City of Savannah Awarded $20,000 NLC Grant

City of Savannah Awarded $20,000 NLC Grant to Promote Local Economic Mobility Efforts

SAVANNAH – The City of Savannah has been awarded a $20,000 Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant from the National League of Cities (NLC) to support innovative strategies that foster upward economic mobility.  

Through the six-month initiative, the City’s department of Human Services will receive $20,000 in funding and expert guidance for its Jumpstart Program—an initiative that partners with local high schools to help students earn industry-recognized certifications. 

The grant will support a partnership with Groves High School, providing scholarships for students in the school’s childcare track to earn an industry recognized Child Development Association (CDA) certification.  

“Creating true economic mobility in Savannah starts with creating opportunity,” Savannah Mayor and NLC Second Vice President Van R. Johnson, II said. “We’re grateful to the NLC for investing in our efforts to equip our youth with the tools and support they need to thrive as they transition into adulthood.”  

Savannah is one of 12 municipalities competitively selected to participate in the initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation. The other selected cities include Antioch, Calif.; Chelsea, Mass.; East Providence, R.I.; Evanston, Ill.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Hamtramck, Mich.; Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pinedale, Wyo.; and Young Harris, Ga.  

“It is imperative that we explore every opportunity to improve quality of life, economic mobility, and sustainability for all Savannahians,” City Manager Jay Melder said. “Our Jumpstart Program is a key initiative that will help secure financial mobility for the next generation. This generous grant from NLC is an incredible investment in the great work our Human Services Department is doing to address the immediate and long-term needs of our youth.”  

Over the previous two years, NLC worked with 20 other municipalities, providing more than $350,000 in awards, coaching, and peer-learning opportunities. In addition to grant funding and expert coaching, a team from the City of Savannah will join representatives from the 23 other municipalities from the current and previous cohorts in a joint economic mobility conference in October 2025.  

“Economic mobility is an essential part of building thriving communities, and the National League of Cities is proud to support cities in advancing this critical effort,” NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony said. “NLC’s Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program empowers local governments to design innovative strategies that create pathways to financial stability, economic opportunities and long-term prosperity for their residents.”  

NLC selected the City of Savannah for the Rapid Grant program to expand, test, and implement economic mobility. Through the lessons learned from this program, NLC can continue to advocate and expand economic mobility programming nationwide. NLC’s Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program will run through Dec. 31, 2025.