Grants for City or township governments - Capacity Building

This program provides financial assistance to eligible governmental organizations, non-profits, and Indian Tribes in Arizona for repairing infrastructure damaged by wildfires or fire suppression activities since July 1, 2020, with a focus on those most significantly impacted and lacking other funding sources.

The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy is happy to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2024 Grant Funding Program. Donor Name: City of New Orleans State: Louisiana City: New Orleans Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: For the FY24 cycle, twenty-five (25) grants of $2,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations that are engaging in activities that promote the cultural economy through educating  youth, training cultural producers, providing networking opportunities, creating cultural events, and other projects that align with the Office of Cultural Economy’s mission. What can be Fund: Workshops, training, and conferences that build cultural economy capacity in cultural non-profits, neighborhood organizations, and cultural businesses. Capacity Building includes networking, teaching skills such as fundraising/grant writing, working with partners to improve programming, leveraging, education about sustainability, learning of new concepts such as place-based planning, etc. Workshops, training, and conferences in any of the Cultural Economy segments as defined by the Office of Cultural Economy: Entertainment (dance, theater, music, film, sound recording), Design (fashion, interactive media, communications), Preservation (architecture, construction, landscape architecture, and interior design related to preserving historic buildings and assets), Culinary Arts, Literary Arts and Humanities, and Visual Arts and Crafts. Events with art and cultural components. Funds can be used for paying musicians or other performers, attracting tourists, or other activities that will directly impact either cultural workers or attract sales for art and cultural vendors. Note: all funded programs, events, and activities must acknowledge support from the Office of Cultural Economy through use of their logo or written/verbal acknowledgment. Eligibility Criteria State and federal 501(c)3 nonprofits For profit businesses licensed with the City and State and are in good standing Note they do not fund for-profit activities, but community/cultural activities organized by for-profit businesses qualify Individuals, such as artists, who have secured a fiscal agent (such as a nonprofit) For more information, visit City of New Orleans.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park Service. It aims to develop public outdoor recreation facilities and offer matching grants to local governments for creating public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The grant focuses on aligning with the priorities of the 2022-2027 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which includes trails, community recreation, green technology, coordination, communication, and universal access. Acquisition of land is not eligible for funding under this grant. Eligible applicants include state agencies and local government units such as cities, villages, townships, counties, and Native American Tribes. The application process is exclusively online via the MiGrants system, and the funding requires a 50% match from the applicant. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

Notice of Funding Availability - FY24 Arizona Automobile Theft Authority AATA Grant programs are available for Law Enforcement, Training and Theft Prevention projects to Arizona Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice agencies. End of FY24 AATA Grant funding available prior to June 30, 2024.  Grant extensions may be requested beyond June 30th to allow for procurement and program implementation. Grant applications require the approval of the AATA Board of Directors. Once approved, contracts are generated for signature by an authorized representative of the grantee and the AATA prior to funding being issued.     Agencies are required to submit monthly or quarterly financial and performance reports within the Ecivis Grant Management System.  Financial Notes: End of FY24 AATA Grant funding available prior to June 30, 2024.  Grant extensions can be obtained beyond June 30th to allow for procurement and program implementation. Submit detailed budget sheet.

