Notice of Funding Opportunity:

Virginia Housing Capacity Building Planning Grant

July 2023

Funding Purpose:

REACH Virginia FUNDING OPPORTUNITIY: Virginia Housing reinvests a portion of our net revenues into Virginia’s communities through REACH Virginia (Resources Enabling Affordable Community Housing in Virginia). This is a multifaceted resource that Virginia Housing uses to support vital housing initiatives through our Homeownership, Rental and Community Outreach programs.

The intent of the Capacity Building Planning Grant is to fund non-profit organizations and developers within the housing network to support the development of a Strategic Plan or Succession Management Plan to aid in expanding efficiency and effectiveness of programs.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Organization’s headquarters must be physically located in Virginia.
2. Organization cannot be an emerging organization. Organization must have:
   • At minimum, three years of operations.
   • Engaged leadership, staff, and volunteers.
   • Ability to demonstrate fiscal soundness and measurable program outcomes.
3. Organization must carry out at least one of the following housing-related mission:
   • Creating economically integrated and inclusive housing opportunities including affordable housing, workforce housing, mixed-income housing, and/or community-based housing options for people with disabilities and/or
   • Planning and Community Development to include significant attention to housing planning needs throughout Virginia, and/or
   • Providing services and/or educational opportunities in order to further affordable housing.
4. Organization must align with Virginia Housing’s mission of Helping Virginians Attain Quality, Affordable Housing and vision of becoming the Leading Mobilizing Force for Affordable Housing in Virginia.

Program Parameters:

Approved agencies must comply with the Virginia Housing Capacity Building Planning Grant Handbook. Click the document below for a detailed explanation of the scope, disbursement, and reporting requirements.

The period of performance for this funding opportunity is twelve (12) months following award.

Virginia Continuum of Care

Continuum of Care (COC) agencies (including Balance of State) are eligible for the development of a Strategic Plan to aid in expanding efficiency and effectiveness of programs.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. COC's must be physically located in Virginia.
2. COC's cannot be an emerging organization, and must have:
   • At minimum, three years of operations.
   • Engaged leadership and members.
   • Ability to demonstrate fiscal soundness and measurable program outcomes.
3. COC's must carry out at least one of the following housing-related mission:
   • Creating economically integrated and inclusive housing opportunities including affordable housing, workforce housing, mixed-income housing, and/or community-based housing options for people with disabilities and/or
   • Planning and Community Development to include significant attention to housing planning needs throughout Virginia, and/or
   • Providing services and/or educational opportunities in order to further affordable housing.
4. COC's must align with Virginia Housing’s mission of Helping Virginians Attain Quality, Affordable Housing and vision of becoming the Leading Mobilizing Force for Affordable Housing in Virginia.
5. The fiscal agent, applying on behalf of the COC, must meet all the requirements of the grant program.
6. A COC board member must be present with a member of the fiscal agency for onboarding.

Application Process:

Agencies seeking funding should apply to Virginia Housing’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) using Virginia Housing’s Grants Management System at https://vhdagrants.com/. For questions concerning this program or assistance with application submission, contact Frank Curbeira, Strategic Housing Officer, at (804) 343-5818.

Application Requirements:

• Proposed Budget - Maximum request allowed is $20,000  (Awards are based on the availability of Virginia Housing funding. Funds will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Org Chart
• 501(c)3 determination letter or State Corporation Commission Certification
• Most recent strategic plan
• Consultant Documents
  • State Corporation Commission ID Number
  • 2 letters of reference
  • Estimate

Approval:

Funds will be awarded based on an assessment of the agency’s application and the availability of Virginia Housing funds.

Selected agencies will receive a Grant Award Notification (GAN) and a Grant Agreement if approved for funds under the award. Agencies must return the signature page of the Grant Agreement to Virginia Housing with signature by an authorized representative.

All applicants have the option to submit a request at Grants@virginiahousing.com for a debriefing within thirty (30) days of approval or denial.

Important Dates: