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 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: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Economic Development Grants Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program focused on economic development initiatives in Southern Minnesota.	Not published	Varies
Building and Site Fund Grants - Demolition Grants - State Rural Grant North Carolina Department of Commerce · Foundation Not published · Up to $150K The Building and Site Fund Grants - Demolition Grants by the North Carolina Department of Commerce aim to assist local governments in demolishing old, unsuitable buildings on promising industrial sites.	Not published	Up to $150K
Tri-City Community Foundation Grant The Community Foundation of South Alabama · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Tri-City Community Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach by funding local nonprofits.	Not published	Up to $25K
Smallwood Foundation Grant Frances C and William P Smallwood · Foundation Not published · Varies The Smallwood Foundation Grant supports charitable purposes within a hundred-mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth, Gainesville, and Minden.	Not published	Varies
Community Trust Fund Grants The League Club Inc · Foundation Not published · $18K – $30K	Not published	$18K – $30K
Sherwood Trust: Core Grants Sherwood Trust · Foundation Not published · Varies Sherwood Trust offers Core Grants to enhance community well-being in the Walla Walla Valley. The Trust prioritizes funding for initiatives that strengthen organizations and support collaboration.	Not published	Varies
Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County Grant Community Foundation Alliance Inc · Foundation Not published · $15K – $50K The Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County offers annual grants including two Impact Grants of $50,000 each for programs or projects. Additionally, four grants of $15,000 will be awarded to finalists in each category.	Not published	$15K – $50K
Knight Foundation Advised Fund Grant Central Carolina Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $75K The Knight Foundation Advised Fund supports innovative projects that enhance democracy and community engagement in Columbia, SC.	Not published	Up to $75K
MutualOne Charitable Foundation Grant MutualOne Charitable Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The MutualOne Charitable Foundation, established in 1998, focuses on promoting charitable, educational, and civic purposes within its market area.	Not published	Up to $10K
Citizens Energy Group Philanthropic Partnerships Grant Citizens Energy Group · Foundation Not published · Varies Citizens Energy Group Philanthropic Partnerships aims to support organizations that provide significant value to the community while aligning with environmental, business, and community sustainability goals.	Not published	Varies
Downtown Trenton (DTTN) Grants Capital City Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Neighborhood-focused grant round supporting community projects, arts, culture, beautification, and business development in the downtown neighborhood.	Not published	Varies
Dane G Hansen Community Grant for Ellsworth County Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Dane G. Hansen Community Grant supports charitable projects in Northwest Kansas, providing $50,000 annually for community initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions in specified counties.	Not published	Varies
BHACF: Community Action Grant ($50,000) Black Hills Area Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The BHACF Community Action Grant provides up to $50,000 to nonprofits with an endowment fund at the Black Hills Area Community Foundation.	Not published	Up to $50K
Vitality Fund Grant District of Columbia: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development · Foundation Not published · $300K The FY25 Vitality Fund, initiated by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, aims to encourage business relocation and expansion in Washington, DC, particularly in the central business district.	Not published	$300K
Jamestown Residential Lot Development Program Jamestownstutsman Development Corporation · Foundation Not published · Up to 50% of eligible infrastructure costs Designed to support the development of new residential lots to address local housing needs.	Not published	Up to 50% of eligible infrastructure costs
AHC New Construction Request for Proposals Grant New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) · Foundation Not published · Varies The AHC New Construction Request for Proposals aims to enhance homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families in New York.	Not published	Varies
Community Grants (General) Armstrong County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Includes the enjoyment and understanding of visual, literary, performing and other art forms.	Not published	Varies
The Shelby Foundation Grant Shelby Ohio Community Foundation of Richland County · Foundation Not published · Varies The Shelby Foundation Grant aims to enhance community quality of life by providing financial assistance to 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies.	Not published	Varies
Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdiction California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development · Foundation Not published · Up to $3.5M The Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions aims to promote economic justice for those impacted by cannabis criminalization by providing support to local governments.	Not published	Up to $3.5M
CDC Strategic Investment Fund Community Lift Corp · Foundation Not published · Varies This fund supports ongoing community development projects led by CDCs that are focused on improving housing quality and affordability, access to health and wellness services, or economic and social mobility.	Not published	Varies
Community Clean Energy Grant Program San Diego Community Power · Foundation Not published · $25K – $100K The Community Clean Energy Grant Program, launched by San Diego Community Power (SDCP) in March 2023, aims to fund local clean energy projects through grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.	Not published	$25K – $100K
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Beulah Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A powerful tool for helping communities address critical infrastructure and public service needs. Awards represent investments in safety, accessibility, and long-term resilience for North Dakotans.	Not published	Varies
Ward 6 DC Main Streets Support Grant District of Columbia Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism & Partnerships (Serve DC) · Foundation Not published · $5K – $250K The Ward 6 DC Main Streets Support Grant Program, managed by the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development, allocates $350,000 to support DC non-profits enhancing small businesses and community development.	Not published	$5K – $250K
Southeastern Illinois CF: Jasper County Community Endowment Grant Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation's Jasper County Community Endowment supports charitable initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Jasper County, Illinois.	Not published	Varies

Showing 1177–1200 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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