Eligibility:

Q: Are there any limits on organizations that are applying (i.e. size, years in operation, budget, etc.)?
A: There is no limit regarding size, years in operation, or budget that would make an organization ineligible for applying.

Q: Can there be multiple applications from different community centers across the city?
A: Yes, we will allow multiple submissions however they must be for separate community regions. Multiple submissions for one region are not allowed. Please refer to the communities table on pages 2-3 of the NOFO for the allowable regions.

Q: If we applied for the full MCMF grant in one geographic focus area, does that preclude the applicant from applying to this micro grant opportunity on behalf of a location within our organization that falls in another geographic focus area?
A: No. You can apply in multiple community strategy regions by submitting a separate application for each community strategy region.

Q: If our organization has youth programming during the summer, funded through ASM, can we apply to augment these programs?
A: Micro-grant funds may be used to enhance or expand an existing program. That said, your application should clearly state how the funds will be used to provide additional resources, opportunities, or paid youth opportunities beyond the youth stipends, instructor pay, and materials and supplies costs covered by ASM.

Q: Is this opportunity open to profits and nonprofits?
A: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor with a 501(c)(3). If a fiscal sponsor is used, the applicant must certify in the application that the fiscal sponsor is aware of the application and has agreed to receive and disburse the funds on the applicant’s behalf if awarded.

Q: Are there specific or general targets as far as the length of the program or number of local youths served?
A: The program duration is July 1 – November 30, 2026. There is no specific target for the number of youths served through the program.

Q: The NOFO says organizations states grantees are encouraged to engage youth from the following underrepresented populations - please clarify this "encouragement"? Is an organization at a significant disadvantage if the youth served are not in those populations?
A: We encourage grantee organizations to make a genuine effort to engage participants from the underrepresented populations outlined in the RFP, with a goal of approximately 50% representation among participants where feasible. Organizations will be asked to report participant demographics in the end-of-program survey; however, applicants will not be penalized during the application review or grantmaking process if the youth they serve do not align with these populations. We recognize that organizations serve different communities and populations, and we welcome applications from programs serving a broad range of youth.

Q: If an organization works with two schools and a community center within one target neighborhood, are we allowed to have more than one site partner for programming?
A: Your application can include multiple sites within one community strategy region.

Q: Does the term ‘underrepresented’ include children from low-income areas? Or just foster children?
A: The NOFO includes a specific list of underrepresented populations that encourage grantees to proactively engage, with a goal of 50% representation where feasible. While low-income youth are not separately identified as an underrepresented population in the NOFO, we recognize that economic hardship is a significant challenge facing many youth and families across the city. Factors such as per capita income and poverty are reflected in the designation of the 20 Community Areas eligible for funding.

Q: Can one application include multiple sites if the sites are located within different communities, or would a separate application and budget be required for each site depending on the community in which they are located? Is it okay if the applicant submits more than one application that is essentially identical but in different communities?
A: Each application can only serve one community strategy region. You must submit a separate application with a budget for each community strategy region you wish to serve. Competitive proposals will be able to make a connection between the organization applying and the community area being served and how community youth were involved in program development.

Q: Based on the summary/press release of this opportunity last year, more than 70% of the organizations awarded grants had not contracted with DFSS in the last decade. Is SGA expecting a similar pool of awardees this year?
A: One of the stated goals of the Micro-Grant program is to provide an accessible grant opportunity and capacity building support for newer grant seekers and small, community-based organizations. Many of these applicants, due to their size and capacity, have not received City funding previously. We do not have a specific goal for this metric, but we hope to see a similar response from these types of applicants this year.

Q: If an applicant applies for multiple neighborhoods, on separate applications, is there a limit to the number of grant application submissions made?
A: There is no limit on the number of submissions from one organization, as long as the applications are for different community strategy regions.

Q: Does your program have to fit all age groups within 6-24 or can it be a portion of the range.
A: The age group can be a portion of the range.

Q: If an organization has a summer camp program partially funded by DFSS, can they still apply for this microgrant opportunity to add enrichment activities (extra field trips), offset some expenses, and provide a few stipends to some of the teen volunteers?
A: Yes, you can still apply for the micro-grant opportunity even if you are already partially funded by DFSS. Regarding your expenses, micro-grant funds may be used for the enhancement of an existing program. Your application should specify in detail how these funds will be used to provide additional activities, offset expenses, and paid youth stipends beyond the costs covered by DFSS.