“Community awards enhance the work of local nonprofits and schools every year. They make unique events and programs possible that support our students, enrich our seniors’ lives, and improve our neighborhoods.”  – Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer

The Manhattan Community Award Program (MCAP) provides small funding awards to nonprofit organizations and public schools.  This year’s (FY21) program will prioritize funding to organizations working with communities experiencing disproportionate impacts of the COVID pandemic and efforts to address racial justice. We’re especially seeking innovative applications that will address things like:

• Food pantries
• Urban farming
• Distribution of fresh food
• Community police relations and racial justice
• School based or remote arts programming

Award Size: One-time contract in amounts ranging from $5,000-$7,500

Deadline: 5:00 pm, August 21, 2020

Apply at:  www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=manhattanborough

(Note: If you’re a previous MCAP award recipient– FY19 or FY 20– we must receive your final report in order to consider your application for funding.)

Each award is contracted through one of three City agencies (selected by the applicant, but proposals must relate to the selected agency’s overall mission and goals.): Department of Correction (DOC), Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Each agency will require the project description in a word document and additional documents.

Review Criteria

Each applicant must complete an online application with questions related to how the funding will be used and the applicant organization’s operations. A review panel made up of the Borough President’s budget staff will assess the application based on the following criteria:

• Organization & Mission
  Reviewers will evaluate responses to questions related to the organization’s fiscal health, governance, administration structure, leadership and history. Capacity for managing the proposed project and prior project excellence will be evaluated.
• Project Description
  Applicants should propose a project that addresses the stated need of the population. The project description should outline achievable deadlines or timetables for deliverables, and criteria for evaluating the project’s success. Goals, objectives and outcomes should be clearly defined, measurable, and timely. Reviewers expect answers to be succinct, clear and thorough.
• Project Budget
  Evaluators will review the project budget item listed in the application. Applicants may attach an additional organizational budget to determine the organization’s size and capacity
• Need for MCAP Funding
  The application should justify the need for funding by outlining a gap in services or resources that this funding would fill to make the project successful.

For any questions contact our Budget Unit via email:
Vanessa Diaz-Lopez 212-669-4814, vdiaz-lopez@manhattanbp.nyc.gov
Nelson S. Andino 212-669 8145, nandino@manhattanbp.nyc.gov
James Thomas 212-669-1851, jthomas@manhattanbp.nyc.gov

How to Apply

Apply at the Borough President’s Grants Portal.

For first-time applicants:

• Step 1: Create an account.
  • Enter an email and a unique password for the organization’s submission. One person should be responsible for administration of the grant, and that person should be the only one with access to this email account and password. Important communication regarding your grant application will transmitted to the email account you provide here.
• Step 2: Create a profile for your account
  • Carefully fill out all the fields. Redundant or conflicting information may delay communication with your organization.
• Step 3: Complete the online application.
  • You will receive a confirmation email once you complete the application.
• For organizations that have previously applied, take the following steps:
  • Step 1: Log in to your account on the Grants Portal.
    Ensure your organization profile is up to date and complete.
  • Step 2: Complete the online application.

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.