Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Idaho

Incorporated Idaho cities and counties under 50,000 residents can seek funding to develop or improve public infrastructure that benefits low- and moderate-income residents. With a mission to support community development, Idaho Department of Commerce provides grants for sewer and water systems, streets, fire stations, accessibility upgrades, and related public facilities projects.

Incorporated cities and counties under 50,000 in Idaho can apply for Idaho Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Job Creation funds, awarding up to US $500,000 for public infrastructure or publicly regulated utility projects that enable new jobs. Public infrastructure initiatives benefiting low- and moderate-income residents may be especially competitive.

Andersen Construction Foundation

Established in 2015, our Foundation was created to intentionally steward and grow our commitment to community service. From the beginning, an endowment was formed to ensure meaningful, sustained giving for the long term. Guided by the belief that service is part of who we are, we have contributed volunteer time, funding, and resources to community organizations and build projects in the places we call home—including Portland, Eugene, Seattle, and Boise—as well as through hands-on initiatives across the country and internationally.

As our organization has grown, our approach to giving back has grown with it. The Foundation now provides a central way for employees across our family of businesses to engage in philanthropy and volunteer efforts. Through this structure, we continue to support the communities where we live and work, reinforcing a long-standing commitment to service.

Andersen Foundation Grant

We fund build-related projects and sponsor community events in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Applications for project grants and event sponsorships are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by our local giving committees. 

Grants are awarded in the $2,500-$10,000 range for construction repairs and infrastructure needs. Applicants must have 501(c)3 status.

Idaho cities and counties under 50,000 residents can receive grants up to US $245,000 for public infrastructure and community facilities, including senior and community centers. Idaho Department of Commerce’s CDBG program funds construction, rehabilitation, and expansion projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents and address slum, blight, or health and safety concerns.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Idaho with established budgets can seek funding for workforce skills, youth development, and community accessibility projects through RBC Foundation USA. Grants may support job readiness training, internships, financial well-being, or capital improvements that make community spaces more inclusive and environmentally sustainable in areas served by RBC Wealth Management.

Idaho public agencies such as state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities can access funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program for major surface transportation infrastructure projects. Administered by the US Department of Transportation, this U.S.-wide program offers up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects with significant local or regional impact.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes working on public infrastructure in Idaho and nationwide can seek funding to plan, design, construct, rehabilitate, or inspect unsafe or aging bridges. Focused on bridges in poor condition or with low load capacity, the Federal Highway Administration program supports improvements to BIA/Tribally and non-BIA/Tribally owned TTP bridges.

Industrial and energy-focused organizations in Idaho can access funding through the U.S. Department of Energy for innovative industrial energy storage systems that improve facility efficiency and reduce grid impacts. This three-phase national prize offers up to US $700,000 per winning team to design, prototype, and validate thermal or electric industrial energy storage solutions that may benefit public energy infrastructure.

Researchers and research institutions in the U.S. conducting quasi-experimental evaluations of social programs and policies can apply for funding from Arnold Ventures. Grants support rigorous causal studies in areas such as public infrastructure, higher and career education, workforce training, reproductive health, and public finance, which may benefit Idaho-focused public infrastructure research projects.

Very small, financially distressed rural communities planning water or waste disposal infrastructure can get funding for feasibility studies, preliminary design, and technical assistance nationwide, including Idaho. Focused on predevelopment for public water, sewage, solid waste, and stormwater facilities, USDA Rural Development support may benefit local governments, nonprofits, and tribes working on public infrastructure projects.

Idaho public infrastructure partnerships focused on workforce development, job creation, and water-related projects can access funding through the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. Grants of US $45,000 - US $120,000 support the human infrastructure for equitable, community-centered implementation of publicly funded projects, requiring a 50% cash match and a 501(c)(3) grant recipient.

Public infrastructure and transportation policy organizations in Idaho can seek funding for U.S.-focused research, data, and policy analysis on transportation systems and project delivery. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based solutions, Arnold Ventures supports work on capital investment reform, cost control, permitting, procurement, and related transportation governance issues, with awards up to US $200,000.

Public agencies and partners in Idaho seeking to deploy advanced transportation technologies can apply for competitive grants supporting safety, mobility, congestion management, and public infrastructure, with awards up to US $12,000,000. DOT Federal Highway Administration funds projects that improve system performance, intermodal connectivity, and economic opportunities for communities and families.

Public agencies and transportation entities developing marine highway projects, including those benefiting Idaho, can seek up to US $12,000,000 to expand or improve public transportation and infrastructure. With a mission to advance marine highway transportation, the US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration funds projects that reduce landside congestion and promote shipper use of marine routes.

