Community Enhancement Fund
Forecasted
The Community Enhancement Fund by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs supports evidence-based projects to improve public facilities and quality of life in Alabama’s non-entitlement communities.
Funder: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027: Grant Application Workshop (projected) | April 2027: Begin accepting applications (projected) | July 2027: Full application deadline (projected, paper submission by 12:00 noon)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards up to $500,000 per project; local match required (generally ≥10%); project period 18–24 months.
Summary: Supports Alabama non-entitlement communities in enhancing public facilities and amenities to benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
Key Information: Paper submission required; electronic/email applications not accepted.
Description
The Community Enhancement Fund is a competitive grant program administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) as part of the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. It is designed to provide targeted support to Alabama’s non-entitlement communities, enabling them to undertake projects that improve public amenities and facilities—such as parks, senior centers, recreational areas, emergency services, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization. The fund aims to elevate the quality of life for residents, with a strong emphasis on benefiting low- and moderate-income (LMI) populations and fostering the vitality and resilience of local communities.
Projects must principally benefit LMI persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address urgent community needs. Proposals are evaluated on criteria including need, project development, impact, local capacity, and the appropriateness of CDBG funding for the proposed improvements.
