NEST Neighborhood Support Services (NOFA)

The NEST Neighborhood Support Services (NOFA) program has provided essential HUD-funded assistance to strengthen local support systems and enhance the quality of life for low-to-moderate-income residents in Denver's neighborhoods

Overview

The program has historically supported organizations that offer critical services such as business support technical assistance, senior support, youth programming, mental health services, and childcare through a competitive funding process. 

In the latest 2024 cycle, over $1,000,000 in grants were awarded to 7 organizations.

A significant portion of funding to deliver the mission of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) is federal rather than local. Serving as the lead grant administrator for HUD funds, DEDO works closely with the city's Department of Housing Stability (HOST), who also uses HUD dollars to deliver their critical community investments. HUD funding opportunities are posted online with a limited time window; development projects are accepted in a rolling window.

Eligibility

Neighborhood Support Service programs must qualify as:

  • 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations
  • Located in the City and County of Denver
  • Serving Denver residents
  • Proposed programs must meet the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) National Objective of benefiting low-and moderate-income persons (households with an annual income at or below 80% AMI)
  • Meet the pre-established qualifying activity of service focus areas
  • Having an established system that collects and maintains documentation used to determine the eligibility of program beneficiaries based on income and household size.

In addition, the CDBG program has specific federal rules and regulations and applicable laws. Applicants are strongly advised to become familiar with specific and appropriate program eligibility and overall requirements before submission of a proposal. For further details, please visit: DEDO Bidding Opportunities

Application

Applications are currently closed.

24' Awardees

These services are delivered in alignment with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program guidelines, which prioritize serving at least 51% of participants from low-to moderate-income (LMI) households. Per HUD's definition, low-income households are those earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size.

Organization   Focus Area   Service 
Active Social Communities DBA Volo Kids Foundation Child and youth programming designed to provide academic, social, and community enrichment.  After school, sports-based, youth development programming (soccer, volleyball, basketball, flag football, etc).
Denver Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) Mental health and wellness services including but not limited to therapy and psychoeducation. Individual therapy for children who have been victims of abuse, domestic violence, neglect and/or other types of trauma.
Heart & Hand Center Child and youth programming designed to provide academic, social, and community enrichment.  Support to underserved students to empower youth to develop trusting relationships and extend vital support to their families, addressing basic needs and helping navigate individual challenges by means of one-on-one counseling sessions. 
La Raza Services, Inc. Child and youth programming designed to provide academic, social and community enrichment. Individualized 1:1 case management including creating an individualized career path plan.
Project Angel Heart Older adult support services to promote aging in place. Preparation and delivery of meals to low to moderate-income older adults residing in the City and County of Denver, along with nutrition education to empower individuals to make informed choices.
The GrowHaus Older adult support services to promote aging in place. Source, purchase, pack and deliver snack boxes for seniors in Denver County. These snack boxes provide a quick and convenient source of high-nutrient dense foods. 
Thriving Families Mental health and wellness services including but not limited to therapy and psychoeducation.  Evidence-based, culturally-affirming mental health services for pregnant and postpartum people. 

Contact Us

NEST@denvergov.org

Past Awardees

Below are year-by-year lists of grants that Denver has made with its HUD funds through the periodic release of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). 

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