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Home / Community & Economic Development / Community Recovery Fund

Community Recovery Fund

The City of Bethlehem is now accepting applications for grant funding through the newly established Community Recovery Fund grant program. Nonprofit and community organizations that are helping Bethlehem residents recover from the pandemic and responding to our community’s most pressing needs are encouraged to apply.
 
In 2022, we surveyed people to help us prioritize our community’s pandemic-recovery needs. The City of Bethlehem analyzed survey results, conducted independent research, reviewed the existing landscape of public and social services and alternative funding sources, and ultimately concluded that each of the twenty-two categories of needs included in the survey should be considered priority areas for the City of Bethlehem’s pandemic recovery efforts.
 
The City of Bethlehem then established, in its 2023 City Budget, three funding sources for its pandemic recovery efforts: (1) Affordable Housing; (2) Homeless Initiatives; and (3) the Community Recovery Fund, which supports this grant program. The Community Recovery Fund grant program will support all of the categories of needs that do not constitute affordable housing and/or homelessness initiatives:
 
  • Arts and Culture
  • Child Care Support
  • Climate Justice
  • Community Center
  • Economic Development
  • Education and Literacy Programs
  • Food Assistance
  • High-Speed Internet
  • Job Training
  • Mental Health and Counseling Services
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Public Communication Tools
  • Public Health
  • Senior Services
  • Utility Assistance
  • Violence Prevention

The Community Recovery Fund grant application for 2025 will open on March 15, 2025 and close on May 16, 2025 at 11:59PM.
 
Grant Guidelines

Review the 2025 Community Recovery Fund Grant Guidelines here.

Info Session

View 2025 info session recording here.


To download the slide presentation, please click here.

For more information on how to navigate our grants portal, Neighborly, please view the recording of the tutorial here. 

FAQ

Q: Can my organization apply for more than one project?
A: Yes, organizations can apply for multiple projects/programs but can only receive a maximum of $50,000 in total per organization.

Q: How much can my organization apply for?
A: Grants will range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Q:  How did the City of Bethlehem determine what priority areas would receive funding?
A: Through surveying the community, conducting independent research, and reviewing the existing landscape of public and social services, we determine 16 priority areas that would receive funding. You can learn more about the surveying here.

Q: Can my organization apply for projects/programs related to housing and/or homelessness?
A: Although the City has designated other dollars to housing and homelessness initiatives, organizations may still apply for projects/programs that fall under either category, especially if they also meet one or more priority areas.

Q: What documents will I need to submit?
A: Evidence of filed organizational documents, such as ​

  1. ​​State Tax Exemption Documentation or Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Determination or Affirmation Letter of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19) status
  2. Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and current list of board of directors and officers
  3. Limited liability company certificate of formation;
  4. Fictitious name registration; Pennsylvania Subsistence Certification.
  5. Prior two years of IRS Form 990 and any extension documentation, as applicable
  6. Current Copy of IRS W9 Form, as applicable

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Community Recovery Fund Grant?
A: Please contact Lori Gilio, Grants Administrator, here.
Apply Here

The current application cycle will open March 15, 2025 and will close on May 16, 2025. Visit Neighborly to begin your application.