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Atlantic City organizations will be able to seek funding for festivals, job training, and neighborhood services through a new $3 million grant program.
The initiative includes $1 million for tourism, arts, and culture, the largest of its four funding categories.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) announced RISE Atlantic City on Oct. 27, with applications opening Nov. 24. The remaining $2 million will support workforce development, youth activities, and services addressing needs such as food insecurity and homelessness.
Tourism and arts lead funding with $1 million allocation
The tourism, arts, and culture funding will support programming that attracts visitors and highlights Atlantic City’s identity. Eligible activities include festivals, parades, performance series, public art, historic preservation programs, and free community entertainment.
For-profit businesses can apply for tourism grants, but only for free entertainment programming open to the public. Registered nonprofits and government entities are eligible to apply across the program’s categories.
Workforce development will receive $700,000 for job training, professional credentials, career coaching, adult education, and programs helping residents return to work. Technology skills and training for environmental jobs also qualify.
Another $600,000 is available for youth development, including after-school and summer programs, mentoring, tutoring, arts, and recreation. The category covers programming from early childhood through age 18.
The remaining $700,000 will fund community services addressing documented local needs. Those can include food distribution, homelessness services, and mental health support.
Grant applications open Nov. 24 with no fixed deadline
Organizations can apply beginning Nov. 24, with grants awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until each category’s funding is exhausted.
CRDA advises applicants to allow at least six months for review. All awards require board approval, so organizations should account for that timeline when planning events or services.
Recipients must also be able to cover eligible expenses upfront. CRDA reimburses documented costs rather than providing advance payments. Expenses incurred before a grant agreement is signed are ineligible.
Applicants must select one funding category for their project or program.
Requests below $30,000 require no matching funds. Requests from $30,000 to $99,999 require a 25% match, while those of $100,000 or more require a 50% match.
Organizations that have already received CRDA funding must wait until 12 months have passed before becoming eligible for a RISE grant.
CRDA will hold a virtual information session Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. to explain the requirements and answer questions before applications open. The program website includes registration and application guidance.
Earlier grants supported free concerts, public art, and job training
The new program follows nearly $1.8 million in CRDA community grants approved during the first half of 2026. Those 14 awards supported public events and services throughout Atlantic City.
They included $225,000 for 16 free Mardi Gras AC concerts at Kennedy Plaza and $134,075 for the Atlantic City Arts Foundation to install four murals and produce the 48 Blocks Festival.
Food access received support through a $231,150 award to Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces. Its Atlantic City Food Security Plan includes community gardens, farmers markets accepting SNAP benefits, and the city’s first food hub.
A separate $100,000 grant to MudGirls Studios supported workforce training for 13 women. Five secured jobs, including two at high-end restaurants, while two returned to Stockton University as full-time students.
