Community Development & Employment Grants

Last updated October 29, 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
Small Grants for Smart Growth Vermont Natural Resources Council Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K VNRC offers small grants to support smart growth initiatives in Vermont communities. The program provides funding for projects that help communities implement sustainable development practices.	Not published	$2K
Marshfield Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $5K The Marshfield Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Marshfield region.	Not published	$500 – $5K
Civic Changemaker Internship Icivics Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Collaborative Capacity Program - Standard Grant: Community Partner Applicants National Forest Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K – $75K The National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program offers financial awards to enhance collaboration among communities, tribes, and the Forest Service.	Not published	$10K – $75K
Celanese Century Southern Dallas Impact Grant United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas · Foundation Not published · $100K Grants seeking innovative solutions that:	Not published	$100K
Gulf Coast Community Foundation General Grants Gulf Coast Strategic Investments Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Make the greatest positive impact in communities through grantmaking to nonprofit organizations	Not published	Varies
Idle Sites Redevelopment Program (WI) Grant Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) · Foundation Not published · Up to $250K The Idle Sites Redevelopment Program by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) aims to rejuvenate abandoned or underused sites in Wisconsin.	Not published	Up to $250K
Community-Based Grants Initiative – Piedmont-Triad Prosperity Zone The Golden Leaf Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent…	Not published	Varies
NCCF: Community Impact Grants Noble County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Community Foundation of Noble County awards grants for innovative, creative projects and programs responsive to addressing community needs in Noble County. This includes operating support for such programs.	Not published	Varies
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) Impact Grant Program Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development · Foundation Not published · Varies The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) Impact Grant Program aims to assist municipalities in mitigating adverse effects of oil and gas development in the NPR-A, which spans 22.5 million acres in Alaska.	Not published	Varies
Community Vision Fund- Visionary Grants Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $10K The Community Vision Fund (CVF) is an unrestricted fund within the Community Foundation with the ability to be agile due to its discretionary nature. Granting through this fund remains committed to fulfilling community needs and…	Not published	$500 – $10K
CFPBMC: Competitive Grantmaking - Summer Program Grant Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $75K The CFPBMC Summer Program Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Florida aiming to enhance community impact through strategic focus areas such as capacity building, economic opportunity, education and youth, and thriving communities.	Not published	Up to $75K
Small Town Challenge Fund Grant Community Foundation of Greater Johnstown · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Small Town Challenge Fund, launched by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, invites municipalities in Cambria and Indiana counties to apply for one of two $25,000 grants.	Not published	Up to $25K
CCF: Grassroots Leadership Grants The Connecticut Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $7K The CCF: Grassroots Leadership Grants aim to empower Waterbury residents and local organizations by providing funding for community-driven projects.	Not published	$5K – $7K
Nellie Rust Trust Grant Nellie Rust Bo Charities · Foundation Not published · Varies The Nellie Rust Trust Grant supports youth development and health services in Boulder, Colorado. This private foundation funds only nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code.	Not published	Varies
Fund for the Environment Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: Not open for funding until Fall of 2028._ The mission of the Fund for the Environment is to promote livable communities throughout the Lake Superior watershed and northwoods through public education, land use planning, and…	Not published	Varies
Fund for Reno County Grant Hutchinson Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Fund for Reno County, managed by Hutchinson Community Foundation, provides year-round grants to address the community's evolving needs.	Not published	Up to $50K
CERSP Grant Program Empire State Development · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The CERSP Grant Program, administered by Harlem CDC, aims to provide financial assistance for initiatives and events that align with the mission of Harlem CDC.	Not published	Up to $40K
Basic Infrastructure Rural Infrastructure Authority · State Not published · Varies Assists communities in complying with environmental quality standards, protecting public health from environmental concerns, or improving capacity of existing infrastructure.	Not published	Varies
PIN Community Research Grants Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) · Foundation Not published · $100K The PIN Community Research Grants program supports university researchers and local governments in Georgia to tackle community issues through applied research and smart technology.	Not published	$100K
Community Heart & Soul Seed Grants Community Heart & Soul · State Not published · $1M Provides start-up funding for resident-driven groups looking to implement the Community Heart & Soul model in communities with populations under 30,000.	Not published	$1M
ARDF International Development Grants (Nehemiah Fund) Anglican Relief and Development Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) awards traditional/international development grants to dioceses and churches throughout the Global Anglican Communion, supporting community development, education, healthcare, food security…	Not published	Varies
Drescher Foundation Grant The Drescher Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Drescher Foundation, established in 1989, is dedicated to enhancing community life in Harford County, Maryland. It provides support to nonprofit organizations focusing on health, education, and human services.	Not published	Varies
Giving Project Grant Headwaters Foundation for Justice · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies

Showing 1369–1392 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 29, 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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