AKRON CITY COUNCIL

2025-2026 NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP GRANT

This is an abridged version of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). 

View the full NOFO here. 

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Overview

The Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program is administered by Akron City Council.  It is a funding opportunity designed to inspire the development of innovative community-based initiatives, which improve the neighborhood and enhance the overall health and well-being of its residents. The program was created to strengthen and provide funds to neighborhood-based stakeholders invested in the development of their local community. The program aims to:

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships between neighborhood residents through participation in projects and activities; and
• Increase neighborhood resident engagement in resolving the problems that impact them.

Each ward in Akron has been allotted $15,000 from which to award individual grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. The minimum grant award is $3,000. The maximum grant award is $15,000.  Under no circumstances will grants be awarded in amounts greater than the stated maximum and only in exceptional circumstances, as determined by Council Leadership, may grants smaller than the stated minimum be awarded. There is no matching requirement. Funds awarded to each Ward or individual projects are not transferrable.

What is Akron's Residential CRA Tax Abatement Program?

• The abatement allows owners to pay taxes solely on the pre-improvement assessed value of their residential property for 15 years after improvements are completed. Property owners will not be required to pay property taxes on any increase in value that resulted from renovation or new construction on the property for a period of 15 years.
• The abatement stays with the property for the 15-year duration of the abatement. If it is sold during the 15-year period of the abatement, the new owner continues to receive the abatement. 
• At the end of the 15 years of abatement the property will be taxed at its total post-improvement assessed value. 

What types of improvements qualify? 

Major Improvements that MAY qualify homeowner for tax abatement. 

• Building a new porch
• Remodel a basement/attic into living space
• New additions to an existing structure
• Install a sunroom
• New construction
• Gut and renovate a home or apartment building
• Build or enlarge a garage
• Install indoor fireplace
• Install new additional bathroom

Are there any restrictions? 

• Appropriate building permits must be issues to qualify for the tax abatement. Certificates of Occupancy or final inspections signed PRIOR TO APRIL 24, 2017 WILL NOT qualify for the property abatement.
• The property must be located in the City of Akron and identified on the Summit County Fiscal Office Auditor property card as being located within the City of Akron.
• Property Taxes and assessments cannot be delinquent.
• The property must be appropriately maintained or the tax exemption may be revoked.
• Only residential structures are eligible of the abatement. For mixed-use structures, only the residential portion will be eligible.
• Property must meet City of Akron zoning requirements.
• A minimum of $5,000 investment in renovation or construction is required to apply.
• Per Ohio Revised Code Section 3735.67, if the housing structure qualifies as a historic structure, the appropriateness of the remodeling must be certified, in writing, by an authorized person or organization prior to issuance of the abatement. 

What are the steps in the process?

Step 1 - The developer or owner must pull a building permit with the Summit County Building Department located at 1030 E, Tallmadge Ave. #3, Akron, OH 44310

Step 2 - Upon pulling a permit, provide a copy of the permit and complete the City of Akron Community Reinvestment Tax Abatement - Residential Application. The application can be summited online or mail to:        

                   City of Akron Tax Abatement

                   Department of Planning and Urban Development

                   Long Range Planning

                   166 S. High Street, Room 401

                   Akron, OH 44308

Step 3 - The City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development reviews the applications for completeness. If the Application and supporting documentation meet the requirements, the application will be processed for tax abatement. The application will be forwarded to the County Auditor's Office.

Step 4 - The Summit County Auditor will conduct a field inspection and verify the new construction/rehabilitation. Value (if appropriate) will be added to the property. Tax adjustments will be made accordingly. 

The tax abatement program does NOT guarantee abatement for county periodic reassessments. The abatement is only for the increase in assessed property tax value triggered by the current remodeling or new construction improvements.

Overall Theme:  Align Community Services Program with the four pillars of Social Determinants of Health priorities: Economic Stability, Education/Health Care, Community and Social Engagement.
 

Infant Mortality

Eligible applications must support projects/programs that increase access to education as it relates to infant mortality for expectant mothers, mothers of newborns and infants. 

The Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan identified concerns regarding “the unacceptable rate of mortality for black babies and poor health outcomes of black women”. Furthermore, infant mortality is linked “with social determinants of health and their inequitable impact on women and babies of color. Social determinants of health are factors in an individual’s social, economic and physical environment that affect infant mortality.” 

The Community Services Program should focus on the Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan as it relates to “engagement, education and equip residents to support and promote healthy full-term pregnancies and safe sleep for babies”. Additionally, proposed programs should seek to:

1.  Reduce premature births and infant mortality among African American infants specifically and all infants generally by 50 percent by 2025.

2.  Eliminate sleep-related infant deaths in Akron. 

Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan (https://fulltermfirstbirthday.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/ftfb_strategic_plan_final.pdf)

 Public Safety 

Eligible applicants in this area must focus on projects/programs that directly support the strategic priorities of the City of Akron Youth Violence Prevention Plan and focus on the neighborhood as the unit of change. 

Eligible grants must prioritize Akron youth ages 15-24 – the key demographic in the Plan.  Grants must directly align with one of the eight “Strategic Approaches” outlined in the Plan.

Conversations within the community clearly show that residents would like to see “neighborhood safety” prioritized so that “everyone from all neighborhoods feels safe.  ”Proposals should be strategic and impactful, focusing on youth.  Respondents seemed to gravitate towards youth violence or the exposure of youth to violence in a big way.  The youth themselves reported wanting to not just be safe but “feel safe” in their neighborhoods. 

City of Akron Youth Violence Prevention Plan – (https://app.sharebase.com/#/document/101895/share/470-hcYOyv9q05-LDfaA--fTO-fXj-1U)

Financial Empowerment

Eligible proposals must focus on working with Akron’s low income residents to provide guidance and assistance with managing finances, reducing debt, increasing savings, establishing and building credit, and access to safe and affordable mainstream banking. 

Eligible grants must prioritize financial stability and services while at the same time integrating with other social services including housing, foreclosure prevention services, workforce development, and prisoner re-entry.

Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Approach

Information and Referral
Eligible proposals must focus on providing information and referrals to Akron residents related to health, human and social service organizations.  

Eligible proposals must have the ability to refer residents in need to agencies that have the skills and have been vetted to provide services on an as-needed basis based on the callers need. Provide information and referrals to where callers can access assistance.

Grantees MUST complete a final report detailing the results of the project/program and outcomes achieved.  

        GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

         1.  Responses to questions should be between 250-500 words; no more than two pages in length and double-spaced.  If necessary, you may include additional information in the Attachments section at the end of each section.

        2. Label and reference attachments appropriately.  There is space for extra attachments at the end of each section.

        3. To provide the reviewers of your application with a better understanding of the target area of the project, you may attach photographs, maps or other visual aids.  These may be included with the application as attachments at the end of each section.

        4.  If a question does not appear to apply to your proposal, “Not Applicable” or “N/A” is a legitimate answer.

        5.  If you have questions about completing the application, please contact Darin Chambers in the Long Range Planning Division office at (330) 375-2090 x6476.

6. Download the Certifications page here.  Please print this form, have the appropriate parties* sign, and upload in Section 6 of the application.  This form is required to evaluate your application.

        (*Appropriate parties are comprised of the following only:  Executive Director, President or Chief Executive Officer)


        Notes:

Billing Procedures:  Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis for expenses incurred in accordance with the contract's goals and objectives.  Billings for anticipated expenses may be included by special arrangement.  Billing schedules may vary for projects but will generally be either monthly or quarterly.  No advances will be given.

Eligible reimbursements are based on items in your approved project budget.

        Any costs incurred before the effective date of the contract or after the termination date of the contract will not be covered by the grant. Matching funds must be expended within the period of the grant agreement.

Monitoring and Reporting:  Monthly progress reports and a short final report evaluating the success of the project are required as a condition of receiving reimbursement under the contract.  Monthly reports must be submitted in order to be reimbursed project expenses.

        City staff will periodically conduct on-site monitoring of each project.  This will include observing project activities and a review of files and financial records.  Any deficiencies or required corrective actions will be noted in a formal letter to the grant recipient.