block grant
noun
: an unrestricted grant made by the U.S. federal government to state and local governments to be used at their discretion to pay especially for social services that were formerly paid for through specific federal programs
Examples of block grant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Under pressure from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, the Minnesota Department of Human Services declined to continue backing the two programs with a federal mental health block grant without first opening contracting opportunities to other providers through a competitive application process.
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Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Every block grant, procurement cycle and appropriations process is an opportunity to put that north star to work, yet most governments are leaving it on the table.
—Caroline Whistler, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Not everyone qualifies for home improvements through the block grant program.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The department claims that forty-seven cents of every federal dollar given to states is wasted on regulatory compliance, and Burke and McMahon plan to release more federal money as direct block grants to states, rather than filtering it through Ed.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Every block grant, procurement cycle and appropriations process is an opportunity to put that north star to work, yet most governments are leaving it on the table.
—Caroline Whistler, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Not everyone qualifies for home improvements through the block grant program.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The department claims that forty-seven cents of every federal dollar given to states is wasted on regulatory compliance, and Burke and McMahon plan to release more federal money as direct block grants to states, rather than filtering it through Ed.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for block grant
Cite this Entry
“Block grant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20grant. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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