Thanks for your interest in the Community Funding Accelerator (CFA)! CFA advances foundational education programs and career pathways across the cradle-to-career spectrum through pro-bono technical assistance for organizations in accessing public funds.
We are currently seeking interested eligible applicants for the following live and potential federal grant opportunities. All information below is as of August 2025, based on previous funding rounds where relevant, and is subject to change:
We are currently seeking interested eligible applicants for the following live and potential federal grant opportunities. All information below is as of August 2025, based on previous funding rounds where relevant, and is subject to change:
- Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative: supports expanding economic opportunities for coal communities by creating high-quality, in-demand jobs, attracting new sources of private investment, and providing comprehensive workforce services and skills training. Required Letters of Intent (LOI) are due September 12th. CFA is interested in connecting with applicants who will be submitting an LOI ahead of the proposal due October 22nd.
- Eligible applicants: Local development districts (LDDs), Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes, States, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions, Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education, Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations
- Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE): supports multi-state projects in the Appalachian region that drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through collaborative projects. This solicitation is expected to be released in September.
- Eligible applicants: Local development districts (LDDs), Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes, States, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions, Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education, Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations
- Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Systems-Building Grant: supports states and territories to build systems that strengthen early care and education (ECE) programs and increase parent access within a mixed delivery system based on a comprehensive, statewide birth to five needs assessment and strategic plan. This solicitation is expected to be released in early September.
- Eligible applicants: State governments
- National Network for Microelectronics Education Regional Nodes Letter of Intent: A Regional Node is a collaborative, place-based effort led by an anchor institution (e.g., community college, university, workforce board, industry association, industry sector partnership, training provider, or intermediary) that brings together education, workforce, and industry partners to meet the microelectronics talent needs of a defined geographic region. Nodes are expected to be regional implementation hubs with strong convening capacity and a demonstrated ability to coordinate with a broad range of stakeholders. Letters of Intent are due August 8th. CFA is interested in connecting with coalitions that have submitted a Letter of Intent.
- Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program (Department of Education): The purpose of the Rural Postsecondary & Economic Development Grant Program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region. Note: this solicitation has not yet been released; CFA is proactively seeking applicants in case this grant is opened in 2025.
- Eligible applicants: Institutions of Higher Education, Nonprofits partnered with Institutions of Higher Education
- Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative (Department of Labor): supports community-led grant projects that address identified workforce and economic development challenges—faced by residents, industry, and communities—across the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, and Northern Border regions (collectively, the WORC Region), which represent areas of the country that have been hard-hit by economic distress and have experienced slow recovery. Note: this solicitation has not yet been released; CFA is proactively seeking applicants in case this grant is opened in 2025
- Eligible applicants: State/Local governments, Workforce development boards, SEAs/LEAs/ISDs, Institutions of Higher Education, Tribal governments, Public housing authorities, Labor unions/organizations/labor-management, Non-profit organizations
If you are interested in being considered for pro-bono technical assistance in submitting a grant application, please complete this short questionnaire by Tuesday, September 2nd for the POWER grant, and by Tuesday, September 9th for all others. A member of the team will be in touch with you for further details if you are eligible for the grant and are aligned with CFA's priority areas. We regrettably cannot respond to all inquiries received.