307(a)(2). | Provide transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for transportation related planning. | Capital Infrastructure Investments/Operating Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Grant Program | DOT (FTA) (in partnership with HHS and Department of Veterans Affairs, Labor and Defense) | $25 million in capital funding; $5 million in research funding | Eligible applicants are existing Direct Recipients under FTA's Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula program, as well as local governments, States, and Indian Tribes. | The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI) is an innovative, federally coordinated partnership that will make it easier for U.S. veterans, active service members, military families, and others to learn about and arrange for locally available transportation services that connect them with work, education, health care, and other vital services in their communities. Projects are being funded in urban, suburban, and rural communities around the nation to strengthen and promote "one-call" information centers and other tools. | Capital and research grants | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) | ||||||
| Urban Waters Small Grants | EPA | Estimated: Estimated $1.6 million, Award Ceiling $60,000 | Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project activities take place entirely within and focus on one of the 18 Eligible Geographic Areas listed here. | The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund research, investigations, experiments, training, surveys, studies, and demonstrations that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. | Technical assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Brownfields Assessment Grant Program | EPA | Up to $200,000 over three years or $1M for coalitions over 3 years | Local governments, land clearance authorities, state-created governmental entities, regional councils/MPOs, state agencies, Indian tribes | Funding for planning/ assessing brownfield redevelopment, conducting planning and community involvement, and site cleanup. | Environmental cleanup, Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) | EPA | $17.325 million, max grant $3 million | Any public entity eligible to apply for Section 108 loan guarantee assistance | Competitive funding program to spur redevelopment of brownfield sites to productive economic use. Must be used in conjunction with a Section 108 loan | Environmental cleanup, Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Brownfields and Lands Revitalization | EPA | $76 million in FY2011 | Local governments, land clearance authorities, state-created governmental entities, regional councils/MPOs, state agencies, Indian tribes | Funding for planning/ assessing brownfield redevelopment and site cleanup. Restoration of brownfield sites to productive use and revitalization of affected neighborhoods | Environmental cleanup, Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities | EPA | $2.5 million | Eligible applicants are states, territories, Indian Tribes, interstate organizations, intrastate organizations, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia; public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. | EPA will provide technical assistance to selected communities to implement development approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life. Funding will also be given to communities facing community development challenges. Support provided by EPA or through non-profit organizations. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Capacity Building for Sustainable Communities | EPA/HUD | $5.65 million, max amount $ 1 million | A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a local or state public agency, a for-profit organization (for-profit firms are eligible, however, while they are allowed to cover their direct and indirect costs, they are not allowed to earn a profit from the project, and they are not eligible to receive EPA funding), a nationally recognized and accredited University or College; or any combination of the aforementioned entities as a Capacity Building Team to combine their skills and offer a coordinated program. A Capacity Building Team must designate a lead applicant to act as the fiscal agent for the grant. | Funding for intermediary organizations who will assist HUD in providing technical assistance to communities engaged in planning efforts built around integrating housing, land use, transportation, and other issues. Primary support will be given to recipients of Sustainable Communities and Brownfield Area Wide Planning grants. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Smart Growth Technical Assistance grants | EPA | Various | Local governments | Annual, competitive solicitation open to state, local, regional, and tribal governments (and non-profits that have partnered with a governmental entity) that want to incorporate smart growth techniques into their future development. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program | EPA | Assistance provided by contracted experts | Tribes, states, regions, local governments, as well as nonprofits that have a partnership with a government entity. | The SGIA program focuses on complex or cutting-edge issues, such as stormwater management, code revision, transit-oriented development, affordable housing, infill development, corridor planning, green building, and climate change. Applicants can submit proposals under 4 categories: community resilience to disasters, job creation, the role of manufactured homes in sustainable neighborhood design or medical and social service facilities siting. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities | EPA | $2.5 million | Eligible applicants are states, territories, Indian Tribes, interstate organizations, intrastate organizations, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia; public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. | EPA will provide technical assistance to selected communities to implement development approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Water Quality Management Planning Grants (EPA) | EPA | Apportioned to States by a formula | States | Funding for financing high priority infrastructure projects needed to ensure clean water and safe drinking water. | Capital infrastructure investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) | ||||||
