New Community-Driven Grant Program Available for Community-Based Organizations

The Neighborhood Equitable Recovery Fund is a partnership between the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) and Bread & Roses Community Fund to support grassroots nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color and those with low incomes, which have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of $15,000 will be made to organizations that are selected.

The program is a community-driven grantmaking process in which residents from the target zip codes are a central part of:

evaluating applicants,
determining funding priorities,
and making funding decisions.

The community-driven grantmaking process advances equity by returning control to the community so that people affected by the issues work toward their own solutions.

Organizations that are experiencing financial hardship, are at risk of closing, or have reduced services due to the pandemic are encouraged to apply. Organizations may be assisting vulnerable populations around issues including, but not limited to:

health education,
food distribution,
family support,
and community organizing to address barriers to support.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Neighborhood Equitable Recovery Fund, community-based organizations must:

be physically located and providing services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
have annual operating expenses less than $3 million dollars
have current 501(c)(3) IRS status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) IRS status and be in good standing with the IRS
be providing services in at least one of the following 15 zip codes with poverty rates greater than or equal to the city average of 25%: 19104, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, and 19144
have been operating on March 1, 2019, and continuously through March 1, 2020
demonstrate that all funds from this grant will be spent for the benefit of low-income Philadelphia residents with income levels at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($53,000 annually for a household of 4)
be able to document and report on use of grant funds
demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion with respect to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical and cognitive ability, immigration status, and religion, among participants, board members, leadership team, and staff
have decision-makers (board members, leadership team, staff) that reflect the communities being served by the organization

What Funds May Be Used For

Organizations may use funds to support payroll, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, or other operating expenses; and to provide and organize mutual aid projects.

How Grants Will Be Awarded

Grant decisions will be made by a Community Grantmaking Committee comprised of community members, including residents from the fund’s target zip codes, and staff members from CEO. Bread & Roses will lead a consensus-based decision-making  process , which  will  center the voices of  committee members who are most impacted by COVID-19.

The fund will make 25 grants in this cycle.

Where and How to Apply

Eligible organizations can apply through an online application portal, beginning on Thursday, May 6. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, June 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

There will be a second cycle of grantmaking through this fund in fall 2021.