Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Program in Michigan

The City of Detroit, through its Housing and Revitalization Department, administers the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, a program established in 1976 to provide grant funding for public service programs that improve the quality of life for low-income residents. The fund is part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a federally supported initiative that allows local governments to invest in essential community services. The City Council of Detroit plays a central role in approving awards, while the Housing and Revitalization Department manages the application, review, and monitoring processes. The purpose of the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is to support nonprofit organizations, neighborhood service groups, and community-based organizations that deliver programs in key areas including education, senior services, recreation, health, and public safety. Funds are intended to strengthen local capacity, provide direct services to residents, and address needs that contribute to long-term community stability and well-being. Past subrecipients have included organizations that provide literacy services, after-school programs, wellness initiatives, and other human services that directly benefit Detroit residents. Applications for the 2026–2027 cycle of the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund will open on September 24, 2025, and close on October 24, 2025. Applicants must submit their proposals through the City of Detroit’s Bonfire portal, which requires advance registration. The city provides a registration guide and a video tutorial to help organizations navigate the portal. To support applicants, the Housing and Revitalization Department offers informational workshops, including one scheduled for August 26, 2025, a second on September 18, 2025, and a Question & Answer session on October 8, 2025. These sessions provide prospective applicants with details about program requirements, best practices, and common challenges. Applications are reviewed by the Housing and Revitalization Department, which evaluates eligibility, organizational capacity, and proposed impact. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Detroit City Council, which makes the final funding decisions. Funded organizations are subject to monitoring and reporting requirements, ensuring accountability and compliance with CDBG guidelines. The program requires that at least 70 percent of every CDBG allocation be used for activities that directly benefit low- and moderate-income residents through housing, jobs, public services, or infrastructure access, with the remaining 30 percent available for addressing blight or urgent needs. Eligibility for the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is limited to nonprofit and community-based organizations that operate in Detroit. Any Detroit human service organization or neighborhood-based nonprofit may apply, but individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. Applicants must propose programs that serve Detroit residents, with a particular emphasis on low-income populations. Programs must align with one of the established funding categories and demonstrate measurable community impact. The application guide and FAQ provide further details on eligibility, program rules, and reporting obligations. For questions about the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, applicants may contact staff at the Housing and Revitalization Department. The Director, Tamra Hardy, can be reached by phone at (313) 495-4099 or by email at fountainet@detroitmi.gov. Program analysts and managers, including Sam Coons, Kayla Perrin, Karmel Reeves, Asia McHaney, Kevin Finch, Ashley Powell, Karen Sturdivant, and Jamar Bird, are also listed as points of contact. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops, review the application guide, and seek clarification during office hours to strengthen their proposals.