| Community Transformation Grants (CTG) - Small Communities Progam | HHS/Center for Disease Control (CDC) | $70 million | Governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations across a variety of sectors, including transportation, housing, education, and public health | The purpose of the grant is to reduce the rate of chronic diseases and to make improvements to the built environment in order to promote healthier lifestyles. | Planning/ capital infrastructure investments | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Healthy Food Financing Initiative | HHS, Treasury and USDA | $10 million | Community development corporations (CDCs) whose principal purpose is planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development activities. | Provides funding to increase access to healthy food in communities, particularly lower-income neighborhoods without grocery stores or other sources of fresh produce and nutritious food. Funds can be used to finance the opening of new grocery stores or renovate existing stores to expand supply of healthy food. Funds can also be used to improve distribution systems and do outreach and education to consumers about healthy food choices. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Health Impact Assessment to Foster Healthy Community Design | HHS/Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) | $2.8 million, max grant $180,000 | Nonprofit, For-profit organizations (other than small business), Small, minority, and women-owned businesses, Universities, Colleges, Research institutions, Hospitals, Community-based organizations, Faith-based organizations, Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments, American Indian/Alaska native tribally designated organizations, Alaska Native health corporations, Urban Indian health organizations, Tribal epidemiology centers, State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents | Seeks to promote an evidence-based approach toward community design decision-making through three major activities: first, improving surveillance related to community design so communities have reliable local data they can use; second, encouraging Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) of policies, programs, and projects that will affect community design; and finally, supporting evaluation within the field. | Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) | ||||||
| Building Neighborhood Capacity Program Training and Technical Assistance (BCNP) | HUD | Up to $2 million | Nonprofit organizations, faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher learning, and for-profit organizations (commercial) with significant experience in supporting neighborhood and community development through training and technical assistance. For-profit organizations must agree to forgo any profit or management fee. | Through the BNCP, five neighborhoods will be competitively selected by the TTA Coordinator, in consultation with the federal partners, and offered a range of training and technical assistance (TTA) to help them begin or sustain the process of revitalization, guided by comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans, in concert with relevant local and state plans and planning processes. | Planning/ Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants | HUD | $49.4 million | Community development financing institutions (CDFIs) | Funding for intermediary organizations to assist HUD in providing technical assistance to community development corporations and community housing development organizations to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income families. | Technical Assistance | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facility Grant | HUD | $15 million; max grant $5 million | Public housing authorities | Capital funding for public housing authorities to construct, rehabilitate, or purchase facilities for early childhood education, adult education, and/or job training programs for public housing residents based on an identified need. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Program | HUD | $110 million | Public housing authorities (PHAs), local governments, nonprofits, tribal entities and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity. | Funding is available to revitalize severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted multifamily housing in distressed neighborhoods into viable, mixed-income communities with access to well-functioning services, high quality educational programs, public transportation, and jobs. Preferred Sustainability Applicants receive an additional two bonus points. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant | HUD | $ 5 million | Public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity. | Funding to help communities develop comprehensive grassroots plans (Transformation Plans) that link affordable housing with quality education, public transportation, good jobs and safe streets. Neighborhood revitalization plans should achieve three core goals: transform distressed public and assisted housing into energy efficient and mixed-income housing, support positive outcomes for families who live in the target development (s), and transform high-poverty neighborhoods into viable mixed-income communities. Applicants with Preferred Sustainability Status receive an additional two bonus points. | Planning | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) | HUD | Apportioned to States by a formula | State allocated | Formula grants for local governments to carry out community and economic development activities. | Planning/ Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Economic Development Initiative Grant | HUD | Only the entities named by Congress in the Committee Print of the Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives, March 2009 are eligible to apply for Economic Development Initiative-Special Project (EDI-SP) grant funds. | Provide local governments with additional security for the Section 108 loan, thereby reducing the exposure of its CDBG funds in the event of a default in loans made locally with the 108 funds. Or, make the project more feasible by paying some of the project costs with grant funds or by reducing the interest rate to be paid from a revolving loan fund. | Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). | |
