community_development · USDOT-CDFI
FY 2026 Bank Enterprise Award Program Application
Community Development Financial Institutions · CDFI-2026-BEA
Award Range
$10K – $600K
Total Program Funding
$40.0M
Expected Awards
180
Deadline
July 24, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
The CDFI Fund is rewarding banks and thrifts that increase their lending and services in distressed communities. This isn't a traditional grant — it's a monetary AWARD for community development activities you've ALREADY DONE (or will do). If your bank increased lending in low-income census tracts, opened a branch in a distressed community, or provided financial literacy programs, you can get reimbursed $10K-$600K. $40M total, 180 awards — very high acceptance rate.
Who Should Apply
FDIC-insured banks and thrifts (traditional banks, community banks, savings institutions) that serve or plan to serve distressed communities. Must be FDIC-insured — credit unions and non-bank CDFIs are NOT eligible for this specific program.
Who Should NOT Apply
Credit unions (they have separate CDFI programs), non-bank CDFIs, fintech companies, nonprofits, or any entity that is not an FDIC-insured depository institution.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be an FDIC-insured bank or thrift
- •Must demonstrate community development activities in distressed communities
- •Awards retroactively reward activities already undertaken (or planned)
- •Must document increased lending, services, or investments in qualifying areas
💡 GrantQuick Tip
180 awards from $40M — this is one of the highest-acceptance-rate federal programs. If you're a community bank already making loans in low-income areas, you're essentially leaving money on the table by NOT applying. The application documents what you're already doing — it's more like a reimbursement claim than a competitive proposal. Every community bank should apply.
Competitiveness: Very low — 180 awards means most qualified banks that apply will receive funding. This is free money for community banks already serving distressed areas.
What This Grant Funds
Through the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) supports FDIC-insured financial institutions around the country that are dedicated to financing and supporting community and economic development activities. The BEA Program complements the community development activities of insured depository institutions (i.e., banks and thrifts) by providing monetary awards for increasing investments in CDFIs and for increasing qualified lending, investment, and service activities within economically distressed communities. Providing BEA Program awards for increasing community development activities leverages the CDFI Fund’s dollars and puts more capital to work in distressed communities throughout the nation.
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $10K
- Maximum Award
- $600K
- Total Program Funding
- $40.0M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 180
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Agency Contact
CDFI Fund Help Desk (202) 653-0421
bea@cdfi.treas.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov