WILMINGTON — The city is opening up grants to programs that support residents disproportionately impacted by adversity.
READ MORE: Council to vote next week on spending plan to support affordable housing
Every two years, the City of Wilmington doles out money to organizations that play a role in improving the lives of victims of violence or low-income individuals facing struggles in housing, access to healthy foods and employment.
This year, it’s increased the amount of money available by 3%, with $631,000 up for grabs.
The city’s human services grants were launched over a decade ago to bolster nonprofit organizations services. Chosen recipients offer programs or support in the following areas:
- Lowering the risk of youth violence by enhancing academic success
- Improving economic conditions for low- to moderate-income residents through employment services such as job skills, financial literacy and career coaching
- Providing a safe haven for vulnerable individuals including victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Preventing the displacement and loss of housing through repairs for low-income homeowners, specifically the elderly and disabled populations
- Increasing access to healthy, nutritious foods for households facing food insecurity or residing in food deserts
The funding for the grant program comes from Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds, given to the city by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For fiscal year 2023-2024, the city received $1.6 million from HUD, 18% less than the prior year. HUD allocates the funding using a formula based on variables such as population and poverty rate.
According to the city’s plan on spending its federal funds, 49% of households within city limits make 80% average median income or below; 27% of homeowners and 52% of renters are cost-burdened.
Human service grant applications are open now through 5 p.m. Jan. 26. The minimum award size is $10,000 and the maximum is $50,000 per program; no organization will receive more than $75,000 in total but could receive funding for multiple services.
If awarded, agencies can receive up to 25% of the awarded amount after signing an agreement. The remaining funds will be distributed as reimbursement, once organizations submit documentation showing how the money was spent.
Once approved, the grant funding will be dispersed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
All applicants must attend one of two mandatory workshops, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. or Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. to outline the grant process.
In the last funding cycle, 38 applications were received, and the city doled out $688,007 to 25 organizations. Top requests were in youth violence prevention with 22 applications. The five who received the most funding as a result were Blue Ribbon Commission, Kids Making It, Community Boys and Girls Club, Coastal Horizons and Communities in Schools of Cape Fear.
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