NLCI's mission is to equip locally elected officials with knowledge, tools, and techniques to enhance their ability to govern effectively in their communities.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTE INC is based in Washington, DC. It reported annual grants of $14,397,366 and total assets of $18,579,264 in its latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its work is organized around municipal governance, children, youth and families, health, equity, wellbeing, innovation and technology, municipal finance, housing, and public safety. The foundation’s recent grantmaking also shows emphasis on equitable economic mobility, city inclusive entrepreneurship, youth economic opportunity, and community-centered public safety. Recent large grants include $1,380,910 to CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK (ROSEVILLE, MN) for general support, $1,036,277 to AMERICA ACHIEVES INC (NEW YORK, NY) for an Economic Development Administration grant, and $700,000 to PHILADELPHIA CITY FUND (PHILADELPHIA, PA) for general support. Other sizeable awards include $513,372 to DREXEL UNIVERSITY (PHILADELPHIA, PA) and $490,000 to CITY OF JACKSON (JACKSON, MS) for the Southern Cities Economic Inclusion Initiative and Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative. Its typical grant size is $15,000 at the median, with a p25 of $15,000 and a p75 of $40,000, indicating that many grants are much smaller than the largest awards listed in recent filings.
Recent grantmaking spans housing and lead hazard control, economic development and entrepreneurial support, and community safety. Notable grants include $1,036,277 to AMERICA ACHIEVES INC (NEW YORK, NY) and $513,372 to DREXEL UNIVERSITY (PHILADELPHIA, PA) for Economic Development Administration grants. It also awarded $490,000 to CITY OF JACKSON (JACKSON, MS) for the Southern Cities Economic Inclusion Initiative and Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative, and $225,000 to LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCE (AUSTIN, TX) to support coordinated, equitable, community-centered safety efforts. Other recent awards support children and nature access, youth economic opportunity, and city inclusive entrepreneurship.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTE INC is a regular funder with a national geographic scope. Its grant size distribution is centered at $15,000, with p25 at $15,000, median at $15,000, and p75 at $40,000. Recent grants show both general support and project-specific awards, including capacity building, local strategy development, program implementation support, and network and ecosystem strengthening. It funds municipalities, city governments, research organizations, and nonprofits. The data also show grants for multiple years to the same recipient, which indicates recurring support in some cases.
$14.4M
$18.6M
$21.3M
$26M
Most grants fall between $15K and $40K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$40K
About 5% of grants go to recipients in OR.
CLARENCE ANTHONY
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NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTE INC gives nationally, with 183 grants in the United States and 100.0% of recipient grants in the U.S. Oregon is the state where it gives most often. Other states with recent grants include Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Missouri, Washington, DC, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, California, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Wisconsin. Washington, DC accounts for 5% of grants to recipients in the HQ state.
The data list active grant programs that accept unsolicited applications, including the HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Program promoted by NLC and GrantFinder by Lexipol. Recent grants also show support to invited recipients such as cities, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
Recent grants show support for municipal governance, economic mobility, city inclusive entrepreneurship, community-centered public safety, youth economic opportunity, children and nature access, housing-related capacity building, and general support. Recipients include city governments, nonprofits, universities, and research foundations.
Its typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range much higher in some cases, including $1,380,910 to CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK and $1,036,277 to AMERICA ACHIEVES INC.
It gives nationally. The recipient country distribution shows 183 grants, all in the United States. By state count, Oregon is where it gives most often, and Washington, DC accounts for 5% of grants to recipients in the HQ state.
Recent recipients include CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK, AMERICA ACHIEVES INC, PHILADELPHIA CITY FUND, DREXEL UNIVERSITY, CITY OF JACKSON, CITY OF ST LOUIS MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF TRUSTEES, NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA, FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS, and CITY OF SACRAMENTO.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK | ROSEVILLE, MN | $740,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF JACKSON MS | JACKSON, MS | $240,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING AND SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RSIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES |
| LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCE | AUSTIN, TX | $225,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COORDINATED, EQUITABLE, COMMUNITY-CENTERED SAFETY EFFORTS |
| MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $225,000 | 2025 | REIMAGINING COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE |
| CIVSTART CORP | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | CITY INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| REGIONAL YOUTH ADULT SOCIAL ACTION PARTNERSHIP (RYASAP) | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | MAKE INNOVATIVE CHANGES CREATE MORE EQUITABLE ECONOMIC SUCCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED FROM ECONOMIC SUCCESS |
| CENTRAL MISSOURI COMMUNITY ACTION | COLUMBIA, MO | $60,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE |
| CITY OF MONTGOMERY | MONTGOMERY, AL | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ENTREPRENEURSHIP CURRICULUM COMMITMENT |
| CITY OF DALLAS | DALLAS, TX | $45,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS |
| MADISON PARKS FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| CITY OF ROCKY FORD | ROCKY FORD, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| AWBURY ARBORETUM ASSOCIATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| TRICOUNTY PLAY COLLABORATIVE | SUMMERVILLE, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| TOGETHER WE CAN | N LAS VEGAS, NV | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| TOWN OF GROTON | GROTON, CT | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| YOUNG GIFTED & GREEN | MEMPHIS, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| UNITED WAY OF TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA INC | TUCSON, AZ | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS |
| RAIZES COLLECTIVE | SANTA ROSA, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| THORNE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE | LAFAYETTE, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| WILD EARTH WILDERNESS SCHOOL | HIGH FALLS, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER | FARLBAULT, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| CITY OF SAINT LOUIS | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $39,190 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF AT-RISK REDIENTS |
| ONWARD A LEGACY FOUNDATION | CORTEZ, CO | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS |
| VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD | MAYWOOD, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT |
