Economic development grants
Grants for local economic development: downtown and Main Street programs, business support organizations, sites and infrastructure.
- 8 open
- 13 rolling
- 1 upcoming
- Next deadline October 30, 2026
From companies, foundations and states
- Closes30 OCT
Creative Support Organization grant
State of New Mexico · Nonprofits
New Mexico Creative Industries Division grants for nonprofits that support creative businesses and workers.
- Closes30 OCT
Rural Communities Opportunity Grant
State of Utah · Local governments
Competitive grants for rural Utah counties, cities and towns to fund economic development projects.
- Closes13 NOV
TD Charitable Foundation regional grants
TD Bank · Nonprofits
Grants of $5,000 and up for nonprofits in TD Bank's footprint, decided in rounds through the year.
- Closes29 NOV
Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services
Rockefeller Foundation · Nonprofits
Grants of $500,000 to $2 million for nonprofits working with a city government to pilot or expand an AI tool for public services, with the OpenAI Foundation.
- Closes09 DEC
Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts
State of Illinois · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
Reimburses capital and startup costs for opening grocery stores in Illinois food deserts.
- Closes21 DEC
Idaho Gem Grant
State of Idaho · Local governments, Tribes, Nonprofits
Rural economic development grants for Idaho cities under 25,000 people, counties and tribes; they can apply on behalf of nonprofits.
- ApplyANYTIME
Community Development Investment Grant
State of Wisconsin · Local governments
WEDC grants of generally up to $250,000 for downtown building projects (adaptive reuse, infill, historic preservation), submitted by the municipality.
- ApplyANYTIME
Economic Development Partnership Program
State of South Dakota · Nonprofits, Tribes, Local governments
South Dakota matching grants for local economic development work by nonprofit development corporations, tribes, cities and counties.
- ApplyANYTIME
Global NY Fund
State of New York · Small businesses, Nonprofits
Export grants from Empire State Development: up to $25,000 for New York companies with 500 or fewer local employees, and up to $100,000 for nonprofits giving export help.
- ApplyANYTIME
Illinois CDBG Economic Development Program
State of Illinois · Local governments
Rolling CDBG money for non-metro Illinois communities to help private businesses create or keep full-time jobs.
- ApplyANYTIME
Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers
State of Illinois · Nonprofits
Awards of $250,000 to $500,000 to organizations running centers that help small businesses grow in underserved Illinois communities.
- ApplyANYTIME
Indiana OCRA Community Development Block Grants
State of Indiana · Local governments
CDBG grants for Indiana's smaller cities, towns and counties, for water, sewer, downtown and community facilities. The CEED loan fund can pass money to a business.
- ApplyANYTIME
Kentucky GRANT Program
State of Kentucky · Local governments, Nonprofits
State money that helps Kentucky communities and organizations meet the match on federal grants; $50 million became available in July 2026.
- ApplyANYTIME
Local Economic Development Act (LEDA)
State of New Mexico · Small businesses, Local governments
Reimbursement grants that New Mexico local governments pass to economic-base businesses for land, buildings and infrastructure.
- ApplyANYTIME
Louisiana CDBG Economic Development
State of Louisiana · Local governments
CDBG grants to Louisiana local governments for infrastructure that helps a for-profit business locate or expand; at least a 1:1 private match.
- ApplyANYTIME
Missouri CDBG Economic Development
State of Missouri · Local governments
Year-round CDBG money for Missouri communities to help businesses create jobs, until funds run out.
- ApplyANYTIME
Ohio Economic Development Program (CDBG)
State of Ohio · Local governments
Federal CDBG money, up to $500,000 a project, that Ohio communities use to help businesses expand and create jobs for low- and moderate-income workers.
- ApplyANYTIME
Truist Foundation grants
Truist · Nonprofits
Grants for 501(c)(3) public charities building career pathways or strengthening small businesses.
- ApplyOPEN
Vermont Community Development Program
State of Vermont · Local governments, Nonprofits, Small businesses
CDBG grants through Vermont towns: implementation grants of $50,000 to $1 million (including business job projects) and planning grants of $3,000 to $75,000.
- OpensSOON
Target Foundation Hometown grants
Target · Nonprofits
Grants of about $25,000 to $200,000 for Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
- StatusVARIES
Build Our Future Grant
State of Maryland · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Colleges
Maryland grants for innovation infrastructure projects by companies, nonprofits, local governments and colleges; run by MEDCO since July 1, 2026.
- StatusVARIES
Innovate Alabama Network
State of Alabama · Nonprofits
One-time designation grants of up to $250,000 for Alabama 501(c)(3) nonprofits that support entrepreneurs and innovation.
