Neighborhood Economic Development Grant is a grant from the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce that funds community development corporations and other nonprofits to increase their capacity to create economic opportunities through commercial real estate development in Philadelphia neighborhoods.

The program, operating for more than two decades, supports projects that provide vital goods and services to residents in underserved neighborhoods across the city. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, including community development corporations, serving neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Awards range from ,000 to ,000.

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Apply for the Neighborhood Economic Development Grant Did you know? For more than two decades, the Department of Commerce Office of Neighborhood Economic Development has been investing in commercial real estate development projects that provide vital goods and services to residents in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. The next round of funding is now open!

The Neighborhood Economic Development Grant helps nonprofit organizations, including community development corporations increase their funding capacity to create economic opportunities that revitalize the neighborhoods they serve.

Nonprofit organizations can apply for a proposed compensation of between $50,000 and $500,000 to fund commercial space for businesses providing goods and services accessible to low- and moderate-income residents, while increasing job creation. The application deadline is March 19, 2026, at 5 p. m.

The proposed activities must be eligible in accordance with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. The additional City requirements include: The project team has the knowledge and understanding of the community and can make informed decisions grounded in the needs of the community.

The goal is to increase local ownership and self-determination in the way land and real estate are developed, prioritizing the surrounding community needs. Eligible projects can be funded in the four categories described below: For economic development planning activities targeted to neighborhood commercial revitalization and blight elimination which will result in increased economic opportunity within the target neighborhood.

Eligible plans must include action items that the applicant has the power to influence or move, so the outcomes of the plan can be acted upon and measured. For commercial or mixed-use projects in the phase prior to the start of development and construction. Pr oject funding can support architecture, legal, environmental, consulting and related pre-development costs.

For “bricks and mortar” projects: new construction or substantial rehabilitation of commercial or mixed-use facilities. Eligible projects that apply under the development track will have site control or an agreement of sale, as well as a plan for the commercial space tenant. For the purchase of an occupied commercial or mixed-use property on a commercial corridor.

The goal of this funding is to stabilize commercial corridors, retain existing businesses and maintain viable commercial spaces. Eligible projects will have an existing business providing goods and services, operating in the first-floor commercial space, and committed to continue operating after the title transfer of the building.

The City will consider many factors, when evaluating proposals submitted to this Request for Proposal (RFP). The required documents include, but are not limited to, the following: Budget with a detailed proposa l of the costs for specific services and work products proposed.

The proposal must be explicit about the need and provide verification of secured funding commitments, as well as a specific plan for obtaining any remaining funding commitments. Project narrative with documentation of community support, commercial occupancy plans, scope of work and detailed timeline indicating which tasks have been completed to date and a reasonable timeline for project completion.

If there are necessary issues, such as zoning variances, environmental work, etc., these should also be detailed. Evidence of site control through proof-of-ownership (a deed), an executed agreement of sale or option, or a lease-hold agreement of at least 15 years. In the absence of site control, applicants must show evidence of a clear path to site control.

Proof of administrative and operational efficiency where plans must be provided to ensure that a development team will be put in place, including an architect, building contractor, and development and legal consultants.

If the organization does not have the experience or capacity to take on development, in addition to identifying the consultants, an agreement should be attached which outlines the services the consultant will be providing from pre-development through construction stages. Applicants must complete application through eContract Philly before the deadline to be considered for this contract opportunity.

The proposal is not considered submitted until the “submit” button is pressed at the conclusion of the eContract Philly submission process. You should receive a confirmation email that your application was submitted.

Applicants are encouraged to allow sufficient time to complete the application process in order to become familiar with the requirements of the eContract Philly interface, upload all required documents, and resolve any technical issues prior to the submission deadline. The City need not accept, and may discard, responses that are incomplete, late, or submitted in any other format. The application is available online .

To access the opportunity: Select “Contract Opportunities” The Department of Commerce will host an in-person briefing for interested applicants. Date : Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Location: One Parkway Building: 1515 Arch Street, 18th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Please bring a photo ID and check in with building security upon arrival.

Questions can be directed to Destiny Gadson by emailing Destiny. Gadson@phila. gov .

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