Seeding Wayne County Grant Program

The Seeding Wayne County Grant Program, operated by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, aims to combat poverty by providing funding to grassroots organizations in Wayne County. With a total allocation of $550,000 for the fiscal year 2026, grants range from $1,000 to $7,500. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities serving low-income residents and can apply for funding for direct services in areas such as education, health, and nutrition.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency is pleased to operate the Seeding Wayne County Mini-Grant program. This program supports Wayne County-based organizations that share the common goal of addressing the causes and conditions of poverty in their community.
The awarded funding is used by grassroots community organizations to support programs and services in the areas of Youth and Adult Education, Nutrition, Health, Employment, and Neighborhood Improvements.
Funding
Seeding Wayne County is a federally funded project through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program. Wayne Metro anticipates fiscal year 2026 allocation of award funds for RAC regions in the total amount of $550,000.00. For all applicants, grants range from $1,000.00 to a maximum of $7,500 depending on the number of awarded applications and the scores of the Regional Advisory Council Funds must be used for direct services and or program operations. Proposed programs must meet an identified need of low-income communities or individuals within the RAC being served. Funds will not support general agency overhead.

Eligibility

To be deemed eligible an organization must:Be a 501 (c)(3) organization with annual operating budgets of less than $250,000.Small organizations that use the 501(c)(3) fiduciary status of a larger Wayne County based agency may be considered eligible entities if approved by Wayne MetroBe based in Wayne County and serve low income Wayne County residents.The targeted population must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty limit.Service low-income residents in one of the four areas: Job Readiness and Supports Health and Nutrition Neighborhood ImprovementsYouth and Adult EducationHave met Seeding Wayne County programmatic requirements if awarded in previous years. Funds must be used for direct services and or program operations.Only one application per 501(c)(3) organization is accepted for the Seeding Wayne County Mini-Grant Program.

Ineligibility

Funds can NOT support general agency overhead such as, but not limited to, the following disallowable items/costs:General or Administrative Overhead (i.e. Accounting)Advertising to solely promote the OrganizationFunds may be used to promote your Seeding project but not the Organization as a whole.Custodial, maintenance, or landscaping services (staff and contractual)Equipment exceeding $500 per itemAny and all pieces of equipment purchased with these funds must cost no more than $500 for each individual item.If the equipment costs over $500 An organization may opt to cover the difference in price.Fundraising activitiesGift cards and/or gas cardsThis includes any type of gift card/visa card for clients OR staff/volunteersSalaries, benefits, or stipends for staff & volunteersThese funds can be used for specialized instructor (early childhood ed instructor, grief counselors, certified chefs, etc) fees necessary to the project, but not for staff/volunteersInsuranceGeneral Liability insurance cannot be paid for or reimbursed with these fundsInternet, telephone, or copy servicesFees, including but not limited to: late, environmental, etc.Taxes, including but not limited to: sales, property, etc.Property rent or lease paymentsVenue rental for programmingUtilities, internet, telephone, or copy servicesVehicle repairs or maintenanceGratuity and tipsDelivery fees (amazon orders, food)Anything that is not a part of your submitted and approved budget