Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF)

Applicants in the 2026 Application Cycle will use Grant Schedule A. DED Announces 2026 Civic and Community Center Financing Fund Recipients Through the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF), the State of Nebraska awards funding to municipalities and tribal governments to support an array of project types that promote economic opportunity and a higher quality of life. Administered by the Department of Economic Development, CCCFF grants are awarded annually to eligible entities on a competitive basis for the planning and construction of recreation centers. What Can CCCFF Grants Be Used for? CCCFF Capital Construction grants can be used to build and/or improve community facilities such as libraries, recreation and wellness centers, gathering spaces, convention centers, town squares, and cultural centers. Projects may include the reuse of historic buildings. CCCFF Planning grants can be used for preliminary planning efforts related to the development or rehabilitation of eligible projects. CCCFF eligible projects must be open to the public and located within the official boundaries of the applicant community. Successful applications demonstrate substantial community support, as well as a project that enhances local quality of life. Projects are owned by the eligible entity, with some limited provisions for shared ownership by a municipality and eligible political subdivision. A CCCFF grant cannot account for more than 50% of a project’s total costs. Minimum local cost-share is 1:1. Johnson Park in Norfolk Lexington Racquet Center McCook Aquatic Park Roseland Community Center Sunken Gardens in Alliance Review current and archived news. Find CCCFF  press releases here. Learn More Who is Eligible to Apply? Nebraska municipalities, including rural cities and villages, and tribal governments may apply for CCCFF grants. Ineligible are the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, or other municipalities that have received assistance under the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act. Additionally, projects receiving state assistance via the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, which includes facilities in Ralston and Kearney, may not also receive state assistance via CCCFF. For more information on applicant or project eligibility, please consult the CCCFF Application & Program Guidelines. How to Apply To be considered, applicants must meet eligibility requirements and submit their proposal via the application portal. Applicants must submit a pre-application (Letter of Intent) and a full application, both of which must be submitted no later than the date identified below. The CCCFF program operates on an annual cycle. Application Cycle/Grant Schedule Letter of Intent/Pre-Application Due Date: January 15 Full Application Due Date: February 15 Anticipated Award Date: March 30 Contract Term: Two Years CCCFF Pre-Application (2026) Grants to municipalities and tribal governments in support of recreation centers. The pre-application is a prerequisite to the full application. Pre-Application Period Opens: January 1, 2026 Pre-Application Period Closes: January 15, 2026 Apply Full Application (2026) Grants to municipalities and tribal governments in support of recreation centers. Full Application Opens: January 15, 2026, 9:00 AM (CST) Full Application Closes: February 15, 2026, 6:00 PM (CST) Apply Program Resources Title File Type Date Application & Program Guidelines (v1.8) pdf December 19, 2025 Award Management Companion Guide pdf April 7, 2025 CCCFF One-Page Overview pdf January 23, 2025 CCCFF Program Overview, Revised April 2024 pdf April 9, 2024 EXAMPLE LETTER OF INTENT docx January 7, 2025