Community Benefits Grant (CBG)

WHDC intends to focus on programs that have a deep and significant impact on our community by supporting programs to protect and preserve affordable housing, support and promote equity in the arts, support our youth and older adults, and help spur economic development throughout the district. Compelling narratives and corresponding and complete supporting documents will make applications more competitive.

To be considered for the grant, all criteria must be met, and all required information must be submitted on time.

1. The applicant is a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (NPO) by the IRS, and by NYS as a public charity..
2. WHDC CBG previously funded NPO organizations are eligible to apply.
3. Organizations established within the last 12 months may apply if they can demonstrate prior program service and impact in West Harlem (Manhattan Community District 9).
4. WHDC CBG awards are to be used to fund the deliverables/programs directly associated with the applicant’s approved proposal. It is not for the applicant’s general support or internal capacity building.
5. The proposed project must include as a principal goal, and a demonstrable priority area within MCD9.
6. The proposed project and its activities must be clear and contain measurable goals that can be evaluated during and at the end of the award term.
7. The proposed project must be within the organization’s program services, administrative and fiscal capabilities.
8. The proposed project budget must include diverse financial resources and cannot include in-kind donations or expenses. WHDC will not fund more than 50% of the proposed project budget. Funding that includes foundation, corporate and government support, private contributions, cash, and appropriate earned income is acceptable.
9. Proposed projects should be free to the West Harlem public, and ones that contain fees should be minimal.
10. All proposed projects must be covered by the applicant organization’s General Liability Insurance, and its service activity must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

An organization may submit only one application in response to each application cycle, either on its own or in collaboration with another group. To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• All applicant organizations must be incorporated as a nonprofit organization in a state within the U.S.A. If not incorporated in New York, the applicant organization must provide a certificate to do business in New York.
• All applicant organizations must be physically located and providing services in MCD9, or not located in MCD9 but able to demonstrate the provision of services to MCD9 over at least the last 12 months.
• All applicant organizations must have a nonprofit, tax-exempt status recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2026 CBG will fund proposed project-based services where:
● The applicant organization has completed a prior year’s reporting requirement
● Project activities take place within the grant term (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
● Project activities will not include clearly stated fundraising events, receptions, capital
construction or renovation of facilities
● Project funding is non-sectarian and non-religious in content
● Project funding is not largely allocated to an individual
● Project funding is not used for lobbying or government advocacy efforts
● Payments are made directly to the grantee organization without a third-party fiscal
sponsors

WHDC’s grantmaking is managed through Fluxx, a secure, user-friendly, cloud-based software system. The application process takes two to six months.

STAGE 1 – Application A request for applications is announced on WHDC’s website,  social media, and a newsletter. To register as an applicant, the organization must answer a set of questions using Fluxx to assess how they meet WHDC’s minimum requirements to be considered for funding. After a satisfactory review, WHDC will provide the organization instructions via email on how to access a grant application.

STAGE 2 – Review After the submission of a grant application, an internal assessment is conducted by WHDC to evaluate the organization’s mission and initiative alignment with WHDC priorities.

STAGE 3 – Decision Following WHDC Board approval, applicant organizations are notified via email. The first installment of the award is disbursed once the grantee returns the signed award letter to WHDC. Grant awards are shared publicly on WHDC’s website.

Once the applicant organization becomes a grantee, it agrees that WHDC has full rights to:

• Publish information that may include the organization’s name, award amount, contact information, and program description
• Use the name of the grantee and its program information in WHDC’s press interviews and disclosures
• Provide stories, pictures, and videos of program activities to WHDC