- StatusVARIES
Kansas HEAL grants
State of Kansas · Small businesses, Nonprofits
Historic Economic Asset Lifeline grants to bring vacant rural Kansas downtown buildings back into use; $1.5 million in the seventh round.
- StatusVARIES
Main Street Solutions Fund
State of North Carolina · Small businesses, Local governments
Reimbursable grants for small business projects in North Carolina Main Street communities and small towns in Tier 2 and 3 counties, applied for with the local government.
- StatusVARIES
Microenterprise Assistance Program
State of Nebraska · Nonprofits
Nebraska grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that lend to or train very small businesses.
- StatusVARIES
Nevada Main Street grants
State of Nevada · Nonprofits, Local governments
GOED grants to local Main Street organizations for downtown projects; $425,517 went to 31 projects from 20 organizations.
- StatusVARIES
OneGeorgia Rural Site Development grants
State of Georgia · Local governments
Grants to rural Georgia local governments and development authorities to prepare sites for new employers.
- StatusVARIES
Promise Act grants
State of Minnesota · Small businesses, Nonprofits
Minnesota DEED grants for small businesses with revenue of $750,000 or less in communities with less access to capital, paid out through partner organizations in rounds since 2024.
- StatusVARIES
Site and Building Development Fund
State of Nebraska · Local governments, Nonprofits
Nebraska grants for local governments and nonprofits to prepare industrial sites and rehabilitate buildings; a 2026 round offered $100,000 for a nonprofit food distribution building.
- StatusVARIES
Small Business Development Grant
State of Wisconsin · Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
WEDC grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to economic development groups, municipalities, tribes and counties that support small businesses.
- StatusVARIES
Small Business Technical Assistance grants
State of Massachusetts · Nonprofits
Massachusetts grants of $21,000 to $122,500 to nonprofits that advise small businesses.
- StatusVARIES
Virginia Main Street grants
State of Virginia · Nonprofits, Local governments
Downtown Investment and Community Vitality grants for Virginia Main Street communities and their downtown organizations.
- StatusINVITE
Grant opportunities and open calls
Ford Foundation · Nonprofits
Ford Foundation programs mostly choose their own grantees; outside organizations can watch for open calls and submit ideas through the online inquiry form.
- StatusINVITE
JPMorganChase philanthropic grants
JPMorganChase · Nonprofits
Grants to local partners, mostly community lenders and small business support organizations, chosen by the firm. There is no public application.
- StatusINVITE
The Coca-Cola Foundation
Coca-Cola · Nonprofits
Grants for safe water, watershed conservation, recycling, disaster response and economic opportunity, chosen by the foundation.
- StatusINVITE
Wells Fargo Foundation grants
Wells Fargo · Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes, Schools
Grants for housing affordability, small business growth and financial opportunity, by invitation.
- Closed15 AUG
Arkansas Community Assistance Grant
State of Arkansas · Nonprofits, Local governments
20% matching grants of up to $1.5 million a year for Arkansas cities, counties and nonprofits working on economic opportunity and community revitalization.
- StatusCLOSED
Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund
State of Montana · Local governments, Tribes
Job creation and planning grants that Montana local and tribal governments apply for on behalf of businesses (for-profit or nonprofit).
- Closed01 AUG
Business Ready Community Grant and Loan
State of Wyoming · Local governments, Tribes
Wyoming grants and loans to cities, towns, counties, joint powers boards and tribes for infrastructure that helps businesses locate or expand.
- StatusCLOSED
CDFA Community Development Tax Credits
State of New Hampshire · Nonprofits
New Hampshire tax credits that nonprofits sell to businesses to raise money for community projects; $5.54 million went to 22 nonprofits in June 2026.
- Closed04 AUG
Commercial District Revitalization
State of North Carolina · Local governments, Nonprofits
North Carolina grants to local governments and nonprofits that improve the commercial districts where small businesses operate.
- Closed31 JUL
Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)
State of New York · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
New York's yearly single application for dozens of state programs, including Regional Council capital grants, for businesses, municipalities and nonprofits.
- StatusCLOSED
Destination Development Grant
State of North Dakota · Small businesses, Nonprofits
North Dakota tourism grants for businesses, nonprofits and tourism groups building new attractions.
- StatusCLOSED
Florida Small Cities CDBG
State of Florida · Local governments
About $38 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money for Florida cities and counties that don't get CDBG directly from HUD.
- Closed31 JUL
Gulf Coast Restoration Fund
State of Mississippi · Local governments, Nonprofits
Mississippi grants for Gulf Coast projects by local governments, nonprofits, NGOs and economic development groups.
