Municipal Grant Opportunities

There are many opportunities for Chester County municipalities and organizations to apply for grants throughout the year. This one-stop resource provides descriptions, deadlines, and past awards for grants in several topic areas, including community development, community planning, historic preservation, open space and the environment, transportation, and utilities and infrastructure.

**Please note we do our best to keep this page up to date. The grant websites are the best source of information.**

Looking for some tips on how to apply for a grant? First, determine the funding source that fits your project and then talk to a representative at the administrating agency to identify project qualifications. Next, clearly and concisely convey the following points in the grant application: the results of your planning efforts, the relevance of the project with regional plans, and the public need and urgency for the project. Throughout the grant process, it's important to gather public input, build a team, and involve all planning resources.

Grant Support Letter Requests

Do you need a grant support letter from the Chester County Planning Commission? If so, please send your request to ccplanning@chesco.org with the following information:

Name of the grant program with a link to the grant program website.
A brief description of the project and, if applicable, any specific information requirements for the grant letter.
Provide any attachments, such as sample letters, that are relevant to your request.
Date by which you need the support letter.
Deadline for grant application.
Contact information for person requesting the letter.

The Chester County Planning Commission is pleased to provide support letters for projects that are consistent with and advance the goals of the Chester County Comprehensive Plan Landscapes3 or other policy documents such as the Chester County Climate Action Plan.

Municipal Transportation Grants Guide

Our new webpage serves as a guide to help Chester County municipalities take their transportation improvement goals from concept to reality by increasing their knowledge of the grant and reimbursement program processes and to prepare them for the application process. Learn More

Pennsylvania Grant Search

Tool Name	Administrating Agency	Description
State Grants Search Tool Visit Website	Multiple State Agencies	This search engine tool allows residents, businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments to find and apply to grant programs from state agencies. Pennsylvania offers grants for many uses with funding supporting growth and success across the state.

Community Development

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
Entitlement Application (CDBG, HOME, ESG) Visit Website	Chester County Department of Community Development	The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds can be used for a variety of infrastructure activities, public facility and park improvements, housing rehabilitation, public services, and economic development for income qualifying areas and households. HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding is targeted to developing new affordable housing units in Chester County and providing first-time homebuyer assistance.	This program typically opens in the spring of each year.
Community Revitalization Program (CRP) Visit Website	Chester County Department of Community Development	Urban center municipalities, which include Chester County's 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville, may apply for CRP funding. CRP awards support infrastructure improvements, streetscaping activities, economic development opportunities, and other projects that promote the revitalization of Chester County's urban centers.	This program typically opens in the spring of each year.
Community Revitalization Fund Program Visit Website	PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)	This grant program provides financing for the construction or rehabilitation of mixed-use developments providing affordable housing in commercial corridors across the Commonwealth. Priority will be given to projects in third-class cities and smaller communities, but communities across the commonwealth are encouraged to apply.	This program typically opens in the summer, with applications due in the fall.
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program in Pennsylvania Visit Website	United States Department of Agriculture	This program provides affordable funding (loans and/or grants) to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. This funding can go toward the development of health care and public facilities; local food systems; and the following services: community support, public safety, educational, and utility. Eligible applicants include public bodies and community-based nonprofit corporations.	Applications are accepted year-round.
Keystone Communities Program Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development	This program is a flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, accessible housing programs, and development grants. Eligible applicants include government entities; redevelopment and/or housing authorities; nonprofit organizations, economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc.; community development corporations; business improvement districts; neighborhood improvement districts; downtown improvement districts; and similar organizations incorporated as authorities.	Designation applications are accepted at all times. Competitive funding applications are accepted July 1 through August 31.
AARP Community Challenge Visit Website	American Association of Retired Persons	This program provides small grants to improve housing, transportation, public space, and other community elements that support great places for people of all ages. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis.	This program typically opens in January of each year.

