Funding Opportunities for March 2022

Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors.

Destination organizations, nonprofits, state or local governments, economic development districts (EDDs), territories and tribal governments and institutions of higher education can apply for these funds. $240 million has been set aside for the Competitive Tourism Grants. Funds are competitively awarded to local governments and nonprofit organizations in regions most impacted by job loss in the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors—for projects that promote economic resilience and development and align with an EDA Investment Priority.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help to recover your tourism economy.

For More Information

For more information, visit www.eda.gov or email your questions about the American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program to Indigenous@eda.gov or visit www.eda.gov/contact to find contact information for your Economic Development Representative.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance

Deadline: Open

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

Provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro-entrepreneurs.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund a new tourism business.

For More Information

For more information, visit usda.gov.

Bureau of Indian Affairs: Living Languages Grant Program

Deadline: March 7, 2022

The Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), through its Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP), is soliciting proposals from federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations for grants to fund Native language instruction and immersion programs for Native students not enrolled at Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, including those tribes in states without BIE-funded schools.

Tourism Tip: This grant can be used to help revitalize languages in danger of extinction and train the next generation to assist in providing languages for signage, promotional materials and training to frontline tourism staff (greetings, thank you, you’re welcome and other everyday phrases they can use with visitors).

For More Information

For more information, contact Dennis Wilson at dennis.wilson@bia.gov or visit, bia.gov.

National Park Service: Save America's Treasures Grant Program

Deadline: March 10, 2022

The National Park Service's Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant program was started to help preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections that convey our nation’s rich heritage to future generations.

Eligible preservation projects must be:

a National Historic Landmark; or
a contributing property within a National Historic Landmark district; or
individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places for national significance; or
a contributing property within a National Register Historic District.

Tourism Tip: This program can help with the preservation of historic properties that convey our nation's heritage for future generations.

For More Information

For more information, visit nps.gov.

The Endangered Language Fund: Language Legacies Grant Program

Deadline: March 18, 2022

The Endangered Language Fund provides grants for language documentation and revitalization and for linguistic fieldwork. The work most likely to be funded is that which serves both the Native community and the field of linguistics, although projects which have immediate applicability to one group and more distant applicability to the other will also be considered. Support for publication is a low priority, although it will be considered. Proposals can originate in any country. The language involved must be in danger of disappearing within a generation or two. Endangerment is a continuum, and the location on the continuum is one factor in the organization’s funding decisions.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund projects working to revitalize your community's Native languages.

For More Information:

For more information, visit endangeredlanguagefund.org.

AARP Community Challenge

Deadline: March 22, 2022

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement; support diversity, equity and inclusion; build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursue innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund tourism initiatives that welcome visitors ages 50+.

For More Information:

For more information, visit aarp.org.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation: USArtists International

Deadline: March 30, 2022

The USArtists International program (USAI) supports performances by U.S. artists at impactful international festivals and performing arts marketplaces outside the United States and its territories. The program supports the engagements of exemplary solo artists and ensembles across all performing arts disciplines including dance, music, theater, multidisciplinary work, and folk/traditional arts.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund artists who can act as ambassadors to other countries and encourage visitation.

For More Information

For more information, visit midatlanticarts.org, or contact the program officer at robyn@midatlanticarts.org.

ANA: Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance (P&M)

March 31, 2022

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance program. This program provides funding for projects to support assessments of the status of the Native languages in an established community, as well as the planning, designing, restoration, and implementation of Native language curriculum and education projects to support a community's language preservation goals. Native American communities include American Indian tribes (federally-recognized and non-federally recognized), Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help develop support language programs within your visitor outreach departments.

For More Information

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

ANA: Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion

March 31, 2022

The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans is soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance: Esther Martinez Immersion program (EMI). The program provides funding for community-based projects that ensure the continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction. Programs funded under the EMI notice of funding opportunity must meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest or a Native American Survival School.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help develop support language programs within your visitor outreach departments.

For More Information

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

ANA: Environmental Regulatory Enhancement

March 31, 2022

The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans has announced the availability of Fiscal Year 2022 funds for community-based projects for the Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE) program. The ERE program provides funding for the costs of planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to improve the capability of tribal governing bodies to regulate environmental quality pursuant to federal and tribal environmental laws.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help support environmental quality in visitor-related facilities.

For More Information

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant

Deadline: April 1, 2022

This program is designed to assist Native Hawaiian libraries in improving core library services for their communities. Reflecting IMLS’s agency-level goals of championing lifelong learning, strengthening community engagement, and advancing collections stewardship and access, the goals for this program are to:

Improve digital services to support needs for education, workforce development, economic and business development, health information, critical thinking skills, and digital literacy skills.
Improve educational programs related to specific topics and content areas of interest to library patrons and community-based users.
Enhance the preservation and revitalization of Native Hawaiian culture and language.

Tourism Tip: This grant can support Native Hawaiian library services in museums or visitor areas.

For More Information

For more information, visit imls.gov.

