Securing funding for city projects is a complex process. With billions of federal and state dollars available for infrastructure, digital equity, broadband, public safety, and more, there are a few key strategies that can position your city to receive those funds—and to manage them. Several of AWC’s conference sessions shared practical knowledge to help cities prevail in the search for funding, and to enhance grant strategy and efforts:
- Know your project and consider what other competing needs may require attention
Many local jurisdictions struggle to fund key projects when they have several other competing needs in their budgets. While your city or town may have an exciting new public works, infrastructure, or capital improvement project identified, it may not be the top priority of your community. Be sure your city knows the priorities of your community, the priorities of the state legislature, and your federal delegation. This will help you determine what funding opportunities may or may not be available to your city. - Utilize available resources before you begin the grant application process
The National League of Cities has partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies and others to offer the Local Infrastructure Hub’s grant writing “bootcamps”—free trainings for small and mid-sized cities with populations of 150,000 or less. Cities and towns do not need to be a member of NLC to take advantage of the three-month virtual training program. State agencies such as the Department of Commerce, Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), and Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) are also good resources for technical assistance before you begin the grant application process. - Look for opportunities to partner with other local stakeholders
Engage with nonprofits and other interested groups in your community to identify common goals. You may find opportunities to combine your fundraising or advocacy efforts on a project. Partnering to share the load can make the project more attainable. - Emphasize public health, safety, and equity in grant applications
Awarding agencies want to know about the social benefits and long-term impacts of your project and how it will improve conditions for everyone in your community. A commitment to strong labor standards on the project, climate resilience, benefits to underserved communities as defined by the federal Justice 40 Initiative, and project sustainability are some key examples of community impacts your application should consider. - Don’t forget to budget for staff and time to manage a grant
Applying for and receiving grant dollars can be exciting, but the process doesn’t stop when your city receives the award. Be sure to plan for the post-award phase and properly budget for the number of staff and staff hours needed to manage and report on the grant. Keep the full life cycle of the grant in mind as you plan. - Think twice before federalizing a project
Some state grant programs have restrictions on the amount of funding they will provide if federal dollars are also involved in a project. Talk with the state program staff about your city’s funding sources for the project and discuss whether they can award you more money if you choose not to use federal funding. - Congressional earmarks may help your project, but won’t be the primary funding source
Congressmembers are interested in helping the communities in their districts to complete important projects and will sometimes work to obtain federal funding for you. However, they want to see that you have already sought grant and loan dollars to fund the project. Think of earmarks as a supplemental funding source and show your Congressmember how federal dollars can help fill out the remainder of the project’s budget.