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Dam Safety Program focuses on rehabilitating high hazard potential dams that do not meet state safety standards. Funded by FEMA, this initiative aims to protect lives and property by providing federal funds to eligible states, which then pass these funds to non-Federal governmental or nonprofit organizations. Rehabilitation involves repairing, replacing, reconstructing, or removing dams to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Adam Scripps lived a life of humble generosity, helping to improve the lives of others without seeking recognition or fanfare for himself. The family-run Adam R. Scripps Foundation, established posthumously in 2023, allocates millions annually to his cherished causes like animal welfare and community development, with grants overseen by his relatives to honor his legacy.

Honoring Adam’s legacy, we make grants to collaborate, provide support and build resources that create opportunities and transformative pathways. For generations to come, we will improve lives and transform communities because we are a leader in family philanthropy. We value helping communities create lasting change. We do this through compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity.

Local Community Grant

A genuine love of neighbor inspired Adam to help others, and his example inspires us to sustain his support of local communities.  

Driven by Adam’s sense of civic responsibility, the foundation is focused on initiatives to support both community infrastructure and the citizens for whom that infrastructure is designed, including:

• Parks and greenspaces
• Recreation facilities
• Visual and performing arts
• Community service organizations
• Historic building preservation
• Festival sponsorship
• Veterans’ organizations

The FY26 Bollards Competitive Grant Program aims to enhance pedestrian safety by funding bollard installation projects. This initiative targets areas frequented by large crowds to prevent injuries and potential acts of terrorism. Eligible applicants include State Departments of Transportation and local government entities, with a 100% federal funding share for projects. This program is vital for improving public safety in urban environments.

Nonprofits, government entities, and tribal organizations working on community traffic safety and public infrastructure in Idaho can apply for US $50,000 - US $200,000 to implement evidence-based, innovative road safety projects. The National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Coalition supports U.S. projects that reduce traffic fatalities, address mobility disparities, and advance Safe System approaches.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in small to mid-sized U.S. cities, including Idaho, can apply for Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors program to plan and deliver temporary street safety pilot projects, with awards up to US $25,000. Teams must jointly apply and focus on repairing harms from dangerous or divisive arterial roads.

Idaho public infrastructure and community-serving organizations can seek grants supporting health, sustainability, economic opportunity, and community development projects. SC Johnson Giving supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities and government entities, with emphasis on communities near its major operations, for initiatives like public infrastructure, environmental conservation, public health, and community revitalization that improve local quality of life.

Idaho 501(c)(3) public charities running safety, workforce, community vitality, or environmental sustainability projects can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Giving Program, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible programs must primarily serve Idaho communities on the Union Pacific service list, including public infrastructure improvements like signage, lighting, and public trail enhancements.

The Ittleson Foundation Environmental Program Grants support innovative projects that enhance environmental activism through education and grassroots efforts. In 2025, grants will focus on initiatives that strengthen environmental movements and engage new constituencies, particularly in environmental equity. The Foundation has provided resources since 1932 to improve public policy and community welfare, alternating its grantmaking focus annually between mental health and environmental initiatives.

The Applied Materials Foundation offers grants focusing on education, arts and culture, civic engagement, the environment, and girls' empowerment. These grants are designed to meet local community needs and support innovative projects that enhance educational opportunities, promote cultural activities, and foster civic participation. The foundation prioritizes collaboration with local organizations in areas where Applied Materials operates, ensuring impactful contributions to community resilience and sustainability.

The Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives that foster thriving communities through education, poverty solutions, and environmental programs. The foundation prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities. Key areas include education development, innovative poverty solutions, and environmental restoration efforts, such as coastal wetland preservation. Organizations are encouraged to apply at least three months before funding is needed, ensuring timely support for impactful community projects.

The Fund for a Just Society Grant, offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association, supports nonprofit organizations that focus on social and economic justice through community organizing. This grant prioritizes innovative projects that seek systemic change and empower disenfranchised communities. Eligible organizations must operate with an annual budget under $500,000 and demonstrate a clear campaign for change. This funding aims to foster a more just society by addressing root causes and enhancing visibility for Unitarian Universalist principles.

The Emergent Fund Grant, established in 2016, supports BIPOC-led social justice movements through rapid response funding. It addresses urgent community needs by providing low-barrier grants to organizations facing crises such as family separation and systemic oppression. The fund prioritizes initiatives that foster Black liberation, multiracial solidarity, and empower communities to build transformative power. By investing in innovative strategies, the Emergent Fund aims to challenge oppressive structures and advance social justice, ensuring that impacted communities are at the forefront of their own advocacy.

The OpenAI A People-First AI Fund supports U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on AI literacy, community innovation, and economic opportunity. It aims to enhance public understanding of AI, promote participatory design in AI applications by communities, and expand access to meaningful work through inclusive practices. Organizations at all stages of AI adoption are encouraged to apply, especially those addressing the needs of traditionally marginalized populations. This initiative emphasizes equitable distribution of AI benefits.