Economic Development Grants for Nonprofits

GrantStation’s exclusive database features 1448 active funding opportunities giving towards this area of interest, all accepting requests from new grantseekers!

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Avenue NYC Grant Program

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Application Deadline:

May 20, 2026

The Avenue NYC Grant Program, administered by the New York City Department of Small Business Services, funds community-based development organizations (CBDOs) carrying out programs targeting…

The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette

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Application Deadline:
  • Spring Grants: March 12, 2026
  • Field of Interest Grants: May 22, 2026
  • Fall Grants: July 29,2026
  • NOW Grants: Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis through November 30, 2026, or until funds are expended.

The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Tippecanoe and the surrounding counties in Indiana. (Most grants are awarded to organizations that…

Forest County Potawatomi Foundation

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Application Deadline:

January 22, May 22, September 22, annually

The Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, a tribal foundation, primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin, with emphasis on the Milwaukee area.

The Foundation is dedicated to:…

Charles Hayward Foundation

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Application Deadline:

January 30, May 22, and September 18, 2026

The Charles Hayward Foundation provides support to charities registered in the U.K. for projects in the British Isles and the Commonwealth Countries of Africa.

The Foundation's …

Internet Society Foundation

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Application Deadline:

Applications accepted April 7 – May 22, 2026

The mission of the Internet Society Foundation is to champion ideas and enable communities to unlock the internet's potential to tackle the world’s evolving challenges. The Foundation funds work…

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

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Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted quarterly on the last Monday in February, May, August, and November.

Upcoming dates: 

  • August 25, 2025
  • November 24, 2025
  • February 23, 2026
  • May 25, 2026
  • August 24, 2026
  • November 30, 2026
Grant Range:
$100 - $100000

The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in Wausau and Marathon County, WI, and the surrounding areas.

These funds support…

ASEAN Prize

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Application Deadline:

May 25, 2026

The ASEAN Prize aims to recognize the inspiring achievements of ASEAN citizens or ASEAN-based organizations making significant contributions toward ASEAN community-building efforts.

…

B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation

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Application Deadline:

The last Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September, and November, annually

Grant Range:
$500 - $334000
Average Grant:
$29077

The B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the central Wisconsin area.

The Foundation's areas of interest include the following:

  • …

Economic development grants help nonprofits make an oversized impact in local communities. The purpose of these grants is to help spur local business growth, promote jobs, and enhance the infrastructure and livability of those communities. Economic development grants can be an invaluable shot in the arm for communities that are struggling during economic downturns.

The money from these grants can be used by nonprofits for a wide range of possible projects. These could include paying for job training, support payments to small businesses, investment in local infrastructure, or repair and preservation of local cultural buildings and community areas.

These grants come from a wide range of possible sources. These include federal agencies such as the U.S. Economic Development Administration, or state-level economic development offices. There are also many private foundations operational in this space, such as the Kresge Foundation. Often, financial institutions or other corporations local to the community may provide targeted support.

When drafting an economic development grant proposal, it’s important to make sure that you have a wealth of both local and federal data. You need to demonstrate that there is a significant gap in services in your local community, compared to federal standards. You’ll want to rely on data from local economic development reports, regional labor market analysis, and local and federal census information. You need to meld this data with your own clear plans for how you can address the gaps in service within the community, ideally relying on examples of work from your own nonprofit.

If you need more tips on how to write award-winning grant proposals, make sure to browse all of our educational content on the topic. You can also view a comprehensive list of economic development grants above, all ready for applications.