--- {"title": "How to find infrastructure and community grants in 2026", "description": "Learn how small town mayors and clerks can prepare, search, compare options, and find infrastructure and community grants the town may qualify for.", "url": "https://cdings.com/how-to-find-infrastructure-and-community-grants-for-small-town-mayors-and-clerks/", "date": "2026-10-31"} --- Learn how small town mayors and clerks can prepare, search, compare options, and find infrastructure and community grants the town may qualify for. Small town mayors and clerks can gather the town's details and documents, decide what the project will fund, search several sources, and check every funder's rules before applying. Raise Buddy is one option that lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for after you paste your website or describe what you do. [^1] | Option | What it does | Cost | |---|---|---| | Raise Buddy Free plan [^1] | Opens programs up to $1,000. [^1] | Free. [^1] | | Raise Buddy Plus plan [^1] | Opens programs up to $5,000. [^1] | $14.99 a month. [^1] | | Raise Buddy Pro plan [^1] | Opens every program, with advisors' review and AI connection. [^1] | $199 a month. [^1] | ## What you need before you start Prepare the basic facts a funder may ask for before looking for infrastructure and community grants. Keeping these details together makes it easier to review opportunities. - **Project description.** Write a short explanation of the town project, such as water lines, roads, parks, or a public building, and who it serves. - **Location.** Keep the town's location and the service area it covers ready. - **Town size.** Note the population and any income details, because some programs base eligibility on town population or community income. - **Ownership and authority.** Record how the town is incorporated and who has authority to sign applications for it. - **Budget information.** Gather basic figures for the project and the town's current budget. - **Tax and financial documents.** Gather the town's tax records and any letters from tax agencies. Check each funder's own document list. - **Plans and maintenance.** Note existing infrastructure plans, permits, and upkeep needs that shape the project. A simple summary sheet with these facts can help keep applications consistent. ## Step by step 1. **Define the project.** Decide what the money will support, such as water, roads, broadband, or a public facility, and what the project is meant to change for residents. 2. **Set eligibility rules.** Note the town's size, population, location, ownership, and any matching-fund requirements that matter for the program. 3. **Search reliable sources.** Review state and federal programs, regional planning offices, and organizations that fund community infrastructure. 4. **Read eligibility rules carefully.** Check who can apply, what the money can be used for, deadlines, and required documents before spending time on an application. 5. **Check cost and matching requirements.** Some grants need the town to cover part of the cost, so compare that requirement with the budget. 6. **Build a shortlist.** Separate programs into ones that fit now, ones that need preparation, and ones that need more information. 7. **Confirm unclear details.** Contact the funder when rules, documents, or spending limits are not clear. 8. **Prepare each application.** Adjust answers to the specific program and provide the requested information. 9. **Record applications and update.** Note where each application was sent, when it was submitted, and what action comes next. Programs change, so keep town details ready for later opportunities. ## Tools that can do it Different sources can help with different parts of finding infrastructure and community grants. **State and regional government programs.** State and regional agencies can show infrastructure and community grant programs. Check each program's own rules, documents, and deadlines. **Regional planning offices.** Planning offices often track funding for infrastructure and community projects in an area. Check what they cover and what information they need. **Federal grant lists.** Federal grant listing sites can show programs for infrastructure and community development. Check eligibility and matching rules on each program's own page. **Nonprofit and foundation grant lists.** Foundations and nonprofit groups sometimes list community grants. Check who can apply and what the money can be used for. **Raise Buddy.** Raise Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site. You paste your website or describe what you do, and it lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for. [^1] Each match says whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, with the funder's own words. [^1] It can read a Schedule C, Form 1120, 1065 or 990, or an IRS letter, from a photo or PDF into a draft profile you confirm, and it does not keep the business tax identification number or the papers. [^1] It includes private foundations that take applications, read from their own Form 990-PF tax returns. [^1] It covers 25 other ways to raise money, such as angel investors, SBA loans and equity crowdfunding, each with its official rules and a first step. [^1] Its program list includes sources from the UK, Australia, France, Japan, Spain and Austria. [^1] It keeps track of where each of your applications stands, but you apply on the funder's own site. [^1] The Free plan opens programs up to $1,000, Plus is $14.99 a month and opens programs up to $5,000, and Pro is $199 a month with every program, advisors' review, and AI connection. [^1] The first three matches in each section open on every plan. [^1] A guest's search list ends after 5. [^1] Only English is shown for now. [^1] The app works on the web and on phones. [^1] The web app needs nothing installed. [^1] ## Common mistakes to avoid - **Choosing a grant without checking eligibility.** A grant only helps when the town meets the stated rules. - **Ignoring spending limits.** Some grants can only be used for certain projects, so check the allowed uses before accepting money. - **Skipping matching-fund requirements.** Some programs need the town to cover part of the cost, so confirm that before applying. - **Relying on a list without checking the source.** Confirm deadlines and requirements with the funder. - **Confusing grants and loans.** Grants and loans have different repayment expectations and costs. - **Waiting until the last minute.** Documents, registrations, and answers can take time to prepare. - **Not tracking follow-ups.** Missing a request for information can slow down the process. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between a grant and a loan for a town's project? A grant is money that usually does not need repayment, but it may have rules about who can receive it and how it can be used. A loan must be repaid and usually includes interest. Mayors and clerks should compare the purpose, cost, and requirements of each option before choosing a funding path for a project. ### What documents does a town need to find infrastructure and community grants? Common documents include the town's registration details, location, population and income information, a project description, and recent tax records. Some funders may request additional information. Check each program's own document list because requirements can differ between funding sources. ### Can a town check eligibility before applying for funding? Yes. Review the funder's rules for the type of town, location, ownership, spending limits, and required documents before applying. Raise Buddy gives each match a statement about whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, using the funder's own words. [^1] ### Does Raise Buddy apply for grants and loans for a town? No. Raise Buddy keeps track of where each application stands, but the town applies on the funder's own site. [^1] The mayor or clerk still needs to review the requirements, prepare answers, and send the application through the required process. ### How much does Raise Buddy cost? The Free plan opens programs up to $1,000, Plus is $14.99 a month and opens programs up to $5,000, and Pro is $199 a month with every program, advisors' review, and AI connection. [^1] The first three matches in each section open on every plan. [^1] Free plan opens programs up to $1,000; Plus is $14.99 a month (up to $5,000); Pro is $199 a month (every program, advisors' review, AI connection). The first three matches in each section open on every plan. [^1] - [Visit Raise Buddy](/go/start) ## Sources [^1]: Raise Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start)