August 17, 2026

Grant Watch: Week of 8/17/26

The Grant Plant routinely reviews funder websites and notices and is pleased to share some upcoming opportunities with you.

Community Economic Development Projects
  • Deadline: September 8, 2026.
  • Purpose: This program provides discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations to support well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects that enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. Projects aim to address objectives such as decreasing dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas.
  • Award Size: $100,000 – $800,000.
  • Eligibility: Private, non-profit Community Development Corporations with 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must have articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrating a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities, and a Board of Directors with representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.
  • Funder: Administration for Children and Families – OCS
  • Link: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/c08f287a-1b49-4751-ac57-87047dc0beb7
2027 Healthy Kids Initiative Call for Letters of Intent
  • Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Letters of Intent due).
  • Purpose: Supports out-of-school time (OST) programs that provide safe environments, trusted adult relationships, and positive activities for disconnected youth ages 5–17.The initiative seeks to expand OST program designs that incorporate outdoor activities and youth-directed or unstructured play to strengthen the 6 Cs of positive youth development.
  • Award Size: Not specified; grants are typically for one year with the possibility of annual renewal.
  • Eligibility: Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, churches, and units of government located in the Paso del Norte Region (El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, TX; Doña Ana, Luna, and Otero Counties, NM; and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico).
  • Funder: Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
  • Link: https://pdnhf.org/grants-and-grantseekers/funding-opportunities/2027-healthy-kids-initiative-call-for-letters-of-intent
2027 Healthy Kids Initiative Policy Research Call for Letters of Intent
  • Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Letters of Intent due).
  • Purpose: Supports policy and applied research to reduce youth disconnection by identifying and addressing barriers that prevent young people (ages 5–17) in the Paso del Norte region from participating in outdoor time and unstructured play outside of school hours. Funded projects explore policy mechanisms, agreements, or procedural changes—such as shared-use agreements and park facility rules—to make outdoor spaces safer and more accessible.
  • Award Size: Specific award amounts are not specified.
  • Eligibility: Universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and other qualified agencies with relevant expertise and the capacity to produce clear policy/research deliverables.Projects must serve the Paso del Norte region (El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, TX; Doña Ana, Luna, and Otero Counties, NM; and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico).
  • Funder: Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
  • Link: https://pdnhf.org/grants-and-grantseekers/funding-opportunities/2026-healthy-kids-initiative-policy-research-call-for-letters-of-intent-loi
J.W. Couch Foundation Grants
  • Deadline: September 25, 2026. Two deadlines occur annually.
  • Purpose: To support the following focus areas: Wellness: Mental Health, Digital Wellbeing, Get Outside, Mentorship; Preservation: Historical Preservation, Wildlife Conservation, Food & Waste Management, Animal Wellbeing; Education: Early Childhood Education, 21st-Century Education, Teachers. Each year, JWC chooses one or more of its defined focus areas to make grants through. In 2025, foci were Animal Wellbeing, Early Childhood Education, Teachers, and Get Outside.
  • Award Size: At least $50,000.
  • Eligibility: 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.
  • Funder: J.W. Couch Foundation
  • Link: https://jwcouchfoundation.org/
Trails+ Grants
  • Deadline: September 30, 2026
  • Purpose: To support planning, development, and improvement of outdoor space, including trails, river parks, wildlife viewing areas, trailheads, signage, and more. The Trails+ Grant supports projects that get people outside, improve access to public lands, and help communities across New Mexico connect with nature in meaningful, sustainable ways.
  • Award Size: Tier 1 (Local Projects): $25,000 – $99,999; Tier 2 (Regional Projects): $100,000 – $499,999; Tier 3 (Regional Projects): $500,000 – $1,000,000. Urban applicants must provide a 100% match; Rural and Tribal applicants must provide a 50% match.
  • Eligibility: Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; Municipalities and Counties; Nonprofits (Tier 1 and Tier 2 only); Public schools, preschools, and districts; Public colleges and universities; Soil and Water Conservation Districts; Acequia and Land Grant Associations