| HOME Program | HUD | Up to $2 billion, max state grant $3 million or formula allocation; local jurisdictions eligible for at least $500,000 under the formula | Local & State governments | Formula funding to create affordable housing for low-income households, in the form of direct assistance or loan guarantees. Funds can be used for most kinds of housing development, including acquisition and rehabilitation in the creation of low-income housing. | Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| HOPE VI Main Street Program | HUD | $500,000, max grant $500,000 (only one awardee) | Local governments with populations of 50,000 or less that currently have less than 100 public housing units | Small community grants to assist with downtown revitalization of a historic or traditional central business district by replacing unused commercial space with affordable housing units. | Planning/ Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Neighborhood Initiative Grants | HUD | Only the entity named by Congress in the Conference Report on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R. 111-366), is eligible to apply for Neighborhood Initiative (NI) grant funds. | Intended to stimulate investment in distressed areas and may be used for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and community education programs. | Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). | |
| Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) | HUD | Varies | States, territories and local governments | NSP is intended to stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment by providing funds to purchase and redevelop distressed residential properties. NSP1 provides grants to all states and selected local governments on a formula basis. NSP2 provides grants to states, local governments, nonprofits and a consortium of nonprofit entities on a competitive basis. NSP3 provides a third round of neighborhood stabilization grants to all states and select governments on a formula basis. | Planning/ Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Section 8 (Project Based) | HUD | (Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 10 $9,574,433,640; FY 11 est. $9,967,000,000; and FY 12 est. $10,328,000,000 | No funding is available to new applicants. Funding is currently available only for the owners of record of projects with an existing expiring project-based Section 8 contract. The project must meet minimum decent, safe, and sanitary standards. | Provide capital advances to finance the construction, rehabilitation or acquisition of properties that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income persons. | Development Financing/ Affordable Housing | Not Applicable. Assistance is available on a renewable basis. |
| Section 108 Loan Guarantees | HUD | Eligible applicants include the following public entities: metropolitan cities and urban counties (i.e. CDBG entitlement recipients); nonentitlement communities that are assisted in the submission of applications by States that administer the CDBG program; and nonentitlement communities eligible to receive CDBG funds under the HUD-Administered Small Cities CDBG program (Hawaii). The public entity may be the borrower or it may designate a public agency as the borrower. | Provides CDBG-eligible communities with a source of financing for economic development, public facilities, and other eligible large-scale physical development projects. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). | |
| Section 202- Supportive Housing for the Elderly | HUD | $371 million | Private nonprofit organizations and nonprofit consumer cooperatives | Provide capital advances to finance the construction, rehabilitation or acquisition of properties that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Section 221- Mortgage Insurance for Moderate Income | HUD | (Guaranteed/Insured Loans) FY 10 $2,899,429,000; FY 11 est. $4,035,000,000; and FY 12 est. $4,406,137,561 | Public, profit-motivated sponsors, limited distribution, nonprofit cooperative, builder-seller, investor-sponsor, and general mortgagors. | Insures mortgage loans to facilitate the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of multifamily rental or cooperative housing for moderate-income families, elderly, and the handicapped. | Mortgage financing | N/A |
| Section 542- Risk-Sharing | HUD | (Guaranteed/Insured Loans) FY 10 $139,007,526; FY 11 est. $200,000,000; and FY 12 est. $233,277,778 | Eligible mortgagors, who include investors, builders, developers, public entities, and private nonprofit corporations or associations, may apply to a qualified HFA. To be eligible for HUD's approval, the HFA must: (1) carry the designation of "top tier" or its equivalent as evaluated by Standard and Poor's or another nationally recognized rating agency; (2) receive an overall rating of "A" for the HFA for its general obligation bonds from a nationally recognized rating agency; and (3) otherwise demonstrate its capacity as a sound, well-managed agency that is experienced in financing multifamily housing. | Provides credit enhancement for mortgages of multifamily housing projects whose loans are underwritten, processed, serviced, and disposed of by housing finance authorities. | Mortgage financing | N/A |
| Section 811 – Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities | HUD | $141 million | Nonprofit organizations | Funds to increase the supply of rental housing for persons with disabilities and provide project rental assistance. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Sustainable Communities Community Challenge Grants (renamed Integrated Planning and Investment Grants in HUD FY14 budget) | HUD | Subject to appropriations; FY10 $68 million ($40 million for Challenge, $28 million for TIGER II); FY11 $95 million. This program has not been funded by Congress since FY11 | Local governments, transit agencies, port authorities, MPOs, state governmental agencies | Support plans, codes and ordinances that incentivize mixed-use development, affordable housing, re-use of existing buildings and other sustainability goals. | Planning and Implementation | Congress has not appropriated funds through the FY14 budget for the IPI grants. Check website for Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants (renamed Investment Planning Grants in HUD FY14 Budget) | HUD | Subject to appropriations; FY10 $100 million; FY11 $95 million. This program has not been funded by Congress since FY11. | A consortium of regional partners including the metropolitan planning organization (MPO), principal city of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA), municipalities representing over 50% of the MSA, and any other organizations that represent a diverse group of stakeholders in the region. | Supports metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: (1) economic competitiveness and revitalization; (2) social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; (3) energy use and climate change; and (4) public health and environmental impact in regional plans. | Planning | Congress has not appropriated funds through the FY14 budget for the IPI grants. Check website for Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Sustainable Communities Research Grant Program | HUD | $2.5 million, max grant $500,000 | Academic researchers | Research grants to support cutting-edge research on issues related to