Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Grants program, administered locally by the City of Clarksville’s Office of Housing and Community Development, is a federally funded initiative designed to support vital community programs that benefit low- to moderate-income residents. Allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these funds are distributed annually to qualified applicants within the city limits to improve public services and enhance quality of life for underserved populations. The CDBG program advances three key national objectives. First, it aims to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals by supporting services that directly impact their living standards. Second, the program seeks to eliminate slums and blight, often through initiatives that address deteriorated infrastructure and unsafe living conditions. Third, it can be mobilized to meet urgent needs in times of crisis or community emergencies, providing flexible funding for rapid response to critical issues. This multi-purpose framework ensures that CDBG investments are responsive, inclusive, and strategically targeted to areas of greatest need. Public service activities eligible for funding through the CDBG program include a wide array of community-based services. These range from health and housing assistance to youth programs, senior services, homelessness prevention, and domestic violence support. Applicants are required to demonstrate how their proposed activities align with one or more of the national objectives, ensuring mission alignment and measurable community benefit. The program supports not just direct service provision, but also the broader goals of community stability, equity, and safety. The City of Clarksville has set the application period for the next funding round to begin on January 13, 2026, with submissions due by February 9, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. In preparation for this window, an informational workshop will be hosted on the opening date to help interested organizations understand eligibility requirements, application steps, and evaluation criteria. The workshop will take place at Workforce Essentials on Madison Street, welcoming participation from nonprofits, faith-based groups, educational institutions, and other qualified entities. Approximately $172,401 in public service funding is available for this cycle, representing the federally capped 15% portion of the City’s total anticipated CDBG entitlement of $1,149,342. This funding pool is intended to be distributed across multiple grantees, and there is no fixed ceiling or floor per individual organization. Award notifications are expected in April 2026 following a structured review by City staff. Each application must include a detailed proposal with a project narrative, budget, timeline, and defined outcome metrics to be eligible for consideration. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, city and county government entities, public institutions of higher education, and faith-based groups. All applicants must operate within the City of Clarksville and propose services that support residents living in low- to moderate-income communities. For more information or to ask questions about the program, applicants can contact the City at 931-648-6133 or via email at [email protected]. Recipients from previous cycles include Mathew Walker, Manna Cafe, Urban Ministries, and others working on health access, food distribution, and emergency housing—highlighting the program’s impact and reach across the city.