2024-2025 HRD CDBG NOF Applications Timeline 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 - 2025 CDBG Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grant Information

• 2024 - 2025 CDBG PS Information Packet can be downloaded here.
• To download the recording of the 8/1/2023 CDBG NOF Best Practices Workshop, click here.
• To download the slide deck from the 8/1/2023 CDBG NOF Best Practices Workshop, click here.
• NOF Workshop #1 - 9/6/23 - click here to register
• NOF Workshop #2 - 10/4/23 - click here to register
• To register with the Supplier Portal - click here

 

NOF Office Hours - click here to make an appointment

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund - Funding Priorities

The NOF funds Public Service activities only. These activities include:

Education -Proposals must focus on providing academic support to individuals in school or those that did not finish high school and desire to improve literacy, leadership development, obtain GED or basic job training skills.

• Literacy - Classroom-based academics, including reading and math enrichment/readiness
• Math and Science Job Training: Basic skillset improvement, technical assistance, and job placement

Health – Proposals should focus on other health services, which do not include transportation or medical appointments.   

• Request may include, but not be limited to, nutritious lunch and snacks, socialization and recreation, therapeutic activities, health monitoring, community outing, personal grooming and hygiene, medication administration and family counseling services, prescription medication for individual or insurance to pay retail and prescription mail orders.

Public Safety – Proposals should emphasize neighborhood or community-based activities focused on safe keeping of citizens.   

• Program services may include, but not be limited to, supportive counseling, referrals, grief support to individuals and families, neighborhood patrols/watch, and code enforcement etc. Program areas include Domestic Violence, Gun Violence, Community-Neighborhood Based Activities, and Human Trafficking

Recreation (Youth) – Proposals should center on youth programs.

• Eligible service activities may include, but not be limited to, sports and cultural enrichments i.e., sports, arts, crafts, music, theater, etc.

Seniors – Proposals should focus on activities for the wellbeing of senior citizens for transportation for senior medical appointments and related activities, along with other community-based group program that provides health services to older adults with Alzheimer disease and other cognitive disorders,

• Includes, but is not limited to, breaks to people taking care of their elderly loved ones in the form of adult daycare services, etc. Transportation: to medical appointments,
• Health Services: Dental appointments, drug prescriptions, etc.
• Senior Health & Wellness

 

NOF Application Eligibility

 

 

FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
All funding for Public Service activities must meet the HUD national objective of benefit to low/moderate income persons as articulated under 24 CFR §570.200. In addition, the City’s  CDBG funding requires at least seven (7%) of the applicant’s request as proof of operating Cash on Hand or working capital. To demonstrate cash on hand, applicants must show their most recent bank statement, letter of credit, or notarized award notice from a reputable organization. To be eligible, any operating cash funds or in-kind resources demonstrated must be directed toward provision of CDBG eligible activities during the period of the award.

Eligible program participants for the CDBG Public Service program must meet HUD’s definitions of Basic Public Service activities as articulated under 24 CFR §570.201(e). To be eligible for CDBG assistance, a public service must either be a new program or is expanding its services, such that there is a quantifiable increase in the service, which has been provided by or on behalf of the City in the 12 calendar months prior to the submission of the action plan. See 24 CFR §570.201(e) requirement for full description.

 

THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS
Proposals that do not meet the basic eligibility requirements listed below will be eliminated from consideration and will not move forward to the Phase II review. At a minimum, all applicant organizations must document the following for threshold eligibility:

• Meets HUD National Objective
• Group attended the CDBG/ NOF workshop or viewed the workshop online
• Proposal(s) complete and submitted on correct form by the deadline
• Has at least five (5) member board, which meets at least twice a year
• Has 501(c) (3) status prior to applying for proposal
• Has at least two (2) years of operation and proof of operations
• Has no unresolved government audit and monitoring problems (i.e. tax, legal, etc.)
• Has submitted most recent fiscal year cash flow statement, financial statement and if available, recent audit
• Has read and signed Certification form
• Submitted current Non-Profit Corporation Information Update (Michigan Annual Non-Profit Report)
• Submitted Articles of Incorporation
• Applicant’s organization has provided proof of operating cash on hand (at least 7 % of the request)
• Submitted Certificate of Good Standing (obtain Certificate here)

 

NOF Proposal Evaluation & Scoring

 

PROPOSAL SELECTION & EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals submitted by the deadline, TBA, and meeting the minimum threshold requirements will be reviewed and ranked by a proposal review panel. All applications will go through a selection and ranking process. Proposals will be selected and funded based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate their capacity to implement a successful program/activity, the City’s priorities, project ranking, and available funding.

Successful applicants are more likely to receive a favorable score on the application if they demonstrate:
✓  Strong capacity to implement programs and have a proven track record of program success
✓  Program design that capitalizes on successful implementation and program strength
✓  The program does not have high administrative cost
✓  Applicant has partnerships with the community in which they are working
✓  The organization has the capacity to comply with the program rules and guidelines
✓  A clearly defined Scope of Work and staff roles (Program goals are realistic and achievable)
✓  The Scope of Work and budget align
✓  Clearly defined success and performance standards/metrics/outputs and outcomes
✓  Program maximizes positive impacts in the community it serves and continues to expand and grow over time
✓  The program addresses defined community needs
✓  The program is either a new program or is expanding its services – there is a quantifiable increase in the service than was delivered in the 12 months prior
✓  Clearly defined financial sustainability plan
✓  There is a clear Return on Investment (ROI) and organization is leveraging resources to help sustain, enhance, and maximize the program
✓  Responds to all the questions
✓  Meets all the Threshold Requirements

These factors will be reviewed during the Best Practices Webinar. Selected proposals must meet all of the CDBG basic eligibility requirements to be considered for funding. Proposals that do not meet the eligibility requirement will be eliminated from consideration. Your proposal will only be considered for funding if you meet the Threshold Requirements.

 

PROPOSAL REVIEW

Proposals passing threshold criteria review will be ranked and scored on a 100 point scale, with 0 being the lowest and 100 the highest score. Proposals must score at least 80 points to be recommended for funding. Proposals will be ranked according to score and recommended for funding in rank order. The Assessment Criteria is as follows:

• Organizational Information - 25 points
• Project Description - 35 points
• Activities, Outputs, Outcomes & Impacts - 20 points
• Budget - 20 points

Current Sub-Recipient proposal review will include a performance assessment by the program manager, which includes timely (30 day) submission of complete monthly payment packets, adherence to contractual agreement, expenditure of grant funds per period of performance, and whether Sub-Recipient has met stated performance metrics. Point deductions will be made if the Sub-Recipient has not adhered to its contractual obligations

 

PLEASE NOTE: This year, all CDBG/NOF proposals must be prepared and submitted online using the City’s “Oracle” system. To register for Oracle or obtain information regarding Oracle Cloud, please email [email protected] or call 313-224-1500. You may also visit the Office of Contracting and Procurement’s webpage to assist you with registration.

Applicants must register on Oracle before a proposal can be submitted. Proposals must be submitted via Oracle by TBA. Paper copies of Proposals will not be accepted.