External Grants and Opportunities
Below you will find grants and other funding opportunities from outside agencies and organizations across the country. The listings have been broken out into Federal Opportunities and External Opportunities. Annual opportunities that have yet to open or opportunities that do not yet have deadlines are listed as TBA. Have an opportunity you think should be listed here? Email us at info@nc4mm.org!
US DOT Navigator
The DOT Navigator is a new resource to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to plan for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services. Whether it’s the first time you’re applying for a DOT grant or you’re looking for more technical details and guidance, the DOT Navigator can help get you started.
This site will evolve over time. Its pages provide general information to develop grant applications and understand frequently required documents, contacts to DOT regional and field offices, and a searchable menu of technical assistance resources available to help new and repeat grantees to realize their communities’ vision for moving goods and people safely, efficiently, sustainable, and equitably.
Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
Application closes: October 20, 2023
The Toyota Mobility Foundation is seeking cities who wish to host City Challenges in 2024 – 2025. They will select ten shortlisted cities that will receive a range of capacity building support to help them understand the issue they want to solve and attract innovators to provide solutions. By Februrary 2024, they will select three of the ten shortlisted cities to host City Challenges to find solutions for local mobility challenges. Register for the August 29 webinar to learn more about their three types of grants.
Funding local health equity solutions in Houston and California
Application closes: October 19 (Calif.) and October 20 (Houston) 2023
hese Funds exist to accelerate access to capital for evidenced-based, sustainable, entrepreneurial solutions within communities that help people live longer, healthier lives. Local organizations actively working to break down social and economic barriers to health equity including economic empowerment, healthy food access, housing, recidivism, access to quality healthcare, transportation and educational opportunities are encouraged to apply for funding.
Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program
Application closes: October 10, 2023
The SMART program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
Sustainable Cities Challenge
Application closes: September 18, 2023
The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program supports projects that work across the food system to increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; and promotes comprehensive responses to local food access, farm and nutrition issues, including strategies to reduce food waste and other agricultural needs that mutually benefit agricultural producers and consumers.
Federal Opportunities
Thriving Communities Program
LOIs due: November 15, 2023
TCP provides technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to teams of community partners that may lack the staffing or technical expertise to scope, fund, and develop infrastructure projects that advance broader community goals. TCP will provide 2 years of deep-dive assistance and 3 years of facilitated peer learning support to selected communities to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities. There is no cost to receive this support. Interested applicants must identify community partners and together submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) via DOT webform by 4:59 p.m. (ET) November 15, 2023, to be considered for selection.
Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
Application opens: August 14, 2023
The Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new pilot program for technical assistance has opened this week. The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program offers technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities. The NOFO combines two years of funding (Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023), $3.4 million in total, to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. See the informational webinar slides for more information.
US DOT Key Notices of Funding Opportunity
Deadline: TBA
In order to provide stakeholders with more visibility into upcoming funding opportunities, DOT is publishing a list of anticipated dates for upcoming Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for key programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), as well as adjacent programs that support BIL and IRA objectives. This list is not comprehensive and will be updated periodically with additional programs and revised dates as appropriate.
USDA Rural Economic Development Loan/Grant Program
Deadline: Quarterly
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA. USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan fund to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.
External Opportunities
MUFG Union Bank Foundation – Community Recovery Program
Deadline: Rolling
The MUFG Union Bank Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the communities where the Bank has operations in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The Foundation awards grants to organizations that expand access to economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities, specifically in the following areas: Affordable Housing, Economic Development, and Stewardship and Sustainability.
Cigna Foundation Health and Well-Being Grants
Deadline: Rolling
The Cigna Foundation is committed to eliminating health disparities and improving health and well-being for all. We wish to partner with nonprofits who are addressing the root causes of health inequity, including supporting under-resourced and systemically disadvantaged communities with poor social determinants of health (SDOH). Given recent incidents here in the U.S. and around the world, the persistence of COVID-19 and the economic climate, this grant cycle will focus on funding programs that address improving and ensuring good mental health.