State Grants

The Village Safe Water (VSW) Program in Alaska outlines a clear process for communities seeking funding for water and sewer improvement projects. Eligibility is determined based on community type and the existence of an approved Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) or Technical Memorandum. All applications must be linked to a specific project in the Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) and, for first-time piped service projects, must include an approved Sustainability Plan. The application process involves submitting a community letter requesting the project, indicating the name and cost, and either mailing or emailing the completed application package by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2024. Project funding becomes available in Fall 2024, with the expectation that projects will be completed by Fall 2029.

This funding provides financial assistance to small Alabama communities for creating plans that improve infrastructure and living conditions, particularly for low and moderate-income residents.

Project WINGS is an innovative program aimed at transforming electrical and gas transmission rights-of-ways into vibrant wildlife habitats within Georgia. By providing cash grants of up to $1,500 over three years, along with professional wildlife management advice, the program encourages landowners, leaseholders, hunting clubs, wildlife organizations, and government entities to manage these corridors for the benefit of both non-game and game species. Eligible rights-of-ways include those under Georgia Power, Georgia Transmission, MEAG Power, Savannah Electric, and AGL Resources. Common practices supported by the program include chemical control of exotic plants, planting of annual or perennial plants, and encouraging native vegetation through disking or mowing. Applications for the program are accepted annually from May 15 through July 15 at Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offices. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May 15th to July 15th.

This program provides funding to local governments for the development of public access roads and bridges that support new industrial investments and job creation.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Colorado to address the community impacts of limited stakes gaming by funding public facilities and services.

The Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), initially established as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program in 1987 under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, underwent significant revisions with the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. The program, aimed at addressing homelessness, is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. ESG supports the upgrade of homeless and domestic abuse shelters, covers operating costs, provides essential services to homeless individuals, aids in homelessness prevention, facilitates rapid re-housing, and supports the Homeless Management Information System's administrative costs. Grant renewed every year.

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) focuses on providing high-quality, comprehensive professional development for Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers in Alaska. This initiative aims to integrate state academic standards with relevant technical knowledge and skills, prepare CTE educators to accommodate special populations, and ensure instructors remain updated with industry standards. Approximately $125,000 is available for FY25, anticipating up to five grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 each, to support intensive professional development in high-needs CTE areas determined by Perkins-receiving districts. Applications are due by May 3, 2024, with the grant period running from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Proposals must deliver at least 40 hours of professional development and may include postsecondary credit options for participants.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is offering grants to eligible small businesses in Minnesota to support Diversity and Inclusion training. This initiative aims to enhance these businesses' abilities to attract, hire, and retain people of color across various roles. The program emphasizes equity, innovation, and performance in its awarding criteria, focusing on training participants facing significant employment barriers, fostering an inclusive skilled workforce, and implementing innovative solutions to workforce challenges. Grants are available up to $1,425,000 each state fiscal year, with a maximum of $30,000 available per business for the biennium, limited to one award per biennium. Applications are accepted on a continual basis until funds are depleted, with no awards exceeding $1,425,000 before July 1, 2024.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways, within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is calling for applications from eligible Minnesota community-based organizations. The purpose is to enhance their capacity to provide workforce services and training to historically underserved communities of color or low-income communities. The grant aims to address the needs of areas with historical high unemployment rates, low academic achievement, and median income below the family sustainable wage. Eligible use of funds includes covering the costs of workforce program delivery staff, infrastructure, and the development of service models. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated, with no more than $4,750,000 to be awarded before July 1, 2024.

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), formerly part of the FAST Act, provides funding for diverse transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school, community improvements, and environmental mitigation. The program is competitive, with an 80% federal funding share and a 20% local match requirement. Eligible projects include infrastructure-related activities promoting non-motorized transportation and community improvements. The application deadline for the 2024 cycle is May 31, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Grant renewed every year.

The Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, overseen by the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, invites eligible Minnesota-based small businesses to apply for funding aimed at facilitating export development activities. This initiative is designed to support businesses either embarking on exporting or looking to expand their exports from Minnesota. With a fund of approximately $200,000 available for the program year ending on June 30, 2022, the STEP program offers financial and technical assistance to qualified applicants. The grant mandates a 50% matching fund from recipients, capped at $7,500. Applications are evaluated competitively upon receipt, with a recommendation for early submission to ensure timely review, especially for activities involving travel. Rolling (applications accepted until funds are fully allocated)

This program provides financial support to Colorado schools and local educational agencies that are struggling academically, helping them develop and implement improvement plans to enhance student performance.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and tribal governments to improve law enforcement strategies and victim services aimed at reducing violence against women.

The Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund (ARDEF), established under the Alabama Innovation Act (AIA) by Legislative Act #2019-404, aims to stimulate research and development within Alabama to create employment opportunities and enhance products and services for its citizens. The program supports new and ongoing research and development projects in partnership with private sector applicants and emphasizes financial commitments from industry partners. ARDEF prioritizes projects that demonstrate significant potential for economic impact, particularly benefiting small- and medium-sized businesses, and improving the state's employment landscape and available services. Grant renewed every year.

The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program (TA), funded by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Surface Development Block Grant, is administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This program is dedicated to funding smaller-scale transportation projects that enhance nonmotorized travel options and safety. Eligible projects include on- and off-road bicycle and pedestrian facilities, recreational trails, safe routes for non-drivers, safe routes to schools, and ADA compliance improvements. Furthermore, TA supports projects that incorporate cultural, historical, and environmental elements into transportation infrastructure, such as historic preservation, vegetation management, archaeological activities related to transportation, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. TA solicitation cycles vary by region. For 2024 deadlines - District 5: May 1, 2024 – Aug. 15, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. Hard deadline.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Alabama's local governments for projects that improve community facilities and services, particularly benefiting low and moderate-income residents.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners in Georgia for forest management practices that help control the Southern Pine Beetle and promote healthy pine forests.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), managed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and federally supported, funds the construction and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized recreational trails and related facilities in Arkansas. With an application deadline of May 31, 2024, the program operates on a reimbursement basis, covering 80% of project costs while requiring a 20% non-federal match. Funding priorities include new trail construction and significant maintenance of existing trails, with eligible expenses ranging from new construction to educational materials related to trail use. Grant renewed every year.

The Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program and the Low-Density Population Pilot Program, established by the Minnesota legislature in 2014 and continued in 2023, are aimed at promoting broadband infrastructure expansion in Minnesota's unserved or underserved areas. Managed by the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), these programs provide grants to assist broadband providers with the costs of infrastructure installation. The 2024 grant application cycle, announced by DEED, will open on March 12, 2024, with an application deadline of May 10, 2024. Applicants must register and submit applications via DEED’s Grants Management System, following the detailed instructions on DEED's website. The announcement of awards is anticipated in Summer 2024, with project completion required by December 31, 2026. DEED also hosts an information webinar to guide applicants through the application process.

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program is designed to assist persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless across the state. Managed by the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission and Federal HUD, the ESG Program offers sub-awards to local government entities and non-profit organizations to deliver street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and related services at the local level. The program aims to operate within a continuum of assistance to help individuals and families move towards housing sustainability. It supports targeted populations, including single women, men, youth, veterans, families, and those experiencing domestic violence. Grant renewed every year.