READY Grants to Grow

READY Grants to Grow is one of five opportunities offered by ARC’s READY Appalachia initiative.

Appalachia’s regional economic growth relies on local ability to prioritize challenges and implement solutions. However, capacity is often lacking at the individual, organizational, or community levels to do so.

READY Grants to Grow is a $9 million funding opportunity that will award grants of up to $500,000 to organizations seeking to build individual, organizational and/or community capacity across the region.

Any organization that is eligible to apply for an ARC grant can apply for READY Grants to Grow, though certain requirements apply. Interested applicants can register for this pre-application webinar on Thursday, October 10 and learn more below.

Eligible Projects

Grow Capacity to Create Change

Applicants must propose projects that strengthen underserved communities and economies in Appalachia, and/or demonstrate low capacity themselves.

Projects must help build:

  • Individual capacity, including staff training or professional development;
  • Organizational capacity, including internal strategic planning or expanding services; and/or
  • Community capacity, including launching a community-led planning process or hiring a planning contractor.
How to Apply

Key Application Dates

Interested applicants for READY Grants to Grow should:

  • Attend the pre-application webinar on October 10, 2024 to learn more about the opportunity and application process.
  • Submit a letter of intent to apply by November 1, 2024, which is required to access the application portal.
  • Submit an application by February 14, 2025. 

Helping All Communities Build Capacity

Organizations serving any of the following groups in Appalachian Region are strongly encouraged to apply:

  • Historically underserved and marginalized populations 

READY Grants to Grow applicants must draw a clear connection between their proposal, their community’s broader economic development and improved services to the groups above.

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact ready@arc.gov.