Community Enhancement Grant Program

Apply for the Community Enhancement Grant (CEG)

The City of Raleigh Community Enhancement Grant (CEG) Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2025-2026 program year beginning July 1, 2025, is now available.

• View 2025-2026 Community Enhancement Grant RFP here

The City of Raleigh Community Enhancement Grant awards funding annually to local non-profits and faith-based organizations through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Nonprofits may apply for $20,000 to $50,000 to provide public services in the Raleigh area to persons impacted by low-to-moderate-incomes. This grant is part of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and applicants must demonstrate the capacity to meet federal documentation requirements if awarded a grant. Non-profit and faith-based organization can apply and be awarded funds no more than two consecutive years. 

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Interested non-profit and faith-based organizations are required to attend one of two virtual pre-proposal Information Sessions to be held online Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. If you notice that you missed the opportunity to attend one of the mandatory sessions, please subscribe to “Community Development News” on MyRaleigh Subscriptions and receive details on the next opportunity.

To participate in one of the mandatory Information Sessions, please access from one of the MS Teams links below:

• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. - noon
• Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. - noon

Additional Information

This year’s applicant project should address “providing services that increase the self-sufficiency of persons with low-to moderate-incomes.” It is one of the priorities outlined in the City’s 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan.

The grant program is funded through the City’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the goal of the CDBG program is to support communities by providing economic development opportunities, suitable living environments, including decent housing to Raleigh residents with low- to moderate-incomes.

Award amounts may range from $20,000.00 (least amount) and will not exceed $50,000.00.

To be eligible for Community Enhancement Grant awards, project activities must meet the following criteria:

• Applicant must address one of the HUD CDBG National Objectives listed in 24 CFR 570.200(a)(2) and 570.208(a)(1) and (2)
• Applicant must address one of the City of Raleigh's Consolidated Plan Goals and Priorities
• Applicant must include eligible activity as set forth in 24 CFR §570.201 and not ineligible as set forth in 24 CFR §570.207

In addition, the following thresholds must be met:

• Applicant must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit or faith-based organization 
• The maximum level of funding that can be requested is 25 percent of the agency's total actual operating expenses and 50 percent of the agency's project budget for last completed fiscal year
• Applicant can request between $20,000 and $50,000
• Applicant requesting $25,000 or more must include audited financial statements 
• Applicants must not be delinquent on any CIRT loans or have reporting or monitoring findings
• Applicants must serve low-to-moderate income Raleigh residents and be able to document and provide documentation of income eligibility