Funding Amount

Grants up to $50,000; Loans up to $250,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Rolling — applications accepted year-round
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

  • National (all states)
  • Participating developers may access PIF grants and loans to assist with completing any combination of the following approved uses necessary to apply for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC):
  • Site Acquisition
  • Architect Design

Overview

Pay It Forward Program

Funder: NEF Housing Charities, Inc. (affiliate of National Equity Fund)

Program Type: Recoverable grants and application assistance loans to support non-traditional developers

Overview

The Pay It Forward (PIF) program augments NEF and partner equity investments in non-traditional developers by providing flexible and patient capital bridge to tax credit applications and awards. Grants are recoverable and up to $50,000; loans are up to $250,000.

Geographic Scope

National (all states)

Eligible Uses

Participating developers may access PIF grants and loans to assist with completing any combination of the following approved uses necessary to apply for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC):
  • Site Acquisition
  • Architect Design
  • Surveys
  • Environmental Studies
  • Entitlements
  • Tax Credit Fees

Eligibility Requirements

Developer Profile Requirements:

  • Developer must have materially participated in the development activities of at least one completed LIHTC development as developer, co-developer, or have other transferrable real estate development experience acceptable to NEFHC

  • Developer has identified and is working on a specific LIHTC project

  • Developer is at the point of applying for predevelopment financing to assist with applying for a LIHTC allocation within the next 12 months

  • Note: Matching this profile does not guarantee eligibility for participation in PIF
    • Focus Areas

    • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development
    • Support for non-traditional developers
    • Predevelopment financing

    Key Contact

    Lydia Smith, Managing Director

    Contact Information:

  • Email: Contact through nefinc.org

  • Phone: 312-360-0400

  • Website: nefinc.org
  • How to Apply

    How to Apply

    Application process and materials not specified on the website. Applicants should contact the key contact directly for application instructions and requirements.

    Contact for Application Information

    Lydia Smith, Managing Director

  • Phone: 312-360-0400

  • Email through: nefinc.org/impact/pay-it-forward-program/

  • General Contact: Contact Us at nefinc.org
  • What National Equity Fund Inc actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    3
    Total given
    $17.45M
    Median grant
    $40K
    Range
    $15K–$17.4M
    • By dollars: New York >99%, California <1%, Illinois <1%. Top recipient cities: New York, NY; North Hills, CA; Chicago, IL.

    Example grants

    • Local Initiatives Support Corporation · New York, NY

      Support community development

      $17.4M

    • Abbey Road Inc · North Hills, CA

      Support low-income housing development

      $40K

    • Chicago Rehabilitation Network · Chicago, IL

      Support low-income housing development

      $15K

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    affordable-housingnonprofitscapacity-building

    Categories

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