Community Development & Planning

AARP Community Challenge Grant

Agency: AARP
Summary: Funds quick-action quality of life enhancement projects for communities, including improving public spaces, housing, transportation, mobility, and civic engagement; supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion; building engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursuing innovative ideas that support individuals 50 or older. 2023 AARP Community Challenge includes Flagship Grants, Capacity-Building Microgrants, and Demonstration Grants.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments and nonprofit organizations
Available Funding: TBA
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: March 15, 2023

Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grants

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Summary: Supports the execution of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans, which aim to replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments, public housing authorities
Local Match Requirement: 5%
Deadline: January 11, 2023

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Summary: Supports the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans to revitalize severely distressed public housing and/or HUD-assisted housing and surrounding neighborhoods.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments, public housing authorities, nonprofit organizations
Available Funding: $10 million, nationwide
Local Match Requirement: 5%
Deadline: TBA

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Summary: Supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities (infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, etc.). Must benefit low/moderate income individuals, prevent/eliminate slums and blight, or meet an urgent community need.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments, public housing authorities, nonprofit organizations. Each NEFCO county, and the cities of Akron, Alliance, Barberton, Canton, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent, and Massillon receive annual CDBG allocations
Available Funding: Allocations vary by county and city
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: TBA

Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Summary: Funding to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities by building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders
Eligible Applicants: community-based nonprofit; or partnership of community-based nonprofits
Available Funding: $30 million
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: April 10, 2023

Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Summary: Supports government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms
Eligible Applicants: partnership between local government and community-based nonprofit
Available Funding: $70 million
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: April 10, 2023

HOPE VI Main Street Program

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Summary: Rejuvenates older, downtown business districts while retaining the area's traditional and Historic character.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments under 50,000 population and with 100 or fewer physical public housing units
Available Funding: $1,000,000 (HUD expects to fund two projects, nationwide)
Local Match Requirement: 5%
Deadline: January 31, 2023

Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing)

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Summary: funding for the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation, including outdated zoning, land use policies, or regulations; inefficient procedures; gaps in available resources for development; deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure; lack of neighborhood amenities; or challenges to preserving existing housing stock such as increasing threats from natural hazards, redevelopment pressures, or expiration of affordability requirements.
Eligible Applicants: local and state governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and multijurisdictional entities
Available Funding: $85 million; HUD expects 20 awards
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: October 30, 2023

Planning and Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program

Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
Summary: Supports the development of economic development plans and studies designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region.
Eligible Applicants: political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations (acting in cooperation with a political subdivision), and institutions of higher education
Eligible Geographies: Communities with demonstrated economic distress or special need
Local Match Requirement: 50%
Deadline: TBA

Rural Business Development Grant Program

Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
Summary: Technical assistance, training, and other enterprise support to small businesses in rural communities.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, rural cooperatives.
Eligible Geographies: Projects must be located in rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more.
Local Match Requirement: None
Deadline: February 28, 2023

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
Summary: Funds for improving housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments under 50,000 population and with 100 or fewer physical public housing units
Local Match Requirement: 50%
Deadline: TBA

Thriving Communities Program

Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation
Summary: Program ensures disadvantaged communities adversely affected by environmental, climate, and human health policy outcomes have the technical tools and organizational capacity to compete for federal aid and deliver infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.
Eligible Applicants: Local governments, nonprofit organizations
Available Funding: $30 million
Local Match Requirement: N/A
Deadline: TBA

*Prepared by the Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization (NEFCO). Funding opportunities provided for general informational purposes. NEFCO does not guarantee accuracy of information listed (i.e., eligibility requirements, application deadlines, matching requirements, etc.). Please consult appropriate funding agency for additional information.