City of Detroit announces $2.7 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants for 36 community organizations
City of Detroit announces $2.7 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants for 36 community organizations
- Nonprofits and groups get funding to offer residents senior programs, food assistance, summer youth programs, job training, adult education, after-school activities and more.
The City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department announced today that it has awarded $2.7 million in grants to 36 community organizations through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, helping to provide key funding for nonprofits and neighborhood service organizations across the city.
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) program is part of the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and provides funds for public services that improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents in the city. The program awards grants in five areas: education, seniors, recreation, health, and public safety. The $2.7 million comes from the $35 million in CDBG funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to Detroit in the 2019-20 fiscal year.
"Our goal through this program is to support the organizations that help support Detroit on a daily basis, offering important programs and services on which so many Detroiters rely,” said Julie Schneider, interim director of HRD. “The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund helps build capacity at public service organizations and helps keep these programs going, helping to create a better city for all.”
Detroit’s NOF program has been around since 1976 and is one of many initiatives benefitting Detroit residents that are administered by HRD. Any Detroit community organization, human service organization, or nonprofit can apply. To help groups with the application process each fall, HRD holds an informational training session. Applications are reviewed by HRD, which then makes recommendations to Detroit City Council on which proposals to award funding. After the funds are awarded, HRD will monitor recipients and collect reporting on how the funds are spent.
The next application process for NOF funding will begin in September. Details will be available at www.detroitmi.gov/hrd.
“We rely on our community partners to help make a better Detroit for everyone,” said Tamra Fountaine Hardy, director of HRD’s Neighborhood Services Division. “HRD stands by to help other organizations in need of funding to help them understand the process for next year’s awards.”
