Toolkit for Local Governments

Additional Grant Resources for Local Governments

Federal Grant Portals & Guidance

• Grants.gov
  • Primary portal for finding and applying for all federal grants.
  • Visit Grants.gov
• SAM.gov (System for Award Management)
  • Required for federal grant eligibility and tracking. Includes entity registration, contract opportunities, and wage determinations.
  • Visit SAM.gov
• USDA Rural Development – Grants & Loans
  • Offers grants and low-interest loans for rural infrastructure, housing, business, and utilities.
  • Visit USDA RD
• EPA Environmental Finance Centers & Grant Resources
  • Helps communities access water infrastructure and environmental grants with technical assistance.
  • Visit EPA Grants & Funding
• EDA – Economic Development Administration
  • Provides grants for infrastructure, job creation, and planning. Includes public works, economic adjustment, and planning grants.
  • Visit EDA

North-Carolina-level Resources

• NC Department of Commerce – Grant Opportunities
  • Includes workforce, economic development, and community grants like Building Reuse and Rural Infrastructure.
  • Visit NC Commerce Grant Programs
• NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) – Grants
  • Funds for water, sewer, solid waste, energy, and environmental education.
  • Visit NCDEQ Grant Opportunities
• NC Department of Public Safety – Grants Management
  • Manages FEMA funds, law enforcement grants, emergency preparedness, and victim services.
  • Visit NC DPS Grants
• NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR)
  • Supports recovery from natural disasters and climate resilience planning.
  • Visit NCORR

Grant Support & Training

• UNC SOG Development Finance Initiative (DFI)
  • Offers consulting and guidance on how to structure public-private partnerships and access grant funding.
  • Visit DFI
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid)
  • Search private foundation and nonprofit grants (often accessed through libraries).
  • Visit Candid/FDO
• GrantStation (Subscription)
  • Comprehensive tool for nonprofits and governments to search for private, federal, and state grants.
  • Visit GrantStation

Regional & Local Support

• Golden LEAF Foundation
  • Provides grants for economic development, education, and infrastructure in North Carolina.
  • Visit Golden LEAF
• Rural Center – NC Funding Resource Guide
  • Offers tools and guidance for navigating grants and loans in rural areas.
  • Explore the NC Rural Center County Data
• Council of Governments (COG) Services
  • Provide technical assistance, fiscal oversight, and application help for grant-funded projects.
  • Visit COG