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Proposal Qualifications and Process

The Community and Neighborhood Development Program works with non-profit community and neighborhood groups, and their associated business, resident and neighborhood partners.

Qualifications

In order to be funded, a proposal must address one of the Program Framework objectives and benefit low and moderate income people.

Funded activities can include:

• acquisition of property

• construction of buildings

• rehabilitation of buildings

• related development costs for acquisition, construction, or rehab

• removal of barriers which restrict the mobility of the elderly and individuals with disabilities

• support of public service projects or neighborhood services

• needs assessment or planning activities for community development related projects

• grants to local nonprofit organizations or local corporations for neighborhood revitalization, economic development or energy conservation projects

Activities that are generally ineligible for funding include:

• funding for schools, hospitals, sports facilities, libraries, and museums

• payment of operating and maintenance expenses

• purchase of equipment, unless funded as part of a public service or neighborhood service

Process

Each year, with the help of interested citizens, the City of Madison identifies needs that are not met by regular ongoing programs funded by the City, County, or United Way. A CDBG Commission of citizens and alderpersons establishes strategies for fulfilling these needs. A joint biennial community needs assessment, sponsored by the major funding bodies, provides some information which is used as a background for this discussion.

For the 2009-2010 Framework funds (the regular calendar year pool), the Office accepts applications once a year; the deadline is generally mid-June. A portion of funds are held in three reserve funds for qualifying proposals received later in the year. For the Acquisition/Rehab Fund, the Economic Development Fund, the Housing Development Fund and the Futures Fund, the Office accepts an application at any time throughout the year, although funding is more likely to be available earlier than later in the year. If a non-profit agency were to submit the application by the 15th day of a month, the Office will conduct a staff assessment for CDBG Commissioners' review at their next regularly scheduled meeting on the 1st Thursday of the following month. The Commission recommendation is then reviewed by the Madison Common Council, its finance committee (the Board of Estimates), and then by the Council again for final action.

The entire review process, from the time the agency submits the application to Council approval, will range from 7 to 9 weeks. Conducting a subsidy layering analysis, negotiating a contract, working to comply with State and Federal relocation laws (if applicable), and clearing an environmental review will normally take an additional 2 to 3 weeks, prior to receiving funds for acquisition. Larger scale renovation projects may require additional time and a special process for bidding through the City's own Public Works bid process, in order to comply with some Federal procurement and labor standard regulations. Hence, it is important that an applicant agency keep in communication with CDBG Staff prior to committing any funds for the project, once the agency has applied.

We welcome your proposals!
Please call to discuss the details of your proposal with one of our senior Grants Administrators.