Use these resources to learn about the CED program, the annual CED grant competition, eligibility requirements, ways to create a successful job creation project, and how to apply for a CED grant.
Annual CED Grant Competition

The Community Economic Development (CED) program is a federal grant program that expands employment for individuals with low income in communities facing persistent poverty and high unemployment by investing in community development corporations (CDCs) that create and expand businesses and generate job opportunities.
The CED program hosts a grant competition on an annual basis to fund new CED projects. These application process is competitive, and awards are decided through a panel review process.
Each year, the grant competition is announced through the release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov .
The CED funding opportunities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 have closed. This page will be updated when the FY 2025 CED NOFO(s) are released.
Pre-Application Presentations
The videos contain details about the 2024 grant competition, including:
- Information about the CED or CED Planning Grant objective and goal;
- Eligibility information;
- Application requirements;
- Application criteria; and
- The application submission and review process.
While the details of the 2025 competition will likely be different, these videos can provide prospective applicants with an idea of what to expect in future CED grant competition cycles.
General Resources
Important Update: As of 2022, prospective applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to apply. In previous years, a DUNS number was required. For more information on this requirement and how to obtain a UEI for your organization, view:
Training Resources and Videos for Grants.gov
While applying for a CED grant, applicants will need need to use Grants.gov. This resource provides instructional resources and videos on how to use Grants.gov. There are many resources on the page but some recommended videos are listed below:
Have More Questions?
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Understanding Funding Eligibility
CED awards funds to private, non-profit organizations that are community development corporations (CDCs), including faith-based organizations, and Tribal and Alaskan Native organizations. Tribal and Native organizations must be private non-profit organizations that are not tribal or native governments. A tribal or native non-profit will have different EIN and DUNS from their tribal or native governments. Note: The CED program does not fund individuals.
- Applicants must be a private, non-profit CDC experienced in developing and managing economic development projects.
- For purposes of this grant program, the CDC must be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of residents of the community and business and civic leaders.
- The CDC must have as a principal purpose planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development activities. Applicants must document their eligibility as a CDC for the purposes of this grant program through their organization's articles of incorporation or by laws.
Watch this short clip on eligibility!

Plan a Successful Job Creation Project
The Developing a Successful Job Creation Project Toolkit poses a series of discussion questions that will help your nonprofit organization think deeply about the elements required to design an economic development project that can successfully secure funding to create full-time, permanent jobs in low-income communities.
The Lessons from the Field case studies summarize how CDCs around the country employ grants from the CED program. They demonstrate but a portion of the work done by CDCs using CED. For more CED Voices from the Field, visit the Voices from the Field Archive.
To learn about the successes of current CED grants, visit the CED Grant Recipient Spotlight page and check out:
Key Considerations for Designing a CED Project
Organizations interested in applying for a CED grant can think through these key components and questions when designing and proposing a CED project. Organizations may use the questions from this video to inform discussions around project design and implementation.
Tips on Writing and Submitting a CED Application
Organizations interested in applying for a CED grant should review this video's tips on writing and submitting their applications. Check out the companion resource: Tips for Writing and Submitting a CED Application Guide (PDF).