Training Opportunity!
Grant Writing Workshop – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD is offering a five-part webinar series about grant writing. You can register for the four remaining webinars here. 
COVID-19 Response Resources
  • Missouri Emergency Rental Arrears Program (ERAP) – Missouri Housing Development Commission: This program is intended to provide relief to property owners and tenants impacted by COVID-19 and prevent eviction of tenants for non-payment of rent. ERAP is offering assistance in the form of a one-time payment for up to six (6) months of past-due rent dating back to April 1, 2020 directly to landlords on behalf of qualified tenants. In exchange for this payment, landlords must agree not to file for eviction for non-payment for 120 days from the date of application submission as well as waive all fees and outstanding rent up to the date of application submission. Tenant households must be below 50% of the Area Median Income at the time of application. Open: January 4, 2021.

  • Rural Relief Small Business Grants – LISC: LISC is supporting entrepreneurs across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their next opportunity for businesses in rural communities will open soon. Applicants may apply for one business only and must be 18 years of age to apply. Priority will be given especially to entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically under-served places who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. Upcoming Round Open: January 26, 2021

  • Business and Industry CARES Act Guaranteed Loan Program – USDA: The Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBCS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that in response to the national COVID–19 Public Health Emergency, USDA Rural Development was provided additional funding assistance of $20,500,000 in budget authority appropriated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This program offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses and agricultural producers to supplement their working capital to prevent, prepare for and respond to the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Lenders need the legal authority, financial strength and sufficient experience to operate a successful lending program. This includes federal and state-chartered banks, savings and loans, farm credit banks, and credit unions. For-profit businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, federally-recognized tribes, and public bodies may qualify for these guaranteed loans. Deadline: September 15, 2021. 

  • Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund: A coalition of charitable, business and government partners has joined together to create the Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to address the needs of the Kansas City region's most vulnerable communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations that have experience supporting impacted communities – particularly those that are disproportionately affected by this global pandemic and its economic consequences. This program is available for Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray counties in Missouri.

  • Small Business Relief Initiative - GoFundMe: GoFundMe has partnered with Yelp and Intuit QuickBooks to create a Small Business Relief Fund to help small businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these three companies has contributed $500,000 to the Fund, and it's receiving additional donations from the public. The fund will provide $500 grants to any small business that raises $500 on GoFundMe.

  • COVID-19 Nonprofit Response Fund – Community Foundation: This fund’s purpose is to support nonprofit organizations impacted by efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, with a priority for those providing vital basic needs services and resources to disproportionately impacted individuals and families impacted by following public health recommendations. Grants may be made to nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, or units of government located in or significantly serving one or more of the following counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock & Pike in Illinois; and Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, and Shelby in Missouri. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Current Grant Opportunities
  • African American Civil Rights Grant – National Park Service: The African American Civil Rights Grant Program documents, interprets, and preserves sites and stories related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights as citizens. This competitive grant program provides grants to states, tribes, local governments (including Certified Local Governments), and nonprofits. Non-federal matching share is not required, but preference will be given to applications that show community commitment through non-federal match and partnership collaboration. Grants will fund a broad range of planning, development, and research projects for historic sites including: survey, inventory, documentation, interpretation, education, architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and "bricks and mortar" repair. Deadline: January 12, 2021.

  • History of Equal Rights Grant Program – National Park Service: Funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, the History of Equal Rights grant program preserves sites related to the struggle of all people to achieve equal rights in America. The History of Equal Rights grants are not limited to any specific group and are intended to include the broadest possible interpretation of sites associated with efforts to achieve equal rights. This program funds physical preservation work and pre-preservation planning activities for sites that are listed in or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark. Should a site not be listed, or not listed for its association with equal rights, then a new nomination or amendment must be created as part of the grant project. Grants under this program are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match. Deadline: January 12, 2021.

  • African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund – National Trust for Historic Preservation: The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. These grants are designed to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic places such as sites, museums, and landscape projects representing African American cultural heritage through grants to nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The Action Fund supports projects focused on African American cultural heritage, and can include: Capital Projects, Organizational Capacity Building, Project Planning, and Programming and Interpretation. Grant awards will be announced in July 2020. National Trust funding is available exclusively to nonprofits and government agencies, and any applicants who are invited to submit a full application will be required to also be Forum members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation at the Organizational level. Deadline: LOI due January 15, 2021. 

