Advancing the upward economic mobility of residents has a direct positive impact on the financial health and long-term viability of municipalities. Economically secure families are better able to weather the ebbs and flows of income drops and unexpected expenses. They are less likely to rely on municipal services and support and more likely to maintain housing and utility payments and provide revenue for cities via sales, property, or income taxes.
Through the generous support of the Gates Foundation, NLC launched the Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program in 2023, a unique opportunity that provides small grants through a competitive application process to cities, towns, and villages seeking to support the advancement of economic mobility.
In addition to receiving grant funding, municipalities selected for the grant opportunity will benefit from a comprehensive support package. This includes monthly coaching calls with NLC staff, engagement with the EMPN, and training on key economic mobility resources, including Opportunity Insights’ Opportunity Atlas, Results for America’s Economic Mobility Catalog, and the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework.
Municipalities that apply for the rapid grant opportunity should demonstrate that their efforts are focused on one of the following areas:
- Creating quality employment opportunities for residents;
- Equitable support to strengthen or start small businesses; or
- Helping residents connect with government-sponsored residential services or public benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or free tax preparation services.
Information Sessions
There is an information session on April 1 at 2 pm ET where you can get your questions answered directly from NLC staff. Please register to save your spot!
How to Apply
Download the application guide (PDF) before starting your application.
Apply online here.
Contact
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please reach out to Justin Chu at eofe@nlc.org