The GrantWorks Community Development Department prepares and implements grant funded projects that help Texas towns make needed improvements to their communities. Our services cover a range of project types including infrastructure improvements, disaster relief, coastal management, parks, and economic development.
We assist you throughout the grant process by providing personalized service – from obtaining funding to construction completion.
We prepare and manage projects from agencies including the General Land Office, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Transportation, State Energy Conservation Office and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Grant Applications
GrantWorks has among the most experienced grant writers in Texas, with over $470 million in secured funding from a variety of programs. We provide step-by-step instructions for each and every grant applicant, making sure all questions are answered, documents completed, and deadlines met.
Extensive in-house expertise sets us apart from our competitors in the following areas:
- Best Application Writers: We have the greatest funding success of any consultant for virtually every grant program in which we compete: CDBG Community Development, Disaster Recovery (pool), Planning, Colonia, and Texas Capital Fund, as well as HOME, GLO Coastal Management, TXDOT Safe Routes to School, and Texas Parks & Wildlife grants.
- Beneficiary Documentation: We wrote the book on documenting CDBG beneficiaries using Census block geography and GIS to qualify target areas and city-wide projects. No other consultant comes close to our levels of expertise and success in this area.
- Low/Mod Income Survey: Our dedicated Income Survey Team is the only such group in Texas. They know how to perform the outreach necessary to get door-to-door responses from residents in order to qualify smaller target areas for CDBG improvements. No other firm offers this service, much less for free.
- Our application writers are backed by our deep bench of specialists in Planning, Housing, Engineering, GIS, environmental, Fair Housing, and city management, resources other firms simply do not have at their disposal.
GrantWorks stands ready and willing to put our expertise to work for your community’s success!
Grant Implementation
Our Community Development team, the largest and most comprehensive in the state, is recognized for providing excellent service, a collaborative approach to project management, and timely project completion. Our staff consists of a team of ten TxCDBG certified project managers who provide personalized service throughout project implementation. Our current staff has implemented infrastructure improvements projects totaling $470 million. They are supported by a team of in-house specialists who provide income survey, beneficiary, environmental, labor standards, and client service expertise.
Grant Programs
The Texas Community Development Block Grant Program uses federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide a variety of assistance to smaller communities. This program is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Affairs effective October 1, 2011.
GrantWorks has worked with TxCDBG funds since the program began in 1983. We do not charge any fees for preparing an application to this program.
TxCDBG has several “funds,” each of which has its own purposes and requirements.
Community Development Fund
This fund distributes the majority of TxCDBG grants. Funds are awarded once every two years through 24 regional competitions for assistance to eligible cities and counties to address public facilities and housing needs. Eligible activities include infrastructure projects such as sewer and water system improvements, street, bridge, and drainage improvements, and housing rehabilitation. Project beneficiaries must be 51 percent low and moderate income. Grants range from $100,000 to more than $500,000, depending on the region. Matching funds are typically required.
Disaster Recovery Fund
This fund was created by a special grant to Texas from Congress following the major hurricanes in 2008. For more information, please visit the Disaster Recovery page.
Colonia Fund
The Colonia fund is available for counties to assist identifiable unincorporated communities that are located within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border (“colonias”), but outside the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. Sub-funds include the Construction Fund (primarily first-time water and sewer improvements) with grants up to $500,000; and the Planning Fund with grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.
Other TxCDBG Funds
Disater Relief funds are also available on a first come, first served basis to provide assistance for restoration of public infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, such as flooding. Funds are available to provide the 25% local share for FEMA Public Assistance and USDA Natural Resource Conservation grants and to provide up to $350,000 to address Governor-declared disasters.
Texas Capital Fund
GrantWorks has worked with Texas Capital Fund projects since 1990, and has successfully funded and administered more projects than any other firm in the state. The Texas Capital Fund offers four programs that encourage economic development.
Main Street Improvements
The Main Street Improvements Program is designed to foster and stimulate economic development in the downtown area by providing financial assistance to non-entitlement cities for public infrastructure improvements. Only a city designated as an official Texas Main Street city by the Texas Historical Commission may submit an application for proposed improvements. The improvements must directly support the revitalization of the city’s designated main street area.
Real Estate Development
The Real Estate Development Program is an economic development tool designed to provide financial resources to non-entitlement cities and counties. Funds must be used for real estate development to assist a business that commits to create and/or retain permanent jobs, primarily for low and moderate-income persons. The real estate and/or improvements must be owned by the community and leased to the business. This program encourages new business development and expansions.
Infrastructure Development
The Infrastructure Development Program is an economic development tool designed to provide financial resources to non-entitlement communities. Funds from this program can be utilized for public infrastructure needed to assist a business that commits to create and/or retain permanent jobs, primarily for low and moderate-income persons. This program also encourages new business development and expansions.
Downtown Revitalization Program
The Downtown Revitalization Improvements Program is designed to foster and stimulate economic development in the downtown area by providing financial assistance to non-entitlement cities for public infrastructure improvements. This program aids in the elimination of slum or blighted areas in non-entitlement communities.
Coast Impact Assistance Program
The Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) is managed by the General Land Office with funds distributed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Two hundred and fifty million dollars are divided annually among the coastal states of Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for fiscal years 2007 through 2010.
CIAP funds may be used for conservation, restoration, mitigation, enhancement, education, and planning assistance with the goal of protecting coastal natural resources and promoting economic development. GrantWorks has successfully funded nearly $8 million in projects for 3 counties under the CIAP program.
Safe Routes to School
GrantWorks has funded 9 Safe Routes to Schools projects through the Texas Department of Transportation since 2009. Safe Routes to School programs are designed to help children travel safely to school by providing sidewalks, crosswalks, and bicycle facilities.
Energy Efficiency Community Development Block Grant (EECBG)
EECBG is a stimulus funded program administered by the State Energy Conservation Office to help communities make their public facilities more energy efficient. GrantWorks assisted 34 communities in getting funded for these improvements in 2009.
Collaborative Effort
GrantWorks is the largest CDBG administering firm in Texas due to our expertise in developing and administering grant funded improvements projects. From documenting beneficiaries to environmental review to construction implementation, our staff is committed to assisting Texas towns. Community Development team members include:
- Bruce Spitzengel, President/Owner
- Eric Hartzell, Executive Vice President
- Brenna Minor, Vice President of Community Development
- Jerry Carvajal, Director of West TX Services
- Webbie Carvajal, Administrative Assistant
- Betty Collier, Senior Client Service Specialist
- Martha Drake, Senior Consultant
- Regan Lenehan, Senior CD Project Manager
- Martha Arosemena, Senior CD Project Manager
- Julie Murray, Environmental Specialist
- Kelly Dibbens, CD Project Manager
- Katie Dushkin, CD Project Manager
- Suzy Riley, CD Project Manager
- Lee Anne Huntoon, CD Project Manager
- Catherine Duarte, CD Project Manager
- Emily Phalan, CD Project Manager
- John Young, CD Project Manager
- Robert Rhatigan, Environmental/Start Up Technician
- Cristal Garcia, CD Administrative Assistant/Labor Specialist
- Kirk Dibbens, Income Survey Specialist/Property Manager
- Mary Alice Smith, Senior Consultant
- Chuck Lucas, Senior Consultant
- Charlie Davis, Director of Engineering Services
- Simon Doty, GIS Technician
- Justin Epker, Senior Consultant
- Robert Holz, Office Assistant
See our staff page to learn more about our specialists.