  • HOPE VI Main Street Program – US Dept. Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The HOPE VI Main Street Program provides grants to small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district or “Main Street” area by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The obsolete building space property may be publicly or privately owned. Note, however, that the local government whose jurisdiction includes the Main Street area is the only entity that is eligible to receive an award. Applications submitted by other entities, e.g., the private property owner, are not eligible for award. The objectives of the program are to: redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas); preserve historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units; enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas; and provide affordable housing in Main Street areas. Deadline: January 19, 2021.

  • Community Grants – PeopleForBikes: The PeopleForBikes (PFB) Community Grant Program provides funding for important projects that build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. As part of PFB’s efforts to get more children and youth on bikes, this grant cycle is dedicated to supporting bike park and pump track projects only. PeopleForBikes accepts grant applications from non-profit organizations with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development, from city or county agencies or departments, and from state or federal agencies working locally. Deadline: Letter of intent due January 22, 2021, full application due April 9, 2021.

  • Save America’s Treasures – National Park Service: The SAT program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with its partners, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The NPS is now accepting applications for $16 million in FY2020 funding. Please note there are two separate applications: one for preservation projects and one for projects involving collections. One for preservation projects (for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places for national significance or listed as a National Historic Landmark. The property may be listed on either individually or as contributing to a nationally significant district). One for projects involving collections (including artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art). SAT funds the preservation, rehabilitation, and conservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections. Deadline January 26, 2021.

  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – FEMA: Funding is available to states, local communities, tribes, and territories for pre-disaster mitigation activities. BRIC priorities are to incentivize public infrastructure projects, projects that mitigate risk to one or more lifelines, projects that incorporate nature-based solutions, and adoption and enforcement of modern building codes. A cost share is required generally in the amount of 25% non-federal match. Eligible projects include capability and capacity building activities, mitigation projects, and management costs. Deadline: January 29, 2021. 

  • Small Grants – Clif Bar Family Foundation: Priority is given to applications that address the foundation’s funding priorities from a holistic perspective. These include: protecting Earth's beauty and bounty, creating a robust, healthy food system, increasing opportunities for outdoor activity, reducing environmental health hazards, and building stronger communities. It is important that applications operate with clearly defined objectives and viable plans to achieve them. Applications must demonstrate strong community ties and operate at the community level. It is important to promote positive change through both the projects and their implementation process. These grants are awarded for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Deadline: February 1, 2021.

  • Mini Grants – Missouri Humanities Council (MHC): MHC will consider any proposal to support humanities-based projects or programs submitted by a non-profit organization or a civic, educational, or cultural organization that operates as a non-profit, including (but not limited to) schools and other educational institutions, local government and governmental agencies, and civic associations. Organizations may apply individually or in partnership with other eligible entities and organizations (in the case of multiple partners participating in the grant project, only a single organization can serve as the applying entity). Mini grants are awarded for project requests of up to $2,500. Deadline: February 1, 2021.

  • Preservation Funds – National Trust for Historic Preservation: National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000. The selection process is very competitive. Deadline: February 1, 2021.

  • Battlefield Preservation Fund – National Trust for Historic Preservation: Battlefield Preservation Fund will serve as a catalyst to stimulate efforts to preserve battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures and to leverage fund-raising activities. While efforts involving battlefields associated with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the French and Indian Wars, and other battles fought in the United States are eligible for funding, priority will be given to those that have limited access to other specialized battlefield funding programs. Typical uses of grants from the fund include legal and research fees to mitigate development threats, fund-raising and media plans, feasibility studies for endangered buildings and sites, archeological studies, landscape research and planning, viewshed protection, easement planning, and interpretation and heritage education activities. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000. The selection process is very competitive. Deadline: February 1, 2021.

