Community Development & Employment Grants

Last updated October 28, 2026

Grantable tracks 3,253 active community development & employment grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 74 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 1,478 list an award amount, with a median of $30K.

Grants tracked: 3,253; from 1,981 funders
Median award: $30K; middle half $10K–$150K
Total listed funding: $515.8M; across 1,478 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 130; 146 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Community Improvement Mini- Grants Loma Prieta Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $100 – $500 The Community Improvement Mini-Grants, offered by the Loma Prieta Community Foundation, aim to support small projects that enhance the Loma Prieta, Lexington, and Lakeside communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains.	Not published	$100 – $500
Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VDCR) · Foundation Not published · $100K The Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VDCR), provide essential funding for the development and rehabilitation of trails and related facilities.	Not published	$100K
Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships University of Vermont · State Not published · $2M – $25M Supports student learning partnership focused in the areas of regenerative agriculture, community schools, transit and housing solutions, remote and co-working practices, resilient energy systems, healthy ecosystems, access to health care…	Not published	$2M – $25M
Making a Difference for San Diego Grant Program The Beth El Endowment Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K	Not published	Up to $100K
Regional Investment Initiative - Implementation Phase Grant Labor and Workforce Development Agency · Foundation Not published · $500K The Regional Investment Initiative's Implementation Phase aims to support California's disadvantaged communities by funding economic development projects that align with regional Jobs First Strategies.	Not published	$500K
Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corporation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Excelsior Jobs Program encourages businesses to expand in and relocate to New York by providing fully refundable tax credits to eligible applicants. Businesses claim credits over a benefit period of up to 10 years.	Not published	Varies
EBCF: Community Donations Grant Eastern Bank Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $10K The Eastern Bank Foundation offers community donations to support local needs and events in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.	Not published	$1K – $10K
DCCF: Build the Future Grant Dekalb County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The DCCF: Build the Future Grant supports construction and expansion projects for local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public sector entities in DeKalb County, IL.	Not published	Up to $100K
District Grants Rotary International District 6960 Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Grants available to Rotary members and program participants for service projects in communities locally and globally.	Not published	Varies
Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies Competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or government units that promote Maryland breweries, distilleries, and wineries through marketing, events, education, and industry development to grow tourism and craft beverage industry…	Not published	Varies
Community Impact Grant Program Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Gratiot County Community Foundation: Competitive Grants Gratiot County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Gratiot County Community Foundation is interested in funding projects which will improve the quality of life for the citizens of Gratiot County.	Not published	Varies
Local Government Infrastructure Finance Program Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Varies The Infrastructure Financing Program offers Maryland's counties and incorporated municipalities a cost-effective way to finance public purpose capital projects; enabling the delivery of essential services to support communities and the…	Not published	Varies
Youth Rural Community Leadership Program - Sweet Home Rural Development Initiatives Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Idaho Commerce Grants · State Not published · Varies Enhances local infrastructure to create a better environment for existing and potential businesses.	Not published	Varies
Corridors Neighborhood Enhancement Match Grant Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government · Foundation Not published · Varies The Corridors Neighborhood Enhancement Match Grant, funded by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, aims to enhance the aesthetic and functional qualities of community corridors in Lexington.	Not published	Varies
Uplift America Fund Opportunity Finance Network · Foundation Not published · Varies A partnership that leveraged federal resources, bank financing, and private grants to target capital to persistently low-wealth areas.	Not published	Varies
OneRural Direct Technical Assistance Services Grant Housing Assistance Council · Foundation Not published · Varies OneRural provides essential technical assistance to rural organizations, fostering the development of affordable housing and community initiatives.	Not published	Varies
South Dakota Jobs Grant (SD) South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development · Foundation Not published · Varies The South Dakota Jobs Grant program provides financial assistance to companies for the upfront costs of relocating, expanding operations, or upgrading equipment within the state.	Not published	Varies
Mellon Foundation: Economic Development Grant Program Richard King Mellon Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Mellon Foundation's Economic Development Grant Program aims to address economic disparities in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania by enhancing workforce skills and creating job opportunities.	Not published	Varies
Washington County Riverboat Association Grant Program Washington County Riverboat Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Washington County Riverboat Association Grant Program offers funding through its Competitive Fund, distributing 75% of donations from the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.	Not published	Varies
Rural Community Endowments: Judith Basin Endowment Grants Central Montana Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies In 1983, a group of businessmen held an organizational meeting with the purpose of creating a foundation that would serve as a "clearinghouse" to grant funds to improve the quality of life in Central Montana.	Not published	Varies
16 Tech Community Investment Fund Cicp Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $350K A community-focused fund launched in 2019 to ensure access, opportunity and revitalization of neighborhoods in and around the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis.	Not published	$350K
Community Fund Grant Program Northern New York Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.	Not published	Varies

Showing 577–600 of 3,222

About community development grants

Community development grants fund efforts to revitalize neighborhoods through affordable housing, public facilities, infrastructure, business assistance, and services for low- and moderate-income residents. HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is the flagship federal source, providing formula grants to states, cities, and counties. National intermediaries like LISC and Enterprise Community Partners, plus the Treasury's CDFI Fund, channel additional capital into community development.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow community development & employment grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do community development & employment grants award?

Of the 3,253 community development & employment grants Grantable lists as of October 28, 2026, 1,478 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $30K, and the middle half fall between $10K and $150K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most community development & employment grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (23), Economic Development Authority (22), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (21), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) (17), and Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (16). In all, 1,981 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are community development & employment grants due?

Of 3,253 grants listed, 130 accept applications on a rolling basis, 146 have a published upcoming deadline, 427 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 2,550 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 48% fall in October–December.

What community development grants are available?

Eligible community development activities include housing rehabilitation and development, micro-enterprise and business assistance, infrastructure, public facilities, planning, public services, and removal of architectural barriers. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is the primary federal program, supplemented by funding from intermediaries and foundations. Projects generally must benefit low- and moderate-income communities.

Who funds community development?

HUD administers the Community Development Block Grant program, distributing formula grants to states, cities, and counties that then fund local projects. National community development intermediaries such as LISC and Enterprise Community Partners, along with the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund and local community foundations, provide loans and grants. Most CDBG funds reach nonprofits through their local or state government.

How does a nonprofit access CDBG funds?

CDBG dollars flow from HUD to your city, county, or state, which run their own application cycles and consolidated planning processes; nonprofits apply to that local jurisdiction rather than directly to HUD. Identify whether your community is an "entitlement" city or county or is served through the state program, then track that jurisdiction's annual action plan and application timeline. Aligning your project with the jurisdiction's stated priorities is essential.

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