The Florida Department of State is seeking applications for its Cultural Facilities Grant. Donor Name: Florida Department of State State: Florida County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Cultural Facilities Program coordinates and guides the State of Florida’s support and funding of renovation, new construction, or acquisition of cultural facilities. It is intended for organizations whose mission is arts and cultural programming in one of the disciplines. The Division offers two levels of funding within the Cultural Facilities Program. These levels are determined by the specific use of the facility: A purpose-built or single use facility that will solely be used for the programming, production, presentation, exhibition of any of the arts and cultural disciplines (Section 265.283(7), Florida Statutes) at least 85% of the time. This type of facility includes theatres, performance centers, museums (including, aquariums, botanical gardens, history centers, zoos, etc.) and art centers. The maximum request amount for this type of facility is $500,000. A multi-purpose facility that will be used for the programming, production, presentation, exhibition of any of the arts and cultural disciplines (Section 265.283(7), Florida Statutes) less than 85% of the time. This type of building includes community centers, recreation centers, civic centers and municipal buildings. The maximum request amount for this type of facility is $200,000. Project costs must be directly related to the arts and cultural portion of the facility. Project Period 23 months. Eligibility Criteria The following conditions are required for eligibility. All documentation must be provided by the application deadline. Must not have multiple active Cultural Facilities projects under contract at one time. Cultural Facilities projects have a grant period of 23 months. Unless a grantee has a smaller project that will be completed in a single year, grantees should submit new applications every other year. Cultural Facilities is subject to Legislative appropriation and recommendations approved by the Secretary of State will be funded top-down until the appropriation is depleted. . Must use the facility to directly conduct arts and cultural programming. Documentation must be provided to support the percentage of facility use is for arts and cultural purposes as it pertains to the organization’s mission per section 265.283(1), Florida Statutes. Must have the required legal status. Must have unrestricted use of the land and buildings associated with the project which means you must be able to record a Restrictive Covenant on the property with the Clerk of Court for ten (10) years or provide a 10-year surety bond. Must retain ownership of all improvements made under the grant (unless the land or buildings are owned by the State of Florida and leased to an eligible applicant). If the property is leased, only facilities with leases in which the lessor is a public entity governed by either a municipality or county, or a not-for-profit entity are eligible for a Cultural Facilities grant (facilities or property owned by an individual or for-profit entity are not eligible for a Cultural Facilities grant). 9. If the property is leased, the lease agreement must be dated, signed by all parties, and submitted at the time of the application submission. 10. Must provide documentation of Total Support and Revenue for the last completed fiscal year. Must have appropriate matching funds and documentation at time of application submission. Must provide current architectural plans signed by a licensed architect or engineer clearly indicating scope of work. If architectural plans are not required for the completion of the project, contractor project proposals or working drawings must be provided. Must include budget estimate provided by the architect, engineer, or contractor that the Proposal Expense Details are based on. 3. Must have current project support of local officials (city and county government), community groups, and community members —for this project— documented in writing at time of application. Applicants with structures 50 years or older must submit a determination letter (stating that the proposed project will have NO adverse effects to the building’s historical significance) from the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) at time of application. Application Restrictions Organizations may only submit one (1) Cultural Facilities application per application deadline. Cultural Facilities grants do not fund Historic Preservation projects. Organizations with projects funded by the Legislature outside of the review of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture or Secretary of State are not eligible to receive Cultural Facilities grant support for the same Scope of Work from the Division of Arts and Culture within the same fiscal year in which legislative funding is appropriated. No organization may receive more than $1.5 million during a consecutive previous five state fiscal year period (July 1 – June 30). Legal Status To meet the legal status requirement, an applicant organization must be either a public entity or a Florida nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation as of the application deadline in accordance with section 265.701(2), Florida Statutes. Public Entity A Florida local government, entity of state government, school district, community college, college, or university. Private schools, private community colleges, private colleges, and private universities are not public entities and must be nonprofit and tax-exempt to meet the legal status requirement. Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt To apply to the Cultural Facilities grant program, an applicant must be both: Nonprofit: incorporated as an active nonprofit Florida corporation, in accordance with Chapter 617, Florida Statutes; and Tax-exempt: designated as tax-exempt as defined in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. For more information, visit Florida Department of State.

