Community Economic Development Focus on Energy Communities

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services will solicit applications to award approximately $3.2 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations for CED projects that will be located in and serve energy communities – communities that have either experienced employment loss and/or economic dislocation events as a result of declines in the fossil fuel industry and/or are disproportionately reliant on fossil fuel energy production or distribution, including coal, oil, gas, and power plant communities across the country. Projects may include the creation or expansion of business(es) that reduce emissions of toxic substances and greenhouse gases from existing and abandoned infrastructure and that prevent environmental damage that harms communities and poses a risk to public health and safety. Projects may also employ individuals from energy communities but focus on a range of other industries. The overall goal of this effort will be to create good-paying jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate environmental degradation, and support energy workers.

To be eligible for the CED program, an applicant must meet the following three conditions: Applicant must be a private, non-profit CDC with 501(c)(3) status; Articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrating that the CDC has, as a principal purpose, experience in planning, developing, or managing of low-income housing or community economic development; and The Board of Directors must have representation from each of the following: community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity. Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject to the protections and requirements of 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., ACF will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.