Housing Solutions Grant

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation, also referred to as C3F, works to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County, now and for generations to come. The Foundation accepts contributions of all sizes and makes grants to organizations, schools, and municipalities working to create positive change in Charlevoix County. Through Housing Solutions Grantmaking, the Housing Solutions Fund seeks to increase the supply of housing units in Charlevoix County across a variety of price points. The fund emphasizes mixed-income neighborhoods and developments, increased housing choice, and development that is compatible with local goals and objectives. Housing Solutions funding focuses on removing barriers to projects at the pre-development stage and partnering with others to leverage resources that address those barriers. Preferred projects ultimately increase housing supply across a variety of price points. Eligible projects benefit people who will be year-round residential occupants, maintain affordability beyond the first applicant on some or all housing units, support pre-development activities, or support capacity-building efforts for housing organizations. Eligible pre-development expenses include land acquisition, project consultants, feasibility studies, preliminary financial analyses and pro formas, legal fees, architectural designs and site plans, engineering fees, environmental and soil testing, site preparation, appraisals, financial application preparation and fees, zoning and rezoning requests, title searches, market studies, analysis of infrastructure availability, insurance fees, and marketing expenses. The cycle encourages grant requests up to $25,000, with the request size expected to reflect the organization's or community's need for the proposed work. Donor advisors may also choose to contribute through their Donor Advised Funds. All grant applications require a cash contribution, although the required dollar amount or percentage depends on the topic and scope of the project and is not specified in the guidelines. The Foundation generally does not fund annual fundraising campaigns, political campaigns, deficit spending, sectarian projects, or services normally supported by tax dollars. The governing board of a funded organization is responsible for appropriate use of funds and project implementation. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, all units of government, and all educational institutions from preschool through college. Eligible organizations must serve Charlevoix County residents, must not discriminate in hiring staff or providing services, must be current with follow ups for all previous C3F grant awards, and must be in good standing with the IRS. Faith-based organizations may submit proposals when the work addresses community needs, demonstrates a clear public benefit, is fully accessible to people regardless of religious beliefs and lifestyle choices, and does not proselytize or require participation in religious services, prayer groups, volunteering, or similar activities in return for services. Before applying, an applicant must contact Ashley Cousens to discuss eligibility and the proposed need. If the request is a good fit for the Housing Solutions Cycle, the applicant receives an access code for the online grant application. The applicant then visits the Apply for a Grant page and accesses the Grant Portal. Existing users may log in, while new users must create an account before proceeding with the access code. The person who starts the application has editing rights and may invite collaborators. Applicants may save and return to the application before submission. After submission, an immediate email confirmation is provided, and C3F may contact the applicant with clarification questions. Applications may also be shared with donor advisors to encourage additional grant support. Housing Solutions applications are evaluated according to eligibility and selection criteria. The overall project is considered based on whether it benefits households earning up to 120 percent of AMI, meets local goals and objectives, is accessible for differently abled residents, is located close to community resources and amenities, strengthens the organization or community served, is well planned and comprehensively addresses identified needs, and is realistic given the applicant organization's capacity and solvency. Two to three knowledgeable housing advocates review and comment on applications for the Foundation's review and decision-making. Community Foundation staff then recommend funding to the Board of Trustees. The application is available annually beginning January 5 and operates as an ongoing cycle, with applications accepted throughout the year until December 15. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on the applicable due date. Decisions are generally made within two to four weeks of receiving an application, and the guidelines state that applicants will be notified within a month of submission. Following Board approval, grant decisions are communicated by phone and through an award letter, and checks are usually mailed within two weeks of the decision. The grant period is one year. Recipients must provide a summary after the grant work is completed and funds are spent, or within 12 months of the award, whichever occurs first. The Housing Solutions contact is Ashley Cousens at acousens@c3f.org. No telephone number is provided in the supplied materials.

Focus on increasing year-round housing supply across varied price points; Show how affordability will be maintained beyond the first applicant on some or all units; Demonstrate benefit to households earning up to 120% of AMI; Align the project with local goals and objectives; Address accessibility for differently abled residents; Favor locations near community resources and amenities; Present a comprehensive, well-planned response to identified needs; Demonstrate realistic organizational capacity and solvency; Use pre-development and capacity-building requests to remove barriers and leverage other resources