Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds for community-based efforts to improve the economic and physical health of people in areas designated as food deserts

Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds for community-based efforts to improve the economic and physical health of people in areas designated as food deserts is sponsored by Administration for Children and Families - OCS. This program funds Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for projects that increase healthy food access, foster self-sufficiency for low-income families, and create sustained employment opportunities in low-income communities, specifically in areas designated as food deserts.

Opportunity Listing - Community Economic Development Projects Community Economic Development Projects Agency: Administration for Children and Families - OCS Assistance Listings: 93. 570 -- Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards Last Updated: August 10, 2026 View version history on Grants. gov The Office of Community Services (OCS) will award approximately $18.

57 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. Projects should be well-planned, financially viable, and innovative.

CED awards will be made as part of a broader strategy to address objectives such as decreasing dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas. CED projects are expected to actively recruit individuals with low...

incomes to fill the positions created by CED-funded development activities, to assist those individuals in successfully maintaining employment, and to ensure that the businesses and jobs created remain viable for at least one year after the project period. CED projects can be non-construction or construction projects. In states with current projects, OCS encourages applicants to target rural and underserved areas.

Furthermore, OCS encourages potential applicants to explore how proposed projects can be aligned and/or integrated with other OCS-funded programs and priorities to more comprehensively address the needs of rural and urban communities with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and substance-use disorder, as well as communities experiencing persistent poverty, as identified by US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3) To be eligible for the CED program, an applicant must meet three conditions:1. Applicant must be a private, non-profit CDC with 501(c)(3) status;2. Applicant must have articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrating that the CDC has, as a principal purpose, the planning, developing, or managing of low-income housing or community economic development activities; and3.

The Board of Directors must have representation from each of the following: community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Note: The CDC designation does not need to be specified on any official documents as long as the three requirements stated above are met.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity. Grantor contact information File name Description Last updated HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026.

pdf HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026. pdf Aug 10, 2026 09:39 PM UTC Link to additional information https://www. acf.

hhs. gov/ocs/programs/ced Closing: September 8, 2026 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.

Funding opportunity number : Cost sharing or matching requirement : Funding instrument type : Opportunity Category Explanation : Category of Funding Activity : Income security and social services Your account requires additional identity verification.