The Re+ Circular Economy Grant Program supports projects that minimize waste, keep materials in use longer, and regenerate natural systems. Donor Name: King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) State: Washington County: King County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas  The success of Re+ relies on both upstream prevention and downstream recycling actions, while also reducing inequities that persist in King County. Recognizing the need for a whole system approach, the Re+ Circular Economy Grant has two focus areas: Prevention and Reuse: This includes projects that reduce materials used or purchased, create infrastructure to use reusable products, increase food rescue, and promote sharing or donating items. Recycling: This includes projects that create or expand markets for recycled material (including organics) currently produced in the King County solid waste system. Grants could also support projects that improve the quality, increase the quantity, or increase the availability of recycling in residential or business communities. Priority materials Projects that address the following materials will be awarded higher points in the evaluation process: Plastic Paper Organics (includes food waste, yard waste, and wood). Funding Information Approximately $2.2 million in grant funding is available for the 2024-25 grant cycle. Minimum request amount: $20,000. Maximum request amount: $300,000. Project Eligibility To be eligible, projects must: Demonstrate an impact on King County’s solid waste system by reducing materials generated or being sent to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. King County’s solid waste system serves all unincorporated areas and cities, excluding Seattle and Milton. Be implemented in King County and/or support communities in King County, excluding Seattle and Milton. Address materials that are otherwise disposed of, provide a higher use of materials, or focus on waste prevention. Projects that are not eligible include but are not limited to: Routine operation and maintenance costs Collection of garbage or household hazardous waste items Environmental clean-up of illegal activities (i.e. trash and litter cleanup) Environmental compliance remediation Lobbying and attempts to influence legislation Below are examples of projects that may be funded. This list is not all-inclusive. Projects that increase food rescue for human consumption. Projects that increase diverting food scraps for animal consumption. Projects that stimulate demand for reused or recycled materials and products. Projects that increase access to reuse programs or build reuse infrastructure and systems. Projects that increase the collection or processing capacity of recyclable materials. Projects that commercialize technologies to replace materials with recycled content to grow demand for utilizing recycled materials. Projects that research or develop new uses for recycled materials that demonstrate future diversion potential. Projects that increase access to recycling infrastructure. Projects that create or expand markets and supply chains for recycled materials. Who should apply? Nonprofit organizations Fiscally sponsored organizations Businesses Self-employed individuals Tribal governments Universities/colleges. For more information, visit King County Solid Waste Division (SWD).

Junior League of Springfield Capacity Building Grants are up to $1,500 for attendance by nonprofit staff and board members at trainings and professional development programs of their choosing. Donor Name: Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln State: Illinois County: Cass County (IL), Christian County (IL), Logan County (IL), Macoupin County (IL), Menard County (IL), Montgomery County (IL), Morgan County (IL), Sangamon County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon counties to apply for funding from the competitive grantmaking funds when eligible. Capacity building grants are strategic investments in people and organizations to be used to defray the cost of attending programs targeted at improving the management, governance and leadership of the applicant organization. Capacity building grants can be used to send staff or board members to a specific workshop or conference or to engage a consultant to provide customized training to one or more organizations. Organizations may include all costs related to their participation in the proposed professional development opportunity, including: registration or consulting fees, travel, meals, lodging, and other applicable costs. Who can apply? Each grant program at the Foundation is unique in what it funds and who is eligible to apply. Please review the grant information for each program carefully to make sure your organization meets the specific criteria. Applications are generally accepted from: registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations faith-based organizations (proposals must benefit all, regardless of religion, and be for service provided which is not religious in nature) public or private schools (proposals must be for projects that exceed the school’s budget funding) units of government or municipalities. For more information, visit CFLOL.

The Multipurpose Drainage Management grant program provides financial assistance to model, design, and construct projects and practices that will control water volume and rates to protect infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change impacts. Donor Name: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 Million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Multipurpose Drainage Management RFP is now open, with $900,000 in funding available for FY 24. This competitive grant program funds multipurpose drainage management practices, targeting critical pollution source areas to reduce erosion and sedimentation, reduce peak flows and flooding, and improve water quality, while protecting drainage system efficiency and reducing drainage system maintenance for priority Chapter 103E drainage systems. Eligible Projects  Eligible activities can consist of structural practices and projects; non-structural practices and measures, project support, grant management and reporting. Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement these activities are considered essential and are to be included in the total project or practice cost. Eligibility Criteria This grant program strongly encourages a Chapter 103E drainage authority (County, Joint County Board, or Watershed District) and Soil and Water Conservation District(s) to establish or define a partnership to apply for and use these grant funds. One SWCD or drainage authority partner is eligible to apply on behalf of a partnership, but must verify in the proposal that all the partner(s) are committed to the project. The following entities are eligible: Drainage authorities as defined by Minn. Stat. Chapter 103E Local governments (counties, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and soil and water conservation districts or local government joint power boards) working under a current State approved and locally adopted local water management plan, comprehensive watershed management plan or soil and water conservation district comprehensive plan. Municipalities are eligible if they: 1) have a water plan that has been approved by a watershed district or a watershed management organization as provided under Minn. Stat. 103B.235; or 2) adopted an approved comprehensive watershed management plan developed under Minn. Stat. 103B.801 Counties in the seven-county metropolitan area are eligible if they have adopted a county groundwater plan under Minn Stat. 103B.255 or county comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Metropolitan Council under Minn. Stat. Chapter 473. For more information, visit BWSR.