Community Planning

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
Vision Partnership Program — Cash Grant Visit Website	Chester County Planning Commission	This program provides funds or technical assistance to municipalities for comprehensive plans, ordinance updates, or planning studies to implement Landscapes3, Chester County's comprehensive plan and consists of two sides: Cash Grant and County Consulting/Technical.	This program offers two application rounds per year, once in the first half and once in the second half.
Vision Partnership Program — Rolling Mini-Grant Visit Website	Chester County Planning Commission	These grants are available to single county municipalities seeking to quickly implement specific municipal outreach initiatives of CCPC.	Applications may be submitted at any time.
Local Climate Action Program (LCAP) Visit Website	PA Department of Environmental Protection	This program provides free technical and personnel assistance to local governments that want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. Teams are trained by a DEP contractor to develop greenhouse inventories and climate action plans for their communities.	Training begins in August and concludes in May, however DEP also offers a flexible subscription option.
Our Town Grants Visit Website	National Endowment for the Arts — Grants for Arts Projects	GAP Our Town supports creative placemaking projects that integrate arts, culture, and design in efforts to advance local economic, physical, and other community-desired outcomes, such as supporting local artistic and cultural resources, improving a neighborhood's design, and/or strengthening local economies to promote investment and job creation. Projects must be place-specific and should focus on community priorities.	Our Town applications are accepted at the July cycle. Apply within the Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) program and choose "Our Town".

Historic Preservation

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
Historic Preservation Fund Grant Programs Visit Website	National Park Service	Established in 1977, this grant program and includes various programs: competitive grants, formula grants, and disaster recover grants. Each program has specific criteria connected to a wide array of historic resources. They include African American Civil Rights, Preservation in Rural Communities, Historic Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Heritage, and more. There are also several programs related to specific resources: Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation, Battlefield Protection, Roads/Trails/Conservation Assistance Program, National Heritage Areas, and Preservation Training.	Varies program to program
Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grants Visit Website	Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission	This grant supports projects that rehabilitate, restore, or preserve historic resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Funding is available to nonprofit organizations and local governments for small construction projects for publicly accessible historic resources.	The application period typically closes in March of each year.
Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grants Visit Website	Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission	This grant supports projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect publicly accessible historic and archaeological resources of Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and the revitalization of communities. Funding is available to nonprofit organizations and local governments for the planning and development for publicly accessible historic resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.	The application period typically closes in March of each year.
Certified Local Government Grant Program (CLG) Visit Website	Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission	This program provides financial support to participating communities to develop the tools, products, programs, and services they need to administer their local preservation programs effectively and in accordance with the CLG Guidelines and Procedures. Grant funds may be used to create standalone products or be leveraged to contribute to larger efforts such as a community's comprehensive planning process or Main Street program. Funding under this program is limited to Certified Local Governments.	Project grants are available once a year. Mini-grants are accepted on a rolling basis and scholarships are available on a rolling basis.

