Community Enhancement Grant Program

Grants to support area nonprofits


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Apply for the Community Enhancement Grant (CEG) Additional Information Community Enhancement Grant Cycle Preparing for the Grant and Helpful Information How Grants Are Awarded

Apply for the Community Enhancement Grant (CEG)

The City of Raleigh Community Enhancement Grant (CEG) Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2024-2025 program year beginning July 1, 2024 is now available.

The City of Raleigh Community Enhancement Grant awards funding annually to local non-profits through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Nonprofits may apply for $20,000 to $60,000 to provide public services to Raleigh households or neighborhoods with low- to moderate-incomes. No grantee can be awarded funds more than two consecutive years. As federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are used, agencies must demonstrate the capacity to meet federal documentation requirements if awarded a grant.

Only applications from nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation from the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be reviewed. Applications are due at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Interested applicants are required to attend one of two virtual Pre-Proposal Information Sessions to be held online Oct. 26 and November 2.

To join, please use the Teams links below:

Additional Information

Projects should address one or more of the priorities outlined in the City’s 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan:

  • Increase access to affordable housing;
  • Provide services that connect those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness with housing; and
  • Provide services that increase the self-sufficiency of persons with low- to moderate-incomes.

The grant program is funded through the City’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The goal of the CDBG program is to support our communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and economic development opportunities, residents with low- to moderate-incomes. Because federal funds are used to support the Community Enhancement Program, agencies must have the capacity to meet federal requirements if awarded a grant. No program will be awarded funds more than two consecutive years in a row. Award amounts range from $20,000.00 (least amount) and will not exceed $60,000.00.

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; and,
  • 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.
  • Funds requested must be less than 50% of the project budget and less than 25% of the agency’s operating budget.
  • Applicants can request between $20,000 and $60,000.
  • Applicants requesting $25,000 or more must include audited financial statements.
  • Applicants must not be delinquent on any City loans or have reporting or monitoring findings.
  • Applicants can apply for and receive funding for no more than 2 consecutive years.
  • Applicants must serve low/mod income Raleigh residents and be able to document and provide documentation of income eligibility.

Community Enhancement Grant Cycle

The annual grant cycle is similar each year and generally follows the sequence below. The schedule reflects dates for the FY24-25 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) grant cycle.

Dates Grant Cycle Stage
Oct. 6 Request for Proposals (RFP) application made public
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Mandatory information sessions for agencies wishing to apply
Dec. 6 Deadline for proposals
January-March Review Committee reviews and scores proposals
March-April Review Committee makes recommendations for funding public, as part of the Annual Action Plan process
May City Council makes the final decision on funding
June-July Contract period for awarded grants 

Preparing for the Grant and Helpful Information

Pre-application Assessment and FAQ tool has been created to provide an understanding of the requirements associated with the Community Enhancement Grant and answer frequently asked questions. The Pre-application Assessment and FAQ tool is not the application. 

If you would like to be notified when the next RFP is made public, please subscribe to Community Development News on MyRaleigh Subscriptions.

To learn about other grant opportunities including the City’s Arts Grant and Human Services Agency Grant Program, please visit the City’s grant opportunities page.

How Grants Are Awarded

The Housing and Neighborhoods Department supports new or expanded services by nonprofit organizations to low-income residents or other populations such as seniors, abused children, battered spouses, severely disabled adults, persons experiencing homelessness, illiterate adults, persons living with AIDS, or migrant farm workers. Funds are distributed in an annual competition. 

The Community Enhancement Grant is given each year to nonprofit and faith-based organizations to build human capacity within blighted or low- and moderate-income areas. Funds for this program are given through the federal Community Development Block Grant program. Applicants are judged based on the soundness of the program proposal, the fiscal responsibility of the organization, the mission and track record of the organization, and other program requirements.

For more information, please contact federalprograms@raleighnc.gov and include "Community Enhancement Grant" in the subject line.

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