Public Building Grants

• Building projects can be financed by grants.building image by Alhazm Salemi from Fotolia.com
  
  There are programs available that sponsor grants to finance construction and renovation projects of public buildings across the United States. These grants can be used to cover project costs such as purchasing equipment and supplies, as well as paying for administrative costs and labor. These public building grants are not required to be repaid by the recipients.
  
  

Community Facilities Grant

• The Department of Agriculture (USDA) sponsors community facilities grants that are available to areas of less than 20,000 residents. Grants are used to construct, renovate and repair buildings used for public and community services, public safety and health care. Funds can also be used to obtain equipment needed for facility operations. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, local and tribal government agencies and also nonprofit organizations. Up to 75 percent of the project’s costs can be covered by these grants. Communities with the lowest population and income levels can receive higher financial assistance.
  
  Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office
  
  U.S. Department of Agriculture
  
  Room 5014 South Building
  
  14th Street and Independence Avenue SW
  
  Washington, DC 20250
  
  202-720-9619
  
  rurdev.usda.gov
  
  

Community Entitlement Grants

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds community entitlement grants that can be used to purchase real estate property and pay for the demolition, construction and rehabilitation of residential and nonresidential buildings. Funds can also be used to construct and improve public buildings and facilities such as water and sewer systems and neighborhood centers. Cities with less than 50,000 residents and counties with 200,000 residents or less can receive funds from these grants.
  
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
  451 7th Street SW
  
  Washington, DC 20410
  
  202-708-1112
  
  hud.gov
  
  

NEH Challenge Grants

• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) program sponsors challenge grants that can be used to secure long-term improvement and support for organizations and institutions. These grants can be used to acquire artifacts, sponsor conservation and preservation programs and pay for exhibits and lecture series. Grants can also provide a one-time capital investment into equipment purchases and constructing and renovating facilities. These grants are available to private and public school districts, colleges and universities, public libraries, museums and nonprofit organizations. NEH grants range from $30,000 to $1 million. Recipients will be required to match at least three times the grant amount with outside funding. The exceptions are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and tribal Colleges, which only have to match two times the grant amount. Recipients cannot apply again for three years after receiving funds.
  
  Office of Challenge Grants
  
  NEH Room 420
  
  1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
  
  Washington, DC 20506
  
  202-606-8309
  
  neh.gov