NH CDFA Opens “Community Center Investment Program”
- March 6, 2023
- Community Development
New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority’s (CDFA) Community Center Investment Program will provide resources to nonprofits and municipalities to support infrastructure improvements to community spaces across the state. This investment of $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, administered by the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief & Recovery (GOFERR), will deploy significant resources into our communities. This is a unique and fast-moving funding opportunity for municipalities and non-profits interested in building or improving a wide range of community facilities. Applications will be due by April 21, 2023.
Program Objective
A competitive program that awards funds to rehabilitate, expand or build community centers. Provides technical assistance to
prospective applicants and awardees to help facilitate successful application and project completion.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Eligible applicants include New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities. In addition to meeting all eligibility requirements, all applicants will be subject to programmatic and financial review. Awards will be made to community center projects that demonstrate the following:
- Space is open to the public and owned and operated by a municipality or a nonprofit community organization.
- Primary purpose of the facility must be recreation, social welfare, community improvement, and/or public assembly. This may include facilities that provide services for: senior and/or youth; persons with disabilities; health, mental health, or substance abuse services; homeless services; and family resource centers.
- Significant public benefit and purpose, as well as demonstrated financial need for the funding.
- Capacity to comply with all applicable Federal requirements.
Prospective applicants should be aware that the program requires a 15% match. The proposal review process will emphasize readiness for implementation and projects where construction can begin within 6 months of award.
Final program and eligibility criteria will be defined in the Community Center Investment Program Application and Program Guide, which will be presented during the Application Workshop.
Application Workshop on March 23rd
CDFA is hosting a series of virtual webinars for organizations interested in learning more about the Community Center
Investment Program and how to apply for these resources available to New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities. An upcoming webinar is scheduled for March 23rd from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Those interested in attending should register here.
For more information, sign-up for updates on the Community Center Investment Program, and other CDFA resources, by visiting https://nhcdfa.org/signup/.
The photo at the top of this post features the renovated Peterborough Town Library. Public libraries are one type of facility that the Community Center Investment Program may support.
