Community Economic Development Projects

For program questions:
Olivia Barfield
OCSregistrar@icf.com

For grants management questions:
Janice Realeza
OCSregistrar@icf.com

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

System for award management (SAM):
866.606.8220
Federal service desk

The Community Economic Development (CED) program provides funding for projects aimed at business development opportunities and creating permanent full-time employment for individuals with low income. Priority points will be awarded to projects that will create jobs in rural communities and counties with persistent poverty.

CED projects must:

• Be ready to implement at the time of award
• Create full-time jobs that result in increased self-sufficiency for eligible individuals and families with low incomes
• Create or expand businesses that promote economic revitalization in low-income communities
• Attract additional funding to increase investment and quality of life in these communities
• Promote increased access to quality jobs in low-income and economically distressed communities

Funds can be used for construction and non-construction purposes, and business start-up and expansion activities.

More details on program goals and eligible activities is available in the application instructions.

To be eligible for the CED program, an applicant must meet all three conditions:

1. Applicant must be a private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) with 501(c)(3) status.
2. Applicant must have articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrating that the CDC has as a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development activities.
3. The Board of Directors must have representation from each of the following groups: community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.

Award ceiling: $800,000
Award floor: $100,000
Project period:

• 3 years for projects not involving construction
• 4 years for projects involving construction

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.