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What the “Big Beautiful Bill” Means for Grant Funding in 2025/2026—and How Schools & Nonprofits Can Prepare

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Federal policy decisions don’t always make front-page news in the nonprofit and public education sectors—but the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill" is different. With sweeping changes across tax policy, immigration, and government spending, this legislation has sparked new questions around how grants—particularly in areas like school safety, cybersecurity, and infrastructure—might be impacted.


At GrantWave, we’ve been tracking the ripple effects and here’s what schools, charter leaders, and nonprofit organizations need to know now.

Preparedness & Security Grants Are Not Directly Cut—But Don’t Let That Fool You

Programs like the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) and FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program have not been explicitly defunded in this new legislation. That’s good news.

However, broader discretionary spending cuts and reprioritized funding (especially toward defense and tax incentives) mean increased competition and tighter agency guidance are very likely.

In short: these grants are still available—but you’ll need to be better prepared than ever to win them.

What This Means for Schools & Nonprofits

  • Fewer Dollars, More Applicants: Expect more organizations applying for the same limited pools of funding.

  • Slower Grant Cycles: Federal agencies may release RFPs or awards later in the fiscal year.

  • Increased Scrutiny: Incomplete or poorly aligned proposals may be weeded out early.

Whether you're a rural school district or a nonprofit pursuing funding for IT, security, cybersecurity, or HVAC, these trends matter.

How to Stay Ahead in a Post-Bill Funding Landscape

  1. Start Now. Many of the most competitive grants will open in Q4 2025—early planning is no longer optional.

  2. Get Grant-Ready. Ensure your SAM.gov registration is active, gather prior applications, and organize narratives and threat assessments.

  3. Schedule a Funding Readiness Audit. At GrantWave, our signature service provides a custom report showing what grants you are eligible for and where you may be leaving money on the table.

Bottom Line: Hope Is Not a Strategy

Yes, the landscape is shifting—but with a smart strategy and the right guidance, your organization can still secure critical funding for infrastructure, technology, and safety upgrades.

We’re here to help you navigate it.

Let’s Talk

Whether you're a superintendent, nonprofit director, or facilities manager, our team is ready to partner with you.

GrantWave Consulting
Funding. Facilities. Future-Ready.