Community Economic Development Projects

The Community Economic Development Projects funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs. The program funds community development corporations to address the economic needs of individuals with low income who are eligible to work in the United States. Its central objectives are to create high-quality, permanent, full-time jobs, address barriers to employment through support services, and promote community revitalization through investments in local businesses and economically distressed communities. At least 75 percent of newly created jobs must be filled by eligible individuals with low income, and within that group a majority must have a need for the support services provided by the project. A full-time position is defined as a nonseasonal position requiring at least 30 hours of work per week. The program expects total funding of $17.48 million and approximately 22 awards. Individual awards may range from $100,000 to $800,000. Projects not involving construction have a three-year project period with one three-year budget period, while projects involving construction have a four-year project period with one four-year budget period. Non-construction projects must create the minimum number of full-time jobs calculated by dividing federal CED funds awarded by $27,000. Construction projects use a $32,000 divisor. CED funds may support start-up capital for operating expenses, loans and equity investments in identified viable participating businesses, employee support services, eligible construction, other business development activities that produce measurable job creation, and travel for key project staff to ACF-sponsored activities. Loans must meet specified repayment requirements, and construction and real property activities carry additional federal property, environmental, historic preservation, insurance, appraisal, and reporting requirements. The program has no cost-sharing requirement. Voluntary cost sharing is not considered during application review, although a voluntary commitment included in an awarded application becomes part of the award and must be reported. Prohibited costs and activities include pre-award cost reimbursement, subawards or pass-throughs, capitalization of loan loss reserve funds, loans for which repayment begins after the project period, microenterprise business training and technical assistance centers, and job training or placement into existing positions as a primary activity. CED funding also may not be used for activities prohibited under the funding policies stated in the NOFO. Indirect costs may be charged using a federally approved rate or, when applicable, a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent of modified total direct costs. Eligible applicants are qualified community development corporations that are private nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. To qualify, an organization must also have articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrating that its principal purpose is planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development projects, and its board of directors must include representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Faith-based and community organizations may apply when they meet these requirements, and the program includes eligible tribal and Alaska Native organizations that qualify as private nonprofit CDCs. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible. Applicants must submit documentation proving nonprofit status, principal purpose, and required board representation. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov unless ACF has approved an exemption for paper submission. Applicants must maintain active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and use the appropriate Unique Entity Identifier. The application consists of two files plus required standard forms. File one contains the table of contents, one-page project summary, project narrative, and line-item budget and budget narrative. File two contains required attachments such as the ACF Priorities Alignment Attestation, applicable indirect cost agreement, legal proof of nonprofit status, governing board and eligibility documentation, organizational capacity materials, third-party agreements, letters of support, site control documentation when applicable, financial documentation, market research, and evidence of participating business commitments to quality jobs. The combined page limit for files one and two is 200 pages, subject to specified exclusions. Required federal forms include the Project Abstract Summary, SF-424, applicable construction or non-construction budget and assurance forms, Key Contacts, lobbying forms as applicable, and the Project/Performance Site Location form. Applications that satisfy the initial responsiveness review proceed to merit review. The scoring framework totals 115 points and evaluates purpose and need, approach, community revitalization, resources and capabilities, participating business viability, high-quality job creation, barrier reduction support services, the line-item budget and budget narrative, letters of support, alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles, and bonus criteria. Bonus points are available for coordination with workforce development or job training programs and for projects serving qualifying underserved communities. Selection also considers factors such as geographic distribution, past performance, emerging or underserved populations, risk, and compliance with the NOFO. High-quality applications should demonstrate viable participating businesses, sustainable full-time jobs with adequate wages and meaningful employee benefits, evidence-based support services, community engagement, sound financial management, and measurable alignment with ACF priorities. The electronic application deadlines are September 8, 2026, May 27, 2027, and May 25, 2028, each at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The expected project start date is September 30 for the applicable 2026, 2027, or 2028 funding cycle. The NOFO does not establish a separate LOI, concept paper, or other pre-application gating deadline. Successful applicants receive an official Notice of Award by email or through the grant system, while disqualified or unsuccessful applicants are notified by email; no separate fixed award notification date is stated. Program questions may be directed to Olivia Barfield at OCSregistrar@icf.com, and grants management questions may be directed to Janice Realeza at the same email address. Recipients must submit CED performance reports quarterly and SF-425 financial reports semiannually, with additional property reporting when applicable.

Structure the narrative around the published scoring criteria and provide specific measurable evidence rather than general statements. Demonstrate a viable plan to create the required number of new full-time positions and ensure at least 75 percent are filled by eligible individuals with low income. Do not propose extra jobs merely for scoring advantage because the NOFO states that priority is not given for exceeding the required minimum. Support wages, business viability, unemployment, and poverty claims with recent data where the NOFO requires evidence published within five years. Document participating business commitments, job quality and benefits, site control, financial viability, community support, and partner responsibilities. Clearly connect ACF priorities to program design, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement. Observe the 200-page combined limit and required formatting because excess or noncompliant pages may be removed before merit review.