Casino Reinvestment Granted $1.8M to Atlantic City Community in First Half of 2026
The largest award included $300,000 to Atlantic Cape Community College
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) approved 14 community grants totalling nearly $1.8m in the first half of 2026.
According to a release last week, CRDA directed funds to workforce development, food security, education, homelessness outreach and cultural programming in Atlantic City.
Funding Allocation
Largest single awards included $300,000 to Atlantic Cape Community College to launch Phase 5 of Atlantic City Works. CRDA says this programme has trained about 850 residents and generated an estimated $20m in economic impact.
The CRDA also granted $231,150 to Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces (C.R.O.P.S.) to continue its Food Security Plan, which runs community gardens, SNAP-accessible markets and the city’s first Food Hub.
Literacy New Jersey Atlantic Cape received $30,000 for adult tutoring and GED preparation.
CRDA also earmarked funding for arts and public events such as $134,075 to the Atlantic City Arts Foundation for new murals and the 48 Blocks Festival.
The Atlantic City Marathon Race Series was awarded $75,000; the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade received $30,000.
‘Invest wisely’
CRDA emphasised grant monitoring: awards are reimbursable and released only after recipients submit documentation of eligible expenses.
“Our Board takes its responsibility to invest wisely in Atlantic City’s future very seriously,” said CDRA board chair, Modia Butler.
“From murals painted and meals grown to the number of students tutored, workers trained and jobs created, the work we are supporting through these grants illustrates the direct impact of our funding and what those dollars can really do – foster change, create a more vibrant community and make Atlantic City a place where folks want to live, work and be part of in a greater way.”
Executive Director Eric Scheffler described the funding as supporting both residents and tourism-driven activity as Atlantic City seeks post-redevelopment economic stability.
“From feeding families and training the next generation of workers to filling the Boardwalk with free music and more, every one of these organizations is doing impactful work to support our vibrant city – building a better, brighter community that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Unite Here Local 54 recently settled with five of the city’s nine casinos on one-year extensions rather than the longer contracts that have typically brought labor peace.
The deals include a 2.5% wage increase, but the shorter term reflects a shared view that locking in multi-year terms now would be risky.
