Federal Funding Opportunities


Federal funding opportunities on community and economic development, housing, public safety, transportation, water and storm sewer, and other infrastructure. 


Before applying for grants, ensure the following are up to date and are working:

  • Login.gov or ID.me login credentials work
  • Active SAM.gov registration
  • Know your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
  • Active grants.gov account

Click on the section below to find current grant opportunities: 

Broadband | Community, Economic Development and Housing | Public Safety | Transportation |
Water, Sewer, Storm Sewer, Electrical Infrastructure and Water Resources | Other Opportunities | Grant Resources

Broadband

No funding opportunities at this time, please check back.


Community, Economic Development and Housing

Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Deadline: Applications Accepted Year-Round


Grants for Art Projects  
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides expansive funding opportunities to strengthen the nation’s arts and culture ecosystem. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.

Match
All grants require a nonfederal cost share or match of at least 1 to 1.

Deadline: February 13, 2024


Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program aims to stimulate economic development and job creation in rural communities. The program funds business and community projects that benefit rural areas through two grant categories: Business Opportunity and Business Enterprise grants. Eligible applicants include public bodies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations focused on serving rural areas and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Grant Categories and Funding Uses:

  • Business Opportunity Grants: These funds are designated for community economic development initiatives, technology-based economic development, feasibility studies, business planning, leadership and entrepreneur training, rural business incubators, and strategic business planning.
  • Business Enterprise Grants: Enterprise funds support projects for small and emerging rural businesses, including project planning, technical assistance, land and building development, pollution control, revolving loan fund capitalization, distance learning, transportation, and other community economic development activities.

Funding and Prioritization: There is no maximum funding cap, but smaller funding requests receive higher priority. Up to 10% of the annual RBDG funding may be allocated to Opportunity grants. Notably, no cost-sharing is required.

Eligible Areas: RBDG funds are designated exclusively for rural projects benefiting areas with populations below 50,000 and outside urban peripheries.

Deadline: February 28, 2025 


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Public Safety

No funding opportunities at this time, please check back.


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Transportation

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.

RAISE grants will be awarded for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation. 

Review program guidelines and requirements in full here: RAISE 2025 NOFO 11.30.23_0.pdf

Match
The Federal share of the costs of an eligible project carried out using a grant provided under the RAISE grant program shall not exceed 80 percent unless the project is located in a rural area, a historically disadvantaged community (HDC), or an area of persistent poverty (APP). 

Deadline: January 30, 2025


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Water, Sewer, Storm Sewer, Electrical Infrastructure and Water Resources

Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
This program helps prevent damage or restore households and businesses’ access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.

Deadline: Applications Accepted Year-Round


US Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Programs
Programs range from studies only that are 100% federally funded to construction projects with a project limit of up to $10M of federal funding on a 65/35 cost share. Programs include:

  • Commercial Navigation
  • Flood Risk Management
  • Ecosystem Restoration
  • Emergency Response
  • Recreation
  • Federal Real Estate Management
  • Regulatory Program and Permit

Deadline: Applications Accepted Year-Round


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Other Opportunities

No funding opportunities at this time, please check back.


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Grant Resources

Local Infrastructure Hub
The Local Infrastructure Hub is a national program that was created to inform cities of federal infrastructure funding opportunities along with other resources to help cities successfully apply for funding.

GRANTS.GOV
Grants.gov is a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. In addition, the website currently handles grant application submissions to many federal agencies.

GrantFinder
​The Iowa League of Cities is excited to announce our partnership with Praetorian Digital’s EfficientGov, an information service that tracks innovative solutions to fiscal and operational challenges facing cities and towns across the country. EfficientGov provides local government leaders with unlimited access to information and tools that help reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of government.




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