NLC City Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) 2023-2024 Grant Application
Grant Description
The CIE Program at NLC makes implementation grants of $15,000 available in cases when financial support aids cities and local nonprofit organizations in achieving their commitment(s). If you are receiving this, you are eligible to apply for funding due to your high engagement with the CIE Program.
NLC will prioritize cities and nonprofits whose applications incorporate the following components:
- Partnership models that enhance the city's entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem.
- Policies, programs, and practices that embed racial equity and aim to increase the revenue and employment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and minority- and women-led businesses.
- A strategy for leveraging NLC's funds to pursue and/or obtain additional private or public resources to enhance and/or broaden the impact of the city's commitment.
Grant Timeline
- Application window opens: February 1, 2024
- Awards made: February-March, on a rolling basis
- Interim progress survey due: May 31, 2024
- Grant performance period ends: August 31, 2024
- Final grant report due: September 30, 2024
Eligibility
Commitment-making cities may apply directly or designate a 501(c)3 organization in good standing with the IRS to apply on their behalf, if they:
- Submitted a signed Letter of Commitment Support from city leadership to NLC program staff by December 31, 2023.
- Are highly engaged in CIE programming and on track for implementation of their commitment.
- Can rapidly absorb and deploy funding towards the outcome of their chosen commitment by the end of the grant performance period (8/31/24)
Guidelines
- CIE participants must submit an application and a simple project budget. The only exception is cities participating in the "Working with Startups" cohort; these cities must still submit an application but CivStart will complete the budget.
- Implementation funding cannot be used to support lobbying, political activities, or indirect costs.
- Funding must be spent down or encumbered by the end of the performance period (8/31/24)
- If funds are not spent or encumbered by the end of the grant performance period, grantee will contact NLC staff to discuss options including extending the grant term through a No Cost Extension (NCE), returning grant funds, and/or other options.
Reporting Requirements
- Grantee must complete two quarterly surveys throughout the grant performance period; one interim progress report and one final report. These reports take the place of the quarterly surveys that non-funded cities are required to complete.
- Grantee must keep NLC staff apprised of implementation progress, including setbacks or unexpected challenges, or staffing changes throughout the grant performance period.
- If necessary, grantee must be available to conduct a formal post-grant interview.
- Grantee must ensure that the implementation lead for the city or a city representative attends each quarterly cohort call.
- Grantee must ensure that all funds are spent or encumbered by the end of the grant performance period.
- No Cost Extensions (NCEs) must be requested 60 days prior to the grant performance end date.