Notice of Funding Opportunity:

Virginia Housing Capacity Building Grant Tier 2

July 2022

Funding Purpose:

REACH Virginia FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 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 Tier 2 Capacity Building Grant is to fund non-profit organizations and local government within the housing network for intensive training related to key focus areas in capacity building.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Organizations must be physically located in Virginia.
2. The organization cannot be an emerging organization. The organization must have:
   • At a minimum, three years of operations or be able to document program outcomes during the previous 2 years..
   • Engaged leadership, staff, and volunteers.
   • Ability to demonstrate fiscal soundness and measurable program outcomes.
3. The 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. The organization must align with Virginia Housing's mission of Helping Virginians Attain Quality, Affordable Housing, and Virginia Housing’s Strategic Direction.

Program Parameters:

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

Approved agencies must also utilize a Participating Consultant for its capacity building training. A list of Participating Consultants is located in the Virginia Housing Capacity Building Handbook.  Organizations should contact a Participating Consultant after completing its pre-assessments and receiving its scores from Virginia Housing. Participating Consultants may take up to sixty (60) days to provide the applicant with the required Recommendation Report.

The period of performance for this funding opportunity is eighteen (18) months following award.

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

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 $25,000 (up to $12,500 for the participating consultant and up to $12,500 for implementation items).  Awards are based on the availability of Virginia Housing funding. 
• Agency authorized official certification
• Org Chart
• 501(c)3 determination letter
• Most recent strategic plan
• Organizational Chart
• Prior year's audited financial statements, prior year's reviewed financial statements, or two years of financial statements
• Travel policy
• Participating Consultant Recommendation Report
• Completed Pre-Assessments from 5 parties (two board members, two senior staff, and another person).  Assessments may be completed online at Pre-Assessment. A user guide is attached below to assist with the preassessment process. 

Decision Process:

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 Information/Dates:

Funding Announcement:  July, 2022

Deadline: Open application closes May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Award Announcements:    Within 60 days of application submission.