Available Federal Grants
Below are announcements and application instructions for various competitive federal grants that are available to municipalities that we have not previously shared. We encourage you to review these programs with your Municipal Manager, Public Safety Director, and other personnel as appropriate.
Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program Grant Program
The Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program grant opportunity to provide funding to state and local law enforcement and prosecution agencies to support activities and expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of cold case murders involving civil rights violations.
This program supports efforts to address hate crimes and enhance the investigative skills of law enforcement and prosecution, as well as enhance the rule of law through the resolution of unsolved homicides. This is a two-step grant application with the Grants.gov deadline on June 1, 2022, and the JustGrants deadline on June 7, 2022.
Combating Hate Crimes Program Grant Opportunity
The Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the FY22 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program grant program is now open. This is a two-step grant application with the Grants.gov deadline on June 8, 2022, and the JustGrants deadline on June 13, 2022.
Applicants can partner with other agencies and nonprofit organizations with expertise to support outreach, education, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes. The anticipated maximum grant amount is $440,000.
This program supports efforts by state and local law enforcement and prosecution agencies and their partners in conducting outreach, educating practitioners and the public, enhancing victim reporting tools, and investigating and prosecuting hate crimes committed on the basis of a victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.
NEA Our Town Grant Program Opportunity
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced program-based funding for the Our Town Creative Placemaking grants program. The program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities.
These projects require a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, with one of the partners being a cultural organization. Grants range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount.
Examples of project types include arts engagement, arts festivals, community co-creation of art, performances, public art, cultural planning, creative asset mapping, public art planning, design, artist/designer-facilitated community planning, design of artist space, design of cultural facilities, public space design, creative business development, professional artist development: Programs or services that support artists professionally, such as through skill development or accessing markets and capital.
Our Town supports a variety of projects across the country in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities of all sizes.
The application is a two-step process. The grants.gov deadline is August 4, 2022, and the second step must be completed between August 9 and 16 at the NEA’s application portal.
National Archives Public Engagement with Historical Records Grant Opportunity
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) within the National Archives, announced the grant funding opportunity for the Public Engagement with Historical Records Project. The grants support projects that promote access to America’s historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture. Municipalities are eligible recipients. The application process is now open and the deadline to apply is October 6, 2022.
Typically, a grant runs for between one to three years. The Commission expects to make up to five grants of between $50,000 and $150,000. The total amount allocated for this program is up to $400,000. Grants begin no earlier than July 1, 2023. Cost sharing is required. The applicant's financial contribution may include both direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions, and any income earned directly by the project.
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks projects that encourage public engagement with historical records, including the development of new tools that enable people to engage online.
Projects that center the voices and document the history of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are especially welcome. In addition, with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaching, the Commission is interested in projects that promote discovery and access to collections that explore the ideals behind our nation’s founding and the continuous debate over those ideals to the present day.
National Archives Archival Projects Grant Opportunity
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) within the National Archives, announced the grant funding opportunity for the Archival Projects. The grants support projects that promote access to America’s historical records. Municipalities are eligible recipients. The deadline to apply is October 6, 2022.
A grant is for one or two years and for up to $150,000. The Commission expects to make up to 10 grants in this category for a total of up to $1,000,000. Cost-sharing is required and the financial contribution may include both direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions, and any income earned directly by the project.
The NHPRC seeks archival projects that will significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections. We welcome projects that engage the public, expand civic education, and promote understanding of the nation’s history, democracy, and culture from the founding era to the present day.
The Commission encourages projects focused on collections of America’s early legal records, such as the records of colonial, territorial, county, and early statehood and tribal proceedings that document the evolution of the nation’s legal history.