When most people think of government grants, they think of federal funding and grants.gov. But for small and emerging nonprofits, local and state funding opportunities can provide a more approachable—and sometimes more impactful—path to sustainable funding.
Start with Local Government Grant Opportunities
City and County agencies often issue their own grant opportunities (i.e. Requests for Proposals or “RFPs”) for specific community needs—from arts programs to food justice to youth leadership. These grants are not only a great point of entry for many smaller nonprofits looking to obtain government funding, but also offer an opportunity to increase visibility and build relationships.
In addition to getting to know local decision-makers and potential partner agencies, a local government grant can help your organization can gain visibility in the community, leading to increased awareness of your services and a strengthened reputation.
Local government grants can also serve as an excellent way to diversify your organization’s funding portfolio, while simultaneously boosting sustainability—both of which are attractive to funders.
Aside from searching for RFPs online, you can stay apprised of local funding opportunities by:
- Finding the websites for agencies relevant to you—such as the public health department, housing authority, or office of economic development—and sign up to be on their email list.
- Attending any meetings local agencies host that are open to the public. (I used to do the latter A LOT, and ultimately achieved some serious funding wins that way).
Basically, keep tabs on those local government websites and subscribe to their newsletters for updates!
To learn more about assessing and diversifying your organization’s overall funding strategy, check out our guide to creating effective fundraising plans.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) for Nonprofits
Funded by the federal government but administered locally, CDBGs serve as an excellent vehicle for accessible government funding. These grants usually support programs that address housing, community development, economic empowerment, and services for low- to moderate-income residents.
Cities and counties receive allocations and set their own priorities, which means your community-based programming might align perfectly with their funding priorities.
Once you’ve found your jurisdiction’s CDBG information online, pay attention to their funding cycle and any upcoming public hearings. Many municipalities outline their priorities in Annual, Regional, or Strategic Plans posted on their websites.
Start your research early and keep in mind that sometimes achieving government grants requires playing the long game—the next funding cycle could be two years in the future but that gives you time to ensure your program fits into their strategic vision and prepare for that grant. Trust me, two years can fly by when it comes to ensuring your nonprofit is ready for government funding.
State Grants for Nonprofits
Finding state grant opportunities essentially mirrors the research process behind City and County grants. Much like those, you will want to start by searching for agency-specific grants (or RFPs) on individual state department websites (e.g. education, health and human services, or workforce development).
Something else to keep an eye out for are federal funds disbursed through state programs such as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) for housing.
Navigating Government Websites to Find Grant Opportunities
Government websites are a labyrinth of twists and turns, which can often lead you through half a dozen links only to end up right back where you started. Moreover, I have yet to encounter a government agency procurement platform or grantee portal that is actually user-friendly.
However, when it comes to finding government grant opportunities, here is my top tip to help navigate the digital disorder. Try using the following terms in a search engine like Google to find local and state RFPs for your nonprofit:
- [your state/city/county] + “community development block grant” or “CDBG funding”
- [your state] + dept of [issue area] (e.g. Oregon department of housing)
- [your state/city/county] + [grant type] (e.g. Kansas City workforce development)
- [your state/city/county] + “procurement” or “RFP” (e.g. Minneapolis MN procurement)
The Benefits of Government Grant Funding for Your Nonprofit
Local and state grants offer a unique opportunity to fund work that directly impacts the community you’re rooted in. They may not be as flashy as federal awards but (a) they’re usually not as much work to obtain either(!), and (b) they’re not nearly as competitive. Perhaps most importantly, they offer the chance to strengthen local partnerships and build credibility.
Get familiar with your local government websites, explore some RFPs, and start attending some public agency meetings. Your organization’s next grant might be just around the corner!
About Our Guest Author
Justine W. Krank, is a Grant Consultant and Owner of Gold Dust Grants LLC. Gold Dust Grants (GDG) serves nonprofits across the U.S., helping them get set up for grant success through grant writing, guidance, strategy, prospect research, and readiness for government funding. Specializing in government grants, Gold Dust Grants largely works with organizations focused on Housing, Mental Health, Disability Justice, Reproductive Justice, LGBTQIA+ services, and Youth/Young Adult & Family Services.
