Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) Grants are federally-funded grants made to local organizations serving Pittsburgh residents with low and moderate incomes. Only Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) and community-based organizations working on economic development (CBOs) are eligible to apply for these funds, which will be used to benefit eligible census tracts around the City. Please note that CBO is a self-identified classification, and can refer to any nonprofit focused on revitalizing their neighborhood through economic development.

NED grants are funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, awarded to the City of Pittsburgh from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. RCOs and CBOs are invited to apply, and applications are reviewed and recommended for funding by the NED Advisory Committee. This Committee is made up of representatives from City Planning, the Mayor's Office, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and local development experts.

NED projects must further one of the following goals:

1. Main Street Revitalization
2. Affordable Housing Improvements
3. Vacancy Rate Reduction
4. Organizational Development to increase service provision in one of the other three areas

Organizations with less than an average of $75,000 in revenues and expenses over the last three fiscal years are invited to apply for the Capacity Building NED grant.

Or watch the video on YouTube here. The slides are also available to download.

The Office of Management and Budget, Community Development division will also hold two virtual Q&A sessions for potential applicants. Register in advance to receive the Microsoft Teams link.

Tuesday July 16, 5:00 - 6:00 PM : Register here

Wednesday July 17, 12:00 - 1:00 PM : Register here

If you are unable to attend either session, please email community.development@pittsburghpa.gov

If you represent an RCO or other community-based organization which meets all eligibility criteria, you may fill out the application at the bottom of this page. Only electronic submissions via this webpage will be accepted.

Organizations seeking NED funds must:

• Be an RCO, a community-based organization working on neighborhood economic development (CBO), or both
• Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with
  • A Board of Directors
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Written bylaws
  • A mission that supports City of Pittsburgh residents
• Demonstrate financial management capacity
• Have filed an IRS Form 990 (990-N, 990-EZ, or 990) last year
• Have a SAM.gov profile with a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and active registration
  • Additional information on navigating this process is available on the City's website
• Have no outstanding financial liabilities with the City of Pittsburgh, or demonstrate an approved payment plan
• Have current general liability insurance
• Have current worker's compensation insurance (only required if organization has paid staff)

Projects must benefit at least one eligible census tract

Projects must further at least one of the following goals:

• Main Street Revitalization
• Affordable Housing Improvements
• Vacancy Rate Reduction
• Organizational Development

Common Expenses

• Personnel (staff wages and benefits)
• Insurance, rent, and utilities
• Professional services
• Program supplies

Ineligible Expenses

• Construction
• Acquisition of real estate
• Direct payments to beneficiaries
• Food or merchandise ("swag")
• One-time events

The Office of Management and Budget – Community Development team will review all applications for eligibility, then present the applications to the NED Advisory Committee. Applicants will be scored according to the scoring rubric agreed upon by the NED Advisory Committee. The rubric can be found here.

The NED Advisory Committee will invite up to 20 organizations to give a short presentation on their projects and answer any questions the Committee has. From these 20 organizations, the Committee will select at least 13 to recommend for funding. These recommendations will be passed on to City Council for the final funding decision.

The Community Development office expects that elected officials will make and officially legislate their grant determinations in late Fall. Due to programmatic changes, contracts will not begin until January 2025. This means your organization will not be able to request reimbursement for 2024 expenses.

Applicants should keep visiting this webpage for updates on the review process.