The Pollinator Pathways grant program promotes native plantings that establish key corridors (or pathways) for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. Donor Name: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Minnesota Pollinator Pathways program is led by local conservation partners who work with Minnesota Residents to promote and establish pollinator plantings and key corridors for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. This can be done by establishing/connecting pollinator pathways across communities with an emphasis on residences and/or community spaces. Pathways can range from a local neighborhood scale to across watersheds. Creating these pathways, by establishing deep rooted native vegetation will have climate resiliency benefits, increase biodiversity and provide other important ecosystem services. Funding Informaion A total of $1,100,000 is available for funding for the FY24/25 biennium . Only grant requests greater than $50,000 will be considered. Eligible Activities and Expenses  The primary purpose of activities funded through this program is to promote native plantings that establish key corridors for at-risk pollinators and establishing habitat for benefitting pollinators at scales from local neighborhoods to across watersheds. This will be achieved through efforts to establish habitat and educating Minnesotans about pollinators within pollinator corridors/pathways and building overall interest in ecological landscaping. This program is intended to fund pollinator plantings and to inspire and guide DIY projects. Eligible activities can consist of: Project development and public outreach actives which will directly support or supplement the goals and outcomes of the work plan such as civic engagement: public outreach; initial contacts, action, and activities with landowners/residents and/or partners; preliminary information gathering, conservation marketing or other activities. Establishment of pollinator habitat projects such as planting beneficial trees and shrubs, pollinator lawns, pollinator meadows, native pocket planting, container planting on impervious surfaces (pavement, rooftops, apartment decks etc) that are no greater than 5 ac. in size. Eligible project expense include: MN Native Plants and Seeds includes insecticide/neonicotinoid free flowers/forbs, bare root plants, grasses and sedges, trees and shrubs, and seeds. Projects should have at least three blooming plants species during spring, summer and fall with higher diversity strongly encouraged. Source native plants and seeds within 175 miles of the project location to the extent possible. Project expenses including biodegradable weed suppression mulch (non-dyed preferred), compost, fencing or other herbivores portion materials, signage, equipment rental fees, and delivery fees), contractor installation and/or maintenance of project. Program and project support- education, outreach, marketing, staff time; Education development and implementation of conservation education activities and programs such as workshops, clinics, publications, websites, presentations, fairs, etc. Supplies/Equipment acquisition of equipment (hand sod kicker, hand shovels, hand rakes and trowels, watering tree gator) or supplies. Administration/Coordination staff time for grant administration Technical and engineering assistance necessary to implement grant activities associated with technical site assessment, surveys, preliminary analysis and design, final design construction supervision, installation, inspection, and completion of projects. Eligible Lands: Projects should have a focus on residential and/or community and/or educational space garden with a maximum project size of 5 acres. Eligible expenses are those expenses solely incurred though project activities that are directly related to and necessary for producing the project outcomes described in the proposal. Grant recipients are required to account for the staff time charged to BWSR grants in order to track the expenditure of grant funds and match to ensure the use of the funds is consistent with applicable State and BWSR requirements. Costs that are unallowable to be charged to BWSR grants include but are not limited to: Bad debts, late payment fees, and investment management fees Giving donations and fundraising Entertainment, gifts, prizes, and decorations Alcohol Interest on loans not authorized under state statute. Loans of BWSR grant funds Lobbying, lobbyists, and political contributions. Eligible Organizations Academic (including but not limited to PreK through grade 12 schools and PreK through grade 12 public schools) Cities Counties Joint Powers Board Non-Profit Soil Water Conservation Districts Townships Tribal Governments Watershed Districts Watershed Management Organizations. For more information, visit BWSR.

