Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF OCS EE 0026
The Community Economic Development Projects grant (HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services (OCS), under CFDA 93.570. OCS plans to distribute about $18.57 million total to support community-based economic development efforts that directly create jobs and expand business activity for people with low income. The program is framed as part of a larger anti-poverty and community revitalization strategy, with a focus on reducing long-term reliance on federal assistance, addressing chronic unemployment, and countering deterioration in both urban and rural communities. Successful proposals are expected to be well-planned, financially viable, and innovative, showing a clear path from investment to measurable economic outcomes.
Funding is intended for Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to carry out development activities that result in real employment opportunities and stronger local enterprises. Projects may be either construction or non-construction, which allows applicants to propose a range of approaches, such as launching or expanding a business, developing commercial space, or other community economic development initiatives that lead to hiring. A key requirement is that CED-funded projects do more than simply create positions on paper: grantees are expected to actively recruit individuals with low incomes into the jobs created, help those individuals succeed and stay employed, and demonstrate that the businesses and jobs supported through the award will remain viable for at least one year after the project period ends. In states where OCS already has current projects underway, the agency specifically encourages applicants to concentrate efforts in rural and underserved areas to broaden geographic reach and reduce gaps in access to economic opportunity.
OCS also signals that it wants applicants to think beyond a standalone project and consider alignment with other OCS-funded programs and priorities. In particular, the announcement highlights communities facing high poverty and unemployment as well as places struggling with substance-use disorder. It also calls attention to "persistent poverty" communities as identified by the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, suggesting that applicants serving these areas should clearly connect their proposed activities to the deeper, long-running economic conditions in those regions and coordinate resources where possible.
Eligibility is limited and is centered on being a true nonprofit CDC. To qualify, an applicant must (1) be a private, nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), (2) have organizing documents (articles of incorporation or bylaws) showing that a principal purpose of the organization is planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities, and (3) maintain a board of directors that includes representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Importantly, an organization does not need to have the label "CDC" explicitly written into official documents as long as it meets the three requirements above. Faith-based and community organizations can apply if they meet these conditions. Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review.
The grant is offered as a standard grant instrument, with an award ceiling of $800,000 per award and an estimated 21 awards expected. The opportunity was posted on 2026-08-10 and has an application deadline of 2026-09-08. Overall, OCS is looking for CDC-led projects that translate federal dollars into durable local economic gains: jobs filled by low-income residents, businesses that can sustain themselves after the grant period, and development strategies that strengthen communities facing entrenched unemployment and poverty.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF OCS EE 0026
- The Administration for Children and Families - OCS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Economic Development Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.570.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 21 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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Community Economic Development Projects (HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026) - FAQs
1. What is this grant opportunity?
The Community Economic Development Projects (CED) grant (HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), under CFDA 93.570. It supports community-based economic development projects intended to create jobs and expand business activity for people with low income.
2. What is the main purpose of the CED program?
The program is framed as an anti-poverty and community revitalization strategy. It aims to reduce long-term reliance on federal assistance, address chronic unemployment, and counter deterioration in both urban and rural communities by funding projects that lead to measurable economic outcomes.
3. How much total funding is OCS planning to distribute?
OCS plans to distribute approximately $18.57 million in total funding through this opportunity.
4. What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $800,000 per award.
5. How many awards does OCS expect to make?
OCS estimates approximately 21 awards will be made.
6. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations that qualify as nonprofit Community Development Corporations (CDCs) under the requirements described in the announcement.
7. What are the specific eligibility requirements to qualify as a CDC for this grant?
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Be a private, nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
- Have organizing documents (articles of incorporation or bylaws) showing a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities.
- Maintain a board of directors that includes representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.
8. Does the organization need to have "CDC" in its name or official documents?
No. The organization does not need to include the label "CDC" in its official documents as long as it meets the three eligibility requirements described for nonprofit CDCs.
9. Can faith-based organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements for nonprofit CDCs.
10. Who is not eligible to apply?
The announcement indicates the following are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review:
- Individuals (including sole proprietorships)
- Federal entities
- Foreign entities
11. What types of projects can be funded?
Projects may be either construction or non-construction. This flexibility allows applicants to propose a range of approaches, such as launching or expanding a business, developing commercial space, or other community economic development initiatives that lead to hiring.
12. What outcomes is OCS expecting from funded projects?
OCS expects projects to translate federal investment into measurable economic outcomes, including:
- Real job creation (not just jobs "on paper")
- Expanded business activity and stronger local enterprises
- Jobs filled by individuals with low incomes
- Durable local economic gains in communities affected by entrenched poverty and unemployment
13. Is job creation alone sufficient to meet program expectations?
No. The announcement emphasizes that CED-funded projects must do more than create positions on paper. Grantees are expected to actively recruit individuals with low incomes into the jobs created and help them succeed and remain employed.
14. Are grantees expected to support job retention, not just hiring?
Yes. The announcement indicates grantees should help individuals with low incomes succeed and stay employed in the jobs created through the funded project.
15. What does OCS mean by a project being financially viable?
While specific financial tests are not detailed in the provided summary, the announcement states that successful proposals are expected to be well-planned and financially viable, with a clear path from investment to measurable economic outcomes.
16. Are there expectations about sustainability after the grant period ends?
Yes. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the businesses and jobs supported through the award will remain viable for at least one year after the project period ends.
17. Does OCS prefer projects in certain geographic areas?
In states where OCS already has current projects underway, OCS specifically encourages applicants to concentrate efforts in rural and underserved areas to broaden geographic reach and reduce gaps in access to economic opportunity.
18. Are there priority community conditions highlighted in the announcement?
Yes. OCS highlights alignment with communities facing high poverty and unemployment and places struggling with substance-use disorder. The announcement also calls attention to "persistent poverty" communities identified by the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.
19. What are "persistent poverty" communities in the context of this opportunity?
The announcement references "persistent poverty" communities as identified by the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. Applicants serving these areas are encouraged to connect proposed activities to deeper, long-running economic conditions in those regions and coordinate resources where possible.
20. Does OCS encourage coordination with other programs?
Yes. OCS signals it wants applicants to think beyond a standalone project and consider alignment with other OCS-funded programs and priorities, especially where coordination can strengthen outcomes in high-need communities.
21. What kind of applicant organization is this funding intended for?
Funding is intended for nonprofit CDCs to carry out development activities that result in real employment opportunities and stronger local enterprises.
22. What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered as a standard grant instrument.
23. When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on 2026-08-10.
24. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 2026-09-08.
25. What is the overall theme OCS is looking for in successful proposals?
OCS is looking for CDC-led projects that are well-planned, innovative, and financially viable, and that clearly show how federal funds will lead to durable local economic gains, including jobs filled by low-income residents and businesses that can sustain themselves beyond the grant period.
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