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NOF/ARPA FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

We are so excited for the 2025 award recipients!

Presented by the City of Detroit in partnership with SP Grace, LLC as the grant administrator and technical assistance provider.

The Neighborhood Opportunities Fund (NOF) was created 1976 by the Detroit City Council to provide grants for public service programs proposed by nonprofit and neighborhood service organizations.

This program provides funds to improve the quality of life of low-income residents in the City of Detroit. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was created under the Biden Administration to provide direct relief to Americans, contain COVID-19 and rescue the economy.

In combination, NOF/ARPA is able to offer this grant funding opportunity for organizations that provide direct relief to low- and moderate-income Detroiters who were impacted and disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Grants range from $10,000 to $20,000.

All eligible small, 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt community- and faith-based organizations servicing the City of Detroit, including start-up non-profits that met the requirements, were encouraged to apply.

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Technical Assistance

Our team is proud to offer support to all NOF/ARPA award recipients!

Check out the descriptions below to learn more about upcoming sessions. Click on highlighted sessions to register.

*NOTE: Session registrations are processed through Zoho, so check your junk mail folder for registration confirmations and you may need to add ZohoMeeting as a "safe sender" to be able to read the emails.

August

Strong Start, Smart Strategy

Orientation to technical assistance and funding requirements. Discuss what's really working now, and map scenarios (assessing risks) for nimble leadership in changing times.

 

Protect the Mission & Power the Work: Behind-the-scenes tech leadership that drives sustainability

Explore how behind-the-scenes tech decisions—from cybersecurity to AI—can quietly drain or actively strengthen your capacity, sustainability, and mission.

 

Tech, AI, Cybersecurity – Q&A

Tech, AI, Cybersecurity Office Hours. Do you still have questions after the workshop? Here's an opportunity to engage with a specialist who can help you as you build capacity and grow.

September

*BONUS* ALL GRANT BENEFICIARIES REQUESTED (IN-PERSON)

This is a special BONUS session (in addition to your monthly TA participation). We are requesting that all beneficiaries attend or send a leader. It's a great opportunity for technical assistance as well as networking, community-building, and showcasing among Detroit non-profit leaders. We will have special invited guests...you won't want to miss this!

For maximum benefit, we strongly recommend participating in the morning and staying for the afternoon session!

Grant Writing Through the Reviewer’s Eyes

Strengthen your messaging to build stronger grant applications. Learn insider strategies for crafting competitive grant proposals, strengthening leadership presentation, and aligning with funder priorities.

The Art of Fundraising

For many small nonprofits, the biggest hurdle isn't capacity—it’s confidence.
This session will help you build real-world skills for fundraising in a way that feels authentic, strategic, and doable—even without fancy systems or big teams.

Understand more about individual giving, donor engagement, and fund development. Gain insight on how to cultivate major donors and build out your donor pipeline.

October

From Plans to Processes: What Funders Want to See

Funders look for more than passion—they want to see strong, compliant, well-run organizations. Learn how to avoid common HR and labor law pitfalls, strengthen internal processes, and put the right policies and protections in place.

NOF/ARPA Grant Funding Opportunity

Click HERE if you'd like to watch a program overview.

Funding helps expand programs that align with the six priorities:

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This is an Exciting Opportunity!

Targeted for small, 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt community- and faith-based organizations

Beneficiaries are awarded grants between $10,000 - $20,000

Technical assistance is provided to assist with grant application

Technical assistance is provided to support organizations, even beyond this opportunity

NOF/ARPA Grant Beneficiary success story!

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Incorporated community organizations, block clubs, and faith-based organizations

Serving the City of Detroit

Must be in existence for at least one year

IRS 501(c)3 designation or partnered with a 501(c)3 designated fiscal sponsor

Good standing with the State of Michigan

Current Michigan Non-Profit Report from LARA

Ineligible organizations include:

Educational Institutions

For-profit business/organizations

Program Requirements

Program must address a community need and have a positive impact in the community it serves

Programs must have a component that responds to COVID-19 impacts

Applicants must provide required documentation to receive funding

Organization must have the capacity to comply with program guidelines

Application must include a clearly defined scope of work and budget

Program goals must be realistic and achievable within the specified time period

Performance standards/metrics/outputs and outcomes must be clearly defined

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What are ineligible program costs?

Pre-contract costs

Back taxes, proposal costs, debts, late charges, penalties

Improperly procured purchases

Gifts and donations

Staff recruitment

Facilities/equipment depreciation

Costs associated with the organization rather than the specific program

Costs associated with advertisements, pamphlets, surveys, etc.

Insurance deductibles, past pension contributions

Promotion or advertisement

Suing the government

Staff training, entertainment, conferences or retreats, travel

Public relations, advertising, fundraising

Payments for bad debts/late fees

Rental assistance in any unit in which the beneficiary/subsidiary has one percent or more ownership interest in the property

Indirect organizational costs

Undocumented expenses

Lobbying at partisan political activities

Alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs, food not related to program activities

Publication not related to contract work

Personal credit card or checking account charges

Goal of the Technical Assistance

Working together to make sure you are successful

 

  • Pre-application technical assistance was provided for organizations that registered for it until the application opened. Technical assistance can not be provided while the application is open (September 16 - November 15).
  • Technical assistance will continue with beneficiaries once funds are awarded.
  • Technical assistance will help organizations become more sustainable through large- and small-group training, coaching, and individual one-on-one sessions.
  • Organizations receiving post award technical assistance will obtain help building their operational, programmatic, financial, and organizational capacity. Training will include continuous improvement strategies.
  • Organizations awarded funding will continue to receive technical assistance to help them to apply for CDBG/NOF, corporate, and other philanthropic funding opportunities
  • There will be opportunities for organizations that are not awarded funding to participate in some of the technical assistance programming.

FAQ

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Asia McHaney

ARPA Program Manager
City of Detroit, Housing & Revitalization Department
Email: [email protected]

SP Grace

NOF/ARPA Grant Administrator
Email: [email protected]

Tamra Fountaine Hardy

Director, Neighborhood Services and Economic Development Divisions
City of Detroit, Housing and Revitalization Department
Phone: 313-495-4099
Email: [email protected]