Community development grants will be provided to invest in nonprofits, faith-based organizations, cultural institutions and recreational programs that focus on the following:

• affordable housing
• mixed-use buildings that provide a community service
• cultural institutions (such as museums, libraries, performing arts centers, etc.)
• recreational centers (such as athletics, community centers, etc.).

To be considered for a grant, projects must adhere to the following standards:

• promote or encourage the use of sustainable, energy-efficient, energy sources, materials or equipment
• be located within our service area
• be completed within 18 months of the application being approved
• be a minimum of four units for multi-family buildings
• be new construction or gutted/rehab building(s). Gutted/rehab spaces must be abandoned or unoccupied.

All grants for community projects go through a multi-step process before being awarded:

1. Applicant must complete initial pre-screening questions.
2. If the applicant qualifies, they must complete a full Neighborhood Investment Program grant application.
3. All applications are first reviewed by one of our representatives.
4. If the application meets the minimum criteria for submission, it is then presented to a committee for review.
   
   

The committee is led by a member of the Community and Customer Management team and made up of members from other key business areas like government relations, economic development, consumer advocacy and energy efficiency. Each member of the committee will review submitted applications and recommend applicants for approval. If approved by the committee, the application is then escalated to a senior level approval process for final approval.