- StatusENDED
Hometown Grants
T-Mobile · Local governments, Nonprofits, Tribes
Up to $50,000 for shovel-ready projects that build or refresh community spaces in towns under 50,000 people. The five-year program announced its last 25 towns on June 26, 2026.
- StatusCLOSED
Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant
State of Idaho · Nonprofits
Regionally competitive tourism marketing grants for Idaho nonprofits with a travel or convention program; $11.2 million was granted in 2026.
- StatusCLOSED
Indiana Community Collaboration Fund
State of Indiana · Nonprofits, Local governments
IEDC matching grants of $5,000 to $40,000 for organizations that support entrepreneurs: chambers, nonprofits and economic development groups.
- StatusCLOSED
Innovation Ecosystem Development Program
State of Maine · Nonprofits
Maine Technology Institute awards of up to $500,000 for nonprofits that help innovation-driven companies grow; 1:1 cash match.
- Closed29 JUN
Local grants: stable housing and empowering communities
Bank of America · Nonprofits
The foundation's second local cycle, for housing stability and community-building work by nonprofits in its markets.
- Closed31 AUG
Main Street Matters
State of Pennsylvania · Local governments, Nonprofits
Pennsylvania grants to local governments, nonprofits, community development corporations and improvement districts for downtown and small business projects.
- Closed24 APR
Match on Main
State of Michigan · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
Reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 for new or expanding small businesses in Michigan downtowns, applied for by the local downtown or community development organization.
- Closed11 SEP
Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant
State of Mississippi · Nonprofits, Local governments
Grants for designated Mississippi Main Street associations (501(c) nonprofits), cities, counties and business improvement districts.
- Closed25 FEB
National Grassroots Organizing Program
Ben & Jerry's · Nonprofits
Unrestricted operating grants of up to $30,000 (about $20,000 on average) for small, constituent-led organizing groups with budgets under $350,000.
- StatusCLOSED
Network Matching Grants
State of Rhode Island · Nonprofits, Small businesses, Colleges
Rhode Island Commerce grants of at least $50,000 to nonprofits, companies and colleges that support small businesses and startups.
- StatusCLOSED
Open calls, including the Knight Cities Challenge
Knight Foundation · Nonprofits, Local governments, Small businesses
Knight funds journalism, the arts and civic life, mostly through partnerships. Its occasional open calls include the Knight Cities Challenge, with grants up to $200,000 in 26 cities.
- Closed31 OCT
Relentless Challenge
State of South Carolina · Nonprofits, Local governments, Colleges
South Carolina Commerce grants to nonprofits, chambers, local governments and colleges that support small businesses ($50,000 track) and innovation ($75,000 track), with a 1:1 match.
- Closed29 MAY
Rhode Island Commercial Improvement grants
State of Rhode Island · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
Main Street and site readiness grants for developers, nonprofits and private owners improving streetscapes and commercial sites.
- Closed28 AUG
Tennessee Downtown Improvement Grant
State of Tennessee · Local governments, Nonprofits
Grants of up to $300,000 for Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities, including façade work on for-profit and nonprofit commercial buildings.
- Closed30 SEP
Utah Economic Assistance Grant
State of Utah · Small businesses, Nonprofits
Grants of up to $200,000 for Utah businesses and nonprofits running projects that expand economic opportunity.
- StatusCLOSED
Yield Giving Open Call
MacKenzie Scott · Nonprofits
MacKenzie Scott's open call gave $1 million unrestricted gifts to community-led nonprofits with budgets of $1 million to $5 million; 361 organizations received $640 million in 2024.
Federal grants
Open and forecast opportunities from Grants.gov that match this cause, soonest deadline first.
- Closes04 NOV
Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
NPS · Tribal organizations, For-profits, Private colleges, +11 more
Goal: Encourage outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism that expands access to and awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and fosters economic development of communities.ObjectivesNPS Chesapeake Gateways is offering this competitive grant opportunity to strengthen a community's ability to offer or enhance outdoor recreation and na
- Closes02 OCT
Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Economic Development (GRANTED)
NSF · Anyone eligible
NSF GRANTED supports innovative models of research enterprise administrative development and workforce training infrastructure that promote sustainable research capacity and opportunities for economic impact in U.S. organizations. The research enterprise, broadly defined, includes research development and administration, research analytics, technology transf
Questions
When do economic development grants close?
The next deadline is October 30, 2026 for Creative Support Organization grant. 13 programs take applications at any time.
Can a business apply for economic development grants?
Usually not directly. The town, county or development group applies and passes the money to the project.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.