01
Funding
Grants.gov
Search current federal grant opportunities and learn how organization eligibility and federal applications work.
U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOpen resource →National resource directory
Trusted starting points for community work
Use these national resources to research a problem, test an idea, prepare an organization, or find a funding pathway. Program eligibility and local rules still need to be checked for your state and community.
Last reviewedJuly 22, 2026
02
Funding
SAM.gov Assistance Listings
Research federal assistance programs, including grants, loans, cooperative agreements, and other forms of support.
U.S. General Services AdministrationOpen resource →03
Grant readiness
SAM.gov Entity Registration
Register an organization, obtain a Unique Entity ID, and maintain the active registration needed for many federal awards.
U.S. General Services AdministrationOpen resource →04
Nonprofit formation
IRS Charities and Nonprofits
Find current federal guidance on tax-exempt status, Form 1023 applications, annual filings, and organization status.
Internal Revenue ServiceOpen resource →05
Housing and development
HUD Exchange
Use program guidance, training, tools, and technical resources for HUD-supported housing and community development work.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOpen resource →06
Community development
Community Development Block Grant Resources
Learn how CDBG supports stronger and more resilient communities and find current program administration resources.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOpen resource →07
CDC capacity
Section 4 Capacity Building
Review HUD's capacity-building program for community development corporations and community housing development organizations.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOpen resource →08
Rural development
USDA Rural Development Programs
Explore national business, housing, utilities, cooperative, and community-facility programs, then locate state-specific contacts.
U.S. Department of AgricultureOpen resource →09
Rural facilities
USDA Community Facilities
Research loans, guarantees, and grants for eligible essential public-service facilities in rural communities.
U.S. Department of AgricultureOpen resource →10
Planning
Mission Maps
Clarify the community need, mission, outcomes, programs, partners, and funding direction before choosing a structure.
Community Compass service pathwayOpen resource →11
Grant systems
GrantBox
A grant-writing agency in a box for building a repeatable funding workflow, with a one-week free trial.
GotGrants.orgOpen resource →12
Direct support
Mentorship and Accelerator Services
Get hands-on support for formation, program design, grant readiness, funding strategy, and implementation.
Community Compass service pathwayOpen resource →Before you form an organization
Nonprofit status and federal tax exemption are different decisions.
State law governs nonprofit formation. Federal law governs recognition of tax-exempt status. A community development corporation is generally organized under state law and may pursue federal tax exemption, but the exact structure should follow the work it will actually do.
Help me choose the right path →