Community Economic Development Planning Grants

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) is soliciting applications for the Community Economic Development Planning Grants. The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide Community Development Corporations (CDCs) with financial assistance for administrative capacity building to plan and develop Community Economic Development (CED) projects in underserved communities. The objective is to focus resources in persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies that have been unable to put forth a viable CED project in the past. Eligible activities include convening stakeholders, developing community economic development visioning statements, obtaining community buy-in, and identifying funding opportunities. • Eligible applicants are private, non-profit CDCs with 501(c)(3) status. • The award ceiling is $150,000, and the award floor is $75,000. • The project period is 12 months. • Applications are due by July 12, 2023. • The funding opportunity aligns with OCS priorities, including Executive Order 14008, increasing equity in geographic distribution of CED funds, and breaking down service silos. • Bonus points will be provided for projects located in states or trust territories without active CED grants, energy communities, and projects supporting Native American communities.