Community Economic Development Projects
ACF offers $15.2M to Community Development Corporations for projects creating jobs and businesses for low-income individuals, especially in underserved areas.
Funder: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services (OCS)
Due Dates: September 8, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$800,000 per award | 3-year (non-construction) or 4-year (construction) projects | ~$15.2M total, ~15 awards
Summary: Funding for nonprofit community development corporations to create or expand businesses and permanent jobs for individuals with low income in persistently poor or high-unemployment communities.
Key Information: No cost sharing required; faith-based and tribal CDCs eligible; 75% of jobs created must be filled by individuals with low income.
Description
This opportunity provides funding to private, nonprofit Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to implement innovative, financially viable projects that create or expand businesses and generate new, permanent, full-time jobs for individuals with low income. Projects should address persistent poverty and chronic unemployment in urban and rural communities, aiming to revitalize communities, decrease dependency on federal programs, and improve economic mobility. At least 75% of jobs created must be filled by individuals with low income, and projects must offer wraparound services to help new employees overcome barriers to long-term employment.
Both construction and non-construction projects are eligible. Non-construction projects have a 3-year project period; construction projects have a 4-year period. The program encourages targeting rural and underserved areas, and applicants may receive bonus points for projects supporting domestic energy resources, workforce development partnerships, or serving geographically underserved communities.
