Grant and Loan Funding Strategies: A Roadmap to Funding

Securing competitive grant funding is no walk in the park.

Opportunities are limited, requirements are complex and community needs often exceed available resources. That’s why we don’t treat funding as a one-and-done process. In fact, in addition to grant writing and administration, we build thoughtful, adaptive funding strategies designed for long-term success.

A funding strategy is more than a spreadsheet of deadlines — it’s a customized living and adaptive road map we develop in partnership with our clients. Together, we align project priorities with funding opportunities, prepare in advance for competitive cycles and adapt as new programs emerge.

Why a Funding Strategy?

Clients often need extra financial support for large-scale projects, and grants and low-cost loans are key for building in that funding. However, grant programs are increasingly competitive, and funding through grants can be painfully slow.

Success and optimization of funding opportunities require a thoughtful approach. A customized “road map” can cut through the programs that aren’t relevant or eligible so that a client can pursue better grant targets.

Here’s what a strong grant/loan funding strategy can do:

• • • Aligns projects with funding programs that reflect community values, priorities and adopted plans
    • Creates a timeline that maximizes funding opportunities
    • Outlines priorities, key steps and pre-positioning activities for funding programs to increase competitiveness

This approach streamlines effort so that when funding cycles open, our clients are already positioned to compete.

How We Put Strategies Into Action

We don’t just build strategies; we activate them. Here’s how:

• • • Working with our practice professionals to pre-position projects by outlining required documents, cost estimates and eligibility material in advance
    • Maintaining strong relationships with funding agencies and monitoring opportunities
    • Checking in with clients regularly, using the funding strategy as our guide to stay aligned and respond quickly to new programs

This helps to decide quickly whether to pursue and means fewer last-minute scrambles, stronger applications and better results

The infrastructure funding landscape is competitive. With a strong strategy and a collaborative team, we can help make sure your priority projects are ready to shine. As new state and federal programs emerge, we’ll be right there guiding you through the process, aligning projects with funding goals and updating strategies as funding evolves.

Success in Action: San Marcos CIP Strategy

The City of San Marcos offers a powerful example of this approach. Halff collaborated with City staff to analyze 40 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded programs and other long-standing funding sources, developing a robust funding strategy directly tied to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. Halff’s Funding Resources fee to the City through 2025 is $139,000, showing a return on investment of $119 to the City for every dollar spent.

The result: $16.6 million in awarded funding, including:

• • • Recycled Water Feasibility Study and Master Plan – $250,000 (Bureau of Reclamation)
    • Resilient Infrastructure Improvements – $13.9 million (U.S. DOT PROTECT Program)
    • Improved Airport Accessibility – $2.5 million (EDA Public Works Program)

This success illustrates how a strategy rooted in collaboration and regular client engagement delivers measurable outcomes.

Looking Ahead

A funding strategy is more than a plan — it’s a partnership.

Our proactive approach identifies opportunities, aligns projects with funding priorities and prepares all stakeholders for long-term success. It’s a living road map we create alongside our colleagues to help communities turn vision into results.

A funding strategy doesn’t sit on a shelf. It keeps us plugged into city priorities so that when a new program opens, we’re ready to reach out, share the opportunity and help you act quickly.

Let’s build a funding road map together! Contact our Funding Resources team to get started.

Reach out to Funding Resources Project Manager Lindsay McClune (lmcclune@halff.com) or Funding Resources Lead Lisa King (lking@halff.com)