  • NEW! Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants – Missouri State Parks: The Recreational Trail Program Grant is open to local and state governments, school districts, and non-profit and for-profit organizations. The maximum amount awarded is $250,000 for trail projects. Sponsors must have a minimum 20 percent match. Project must be open to the public. Eligible projects include restoration of existing recreational trails; development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails; purchase or lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment; construction of new recreational trails (with restrictions for new trails on Federal lands); acquisition of easements and property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors; and assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance. Deadline: February 17, 2021.

  • NEW! Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant – Missouri State Parks: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant is open to any local government, city and county, and public school. Eligible projects include but are not limited to playgrounds, ball fields, pools and water parks, archery and shooting ranges, camping facilities, picnic areas, golf courses, boating and fishing facilities, trails, and passive areas. Eligible projects must be open to the public at reasonable times. The LWCF program will make awards for a maximum $500,000 per project with a minimum 50 percent match. Deadline: February 17, 2021.

  • Grants for Arts Projects – National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Grants for Arts Projects is the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants program. Through project-based funding, NEA supports public engagement with, and access to, various forms of excellent art across the nation, the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. Projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities or tribes. Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000. No grants will be made below $10,000. Deadline: February 23, 2021.

  • Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program – National Park Service: The National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA) supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. This partnership assists local communities in realizing their conservation and outdoor recreation vision and goals by providing a broad range of services and skills. National Park Service (NPS) staff share their expertise to help your team turn an idea into reality. No monetary grants are made. Deadline: March 1, 2021.
Highlighted Ongoing Grant Opportunities
  • BNSF Railway Foundation: The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the communities BSNF Railway serves and in which their employees live, work, and volunteer. Organizations should exist in or serve a community near one of BNSF's rail lines to be eligible to apply for grants. Grants are offered for projects that fall into the categories of civic service, cultural, educational, health and human service, youth organizations, federated organizations, and federally recognized tribal governments. Deadline: ongoing.

  • Economic Development Assistance Programs – Economic Development Agency (EDA): EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Deadline: ongoing

  • Home Depot Foundation: The Home Depot Foundation provides funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies in the United States that are using the power of volunteers to improve communities through its Community Impact Grants program. Priority is given to projects that benefit veterans and/or diverse and underserved communities. Projects should be volunteer-friendly, engage people at all skill levels, and be expected to have a strong and lasting impact. Awards of up to $5,000 will be given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. Deadline: will begin on February 1, 2021, accepted on ongoing basis until December 31, 2021.

Any Special Projects?
Do you have a special project in your historic district that we can keep in mind when researching funding resources? Email Katelyn at katelyn@momainstreet.org.
Share Your Success
We would love to share any grant success stories in a future issue of the Grant Resource Directory in order to provide ideas for how the funding has been used in Main Street communities. If you have any projects you would like to share, email Katelyn at katelyn@momainstreet.org.
How can MMSC assist your community?
Community Empowerment Grant Program
The Community Empowerment Grant (CEG) program is a two-year grant for services as a 60/40 matching grant. The community is responsible for 40% of the costs totaling $12,320. To be eligible for this program, a community representative must attend an CEG workshop. Check here for upcoming workshops.

The CEG program includes hands- on training and guidance to help the community establish a local Main Street program.
Strategic Teams Engaging People
Strategic Teams Engaging People (STEP) is a one-year grant for services as a 75/25 matching grant. The community is responsible for 25% of the costs totaling $5,000.

The STEP grant provides individualized training with a focus on initiatives for sustained revitalization and technical development to advance the Main Street organization's downtown development.
People Energizing Places
People Energizing Places (PEP) is a two-year grant for services as a 75/25 matching grant. The community is responsible for 25% of the costs totaling $9,600.

The PEP grant was developed to provide the next step for local Main Street programs with more advanced training and development customized for the community's needs.
The opportunities included in this email are not a complete list of possible funding resources. This list is not meant to take the place of an individual organization’s research. Not every opportunity will be applicable to each organization or community. This list may include grants for government entities, other non-profits, etc. whose work supplements that of a Main Street organization. 

The Grant Resource Directory is a benefit for Missouri Main Street Connection network members. Thank you for joining and supporting the work of MMSC and Main Streets in Missouri!
Missouri Main Street Connection
3044 Shepherd of the Hills Expy Suite 214
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-3014