Invest in Neighborhoods Neighborhood Activation Fund

Neighborhood Activation Fund

Quick Links: Cover Letter from the City | Application | NAF authorization form to handle funds | Interim Report

All applications and forms must be submitted to: [email protected]

Neighborhood Activation Fund

What is it?

The City of Cincinnati has created the Neighborhood Activation Fund which will provide resources to support community projects and events in neighborhoods, with the purpose of restoring community fabric and rebuilding relationships that have been suffered due to the pandemic.

Applicants must be neighborhood based not-for-profit organizations and priority for funding will be given to Community Councils, Neighborhoods Business Associations, and Community Development Corporations through the end of this year, for $1 million of the Neighborhood Activation Fund capped at $10,000 per organization.

Applications for “Round 1” are now open!

Round 1 is specifically for priority organizations—Community Councils, Neighborhoods Business Associations, and Community Development Corporations. Each grant is $10,000.

Applications are open now through December 2021

EXTENSION – Expenditures through January 2023, final reports due February 2023

Round 1 is NOT a competitive grant.

Application Process:

Fill out the Application provided here.

Provide your EIN.

Every application must include the account resolution for person(s) authorized to handle funds. Minimum 1 signatory for contacting/handling funds, up to 3. If you do not already have a board authorization resolution, a form is provided here.

Submit all applications to [email protected]

After your application is approved, you will need to sign and return both the contract and the award letter. And make sure we have your correct mailing address for the check

Note on Reporting Outcomes

The applying organization must select at least one reporting outcome for eligible activity. More than one outcome can be selected:

Non-profit Organization: Supporting neighborhoods through summer youth programs.
Non-profit Organization: Supporting neighborhoods through community events.
Non-profit Organization: Supporting neighborhoods through public performances.
Non-profit Organization: Supporting neighborhoods through education or enrichment programs.
Non-profit Organization: Addressing challenges in covering payroll, mortgages or rent and other operating cost of the organization due to the Covid-19 public health emergency and measures taken to contain the spread of the virus.

If more than one category is selected, each category must be clearly identified within the associated timeline/milestones.

The applying organization must demonstrate their capacity to support the requested initiative, that will bring activity and vibrancy back to their community, which felt the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is eligible?

Community Councils, Neighborhoods Business Associations, and Community Development Corporations that are active, registered non-profit with the State of Ohio that is based in the municipality of Cincinnati.

Recognized community councils are those that have participated in the Neighborhood Support Program within the past five years (2015-2020).

Recognized business associations are non-profits that are separate and distinct from their community council and have participated in the Neighborhood Business District Support fund within the past five years (2015-2020).

Recognized community development corporations are those that have received operating support from the City of Cincinnati through Homebase, within the past five years (2015-2020).

Applicants must be within the City of Cincinnati and must be from the community(ies) with which they are working and demonstrate connectedness to that community.

Only one proposal may be submitted by an eligible organization.

Applications from other neighborhood serving non-profits will be determined on funding availability after initial requests from community councils, business associations, and community development corporations. This is anticipated to be December 2021.

These applicants must be within the City of Cincinnati and must be from the community(ies) with which they are working and demonstrate connectedness to that community.
These applicants must indicate the neighborhoods that they serve. Letters of support from other community groups are helpful to demonstrate community support

Questions?: contact us: [email protected]

Quick Links
Cover Letter from the City | Application | NAF authorization form to handle funds |