These links are related to the January 2026 article in the Borough News magazine.
Grants.gov is the official U.S. government website where organizations and individuals can search for, apply to, and manage federal grant opportunities. It serves as a centralized portal to streamline access to thousands of funding programs across federal agencies.
HUD’s “Funding Opportunities” page lists competitive grant programs (NOFOs) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To apply, organizations must roll through grants.gov (or HUD’s eSnaps system) and have an active registration in SAM.gov.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) offers funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments after a presidential disaster declaration to help reduce future disaster losses. Homeowners and businesses cannot apply directly, but communities may apply on their behalf.
COPS Hiring and Community Policing Grants
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) under the U.S. Department of Justice offers grants designed to support law enforcement initiatives that enhance public safety through community policing. Applicants can find current funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and instructions for applying directly through the COPS website.
Pennsylvania Statewide Broadband Plan
Pennsylvania’s Digital Equity Act program—meant to bridge the digital divide by providing broadband access, devices, and literacy training—was officially terminated in May 2025. Hopefully, similar grants will come to pass in the future.
HUD’s “Funding Opportunities” page lists competitive grant programs (NOFOs) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To apply, organizations must roll through grants.gov (or HUD’s eSnaps system) and have an active registration in SAM.gov.
BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program
As of October 2025, the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program was still fully active: PA has about $1.16 billion in federal funds allocated under this program to build out high-speed internet infrastructure, especially in unserved or underserved areas.
There are regional and local initiatives, such as SWPA Connected in Southwestern Pennsylvania, which work on affordable access, digital literacy, and connectivity road mapping in their respective areas.
The DCED Programs & Funding portal includes grant and loan opportunities for public works such as water and sewer improvements, stormwater management, and infrastructure development. It serves as a hub for municipalities to find guidelines, eligibility details, and applications for projects that strengthen Pennsylvania’s communities.
Economic Adjustment Assistance
The Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program from the U.S. Economic Development Administration is a flexible funding source for communities facing economic distress, offering support for planning, infrastructure, development, and business growth. It includes grants for creating or updating strategic economic plans (CEDS), and implementation efforts such as site acquisition, construction, rehab, equipping facilities, or funding revolving loan funds.
The Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) is a grant program of Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), that provides support to eligible applicants that provide consistent, annual levels of artistic programming and/or arts services in Pennsylvania.
Streetview Grant and Loan Program
Businesses and commercial property owners located within a municipality’s Business, Historic, and/or Downtown areas can receive up to $12,000 in grant funds for improvements to their properties or storefronts. The grant can provide 75%, up to $12,000, of the project cost. This is a grant available in Cumberland County, but there may be similar grant available near your municipality.
As a member of PSAB, you have access to boroughs.org/grants. This member’s only link is meant to help you locate grants available to your municipality.
A special thank you to Jessica Richey of Richey Workforce Development. Her specialty is helping clients—especially women and minority-owned businesses—build career resilience, improve workforce retention, navigate government contracting, write powerful resumes, and access grants/funding.
Special thanks to author Joel Greene for his advice to beginner grant writers.