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund: Native Initiatives

Deadline: April 12, 2022

Through the use of monetary awards and training opportunities, the CDFI Fund’s Native Initiatives program creates jobs, builds businesses and fosters economic self-determination in Native communities nationwide. The Native Initiatives program has:

Awarded more than $120 million in financial and technical assistance to CDFIs
Provided more than 1,600 hours of training to Native CDFIs through recent trainings

Tourism Tip: This initiative can help create tourism jobs in Native communities.

For More Information

For more information, visit cdfifund.org.

ANA: Social and Economic Development Strategies -SEDS

April 15, 2022

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funds for the Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) program.

This program is focused on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, including the preservation of Native American cultures, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses, and social and economic infrastructure in Native American communities.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help support the development of new hospitality facilities and infrastructure

For More Information

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

ANA: Social and Economic Development Strategies for Alaska-SEDS-AK

April 15, 2022

Tourism Tip: This grant can help support the development of new hospitality facilities and infrastructure

For More Information

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

Deadline: April 19, 2022

This program provides funding to help non-profit housing and community development organizations support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help develop a tourism initiative for economic development in rural areas.

For More Information

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program

Deadline: April 19, 2022

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. This includes communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

RISE provides grants of up to $2 million to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets.

USDA encourages applications that serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help strengthen rural communities through tourism.

For More Information

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov.

National Endowment for the Arts: Challenge America

Deadline: April 21, 2022

Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. Challenge America features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance and grants for a set amount of $10,000. Grants require a cost-share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund any arts program that extends to reach underserved populations.

For More Information:

For more information, visit arts.gov or email challengeamerica@arts.gov.

National Endowment for the Arts: Grants for Arts Projects

Deadline: July 7, 2022

NEA's Grants for Arts Projects is the principal grants program for organizations based in the United States. Through project-based funding, the program supports public engagement with, and access to, various forms of art across the nation, the creation of art, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. Arts projects in the following disciplines are funded: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Arts, Theater, and Visual Arts.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help fund any public- and visitor-facing arts program.

For More Information:

For more information, visit arts.gov or email challengeamerica@arts.gov.

The Access Fund's Climbing Conservation Grant Program

Deadline: August 1, 2022

The Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Grant Program funds projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the US. Since our inception in 1991, Access Fund has funded more than $1.3 million to local organizations, climbers and public agencies.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help preserve or enhance climbing environments.

For More Information

For more information, visit accessfund.org.

The Kettering Family Foundation Grants

Deadline: August 1, 2022

The Foundation trustees have historically approved grants in those areas where family members reside. At the same time, 90%+ of the grants approved in recent years have been trustee endorsed, some of which are in areas that may be located outside of family residence areas. Family members live throughout the US, but there are larger concentrations between New York and New Hampshire, in addition to Colorado.

It is strongly recommended that you contact the Foundation’s office to discuss proposed programs before you start the application process. The Kettering Family Foundation (KFF) will consider activities in the following categories:

Arts, Culture and Humanities
Education
Environment
Health/Medical
Human Services
Public/Society Benefit

Tourism Tip: Use this grant to fund an arts and culture family-friendly tourism business.

For More Information

For more information, visit cfketteringfamilies.com or email info@ketteringfamilyphilanthropies.org.

National Park Service: Historic Preservation Fund, Semiquincentennial Grants

Deadline: September 30, 2022

The Semiquincentennial Grant Program is a new program created by Congress in 2019 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by restoring and preserving State-owned sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation.

For the purposes of this grant program, the "founding of the nation" is defined as the period ending December 31, 1800. This end date corresponds to the election of 1800, as the peaceful transfer of power following the contested election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson represents a hallmark of democracy and a pivotal moment in American history. The founding of the nation does not have a defined starting period.

Historic resources supported by this program may include those associated with the political ideas, well-known individuals, pivotal events, or sites of conflict typically thought of in conjunction with this period of American history. However, archeological sites, cultural landscapes, and built resources can all successfully illustrate concepts of "nationhood" and "America" regardless of where they are located. Such resources may reflect what people thought and did and lived, and thus illustrate the lifeways, folkways, foodways, people, places, events, and conditions of culture and society during the formation of the country.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help support Native destinations that chronicle "the founding of the nation," which does not have a defined starting period.

For More Information

For more information, visit grants.gov or NPS.gov

American Rescue Plan Act Indigenous Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity

Deadline: September 30, 2022

EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities NOFO is designed to support indigenous communities as they respond to, and recover from, the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including long-term recovery and resilience to future economic disasters. Under this announcement, EDA solicits applications under the authority of its Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, which is intended to be flexible and responsive to the economic development needs and priorities of indigenous communities.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help recover Indigenous tourism businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

For More Information

For more information, visit eda.gov/arpa/indigenous.

U.S. Economic Development Administration: Indigenous Communities Program

Deadline: September 30, 2022 (applications reviewed on rolling basis.)

Through the Indigenous Communities program, EDA is allocating $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically for Indigenous communities, which were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

This program is designed to support the needs of tribal governments and Indigenous communities. EDA will support these important partners to develop and execute economic development projects that they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future.

A wide range of technical, planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and public works and infrastructure projects are eligible for funding under this program.

Tourism Tip: This grant can help revive your community from the impact of COVID-19.

For More Information

For more information, visit www.eda.gov or email your questions to indigenous@eda.gov.