The City of Vancouver is offering a Public Services Grant aimed at reducing poverty, increasing stability, and addressing homelessness for individuals and families. This grant focuses on services that target homelessness, poverty reduction, and housing system coordination. The total funding available for this initiative is $200,000, with individual requests ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $75,000. The grant is funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and the funding period for the 2025 awards will conclude by June 30, 2026.

The primary purpose of the Public Services Grant is to support new services or to demonstrate a quantifiable increase in the level of existing services that have been provided in the previous 12 months. Eligible projects must serve individuals whose income is at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI). The grant aims to enhance the capacity of nonprofit agencies and public organizations to deliver essential services that contribute to the well-being of the community.

Eligible applicants for this grant include nonprofit agencies and public organizations located within the city limits of Vancouver. Private individuals are not eligible for funding. Organizations that have received two awards in this category and have not completed both projects, or have not started one, are ineligible to apply. However, agencies that have successfully completed all previous contracts remain eligible for new funding opportunities.

The grant covers various eligible project costs, including personnel costs, operating expenses, travel and training, outreach efforts, and administrative costs specific to the City-funded program. It is important to note that projects funded through this grant must serve individuals earning 80% or less of the area median income, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Submission requirements for the grant application are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. However, applicants should prepare to answer specific application questions that will likely pertain to the project's objectives, target population, and expected outcomes. Evaluation criteria will assess the project's alignment with the grant's purpose, its feasibility, and its potential impact on the community.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Public Services Grant is October 20, 2024. It is essential for interested organizations to prepare their proposals in advance to meet this deadline. For further inquiries or additional information, applicants can contact Tasha Slater at the City of Vancouver via email at housing@cityofvancouver.us.

Overall, this grant presents a valuable opportunity for eligible organizations to secure funding for initiatives that address critical social issues within the Vancouver community. Organizations are encouraged to review the specific eligibility criteria and prepare their applications accordingly to maximize their chances of receiving funding.