Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have specific questions not found here?

For more information or questions please contact info@changecapitalfund.org

Can I download the application?

Deadline to apply was September 14, 2022, and applications are no longer being accepted at this time.

How do I save a partially completed application that I can edit later?

After clicking the save button, you must click the CONTINUE button.  That will give you a link to copy and ask for your email.  It will send a link to the email you enter.  You may also prepare your responses off line and then cut and paste if you would like to complete the application in one sitting.  All the questions are in the downloadable pdf of the Request for Proposals.

I missed the July info session, is there a recording?

A recording of the info session can be found here. The Info Session presentation and notes can be viewed/downloaded here.

What are the goals of CCF?

Change Capital Fund’s vision is that organizations in low-income and historically disinvested communities shape their communities’ future by controlling the development of real estate assets.  Through funding such organizations, Change Capital Fund seeks to:

  • Promote Community-Led Models: CCF will support organizations working to develop projects (including projects submitted for this proposal) as determined and directed by community members through organizing and community-engaged planning.  These projects will benefit individual, low-income community members and the community as a whole.
  • Build the Capacity of the Field: CCF will invest in organizations working to determine their community’s future through organizing for collective ownership and to strengthen collective ownership as a viable and replicable alternative to the current real estate market. 
  • Spur Investment and Systems Change: CCF seeks to help raise the profile for collective ownership and to help generate additional resources to proliferate successful models of community ownership.
  • Advance Racial Equity:  CCF will prioritize organizations directed by BIPOC leaders which center racial equity in their decision-making and work to improve housing, social and/or economic outcomes for their communities.
  • Contribute to Environmental Health: CCF will favor projects which advance environmental justice and are designed in consideration of the urgent environmental crisis.
  • Learn:  CCF plans to share information with funders, grantees and other stakeholders to increase learning about community ownership.

Can multiple organizations partner on a project?

Yes. Change Capital Fund will enter into a grant agreement with one partner, the ‘lead’ organization and our funds will go to that organization. The lead may then disburse funds to their partner(s).  In the proposal budget, we suggest that you show how you will distribute funds to all partners.

Are we eligible if our fiscal sponsor is not located in NYC though our organization and project are in NYC?

Yes, as long as the community and organization is in the five boroughs of New York City, the project is eligible.

Are citywide organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Change Capital Fund’s grantee selection criteria, outlined in the RFP,  favor organizations that are highly engaged and accountable to their community, however that is defined.  If your organization is bringing a systemic approach to increasing community-led, community-owned projects, Change Capital Fund donors would be interested in reviewing your application.

For purposes of this RFP, must ‘community’ be defined geographically?

No, however, your ‘community’ should be clearly defined.

Is site control required to be eligible/ competitive to apply?

No.  You do not need to already have site control to be eligible or competitive in your application.  We will favor projects that have a plan to get to site control., e.g., through community organizing.  Our selection criteria favors projects that are likely to move forward within our four-year cycle.

Are pre-development and development costs qualified uses of the grant?

CCF funding is meant to be very flexible and to advance projects. The core grants may be used for consultants and other pre-development expenses.  The TA/Development funds may also be requested by grantees for those purposes.  We will consider whether there are other available sources of funding as we allocate the TA funds.

What is the process for CCF to pre-qualify consultants?

CCF is planning to issue a Request for Qualifications for consultants and will share information with our grantees in first quarter 2023.  If you would like to be invited to submit your qualifications, please submit your organization name and contact information to info@changecapitalfund.org

When will CCF disburse grants?

For the core grant, one half of the grant amount is distributed upon signing a grant agreement at the beginning of the year and the second half is distributed upon receipt of a mid-year grant report.  The TA grants will be distributed upon approval.

If my community land trust is already established and we don’t have plans to grow or conduct physical improvements, can we apply to use funds for leadership development and/or other ongoing uses?

An existing land trust is eligible to apply.  We will favor projects that increase or expand community ownership in New York City. Competitive projects will clearly advance CCF’s goals of promoting community-led models, building the capacity of the field, spurring systems change, advancing racial equity, contributing to environmental health and learning, as outlined in the RFP.

Must projects be real estate focused?  If a project is about a business, industry or system, would that be eligible?

CCF intends to support projects that are real estate focused. If you are not sure if your project/organization is eligible, please write to info@changecapitalfund.org

What can we apply for?

CCF anticipates providing grants of up to $150,000 per year over a period of four years.  Our grant funding is not intended to cover acquisition or development costs.

CCF funding is meant to be flexible; uses may include:

  • Staff salaries and benefits for organizers and/or project managers
  • Organization overhead
  • Consultants
  • Training of staff, board members and participants/members
  • Community leadership development including training and/or stipends for volunteers
  • Base-building/power-building strategies to build collective influence over systemic factors that affect community conditions

What technical assistance (TA) will be provided?

CCF will convene grantees periodically to support information sharing and accelerate learning.  In addition, CCF will establish a technical assistance fund of about $560,000 per year, beyond the core grant, to help grantees cover consultant costs, e.g., for site feasibility studies, legal help, development partners and other consulting fees, as funds are available. We estimate that this fund will provide an average about $70,000 per year per grantee each year over four years, however, these funds are not guaranteed.  CCF will consider requests as they are made.  CCF will pre-qualify consultants and share a list with grantees. CCF will vet any consultants proposed by grantees which were not pre-qualified.

When will grantees receive funds?

Annual core grants will be disbursed in two payments at the beginning of each year and at the beginning of the 7th month of each year. CCF anticipates renewing grants for up to four years based on performance and availability of funds.The first grant payments are expected to be made in January 2023 upon receipt of a fully executed grant agreement.

Where is the format for the budget in the application?

The format for the budget is under # 9, it says: Click here for a sample Budget Format

It takes you here:  https://changecapitalfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Budget-Format.pdf

What does CCF require from grant recipients?

CCF anticipates that all grantees will participate in periodic (about four to six times per year) meetings with other grantees to share learning and accelerate progress.

CCF will require a mid-year and year-end report each year for four years.

  • Mid-year reports will be due on the last day of the 5th month of the year and a satisfactory report will trigger the second grant payment.
  • Year-end reports and brief budget and narrative proposal for the following year will be required at the end of the 11th month of each grant year. A satisfactory report and proposal will trigger renewal contingent upon availability of funds.

Reporting formats will be specified and are likely to require information related to:

  • Development of community leaders
  • Organizing progress including increased engagement of community members, campaigns launched and advanced, increased resources generated as a result of campaigns, improved policies and program innovations to grow the ability of communities to direct their future
  • Development progress such as feasibility studies of proposed site(s), site control, financing (soft and hard approvals), development, occupancy of new community-directed projects benefiting low-income, historically dis-invested people and neighborhoods
  • Innovations/models in engagement, program, development, financing, and/or ownership
  • Increased capacity of your organization or partnerships
  • Budget updates