Neighborhood Business District Support Fund
The City’s Neighborhood Business District Support Fund Program (“NBDSF”) provides annual grant funding to the 34 members of the Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United ("CNBDU") for eligible projects and activities that enhance the vibrancy of the recognized neighborhood business district (“NBDs”).
The funding level is established each year by City Council and then divided among participating members. The Department of Community and Economic Development ("DCED") reviews applications, and CNBDU members provide final approval. NBDSF projects must be located within a given NBD, improve quality of life, serve public needs, and fall within one or more of the following categories: organizational development, NBD promotional activities, physical improvements, and collaboration between the neighborhood business associations and the community councils.​
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Goal​
The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life in NBDs by supporting promotional activities and physical improvements, as well as organizational development and collaboration between neighborhood business associations and community councils.
Who Can Apply?
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CNBDU Member Organizations
Overview of Process
DCED funds the program and helps with intake, while the project assessment process is led by CNBDU. When applications open, applicants draft proposals that are first approved in a public forum (ex. community council, business association...) and then submitted to the NBDSF program manager on any of the seven proposal submission deadlines (typically one week prior to the CNBDU General Body monthly meeting). The applicant then presents its proposed project to CNBDU — a membership organization comprised of Community Councils, Business Association, and Community Development Corporations. The General Membership of CNBDU serves as the peer review body that votes to recommend the NBDSF proposal to the City for funding
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Note: NBDSF proposals must be approved by residents and business owners residing in that neighborhood before they present to CNBDU.
Timeline​
The proposal review process opens in October and runs through April of each year, with seven opportunities for application submissions. See "NBDSF Process Timeline" document below for details on Fiscal Year 2025 dates and deadlines.
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Interested? Have questions? For more information, contact:​
Darby Schozer, darby.schozer@cincinnati-oh.gov