How faith-based organizations access federal funding, and open programs that fit.
Federal agencies can fund faith-based organizations on the same terms as other nonprofits. The funds have to pay for secular services, though, such as meals, mentoring, reentry support, preservation or security, and not for worship, religious instruction or proselytizing. Explicitly religious activities must be kept separate in time or place from the federally funded program, and participation in them must be voluntary.
Federal opportunities are posted on Grants.gov. Before you apply, your organization needs a Unique Entity ID and an active registration at SAM.gov. Allow several weeks for this. Some programs, like USDA child nutrition, TEFAP, EFSP and CDBG, reach churches through a state agency, food bank or city instead of a direct application.
The DOJ and NEH award ceilings and close dates on this page come from the opportunity records on Grants.gov, as published Oct 20, 2026.
The directory
Source-linked. Check eligibility and current dates with each funder before applying. Where a field shows "See funder site", the supplied summary does not establish that detail.
Filters help discovery, not eligibility. “Dated deadline” does not confirm an open application. Imported records need team review; see evidence coverage.
For national or multistate mentoring networks; fits large ministry networks.
Official page for U.S. DOJ – OJJDP – Multistate Mentoring Programs (FY2026) (opens in new tab)
Supports community groups running reentry services for adults leaving incarceration.
Federal funds for programs helping young people return home from juvenile or adult facilities.
Funds mentoring programs for young people affected by family or personal substance use.
Helps institutions protect historic collections, records and artifacts.
Official page for National Endowment for the Humanities – Collections Stewardship (opens in new tab)
Funds public-facing history and culture programs; congregations with historic archives or buildings can partner.
Pays for physical security upgrades for nonprofits at risk of attack, including places of worship.
Official page for FEMA / DHS – Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) (opens in new tab)
Flexible federal funds distributed by local governments for community services.
Official page for HUD – Community Development Block Grant (via local government) (opens in new tab)
Federal arts project funding; congregations with community arts programs can qualify.
Official page for National Endowment for the Arts – Grants for Arts Projects (opens in new tab)
Federal matching grants to preserve nationally significant historic sites and collections.
Official page for National Park Service – Save America's Treasures (opens in new tab)
Federal solicitation focused on improving safety at houses of worship.
Reimburses meals and snacks served in child and adult care programs.
Reimburses free summer meals for children in low-income areas.
Official page for USDA Food and Nutrition Service – Summer Food Service Program (opens in new tab)
Free USDA food for pantries and meal programs.
Loans and grants to build or improve essential facilities like food pantries, community kitchens and child care in small towns.
No listings match those filters.
Church renovation and building · Youth and children's ministry · Church planting and missions · Worship, music and arts · Church outreach and food pantry · Clergy renewal and education · Church technology · General ministry and operating · Security · Deadlines this month · Federal grants · Historic preservation