This week in Grants
Local Efficiency Achievement Program Grants
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (NJDCA) Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) incentivizes New Jersey counties and municipalities to plan and implement shared service projects. These projects offer multiple benefits for participating state communities, increasing the efficiency of municipal services and increasing the value of taxpayer dollars. This program has multiple individual grants that entities can apply for, including the "Challenge Grant" and the "Implementation Grant."
The LEAP Challenge Grant funds the most compelling shared service projects in New Jersey's counties, allowing municipalities to compete for grant funding to support efficiency-generating shared services. This grant is designed to promote innovation among peer communities and counties across New Jersey, and challenge municipalities to collaborate on more extensive partnerships that produce shared services. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
Identifying and eliminating duplication and other redundancy of services through greater technical and capital alignment.
Facilitating integration of resource deployment.
Information technology plan development for shared service initiatives.
Cybersecurity plan development for shared service initiatives.
The LEAP Implementation Grant funds the costs associated with implementing new shared services. This includes one-time reimbursable costs for project completion or transition support, which includes:
New technology costs incurred as part of equipping a new shared services program.
Rebranding costs.
Equipment and vehicle outlays.
Professional services.
Rent for facilities.
Payroll system conversion costs.
Training.
Funding Amount:
LEAP Challenge Grant: Up to $150,000 for each county (with up to 3 awards given per county)
LEAP Implementation Grant: Up to $300,000.
Application Deadline: 04/15/2026
Match: Matches are not required through either program, but they will make your application more competitive.
You can find more information on this program here.
AARP Community Challenge - Demonstration Grants
The American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) "Community Challenge: Demonstration Grants" program funds projects that benefit residents, particularly those age 50 or older, in the following categories:
Enhancing pedestrian safety by creating safer streets and sidewalks.
Expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption.
Reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure.
Implementing housing design competitions that increase community understanding and encourage policies that enable greater choice in housing.
Funding Amount: $10,000 - $20,000
Application Deadline: 03/04/2026
Match: Not Defined