Human Services Agency Funding

Grant Process Overview

The Raleigh Human Relations Commission evaluates funding requests from local human services organizations and provides recommendations to the City Council. Each year, grants are awarded to non-profits that deliver direct services to low-income Raleigh residents in these target groups:

1. Older Adults;
2. Youth;
3. Individuals Facing Housing Insecurity;
4. Persons with Disabilities; 
5. Persons with Substance Use Disorders.

2026 Human Services Agency Funding Application

The submission deadline for the 2026 Raleigh Human Services Agency Funding is Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 at 3 p.m.

• FY26 Human Services Grant Application

2026 Human Services Agency Funding Guidelines

• FY26 Human Services Grant Guidelines

Resources

• Example of Services Form
• Certificate of Insurance Information Packet
• Grant Fee Schedule
• Standard Terms and Conditions

General Eligibility Requirements

The following criteria are minimum qualifications for an application to be considered. All funding recommendations will be based on available funds. 

2. Raleigh Headquarters: The organization’s headquarters must be located within the corporate limits of the City of Raleigh. Agency headquarter address is verified through N.C. Secretary of State records. 
3. Not-for-Profit & 501c3 Status: Human services grant funds may be awarded only to not-for-profit organizations with 501c3 status, that have federal and state tax- exempt status. To ensure tax-exempt status, the organization’s IRS Form 990 from the most recently completed fiscal year will be reviewed. 
4. Population Served: Proposed programs must benefit low-income persons and households residing in Raleigh. (Example of financial eligibility)
5. Agency Experience: Qualified applicants must have at least one year of recent experience in the delivery of services to the specified target group(s) and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of their clientele. 
6. One Year Program Service Delivery: Only programs that have been established and providing services for at least one year will be considered. 
7. Request Amounts: Request must not exceed 25 percent of the agency’s total actual operating expenses for the last completed fiscal year. Additionally, requests must not exceed 50 percent of the total program budget. 
8. Raleigh Grant Programs: Organizations may apply for funding in up to two City grant programs per year. More information on other Raleigh grant opportunities is available online.
9. Fiscal Responsibility: Must have an adequate financial management system in place to maintain effective control and accountability over all funds, property, and other assets covered by this proposal. Must be able to produce sufficient backup documentation for costs of the program and files for review and audit. 
10. Agency Audits (update): With the application, the external agency must submit annual financial statements audited within 120 days of fiscal year-end by a certified public accountant licensed in North Carolina.  If an external agency was awarded City grant funding for the fiscal year audited, that funding must be disclosed in the audit report submitted. The audit report must be accompanied by any management letter, if one is prepared by the auditor, or a letter signed by the external agency’s executive director or board president attesting that no management letter was issued.  
    
    Adhering to the guidelines above, external agencies shall remit the most recent audit report completed before the grant application deadline. If an external agency’s fiscal year-end is towards the end of the calendar the year (September through December), the City will accept the previous year’s audit report. See example illustration below: 

Failure to comply with this requirement will preclude the agency from requesting $25,000 or more in City grant funding in the grant application. Any questions regarding audit requirements by the agency or the agency's auditors can be directed first to the appropriate grant manager for initial triage and then forwarded to the City's Accounting and Reporting division if needed. 

Audit Requirements – grant requests of less than $25,000: An audit is recommended but not required by the City.  If an external agency does receive an audit, however, the agency should follow the process above for submitting the audit report and additional documentation to the City with its grant application.  Any questions regarding audit requirements by the agency or the agency's auditors can be directed first to the appropriate grant manager for initial triage and then forwarded on to the City's Accounting and Reporting division if need be. If you have additional questions, please direct them to grants.equity@raleighnc.gov  

Eligible & Ineligible Expenses

The Human Services Agency Funding is awarded to organizations that provide direct services to target populations.

Direct Costs

Grants awarded by the Human Services Agency Funding are intended to support the delivery of services directly to the target populations. As such, these grants cover a wide range of expenses directly related to program delivery. These expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Personnel Costs: Salaries and wages of staff directly engaged in program delivery. This can encompass the salaries of program managers, case workers, counselors, and other frontline personnel.
• Program Materials and Supplies: Costs associated with the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment essential for program operations. This may include items like educational materials, medical supplies, or tools required for service provision.
• Client Assistance: Financial assistance or support directly provided to the individuals or populations targeted by the grant. This might involve emergency aid, counseling services, or food and housing assistance for youth, older adults, homeless, individuals with a disability and substance users.

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are those expenses that are not directly tied to the program delivery but are essential for the overall functioning of the organization. The Human Services Agency Funding does not cover these costs, and organizations need to secure alternative funding sources for these expenses. Common examples of indirect costs include:

• Administrative/Operational Expenses: These encompass the day-to-day costs associated with running the organization. Items like rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, insurance, office furnishings, and equipment fall under this category.
• Financial Auditing: Costs related to financial audits are considered indirect, as they are not directly linked to delivering services to target populations but are necessary for accountability and compliance.
• Communication and IT Support: Expenses related to communication infrastructure, such as telephone and internet services, and IT support for the organization are generally not covered by direct grants.

Exclusions

It's important to note that not all organizations or expenses are eligible for the Human Services Agency Funding. Some specific exclusions include:

• Individuals: Grants are typically awarded to organizations rather than individual applicants. Individuals seeking funding are generally not eligible recipients.
• Housing Construction: Costs associated with the construction and sale of residential dwellings are not covered. These costs are typically beyond the scope of services that the grants are meant to support.
• Arts Programs: Organizations that already receive multi-year funding from Raleigh's Arts Commission Grant Program are generally ineligible for additional funding from the Human Services Agency, ensuring that resources are distributed effectively across various sectors.

Timeline

Application Process

The annual grant cycle is similar each year and generally follows the below sequence:

How to Apply

1. Electronic Application Submission
   Agencies are required to submit one (1) electronic version of the application via email. The electronic application and its attachments should be in a viewable and printable PDF format.
   
   Access the application here.
   
   Please send the electronic version of the application directly to the City of Raleigh Department of Equity and Inclusion at grants.equity@raleighnc.gov.
2. Confirmation
   Upon receipt of your application, our staff will promptly provide an email confirmation.
3. Application Deadline
   It is important that all applications reach the City of Raleigh Department of Equity and Inclusion no later than the specified due date and time.
4. Accommodations and Special Needs
   If you require accommodations or have specific needs related to the submission procedures, please contact us at grants.equity@raleighnc.gov. We are here to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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