DT #627 The Future of Grants: AI, Federal Changes, and New Funding Strategies for Economic Developers
Develop This: Economic and Community Development · Dennis Fraise
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Show Notes
The grant landscape is shifting quickly — and economic developers need to be ready.
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Adrian Spencer, founder of Grant Guru, to explore what's ahead for grants, funding, and economic development in 2026.
Federal policy changes are reshaping funding opportunities, including a shift away from centralized systems like Grants.gov toward department-specific platforms. At the same time, economic developers are facing increased pressure to secure funding with fewer resources.
Adrian shares how communities can adapt by diversifying funding sources, strengthening partnerships, and embracing new tools like AI while maintaining strong oversight and strategy.
The conversation also explores emerging trends, including state-level grant initiatives, community collaboration, and the growing role of faith-based organizations in addressing economic and social challenges.
Finally, Dennis and Adrian discuss why impact assessment is becoming essential for winning grants and how economic developers can better demonstrate the value of their projects to funders.
If your community relies on grants to fund growth, infrastructure, or workforce initiatives, this episode offers practical insight into how to stay competitive in the evolving funding landscape.
Download our free White Paper here (by providing a name/email): https://pages.grantguru.com/state-of-play-us-2025
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Key Topics Covered
- How federal policy changes are reshaping the grant landscape
- The shift from Grants.gov to department-specific funding platforms
- Why state governments may expand funding programs
- Strategies for diversifying funding sources
- The growing importance of community collaboration in grant applications
- How faith-based organizations are becoming key partners in community development
- The opportunities created by former federal employees re-entering the workforce
- How AI is changing grant research and development
- Why impact measurement is critical for securing future funding
Sound Bites
- "Grants.gov is becoming less reliable."
- "States are going to step up their grant game."
- "AI is already transforming grant development."
- "Grant seeking should be a community effort."
- "Funders want proof of impact, not just good ideas."