Community Economic Development Projects

The Community Economic Development Projects funding opportunity is administered by the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to support Community Development Corporations that are focused on economic revitalization and job creation activities benefiting individuals with low incomes. The funding opportunity is forecasted through Grants.gov under opportunity number HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026 and is associated with Assistance Listing 93.570, Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards. The initiative reflects a broader federal strategy aimed at reducing dependency on public assistance programs, addressing persistent unemployment, and improving economic conditions in distressed urban and rural communities throughout the United States. The primary objective of the program is to stimulate sustainable economic development projects that create employment opportunities for low-income individuals while also supporting the development of viable businesses and local economic infrastructure. The Office of Community Services emphasizes that funded projects should demonstrate strong planning, innovation, and financial sustainability. Projects may include either construction or non-construction activities. Applicants are encouraged to focus efforts on underserved and rural areas, particularly in regions experiencing persistent poverty, unemployment, or substance-use disorder challenges. The funding announcement also encourages applicants to coordinate proposed activities with other Office of Community Services initiatives and federal anti-poverty strategies to maximize community impact. The funding opportunity anticipates approximately 21 awards with an estimated total program funding amount of $17,484,782. Individual awards are expected to range from $100,000 to $800,000. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified for this program. The estimated project start date is September 30, 2026, following an estimated award date of August 14, 2026. Funded organizations are expected to ensure that the businesses and jobs generated through Community Economic Development activities remain operational and viable for at least one year after the completion of the project period. Allowable activities may include workforce development initiatives, business expansion, commercial development, community revitalization activities, and projects designed to increase economic mobility for low-income populations. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to nonprofit Community Development Corporations with 501(c)(3) status recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. To qualify, applicants must satisfy three eligibility conditions. First, the applicant must be a private nonprofit Community Development Corporation. Second, the organization’s governing documents, including articles of incorporation or bylaws, must demonstrate that a principal organizational purpose involves planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities. Third, the organization’s Board of Directors must include representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. The funding notice clarifies that organizations do not need to formally use the term Community Development Corporation in their official name or organizational documents if they otherwise satisfy the stated requirements. Applications from individuals, sole proprietorships, federal entities, and foreign organizations are not eligible for consideration. Faith-based and community organizations that meet all program requirements remain eligible to apply. The opportunity is currently in forecast status. The forecasted opportunity notice was posted on May 5, 2026, with an estimated application posting date of May 18, 2026. Applications are expected to be due by July 17, 2026, and electronically submitted applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. The announcement does not identify any pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent, concept paper, or pre-proposal stage. The submission process is expected to occur electronically through Grants.gov once the application package becomes available. While the current forecast notice does not provide a detailed application checklist, applicants should reasonably expect to prepare organizational eligibility documentation, project narratives, financial projections, implementation plans, staffing information, and community impact descriptions consistent with federal discretionary grant application practices. The Office of Community Services emphasizes that successful projects should actively recruit low-income individuals for newly created employment opportunities and provide support systems that help participants maintain employment successfully. The agency also prioritizes projects that demonstrate long-term sustainability and measurable community impact. Although detailed review criteria are not yet included in the forecast notice, applicants are advised to develop proposals that clearly demonstrate organizational capacity, financial feasibility, innovation, and alignment with federal anti-poverty objectives. The primary agency contact for the opportunity is Olivia Barfield, who can be reached at Olivia.Barfield@acf.hhs.gov or by phone at (202) 545-4904 for questions related to the funding opportunity. Additional program information is available through the Office of Community Services Community Economic Development program webpage.

Demonstrate strong financial viability sustainability and measurable job creation outcomes for low-income individuals. Prioritize underserved rural or persistent poverty communities and clearly explain how businesses and jobs will remain viable beyond the project period.