Open Space and Environment

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
Conservation Innovation Grants Visit Website	U.S. Department of Agriculture	These programs provide funding for innovative conservation tools, technologies, and practices that address natural resource challenges on private lands. Special consideration is given to Historically Underserved applicants.	Annually
National Fish Passage Program Visit Website	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	This program provides technical and financial assistance to remove aquatic barriers and restore fish passage and climate-resilient aquatic connectivity. Supports ecosystem restoration, flood mitigation, and economic development in disadvantaged and Tribal communities.	Contact local Fish and Wildlife office.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs Visit Website	Pennsylvania Environmental Council	The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) currently administer several mini grant programs. Each program is unique with specific goals and objectives but all focus on one or more of the following areas of interest: land and water trails; outdoor recreation; resource protection and conservation; and community engagement.	Varies program to program.
C3AP Non-Ag Implementation Grant Visit Website	Chester County Conservation District	The Chesco Chesapeake Communities Action Plan (C3AP) outlines approaches to reduce nutrients and sediment to improve the water quality of local streams and to reduce pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay. Funding assistance will be available for non-agricultural projects that include BMPs resulting in nutrient and sediment reductions. Local municipalities, non-profit organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), landowners, and other organizations are encouraged to apply.	It is anticipated that this program will be open for applications on an annual basis through at least 2025.
Boating Facility Grant Program Visit Website	Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission	This program provide grants for the planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters of the Commonwealth. The goal of the program is to ensure Pennsylvania's recreational boaters have the highest quality boating facilities.	This program periodically issues a call for projects.
Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources	This grant provides funds for the planning, acquisition, and development of public parks, recreation areas, motorized and non-motorized trails, river conservation and access, and the conservation of open space. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and State Heritage Areas.	Recreation and Conservation grants open on the third Tuesday of January and close on the first Wednesday of April. ATV and Snowmobile Trails Management Restricted Account Grants open during the spring and fall (first business day in February - last business day in March; first business day in August - last business day in September).
Peer and Circuit Rider Program Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources	The Peer program funds projects that, through a collaborative process, focus on a specific need identified by the grantee and its partners. The Circuit Rider program aides in the hiring of a full-time park, recreation or conservation professional whose services are shared by the members of a formal partnership, commission or authority.	This program is open year round.
Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) Visit Website	National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)	The DWCF will award matching grants of $75,000 to $1,500,000 each to conserve, restore, and protect habitats on public and private land, across rural, urban, and Tribal areas, that contribute to the overall health of the Delaware River watershed — as well as benefit the quality of life and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Approximately $14.4 million in grant funding is available.	This program typically opens once each year.
Emergency Watershed Protection Visit Website	United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service-Pennsylvania	The purpose of this program is to undertake emergency measures, including the purchase of flood plain easements, to prevent runoff and soil erosion in order to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and erosion on any watershed whenever natural occurrence(s) cause a sudden impairment of the watershed. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, and conservation districts.	Sponsors must submit a formal request for assistance within 60 days of the disaster occurrence, or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available.
Growing Greener Plus Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection	This program provides funding for a variety of project types including watershed restoration work such as: watershed assessments; development and implementation of watershed restoration or protection plans; implementation of stormwater management wetlands, riparian buffer fencing and planting, streambank restoration, agricultural BMPs; and demonstration/education projects and outreach activities. Eligible applicants include municipalities, municipal authorities, watershed organizations, and other non-profits.	This program opens once each year, typically in the spring.
Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund Grants Visit Website	Commonwealth Financing Authority	These grants provide for the distribution of unconventional gas well impact fees to counties, municipalities and commonwealth agencies. The grants support improvements to municipalities' water systems and for public services and environmental protection projects. Funding programs include Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement; Baseline Water Quality Data; Flood Mitigation; Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging; Sewage Facilities; Watershed Restoration and Protection; and Greenways, Trails and Recreation.	Applications are accepted annually between February 1 and May 31.
Native Tree Seedlings Visit Website	National Wildlife Federation	The National Wildlife Federation provides reimbursement for free or subsidized native tree seedlings to partners who in turn plant them through local restoration projects or community tree giveaway events. Applicants must have a plan for tree maintenance after planting.	The program is currently only able to support native tree seedling reimbursement for existing partners of the National Wildlife Federation.
PECO Green Region Open Space Program Visit Website	Natural Lands	PECO provides grant awards of up to $10k to municipalities and non-profit organizations. The grants cover habitat improvement and enhanced tree cover, consulting fees, trail construction, land acquisition, and or/ the cost of creating and implementing an open space plan.	This program opens in the summer of each year.
Preservation Partnership Program Visit Website	Chester County Department of Parks and Preservation	Two distinct programs that provide funding to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to permanently preserve significant natural, recreational, agricultural, historic, and cultural land resources; enhance public access to those lands; provide public benefit; and implement County and municipal land use policies.	This consists of two funding programs that are offered once each year at the same time.
Schuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program Visit Website	Natural Lands	This is a reimbursement grant program funded by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and administered by Natural Lands. The program offers a yearly spring grant round funding grants from $1K to $25K that encourage sustainable development, protect and steward natural resources, implement land stewardship, restoration, riparian buffers, conservation plans and ordinances among other outdoor recreation projects	This program opens once each year.
Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Visit Website	Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area	The fund provides grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations for projects that improve the quality and quantity of water in the river and its tributaries. The grants focus on three major sources of pollution: stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage. In addition, Land Transaction Assistance grants are also available to cover transaction costs for permanent land protection projects.	This program opens once each year, typically in January.