sustainability, including affordable housing development and preservation, transportation-related issues, economic development and job creation, land use planning and urban design, etc. | Research | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Transformation Initiative: Sustainable Construction in Indian Country | HUD | $400,000, (max award $100,000, min award $50,000) | Tribes and tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, think tanks, consortia, institutions of higher education accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and other entities that will sponsor a researcher, expert(s) or analyst(s). HUD will not directly fund individual researchers. | Funding for projects that encourages the use of sustainable construction practices in Native American housing. Proposals should take into account the multiple geographic, economic and cultural aspects of Native American residential design and construction. HUD seeks applications in four broad areas: demonstration, technical assistance, curriculum development/training, and information dissemination related to sustainable construction in the Native Community. | Develop, deploy or disseminate innovative approaches of sustainable construction methods | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | ||||||
| Small Business Innovation Research Program | US Small Business Administration | Funding awarded in three phases, up to $750,000. | Small businesses that are American owned and independently operated, for-profit, principle researcher employed by business and company size limited to 500 employees | SBIR funds the critical startup and development stages of Small Bussiness. It targets the entrepreneurial sector where most innovation and innovators thrive. It also encourages the commercialization of the technology, product, or service, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy. | Start-up grants | Check website |
| US DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY | ||||||
| Build America Bonds | Treasury/ Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | States and localities | Build America Bonds (BABs) provides state and local governments with a direct federal payment subsidy for a portion of their borrowing costs on taxable bonds. Finance tool for lowering borrowing costs on capital projects. | Development Financing | N/A | |
| Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Programs | Treasury | Financial Assistance Awards: $2 million; Technical Assistance Awards: $100,000 | Both certified and non-certified CDFIs are eligible to apply for TA awards. However, non-certified organizations must be able to become certified within two years after receiving a TA award. | The purpose of the CDFI Program is to use federal resources to invest in CDFIs and to build their capacity to serve low-income people and communities that lack access to affordable financial products and services. CDFIs may use the funds to pursue a variety of goals, including: To promote economic development, to develop businesses, to create jobs, and to develop commercial real estate; To develop affordable housing and to promote homeownership; and to provide community development financial services, such as basic banking services, financial literacy programs, and alternatives to predatory lending. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Healthy Food Financing Initiative | Treasury | $25 million | Businesses, local and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, cooperatives and universities, State Dept. of Agriculture, Colleges and Universities, Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Entities, Community Development Corporations | Provides funding to increase access to healthy food in communities, particularly lower-income neighborhoods without grocery stores or other sources of fresh produce and nutritious food. Funds can be used to finance the opening of new grocery stores or renovate existing stores to expand supply of healthy food. Funds can also be used to improve distribution systems and do outreach and education to consumers about healthy food choices. | Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Low Income Housing Tax Credit (4%) | Treasury | State allocated | Determined by state housing finance agency If the projects involve acquisition and substantial rehabilitation expenditures, and are funded with Tax-Exempt Bonds only qualify for 4%. |
Generate equity capital for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. | Development Financing | Awarded on non-competitive basis - may apply at any time. Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| Low Income Housing Tax Credit (9%) | Treasury | State allocated | Determined by state housing finance agency 9% LIHTC are possible if the projects are not funded by federal Tax-Exempt Bonds, and meet the other basic qualifications of LIHTC. |
Generate equity capital for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| New Market Tax Credit Program | Treasury/ Qualified CDEs (CDFIs) | $3.5 billion, max grant $125 million | Community Development Entities (CDEs) | Issuance of tax credits to investors in exchange for stock or capital interest in designated Community Development Entities. The federal subsidy goes to qualifying projects in the form of below-market interest rates and more flexible loan terms like longer amortizations and higher loan-to-value ratios. | Development Financing | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS | ||||||
| Grants For Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas | Veterans Affairs | Estimated: $3 million, Award Ceiling: $50,000 | Veteran Service Organizations and State Veteran Service Agencies. See NOFA and Full Announcement. | To comply with section 307 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, VA will award grants to eligible recipients to assist veterans in highly rural areas to provide innovative transportation services to travel to VA medical centers and to other VA and non-VA facilities in connection with the provision of VA medical care. | Transportation, Health Services | Check website for next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). |
| GRANT RESOURCES LINKS: | ||||||
| Reconnecting America Federal Grant Resources: | ||||||
| DOT Grants | ||||||
| HUD Grants | ||||||
| DOT Livability Grants | ||||||
| Smart Growth Grants (mutiple agencies) | ||||||
| EPA Grants | ||||||
| US Small Business Administration Grants | ||||||
| EPA Smart Growth Grants | ||||||
| USDA Grants | ||||||
| Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Grants | ||||||
| Partnership for Sustainable Communities Grants | ||||||
| FTA Grants | ||||||
| Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) | ||||||
