Best Community Development Grants

Community development grants are available to nonprofits, workforce groups, and local organizations looking to support infrastructure improvements and economic growth through job training and employment programs in their communities. These grants suppport programs that help people build their careers, with many grants focused on helping underserved groups.

Grants in community development typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q3, with 30.4% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q4.

The goal of community development grants is to strengthen community infrastructure and create employment opportunities by helping people learn applicable job skills, grow small businesses, and manage their finances better. Funders support these initiatives to boost local economies and give communities the resources they need to succeed, whether they're looking to address housing, education, or public health.

On average, community development grants provide funding between $250 and $25,000,000, with typical awards falling around $17,500 (median) and $381,225 (average). These insights can help nonprofits align their funding requests with what grantmakers typically offer in this space.

Funding for community development grants typically comes from government agencies, private foundations, and corporate programs. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are major federal sources for funding community development efforts.

Private donors, like the Erich and Hannah Sachs Foundation and the Kampe Family Foundation, invest in programs that aim to reduce poverty and promote social and economic mobility. Many corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives like the Bank Of America Charitable Foundation and the Keybank Foundation also support community development by funding workforce training, small business grants, and local economic projects.

To improve the chances of receiving community development grants, applicants should:

• Align with key economic development goals – Show how your project supports specific goals for your community, such as job growth or an increase in small businesses.
• Show clear results – Provide data to prove how your project results in job creation and impacts community development.
• Build strong community partnerships – Collaborate with businesses, schools, and government agencies to increase support and strengthen your proposal.

Struggling to manage multiple grants? Learn how to stay organized with our comprehensive grant tracking spreadsheet guide.