| PENNY FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF RESIDENTS |
| CITY OF LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS, NV | $30,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF RESIDENTS |
| VILLAGE OF MATTESON | MATTESON, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT |
| CITY OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ANCHOR PROCUREMENT COMMITMENT |
| CITY OF PUEBLO | PUEBLO, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | INCREASE RACIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR RESIDENTS |
| CITY OF TOPEKA | TOPEKA, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS |
| FORT WORTH HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FORT WORTH, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS |
| BLACK 30 | LAWRENCE, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CIE) NETWORK |
| SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS OF NEW ORLEANS INC DBA PROPELLER A FORCE FOR SOCIAL | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM ACCELERATOR COMMITMENT |
| CITY OF PATTERSON | PATTERSON, LA | $22,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC INCLUSION |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF DEARBORN | DEARBORN, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY. |
| TOWN OF CHESTER | CHESTER, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING EXISTING STRATEGIES THAT RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $20,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS PROJECT; |
| PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PATERSON, NJ | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING EQUITABLE CONNECTION TO NATURE STRATEGIES |
| THE CITY OF FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR FAMILIES |
| CITY OF AURORA | AURORA, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS |
| MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRODUCTION | UTICA, MS | $20,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS PROJECT; |
| CITY OF BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON, VT | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS |
| CITY OF GRAND ISLAND | GRAND ISLAND, NE | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO | SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| CITY OF EL PASO | EL PASO, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| CITY OF GUSTAVUS | GISTAVUS, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| CITY OF LINDEN | LINDEN, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING AND SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RSIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES |
| CITY OF CHARLOTTE - CHARLOTTE BUSINESS INCLUSION PROGRAM | CHARLOTTE, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT |
| CITY OF ST PETERSBURG | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY |
| CITY OF LAWRENCE KS | LAWRENCE, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT |
CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK
$740,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF JACKSON MS
$240,000EXPANDING AND SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RSIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCE
$225,000SUPPORT COORDINATED, EQUITABLE, COMMUNITY-CENTERED SAFETY EFFORTS
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE
$225,000REIMAGINING COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE
CIVSTART CORP
$75,000CITY INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
REGIONAL YOUTH ADULT SOCIAL ACTION PARTNERSHIP (RYASAP)
$75,000MAKE INNOVATIVE CHANGES CREATE MORE EQUITABLE ECONOMIC SUCCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED FROM ECONOMIC SUCCESS
CENTRAL MISSOURI COMMUNITY ACTION
$60,000TO SUPPORT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE
CITY OF MONTGOMERY
$60,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ENTREPRENEURSHIP CURRICULUM COMMITMENT
CITY OF DALLAS
$45,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS
MADISON PARKS FOUNDATION INC
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
CITY OF ROCKY FORD
$40,000BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
AWBURY ARBORETUM ASSOCIATION
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
TRICOUNTY PLAY COLLABORATIVE
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
TOGETHER WE CAN
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
TOWN OF GROTON
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
YOUNG GIFTED & GREEN
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
UNITED WAY OF TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA INC
$40,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS
RAIZES COLLECTIVE
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
THORNE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
WILD EARTH WILDERNESS SCHOOL
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER
$40,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
CITY OF SAINT LOUIS
$39,190TO IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF AT-RISK REDIENTS
ONWARD A LEGACY FOUNDATION
$35,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS
VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD
$30,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT
PENNY FOUNDATION
$30,000IMPROVE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF RESIDENTS
CITY OF LAS VEGAS
$30,000IMPROVE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF RESIDENTS
VILLAGE OF MATTESON
$30,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT
CITY OF CHATTANOOGA
$30,000TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ANCHOR PROCUREMENT COMMITMENT
CITY OF PUEBLO
$30,000INCREASE RACIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR RESIDENTS
CITY OF TOPEKA
$30,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS
FORT WORTH HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$30,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS HISPANIC/LATINX BUSINESS OWNERS
BLACK 30
$30,000TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CIE) NETWORK
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS OF NEW ORLEANS INC DBA PROPELLER A FORCE FOR SOCIAL
$30,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM ACCELERATOR COMMITMENT
CITY OF PATTERSON
$22,000SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC INCLUSION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF DEARBORN
$20,000TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL STRATEGIES THAT CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE MORE EQUITABLY.
TOWN OF CHESTER
$20,000SUPPORTING EXISTING STRATEGIES THAT RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY
$20,000IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS PROJECT;
PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$20,000ADVANCING EQUITABLE CONNECTION TO NATURE STRATEGIES
THE CITY OF FREDERICK
$20,000SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR FAMILIES
CITY OF AURORA
$20,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS
MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRODUCTION
$20,000IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS PROJECT;
CITY OF BURLINGTON
$20,000SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND
$20,000ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
$20,000ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
CITY OF EL PASO
$20,000ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
CITY OF GUSTAVUS
$20,000ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
CITY OF LINDEN
$20,000EXPANDING AND SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF RSIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
CITY OF CHARLOTTE - CHARLOTTE BUSINESS INCLUSION PROGRAM
$15,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT
CITY OF ST PETERSBURG
$15,000ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY
CITY OF LAWRENCE KS
$15,000SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ECOSYSTEM MAPPING COMMITMENT