State, Federal, and Private Project Funding

Please contact our Community Development Specialist's for information

State Funding Opportunities

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to the state based on a formula. The CDBG program funds a variety of community projects, including fire halls, community buildings, day cares, libraries, and clinics. Sioux Falls and Rapid City each receive a formula grant, and are ineligible for state funds.

Another component of the CDBG program is the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program , which enables participating local governments to obtain federally guaranteed loans that fuel revitalization activities.

The GOED also offers the Local Infrastructure Improvement Program , which provides grants to assist in funding the construction or reconstruction of infrastructure for the purpose of serving economic development projects.

The GOED administers the Economic Development Partnership Program which provides matching grants to assist in funding equipment and training needs, new staff, or to elevate existing part-time staff, for the purpose of developing or expanding local and community economic development programs. Economic Development Partnership Grants may also be used to commence or replenish local revolving loan funds for the purpose of developing or expanding housing, community development, and economic development programs.

South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) provides funding for:  

South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the primary source of state funding for water, sewer, storm sewer, and solid waste projects in South Dakota.  

Deadwood Fund Grant Funded by a portion of the gambling revenue generated in Deadwood, South Dakota. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 given to projects that retain, restore, or rehabilitate historic buildings, structures, and archaeology sites in South Dakota for commercial, residential, or public purposes.

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal aid assistance program to help states provide and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized trail use. The program provides up to 80% reimbursement funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses including, but not limited to pedestrian use, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, off road motorcycles, OHV & UTV riding, four wheeling, snowmobiling.

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal aid assistance program to help states provide outdoor recreation facilities. The program provides up to 50% reimbursement funds for acquisition and development of outdoor recreation projects. Eligible applicants include city, county, township and tribal governments. Some eligible projects may include, but are not limited to: playgrounds, ballfields, sport and play fields, picnic facilities, pools, ice rinks, golf courses, amphitheaters, winter sports facilities, visitor information facilities, land acquisition.

South Dakota Department of Health is pleased to announce the fourth round of a unique funding opportunity for 'Community Walk Audits'. This funding ($3,000-$5,000) can be used by SD communities to launch healthy community design efforts to improve walkability by conducting walk audits. By assessing the built environment through walk audits - easy, doable assessments - communities can position themselves for short-term walk-ability enhancements, and future long-term policy work. Previously awarded walk audit grantees include Pierre, Burke, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Mobridge, Keystone, and Lake Andes.

Federal Funding Opportunities

Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program A program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, grants are awarded to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the public and fire service personnel from fire and related hazards. Three types of grants are available: Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S). This Web site provides a description of four types of grants, which includes the Assistance to Firefights Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG).

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) The COPS Office awards grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. COPS Office funding provides training and technical assistance to advance community policing at all levels of law enforcement, from line officers to law enforcement executives, as well as others in the criminal justice field.

Drug Free Communities The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) directs the Drug Free Communities Support Program in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This anti-drug program provides grants of up to $100,000 to community coalitions that mobilize their communities to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and inhalant abuse.

Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov is THE single access point for over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a government-wide profile of all Federal programs that provide grants, loans, services, information, and other assistance. The CFDA lists a specific contact for obtaining additional information, and application forms about each program. It also includes a helpful section on writing grant applications. The CFDA is published annually and updated mid-year.

Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) are announcements that appear in the Federal Register, printed each business day by the United States government, inviting applications for Federal grant programs.

Rural Development Community Connect Grant Program The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the internet.

USDA Department of Forestry Volunteer Fire Assistance Program: Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) is a Federal grant program that provides funds for fire equipment, training, and initial fire department organization to fire departments serving small communities under 10,000 in population. Any fire agency or volunteer fire department that serves a community of 10,000 or less may apply. State forestry agencies establish criteria defining priorities based on need. Each fire department grant request is compared to the criteria and grants are allocated to meet the greatest needs for equipment, training, or organizational assistance. Most grants are $5,000 or less. Actual amounts depend on the VFA funding allocated to the particular State, which in turn depends on Congressional action. Contact your State Forester to apply.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a major contributor to rural areas, providing funding for housing, water and environmental , (drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities), community facilities (public buildings; health care, elderly care, and child care facilities; fire and rescue stations and equipment, and streets).

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) offers a limited number of grant programs for research and pilot projects. The vast majority of DOT funding is apportioned to states by formula.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers programs for such diverse activities as housing, economic development, training, youth development, drug elimination, and university and college development. Most HUD grants are awarded competitively, with government entities and nonprofit organizations competing for these funds.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) offers a number of programs to provide intervention, mentoring, and counseling services as alternatives to incarceration. Juvenile justice and general crime issues are fast growing areas of federal funding support for state and local programs.

U.S. Department of Commerce has the Economic Development Administration for public infrastructure funding.

Private Funding Opportunities

The South Dakota Community Foundation is a non-profit organization which administers a $135 million dollar endowment fund, made up of private gifts from individuals, families and businesses. They serve two groups in their quest to make South Dakota a better place:  

  • 1) Donors: We help make the charitable giving process easier and more effective by setting up funds and managing charitable gifts.
  • 2) Non-profits: Our partnerships with charitable organizations allow us to meet the needs of South Dakotans today and ensure their success in the future.