  • Funder: New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division
  • Link: https://nmoutside.com/grants/trails-plus/
National Trust Southwest Intervention Fund
  • Deadline: October 1, 2026
  • Purpose: Grants from the National Trust’s Southwest Intervention Fund are intended to further preservation efforts of the traditional cultures of the Southwest region, exclusively in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas and Utah. Grants awards may be made for activities and projects such as: opportunities to save sites or help jump start preservation projects; travel and legal resources to prepare research and/or briefs; protection of important archaeological sites; communications expertise to develop press and other public forums.
  • Award Size: $2,500 – $10,000. 1:1 match encouraged.
  • Eligibility: Public agency, 501(c) (3), or other nonprofit organization.
  • Funder: National Trust for Historic Preservation.
  • Link: https://savingplaces.org/grants
Defending Basic Freedoms
  • Deadline: October 6, 2026 (Letters of Inquiry Due).
  • Purpose: This program aims to safeguard the basic freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. It supports initiatives designed to help eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination, and assists government agencies in becoming more accountable to the public. The foundation will also consider funding contemporary societal issues that may arise.
  • Award Size: Grants in the range of $5,000 to $25,000 will be considered for one year’s funding.
  • Eligibility: Open to organizations nationwide. Grants will not be made for capital or endowment programs, nor for sectarian religious purposes. Additionally, no more than 10% of a grant may go to indirect costs outside of those for general operating support.
  • Funder: The Herb Block Foundation.
  • Link: https://www.herbblockfoundation.org/grant-programs/defending-basic-freedoms
Spark Good Local Grants
  • Deadline: November 30, 2026.
  • Purpose: To support the following focus areas: Economic Opportunity; Preservation of nature; Reducing plastic, food and textile waste; Access to healthier food for all; Disaster preparedness & response, Building caring & connected communities.
  • Award Size: $250 – $5,000.
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) public charities, K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges, or universities, and government agencies. Organizations must serve the same service area that the facility they are requesting funding from serves. Organizations must have a Spark Good account and be verified by Deed.
  • Funder: Walmart.
  • Link: https://www.walmart.org/how-we-give/program-guidelines/spark-good-local-grants-guidelines
Just Futures Initiative
  • Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available.
  • Purpose: The initiative provides flexible, general operating support to grassroots organizations, coalitions, and emergent groups working to advance community safety, democracy protection, civil rights, and alternatives to criminalization. It prioritizes community-led solutions that reduce reliance on state violence, policing, and incarceration, supporting models rooted in care, dignity, and collective responsibility.
  • Award Size: Standard general operating grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 (most awards expected between $50,000 and $75,000). Strategic collaborative grants of up to $200,000 are available for larger coalition efforts.
  • Eligibility: U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or fiscally sponsored projects. Applicants should generally have an annual operating budget under $2 million and must demonstrate that their work is rooted in and accountable to communities most impacted by criminalization, surveillance, or state violence.
  • Funder: Borealis Philanthropy.
  • Link: https://borealisphilanthropy.org/funding/community-safety-justice/just-futures/
BJA FY 2026 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program
  • Deadline: Grants.gov Deadline: September 24, 2026; JustGrants Application Deadline: October 1, 2026.
  • Purpose: Supports state, local, and tribal governments in developing, implementing, or expanding comprehensive, collaborative reentry strategies and evidence-based interventions for individuals returning to communities from adult correctional facilities. Funded under the Second Chance Act, the program aims to address reentry needs, enhance public safety, and reduce recidivism.
  • Award Size: $1,100,000 is available to make up to seven awards.
  • Eligibility: City, county, state, or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
  • Funder: Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
  • Link: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363588

Please be advised that The Grant Plant endeavors to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to verify the currency and accuracy of all details by consulting the funder’s official website directly.

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