To support community based organizations in the THDC neighborhood, and to build their capacity to become lasting change-makers, Isles and THDC have set up the THDC Community and Small Business Grant Programs. These grant programs are funded through New Jersey’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program, from the Department of Community Affairs. To date, we have given out nearly $100,000 for community projects in the THDC neighborhood.

The THDC Community Grants Program is intended to support grassroots, resident-focused activities in the THDC neighborhood, which is bordered by West State Street, Willow Street, Bellevue and Rutherford Avenues, and Hermitage Avenue. See Map. Grant-funded activities should be aimed to benefit the THDC neighborhood and its residents. Activities must take place in the neighborhood, except if there is a compelling explanation of why this is impossible and grant funds are used only to support the participation of THDC residents.

This grant cycle is intended to support activities that will take place between December 24, 2022, and March 3, 2023 . We require all projects to: ● Have a clear community benefit rather than being for private gain; ● Be non-discriminatory; and ● Benefit the THDC neighborhood and its residents. Businesses may apply to carry out a community project that has a broader public benefit, but not for business expenses or operations. The following categories will be priorities for this grant round: ● Community History and Culture: activities that focus on preserving or sharing aspects of the neighborhood’s historic importance, or promoting cultural activities such as community events that can become a regular part of the neighborhood. ● Community Investment includes activities that make the neighborhood livelier, cleaner, safer, and more welcoming, such as public space beautification, lot cleanups, public art installations, etc. ● Economic Development may include activities such as job training, access to employment, or strengthening connections between businesses and the community. Please note that grants must have a community benefit -- in this round we are unable to fund business investment expenses. ● Youth Services and Community Education may include activities such as recreation, computer literacy, civic engagement, job training, college preparation, after school programs, non-violent conflict resolution, youth entrepreneurship, etc.

For the THDC Community Grant, applicants may request $1,000 to $3,000 for their projects.

This grant program is open to anyone willing to do something that will benefit the THDC neighborhood and its residents. Applicants are not required to have 501(c)3 nonprofit status. However, please note that grant funds are considered taxable income by the State of New Jersey and the IRS, unless the recipient entity is tax-exempt. Grant recipients are responsible for all income reporting and all associated tax payments. We strongly encourage applicants who do not have 501(c)3 status to partner with a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that can serve as a fiscal sponsor for the project.

All applications must be submitted online at here.(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X9PPT3Q) We will not accept applications in hard copy, by mail, or by email. The deadline is December 7, 2022, at 11:59 pm, Eastern Standard Time .

Applications will be reviewed by the THDC Grants Committee, which includes staff from Isles, THDC community representatives, and people familiar with community development in Trenton. Reviewers will score each application individually, then discuss all the applications in the pool, and recommend each for full, partial, or no funding. Please note that we may, at our discretion, propose to fund an application at a lower amount than requested.

If your project is funded, you should expect the following: Grant Agreement: Grantees will be required to sign a grant agreement with Isles. For applicants with a fiscal sponsor, the grant agreement will be between Isles and the fiscal sponsor. Award Ceremony: Grantees will receive their first checks at an informal ceremony to be held during the week of May 1-7, 2022 (details TBD). The purpose of the event is to introduce grantees to each other and the broader THDC community. Please note that larger projects will receive two installments of funding: one at the award ceremony, and the second after they submit a progress report. Reporting : A short progress report is due by July 15, 2022, and a final report by September 20, 2022. We ask that grantees keep all expense receipts and document project activities through photos, sign-in sheets, etc., and submit these with their reports. Grantees will receive instructions on how to submit their reports directly.

1. Application deadline - Applications are due on December 7, 2022, at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Late applications will not be reviewed. Applicants should use the online form here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X9PPT3Q)to submit their application. We will not accept applications by mail or email. 2. Notification of awards - We will notify all grantees on whether their application was funded or not by December 12, 2022 . Grantees will be required to sign a grant agreement before they can receive any funds. 3. Grant activities should occur between December 13, 2022 and March 3, 2023. 4. Progress report/check-in - Grantees will be asked to send us a short report by February 20, 2023. In some circumstances, grants may be split into two installments, with the second installment becoming available upon receipt of the interim report. 5. Final report - Grantees will be required to submit a final report by March 20, 2023.

Feel free to contact the THDC Grants team at any time throughout the application process or as you carry out your grant activities. ● Email: mwhittington@isles.org ● Phone: 609.341.4739