Community Benefits Grant (CBG)

Geographic Scope:

• Primary service area: Manhattan Community District 9 (MCD9) in West Harlem
• Boundaries: South to North: 110th Street to 155th Street; East to West: St. Nicholas, Bradhurst, Edgecombe, Morningside and Manhattan Avenues to the Hudson River
• Eligible applicants include NPOs headquartered in MCD9 AND outside NPOs that demonstrably serve at least 75% of MCD9 residents

Funding Source: Funds contributed by Columbia University pursuant to the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), originally $76 million payable over 16 years

Focus Areas (Priority Areas):

• Health & Human Services: Projects that promote and protect health of MCD9 residents and provide essential human services
• Housing Affordability & Preservation: Projects that preserve/sustain affordable housing, support racial equity and economic security, ensure units remain affordable over time
• Economic Development: Projects engaging local businesses, addressing challenges, advancing entrepreneurial growth and workforce development
• Youth & Older Adult Services: Projects providing instruction and support to youth and older adults with commitment to growth, stability, education and empowerment
• Arts & Culture: Projects cultivating/supporting West Harlem artists and arts organizations; commitment to public service, preserving cultural history and celebrating cultural diversity

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS and as a public charity by New York State
• Tax-exempt status must not have changed since IRS determination letter issuance; no pending IRS issues
• Applicant organization must be incorporated as a nonprofit in the U.S.A. (if not in NY, must provide certificate to do business in NY)
• Must be physically located and providing services in MCD9, OR not located in MCD9 but able to demonstrate service provision to MCD9 over at least the last 12 months
• Previously funded organizations (2022 and 2023 CBG recipients) are eligible to reapply
• Newly formed organizations (within last 12 months) may apply if they can demonstrate prior program service in MCD9
• Must have completed prior year's reporting requirements
• Only one application per organization per cycle (solo or collaborative)
• Must have General Liability Insurance and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Project Requirements:

• Project-based services only; must serve MCD9 residents, not the applicant organization
• Clear, measurable goals that can be evaluated during and at end of award term
• Project must be within organization's program services, administrative and fiscal capabilities
• Project activities must take place within grant term (specific dates vary by year)
• Must include diverse financial resources; WHDC will not fund more than 50% of project budget
• Budget must include foundation/corporate support, other government support, private contributions, cash, and earned income
• Proposed projects cannot include: clearly stated fundraising events, receptions, capital construction or renovation of facilities, largely individual-allocated funding, lobbying or government advocacy efforts
• Non-sectarian and non-religious content
• Proposed fees to individuals should be consistent with proper wage
• Payments made directly to grantee (no third-party fiscal sponsors)

What WHDC Will NOT Fund:

• General support or internal capacity building expenses
• Fundraising events and receptions
• Capital construction or facility renovation
• In-kind donations or expenses in project budget
• Clearly stated fundraising events
• Projects largely allocated to an individual
• Lobbying or government advocacy efforts
• Projects without sectarian/non-religious content

Grantee Requirements Upon Award:

• Must meet specified or negotiated measurable goals within WHDC's vision
• Must agree that WHDC has rights to: publish organization name, award amount, contact information, and program description; use name and program info in press interviews; provide stories, pictures, and videos of program activities

Contact Information:

• Email: grants@westharlemdc.org or info@westharlemdc.org
• Phone: (646) 476-3394
• Address: West Harlem Development Corporation, 423 West 127th Street, Suite A, New York, NY 10027

Application Management: Applications managed through Fluxx, a secure cloud-based software system

Application Process

WHDC's grantmaking application process takes two to six months and consists of three stages:

STAGE 1 – Registration/Initial Assessment

1. A request for applications is announced on WHDC's website, social media, and newsletter
2. Organization must register as an applicant using Fluxx (secure, cloud-based software)
3. Answer a set of initial questions to assess whether organization meets WHDC's minimum requirements
4. After satisfactory review, WHDC provides instructions via email on how to access the full grant application

STAGE 2 – Review

1. Submit complete grant application through Fluxx
2. WHDC conducts internal assessment to evaluate organization's mission and initiative alignment with WHDC priorities

STAGE 3 – Decision

1. Following WHDC Board approval, applicant organizations are notified via email
2. First installment of award is disbursed once grantee returns signed award letter to WHDC
3. Grant awards are shared publicly on WHDC's website

Required Information/Materials

Applicant Organization Documentation:

• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
• New York State public charity recognition documentation
• Certificate to do business in New York (if not incorporated in NY)
• Proof of nonprofit incorporation in U.S.A.
• General Liability Insurance documentation

Project Proposal Requirements:

• Clear project description with demonstrable priority area service within MCD9
• Measurable goals that can be evaluated during and at end of award term
• Detailed project budget (cash basis, no in-kind donations)
• Demonstration of diverse funding sources (foundation/corporate support, government support, private contributions, earned income)
• Documentation showing organization will provide at least 25% of project funding
• Proof that WHDC funding does not exceed 50% of total project budget
• ADA compliance documentation

Application Criteria & Questions

Key Assessment Questions (Stage 1 Registration):

• How does the organization meet minimum eligibility requirements?
• Is the organization a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
• Is the organization located in or serving MCD9 residents (75% minimum for outside organizations)?
• Has the organization been in operation for required timeframe?
• What is the proposed project focus area?

Full Application (Stage 2) - Typical Elements:

• Organization mission and alignment with WHDC priorities
• Detailed project description and goals
• Target population and community impact
• Implementation timeline
• Project budget and budget narrative
• Funding sources and sustainability plan
• Organizational capacity and experience
• Program evaluation/measurement plan

Application Submission

• Platform: Fluxx (cloud-based system)
• Format: Online through secure Fluxx portal
• Support: Email questions to grants@westharlemdc.org
• Timeline: Application process takes 2-6 months from announcement to award