Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Louisiana

Louisiana public infrastructure and community organizations, including eligible 501(c)(3) emergency response, safety, workforce, environmental, and cultural nonprofits, can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for projects in communities served by Union Pacific. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support safety improvements, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with $100,000+ budgets in Louisiana communities where RBC Wealth Management operates can seek funding for workforce skills, inclusive prosperity, or environmental sustainability programs. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts like job readiness and internships, financial stability and accessibility, and community-focused climate and energy-efficiency projects that improve quality of life.

The Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service provides funding for essential technical assistance and training aimed at resolving water and waste management issues. This program supports applicants in preparing loan and grant applications, enhancing the operational efficiency of water systems, and ensuring compliance with best practices in facility management. However, grant funds cannot be used for duplicating existing services or for capital expenditures.

The Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program, funded by the DOT Federal Highway Administration, offers up to $26 million for innovative transportation planning in FYs 2024-2026. Grants of up to $2 million will support the development of transparent, data-driven prioritization processes for project selection in transportation plans, ensuring that funded projects deliver public benefits and meet community needs.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program aims to support states and local governments in enhancing their DNA analysis capabilities. By providing funding for existing crime laboratories, this initiative seeks to increase the processing capacity for DNA samples, thereby reducing the backlog in forensic DNA analysis and ensuring timely entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (84.041C) offers $19M in funding to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address urgent school facility needs. This initiative supports repairs, renovations, or replacements required to maintain safe educational environments. Grants cover projects that improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that facilities meet health standards. The program aims to enhance learning conditions by responding effectively to emergency situations.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

State and local transportation agencies in Louisiana seeking to deploy advanced public infrastructure and congestion management technologies can apply for the ATTAIN Competitive Grant Program, with awards up to US $12,000,000. DOT Federal Highway Administration supports projects that improve safety, mobility, efficiency, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure performance through innovative transportation systems.

Local governments in Louisiana seeking capital for sewer, potable water, or street improvements can apply for the Louisiana Division of Administration’s LCDBG Public Facilities grants, with awards from US $350,000 - US $2,000,000. Projects must meet HUD community development objectives and include at least US $350,000 in construction costs.

Public agencies, research institutions, and policy organizations in Louisiana working on transportation infrastructure and policy can seek funding for research, data, and policy development projects. With a mission to improve U.S. transportation systems, Arnold Ventures provides support for studies and reforms on cost, accountability, access, permitting, and governance, offering up to US $200,000.

Very small, financially distressed rural communities in Louisiana can seek funding for predevelopment planning and technical assistance for water and waste disposal infrastructure projects. Focused on rural water, sanitation, and related public facilities, USDA: Rural Development (RD) supports feasibility studies, preliminary design, and application development for these essential public infrastructure improvements.

Researchers and evaluation teams studying social programs and policies using quasi-experimental designs can apply for Arnold Ventures funding to conduct rigorous causal research, including in Louisiana. Grants from Arnold Ventures help advance evidence on areas such as public infrastructure, higher and career education, workforce training, reproductive health, and public finance to inform policy decisions.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes in Louisiana can seek funding to plan, design, construct, rehabilitate, or inspect unsafe or aging transportation bridges serving their communities. Focused on public infrastructure, the Federal Highway Administration’s TTP Bridge Program supports improvements to BIA/Tribally owned and other eligible TTP bridges in poor condition or with low load capacity.

Louisiana public infrastructure and community-focused 501(c)(3) charities or government entities can seek support for projects that improve local facilities, services, and quality of life. SC Johnson Giving supports U.S. organizations working where the company has major operations, funding initiatives in health, sustainability, economic opportunity, community development, and related public infrastructure needs.

Nonprofit organizations serving the Norco community in Louisiana can receive US $10,000 - US $50,000 to support public infrastructure, workforce development, and local business-focused projects. Grants from Greater New Orleans Foundation help fund community events, cleanup days, vocational and job skills training, transportation supports, and programs that strengthen coordination between industry and training providers.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in small to mid-sized U.S. communities, including Louisiana, can access up to US $25,000 for temporary street safety pilot projects that reconnect neighborhoods divided by dangerous arterial roads. Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors program funds yearlong cohorts for planning, implementation, and shared learning on public infrastructure and Complete Streets approaches.

Nonprofits, government entities, tribes, and other organizations working on traffic safety and public infrastructure in Louisiana can seek US $50,000 - US $200,000 to implement innovative, evidence-based countermeasures that reduce road fatalities. Grants from the National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Coalition support Safe System approaches with measurable, scalable results; applicants must be coalition members and operate projects in the U.S.

Louisiana public agencies planning major surface transportation infrastructure projects can access funding through the US Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant Program. Eligible sponsors include state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities across the U.S. Awards up to US $25,000,000 support multi-modal projects with significant local or regional impact.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

The EA Infrastructure Fund Grant supports projects that enhance effective altruism by improving access to talent, capital, and knowledge. With grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, it welcomes applications from individuals, nonprofits, and academic institutions worldwide. However, individuals must ensure their projects conclude by August 31, 2025. The fund aims to amplify the impact of direct charitable work and foster a community committed to effective altruism principles.

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.

The Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Corridor Community Grants, provided by Keep America Beautiful, aim to empower communities to revitalize and beautify MLK corridors across the U.S. These grants support various projects, including murals, community gardens, and cleanup efforts, contributing to the initiative's goal of beautifying 25,000 communities by 2026. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations, with a focus on sustainable impacts and local engagement.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Grant supports public charities with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on capital projects that enhance community life in states where Ash Grove operates. With a commitment to environmental sustainability, education, and human services, the Foundation prioritizes funding for renovation and construction projects. Grants typically reach up to $25,000, aiming to foster better living standards and support local initiatives that are vital for community growth and resilience.

The Creation & Development Fund, administered by the National Performance Network, supports the creation and mobility of artistic works that promote racial and cultural justice. It fosters collaboration between artists and communities through financial support, enabling artists to develop meaningful relationships and present their work. The fund emphasizes equity, access, and the importance of public engagement, ensuring that diverse voices are represented while addressing systemic injustices in the arts.