The Animal Welfare Fund supports organizations dedicated to advancing animal welfare in Maine. Donor Name: Maine Community Foundation State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Types of Funding Three-year general support grants to animal shelters focused on cats and dogs that do all of the following: Help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship, e.g., domestic abuse, homelessness, serious illness, etc. Support population control activities for cats and dogs Educate pet owners and community members about the care and humane treatment of animals. Please note: Maximum award amount for all organizations regardless of size is $15,000 per year. One-year project grants to animal welfare organizations for one or more of the following: Programs that help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship Population control activities for cats and dogs Education of pet owners and/or community members about the care and humane treatment of animals Statewide coordination among shelters Coordination with human services agencies to make interventions that support animals in crisis situations. Who is eligible to apply? Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) Municipalities Public schools Public agencies working for the State of Maine Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above. For more information, visit MCF.

The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) seeks applications for Large Bridge Project grants, aimed at projects with total eligible costs greater than $100 million. The initiative supports bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight. The program is designed to improve the condition of bridges across the United States by addressing those in poor or fair condition that are at risk of deteriorating or do not meet current design standards. Grants are awarded competitively and are available to a wide range of applicants, including states, local governments, and tribal governments. For fiscal years 2023 to 2026, the program has up to $9.62 billion available, with specific deadlines for application submissions detailed by fiscal year.

This program provides funding to Pennsylvania municipalities for collaborative service initiatives and community planning projects to enhance local governance and improve residents' quality of life.

This funding provides financial assistance to eligible municipalities in Pennsylvania for community development activities aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to the impacts of COVID-19.

This funding opportunity assists communities in developing a portfolio of ready sites to attract and support growing businesses, with loans available specifically for private developers.

This program provides financial assistance to low-income families to improve their homes' energy efficiency, helping them save on energy costs while ensuring their health and safety.

This funding provides financial support to Pennsylvania counties, cities, and local governments to aid in COVID-19 response, economic recovery, and public health improvements.

PLEASE READ: This program is NOT for flooding damage. This program is only available for infrastructure that was damaged from fires or fire suppression activities that occurred on or after July 1, 2020. For questions regarding post-wildfire flooding damage, please contact your local County Emergency Management office. PLEASE READ: Private landowners are only eligible to receive financial assistance if they work through an eligible applicant: Eligible applicants include Governmental organizations (including state, county, and local), 501(c) non-profit organizations, and Indian Tribes. The State of Arizona through the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) invites proposals from Arizona public and private landowners for emergency repairs for infrastructure damaged by fires or fire suppression activities occurring July 1, 2020 and after. The Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program goal is to assist in infrastructure repairs to physical systems, operational structures and facilities needed for the use of urban, rural, agricultural, cultural and natural resources.  Financial Notes: The Arizona Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program has allocated $10,000,000 to support infrastructure recovery efforts to mitigate the impact of Arizona wildfires.  Awards will be limited to those applicants most significantly impacted, on a first-come-first-served basis, and DFFM shall prioritize distributions of financial assistance to private landowners. Applicants will be those whose needs were not met by other funding sources (insurance, federal agencies, etc.) and only after all other sources of payment, including any insurance and other reimbursements, have been deducted or the landowner provides information to DFFM that the landowner does not qualify for other reimbursement.  Awards will be limited to a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $500,000 per award. Some projects may be offered only partial funding depending on the severity of demonstrated need and funding availability at the time of the request. 

Working with Railroads comprise funding and project efforts that engage the Commision and staff in the business and support of an effective rail service as the key connection for Ohio companies to their suppliers and markets worldwide, Rail is often a requirement for business attraction and retention efforts. The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) promotes economic opportunities while supporting safety and quality of life concerns across Ohio's extensive rail infrastructure. At 5,187 miles, Ohio's network of active rail lines is the fourth most extensive in the nation. The high mileage of rail lines in Ohio reflects the close integration of rail with Ohio's economy. Ohio's businesses are committed to using Ohio's rail network. Ohio's largest railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, publish Public Projects Manuals to assist public entities in interacting with their organizations. Regional and short-line railroads often publish information on their websites to identify appropriate processes and contacts. If needed, ORDC is happy to assist Ohio communities with identifying the correct railroad contacts. The ORDC assists with railroad-roadway coordination by providing technical assistance to ODOT District project managers and area engineers, local municipalities, contractors, and others regarding railroad issues and requirements for public projects.

