Introduction
Federal grant, loan, and technical assistance programs can support the creation of community centers run by nonprofit organizations or local, state, territorial, and tribal governments. These buildings often host social, recreational, educational, and other activities.
This In Focus product is intended to help congressional offices connect constituents with federal programs that provide financial and other assistance to build or renovate community centers. It contains information about selected federal programs that may allow for resources to be used for community center construction projects. It does not discuss potential sources of funding for community center operations, activities, or programming.
This list is not comprehensive. Additional federal program criteria may affect the eligibility of any given project. Not all programs are open to all applicant types (e.g., some programs may accept applications from local governments but not nonprofit organizations).
Federal Assistance Programs
This section provides brief descriptions accompanied by URLs for websites that can provide additional information about programs, including potential points of contact.
Constituents can also look up program information using the Assistance Listings on SAM.gov, the Grants.gov website, and the Office of Management and Budget's Federal Program Inventory (https://fpi.omb.gov).
Loans and Grants for Rural Facilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program to support "essential community facilities" in rural communities. Loans and grants provided through the program can be used to buy, build, or renovate facilities in places with 20,000 or fewer residents. Loan guarantees are available through the related Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, and Economic Impact Initiative Grants can assist in rural areas with "extreme unemployment and severe economic depression."
USDA state rural development offices can provide information and guidance to potential applicants: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/offices/state-offices.
Community Development Block Grants
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to "develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons."
CDBG funds are awarded at the state and local level, which means state and local governments have considerable flexibility in directing CDBG funding to projects and programs in their communities. Eligible activities include the "acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of public facilities and improvements," though not "buildings … used for the general conduct of government" (24 C.F.R. §570).
Some larger "entitlement" cities and counties receive CDBG funding directly from HUD. State governments receiving CDBG funds "pass through" CDBG funding to smaller communities.
Defense Community Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) administers various programs to support communities that host military bases. These include the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to "address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of a military installation," such as a "community support facility" (10 U.S.C. §2391).
Grants are awarded to state and local governments through DOD's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation: https://oldcc.gov.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The U.S. Department of the Interior's Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) awards grants for outdoor recreation areas, which could include exterior elements of community centers such as an outdoor public pool or skating rink. (See also CRS In Focus IF12687, Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks, by Eric P. Nardi.)
Certain state government agencies are allowed to apply for LWCF funds and can then award subgrants to other entities such as local and tribal governments: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/contact-list.htm.
National Register of Historic Places
Depending on its age, historical significance, architectural features, and other factors, a community center building may be eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service describes listing as the "first step towards eligibility" for Historic Preservation Tax Incentives and Historic Preservation Fund grants. (See also CRS Report R45800, The Federal Role in Historic Preservation: An Overview, by Mark K. DeSantis.)
State Historic Preservation Offices can provide assistance: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/state-historic-preservation-offices.htm.
Department of Energy Programs
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides grants and technical assistance for energy-efficiency improvements and building retrofits. These programs include Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, which provide funding that local, state, and tribal governments can award for community center building renovations and improvements.
The DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs administers many of these programs: https://www.energy.gov/scep/office-state-and-community-energy-programs.
See also the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE): https://www.dsireusa.org.
Accessibility Improvements
Several federal programs support community center accessibility improvements and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), typically in the form of training or technical assistance.
Federal Surplus Property Donations
State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations may be able to obtain surplus federal property for community centers, such as equipment and furniture, through the U.S. General Services Administration's Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.
Government agencies and eligible nonprofits can access the program through their State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP): https://www.gsa.gov/buy-through-us/government-property-for-sale-or-lease/personal-property-for-reuse-and-sale/for-state-agencies-and-public-organizations/state-agencies-for-surplus-property-contacts.
Other Community Facilities
Construction projects involving other community facilities (e.g., fire stations, town halls, courthouses) and infrastructure may benefit from programs discussed in this product and other CRS publications, such as
Additional Guidance for Grantseekers
General information about applying for grants is available in CRS Report RL34012, Resources for Grantseekers, by Maria Kreiser, and CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Maria Kreiser.
Constituents may also wish to contact private grant makers, since government funding for community center construction projects is often limited or unavailable.