Federal grant programs / Department of Health and Human Services

Community Services Block Grant (93.569)

Also known as CSBG

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$3.8 billion
• Grant awards614
• Typical award$799,681
• Awarded in FY 2025$766 million
• Size rank110 of 1824
• Type of assistanceFormula grants

Key findings

• Annual funding was roughly flat, $789 million in fiscal 2021 and $766 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 110th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 71% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 56 states and territories.

What the program funds

The objectives of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) are to provide assistance to states and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies (CAAs) and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self-sufficient.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

The Secretary is authorized to make CSBG awards to states. This includes each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Secretary also provides assistance directly to the governing body of an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization upon application by the tribe. Only state-recognized tribes, as evidenced by a statement to that effect by the Governor, or tribes formally recognized by the Secretary of the Interior, under the procedure for such recognition in 25 CFR Part 54, are eligible to receive direct awards. In order for a private nonprofit or public organization to be considered an eligible entity, they must administer the CSBG program through a tripartite board as described in 42 USC 9910 that fully participates in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program to serve low-income communities. For the discretionary T/TA cooperative agreements: Eligible entities include CSBG eligible entities, or statewide or local organizations or associations, with demonstrated expertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and communities. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

What the money can and cannot pay for

States receive block grants to minimize the causes of poverty in communities. The block grant approach gives the States flexibility to tailor their programs to the particular services needs in their communities. States are required to use at least 90 percent of their allocations for awards to "eligible entities" as defined in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, as amended; this includes primarily locally based community action agencies and/or organizations that serve seasonal or migrant farm workers. No more than the greater of $55,000 or 5 percent of each State's allocation may be used for administrative expenses at the State level. For discretionary T/TA awards: funds may be used in accordance with the objectives outlined in each NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award.

Matching requirements

Statutory Formula: Title N/A, Part N/A, Subpart N/A,Public Law 105-285.42 USC 9906, 9911Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Deadlines

Sep 01, 2026 to Sep 01, 2026

Award range and average, in the agency's words

In 2023, the range of financial assistance under CSBG was $1,245 -$68,379,005. The average award was $6,263,540. In 2024, the range of financial assistance under CSBG was $1,233 - $67, 695, 215. The average award was $6,009,033. In 2025, the range of financial assistance under CSBG was $1,245 - $68,379,005. The average award was $6,063,474.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

State and local governments received 98% of the money, nonprofits 0.9% and tribes 0.6%.

By state

54 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.