The General Appropriation Act of 2020 (1A of 2020) and the Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2020 (Act 17A of 2020) together appropriated a combined total of $5,000,000 to establish the State Facility Closure Transition Program (SFCTP). The SFCTP is intended to ensure adequate community support following the closure of commonwealth facilities in directly impacted and contiguous counties. Financial Info: The General Appropriation Act of 2020 (1A of 2020) and the Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2020 (Act 17A of 2020) together appropriated a combined total of $5,000,000 to establish the State Facility Closure Transition Program (SFCTP). The SFCTP is intended to ensure adequate community support following the closure of commonwealth facilities in directly impacted and contiguous counties.

The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is pleased to announce the availability of funding from the Rural Development Fund (RDF), through the 2025 Community One Stop for Growth. Donor Name: Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The RDF is a competitive grant program created to provide financial support for a variety of activities related to economic and community development in rural communities and small towns throughout the Commonwealth. Eligible municipalities and other public entities are invited to submit project proposals to be considered for funding. The program is designed to support projects that address the unique economic needs and challenges faced by smaller communities, which sometimes includes difficulty competing against larger cities/towns for grant resources. RDF offers grants for a variety of project types, including community planning efforts, predevelopment activities, and/or construction. Funding Information Grants in this category will likely be in the $50,000-$500,000 range. Projects that apply under the “Planning and Zoning” category will be limited to no more than $100,000 per application. Grants in all other categories will be limited to a maximum of $500,000. At its discretion, EOED may make partial awards, for an amount less than requested by an applicant or make grants over $500K, as appropriate. All funding for this program is subject to annual appropriation. Eligible Projects  The program will consider a variety of projects for funding support. Examples of project types that may be submitted for considered include, but may not be limited to the following (projects listed under the corresponding Development Continuum categories): Planning and Zoning Category (generally, grant requests are for consulting services) Create a housing production plan to better understand housing needs of the community and identify strategies to reduce gaps in existing housing relative to identified needs. If applicable, create a multi-family zoning district near a transit station to comply with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3A. Conduct a zoning review to identify and remove language that hinders economic growth, such as housing and/or commercial development. Create a plan to update zoning rules to unlock potential housing production and economic development growth. Site Preparation Category (generally entails hiring of consultants, engineers, and/or contractors) Create a site master plan, including predevelopment activities, on an underutilized commercial property with the intent to create mixed use that may include affordable housing. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address changes to existing water, sewer and stormwater in a prospective development site. Demolish a blighted building that cannot be recovered to prepare a portion of a parcel or an entire parcel for mixed-use redevelopment that may include affordable housing. Buildings (generally entails hiring of consultants, engineers, and/or contractors) Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address ADA accessibility requirements for public buildings and resources. Rehabilitate housing to bring an underutilized property back onto the market. Provide further subsidies to an affordable housing project to directly create affordable housing units or increase the number of affordable units in a new housing project. Infrastructure (generally entails hiring of engineers and contractors) Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction for road improvements, including projects that address public safety concerns, such as dangerous road conditions and/or imminent collapse of a bridge or culvert. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address improvements to existing water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address construction of a new water line connection to an adjacent town or making plans to consolidate water districts for an area served only by wells. Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction of alternative transportation infrastructure to address ADA accessibility requirements for pedestrians and cyclists between residential and/or commercial areas. Eligibility Criteria  A municipal government, or other public entity, from any Massachusetts town that meets (based on the 2020 Census data) the definition of a Rural Community (having less than 500 persons per square mile) and/or a Small Town (having a total population of 7,000 or less persons). Other public entities may include a Public Housing Authority, Redevelopment Authority, Water/Sewer District, Economic Development Industrial Corporation, a public body created by legislative act, etc. Regional Planning Agencies may also be eligible applicants if applying on behalf of a clearly identified and eligible public entity or entities within their assigned region, with clear and evident support from those communities. Applications must be submitted by a single lead applicant. However, a lead applicant may submit a joint application in partnership with one or more other eligible applicant(s). For more information, visit EOED.