Planning Grant for long-term Holistic Improvement in Indiana

The Community Development Block Grant Planning Program administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is a state-level funding opportunity designed to support long-term community planning initiatives for rural cities, towns, and counties. The program operates under the broader federal CDBG framework established by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and is intended to help communities build capacity, assess needs, and prepare actionable plans that guide future development and investment. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs emphasizes strategic, community-driven planning efforts that align with national objectives such as benefiting low- and moderate-income populations or addressing conditions of slum and blight. This planning program funds a wide range of eligible planning activities, including comprehensive plans, broadband readiness strategies, economic development and recovery plans, downtown revitalization efforts, environmental assessments, feasibility studies, historic preservation plans, and utility studies. The funding supports activities such as data collection, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and the preparation of actionable implementation plans. The intent is not to fund construction but to ensure communities have the necessary groundwork to pursue future capital projects. Each plan type has defined maximum funding thresholds, with awards generally ranging from 20000 to 90000 depending on scope and population size. Eligible applicants are limited to non-entitlement units of local government, including counties, cities, and incorporated towns in Indiana. These entities must demonstrate legal capacity to implement projects and meet a series of readiness and compliance requirements. Applicants may partner with nonprofit organizations, provided those entities can document their nonprofit status through federal and state authorities. All applicants must be in good standing with no outstanding reporting issues, audit findings, or unresolved compliance matters with the state administering agency. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate alignment with federal CDBG national objectives and confirm that their proposed planning activity qualifies as an eligible use under federal guidelines. The program requires a minimum local match equal to 8 percent of the total project cost, which can be composed of local, state, or non-HUD federal funds, as well as approved in-kind contributions. Applicants must complete procurement of professional planning services prior to submission and ensure all procurement documentation is included. Applications are submitted through Indiana’s Grants Management System and must be prepared and submitted by a certified grant administrator. The application process includes conducting a public hearing to gather community input and submitting an Intent to Apply prior to the full application. Evaluation of applications is highly competitive and based on a structured scoring system totaling 700 points, with additional bonus points available. Criteria include alignment with national objectives, community distress indicators, local match contribution, project design quality, and program-specific considerations. Projects must achieve a minimum score to be eligible for funding. Additional points may be awarded for resilience planning and disaster designation status, while penalties may apply for repeat funding of similar planning efforts within a short timeframe. The application timeline for the 2026 Cycle 2 round includes an Intent to Apply deadline of June 26, 2026, followed by a final application deadline of July 12, 2026, with award announcements expected in September 2026. The program requires completion of planning activities within approximately 12 months after award. Following award, grantees must submit draft plans within nine months, undergo review and revision, and complete a second public hearing prior to final approval and closeout. This structured process ensures both community engagement and high-quality deliverables that can support future funding and implementation efforts.

Ensure strong documentation of community need using multiple data sources; align project clearly with CDBG national objectives; demonstrate robust community engagement beyond minimum requirements; verify all compliance and reporting status before applying; ensure procurement and match requirements are fully documented