Transportation

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
WalkWorks Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Health	This program provide assistance to advance policy development related to active transportation. Active transportation includes walking, biking, using a wheelchair, and accessing public transit. Eligible applicants include municipalities, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs/RPOs), and other governmental entities, like Counties, with the capacity to complete the proposed project and adopt the resulting plans.	This program typically opens once each year.
Multimodal Transportation Fund Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Transportation	This program provides financial assistance to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, rail freight, passenger rail, and ports to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization.	The statewide program opens once each year.
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) Visit PennDOT Visit DVRPC	Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission	This program uses federal highway and transit funds for community-based "non-traditional" projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation's intermodal transportation system. This includes projects that build pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, and create trail projects. Eligible project sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, including federal agencies, school entities, and nonprofit entities that are responsible for administration of local transportation safety programs.	This program will continue to provide funding through 2026, with applications accepted once per year.
CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund Visit Website	Commonwealth Financing Authority	This program awards funds for the development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, including streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development. Eligible applicants include municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and rail/freight ports.	Applications are accepted from 3/1 - 7/31 each year.
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (AFIG) Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection	The primary goals of the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program are to improve Pennsylvania's air quality and reduce consumption of imported oil through the use of homegrown alternative fuels that will help the Commonwealth's economy and environment. Through the program, DEP solicits applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects resulting in cleaner advanced alternative transportation within the Commonwealth.	This program opens two times each year.
Green Light-Go: Pennsylvania's Municipal Signal Partnership Program Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Transportation	The Green Light–Go Program provides state funds for the operation and maintenance of traffic signals along critical and designated corridors on state highways.	This program opens once each year.
Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program Visit Website	Pennsylvania Department of Transportation	This program uses revenues from ARLE-levied fines to fund highway safety projects across the state. A very wide range of projects are eligible, with an emphasis on those that can be completed at a relatively low cost, including retiming or coordination of existing traffic-control signals, pavement restriping projects to increase capacity or improve safety, and centerline rumble strips. Municipalities having authority to enact traffic laws are eligible to apply, as are Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), county planning organizations, and Commonwealth agencies.	Applications are accepted from June 1 to July 1, annually.
Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program Visit Website	Commonwealth Financing Authority	This program provides grants for projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. Eligible applicants include municipalities, for-profit businesses, councils of governments, and institutions of higher education.	Applications are accepted annually between February 1 and May 31.
Transportation & Community Development Initiative (TCDI) Visit Website	Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission	TCDI is a competitive grant opportunity for local governments, transportation management associations (TMAs), and transit agencies to support smart growth planning initiatives that help implement the Connections 2050 Plan for Greater Philadelphia. TCDI focuses on linking land use and transportation planning that results in enhancing existing transportation infrastructure, encouraging more transportation choices, reinforcing town-center development, protecting the environment, and improving quality of life.	This program opens once each year, typically in January.
Municipal Bridge Retro-Reimbursement Program Visit Website	PennDOT and DVRPC	To continue increasing the number of local bridges classified as in a State of Good Repair, DVRPC's Municipal Bridge Retro-Reimbursement Program (MBRP) will fund locally owned, bridge rehabilitation or replacement projects within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties that employ PennDOT's retro-reimbursement process.	This program typically opens once each year.

Utilities, Infrastructure, and Energy

Grant Name	Administrating Agency	Description	Application Period
Act 101, Section 904 Recycling Performance Grant Visit Website	PA Department of Environmental Protection	This grant is available to all Pennsylvania local governments with recycling programs. The grant awards are based on the total tons recycled and the applicant's recycling rate.	June 28, 2025 to December 31, 2025
Homeowner On-Lot Sewage Disposal and Lateral Repair Loans Visit Website	PENNVEST	This is a Pennsylvania state loan program to assist homeowners with improvement, replacement or repair of individual on-lot sewage disposal system or to connect for the first time to a public sewer system.	Applications are accepted year-round.
The Green Energy Loan Fund (GELF) Visit Website	PA and US Environmental Protection	This program offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency upgrades and high-performance systems in buildings across Pennsylvania. Projects must achieve at least a 25% reduction in energy use. Loan amounts range from $100K to $2.5M+, with flexible terms and competitive rates.	Applications are accepted year-round.
Local Climate Action Program Visit Website	PA Department of Environmental Protection	The Local Climate Action Program provides free technical to local governments to create greenhouse gas inventories and climate action plans. Municipalities are paired with Penn State students who complete the work with guidance from faculty advisers.	Student cohort begins in August; must express interest by July of each year.
Local Share Account Statewide Visit Website	PA Department of Community & Economic Development	This program offers up to $1M per project to support public interest initiatives that improve community quality of life. Eligible uses include clean energy, infrastructure, planning, and equipment.	See website for information.
Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program Visit Website	PA Department of Environmental Protection	This is a revolving loan fund to help local governments achieve their energy efficiency projects. These loans must be at least $5,000 and can have repayment terms of up to 7 years or the end of the project's useful life.	Loan applications rolling.
Shared Energy Manager Visit Website	PA Department of Environmental Protection	This program offers hands-on technical assistance from professional energy managers to help local governments implement climate action plans. Services include energy audits, renewable energy studies, fleet electrification analysis, and more. The program is expanding to support up to 20 communities annually.	Annually
Sustainable Development Fund Visit Website	Reinvestment Fund	This program offers commercial loans, lease financing, and energy performance contracts for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean energy technologies. Terms are customized to project needs. Over $65M in support provided since 1999.	See website for information.
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program Visit Website	United States Department of Agriculture	A federal loan/grant program that provides clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Eligible applicants include most state and local governmental entities and private nonprofits.	Applications are accepted year-round.

Municipal Corner