Detroit Announces $2.7M In Grants For 36 Community Organizations

DETROIT — Detroit's Housing & Revitalization Department has awarded $2.7 million in grants to 36 community organizations through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, helping provide funding for nonprofits and neighborhood service organizations across the city.

The $2.7 million comes from the $35 million in Community Development Block Grant funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to Detroit in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the city said in a news release.

"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 Neighborhood Opportunity program has been around since 1976. Any Detroit community organization, human service organization, or nonprofit can apply for the grants. 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.

“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.”