APPLICANT RESOURCES
Supplemental Application Materials
- Application Access Instructions – Submittable platform
- FPI Priorities – resident, project, and property characteristics
- Loan Product Matrix – specific to this round of funding
- GIS Mapping Tool – to identify QCTs and proximity to transit and employment centers
- Area Median Income (AMI) Limits Chart – effective June 15, 2022
- Pro Forma – sample 25-year and 18-year templates
- Business Debt Schedule – sample template
- What is a Planning Grant? – FPI blog
- Small and Emerging Business (SEB) Directory/Search – City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations
Language Accessibility
We have installed a plug-in for language translation on our website, which is positioned at the top right of this page. Application preview documents are provided below in both Spanish and English. Also provided is a transcript of the funding information video, which includes auto-generated closed captions in English. Word (docx) versions of additional materials can be shared upon request for independent translation.
If additional language assistance or accessibility supports are needed to apply, please email Tess at tess@omahafoundation.org. We proudly partner with World Speaks for translation services, and Front Porch will cover the cost of pre-approved services throughout the application period.
Sample Applications
Draft previews of the Spring 2023 applications are provided below. Updated documents will be posted in July for the next funding cycle opening August 1st.
- PROJECT LOAN
- PROJECT GRANT
- PROGRAM GRANT
- PLANNING GRANT
Funding Information VideoPlease watch the video above for complete information on the Spring 2023 Development and Preservation Fund cycle.
Video Transcript – including section start times
Presentation PDF – including bookmarked slides
Additional ARPA Information**- General Overview
- Procurement Guidelines – for long-term loan projects that involve contracting/subcontracting
- Affordable Housing How-To Guide – How to Use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Affordable Housing Production and Preservation (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
- Compliance and Reporting Guidance – State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Guidance on Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
**We suggest independent review by legal experts.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FEBRUARY 1st
Online applications for the Development and Preservation Fund spring cycle will be accepted February 1st–March 1st, with funding decisions to be announced at the end of May.
Eligible request types will include both short- and long-term loans for local affordable housing projects, in addition to programmatic and project-based grant opportunities for housing-supportive nonprofits.
Alongside funds made possible through the ARPA partnership with the City of Omaha, this round includes additional philanthropic dollars beyond the private match. As such, applications for projects in the Greater Omaha Metro that fall outside of Omaha city limits will also be considered.
Please note: Funding cycles are competitive. Applications go through a multi-stage review process, including rigorous underwriting for loan applications. Submitting a loan and/or grant application does not guarantee funding.
GUIDELINES FOR SPRING 2024
Spring cycle guidelines will be posted to this page Monday, January 29th, with application preview documents and cycle information videos to follow.
Previous Cycles:
Fall 2023 Loans | Spring 2023 Grants
This information is for general reference only as application questions and cycle priorities may be revised from one round to the next.
OFFICE HOURS
We are offering virtual appointments for applicants seeking technical assistance with the application and/or underwriting process. Meeting availability is limited and first come, first served, so please schedule sooner than later via the links below:
Loan Application Office Hours:
Meet with representatives from Front Porch Investments and Impact Development Fund to address questions regarding the Spring 2024 Development and Preservation Fund loan application. Use this opportunity to ensure readiness of all financial materials required for submission and underwriting. These 45-minute appointments are open to for-profit developers and nonprofit organizations applying for a short-term or long-term project loan. All meetings will take place over Zoom.
Dates: February 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 20th, and 21st
Grant Application Office Hours:
Meet with representatives from Front Porch Investments to address questions regarding the Spring 2024 Development and Preservation Fund grant application. These 30-minute appointments are open to nonprofit organizations only who are applying for a program, project, or planning grant. All meetings will take place over Zoom.
Dates: February 6th, 9th, 14th, and 19th
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Development and Preservation Fund was created in alignment with recommendations provided by the Omaha and Council Bluffs Area Assessment of Housing Affordability, Needs, & Priorities report. As identified in the assessment, the broad goals of the fund are to:
- Provide gap financing for the development of new affordable housing, including mixed-income rental housing, the creation of affordable housing in areas near job centers and transit, and transformative "catalyst" projects in neighborhoods undergoing broader revitalization efforts
- Provide needed gap financing to preserve and improve the quality of at-risk dedicated affordable rental housing, as well as "naturally occurring" affordable housing properties in deteriorating condition or at risk of conversion to market rate
Additional investment priorities for the Development and Preservation Fund include increasing housing ecosystem capacity; increasing accessibility; increasing housing stability; expanding housing options; supporting equity and housing justice; supporting innovation and best practices; and supporting collaborative partnerships.
The first round of funding launched in August 2022 through a partnership between Front Porch Investments and the City of Omaha, who invested $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that are being matched by $20 million in philanthropic contributions. These funds have been allocated across multiple biannual funding cycles, with the second round of funding awarded in May 2023 and third in November 2023.
APPLICANT RESOURCES
Additional Materials and Links
- Submittable Instructions – navigating the online portal
- FPI Priorities – resident, project, and property characteristics
- GIS Mapping Tool – to identify QCTs and proximity to transit and employment centers
- City Limits Map – to confirm if project location is within boundaries of the City of Omaha
- Area Median Income (AMI) Limits Chart – effective June 15, 2023
- What is a Planning Grant? – FPI blog
- Small and Emerging Business (SEB) Directory/Search – City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations
Language Accessibility
We have installed a plug-in for language translation on our website, which is positioned at the top right of this page. Application preview documents will be provided in both Spanish and English. Transcripts will be provided each cycle for funding information videos, which will include auto-generated closed captions in English. Word (docx) versions of additional materials can be shared upon request for independent translation.
If additional language assistance or accessibility supports are needed to apply, please email Tess Houser at tess@omahafoundation.org. We proudly partner with World Speaks for translation services, and Front Porch will cover the cost of pre-approved services during application periods.
ARPA Funding Information*
- General Overview
- Procurement Guidelines – for long-term loan projects that involve contracting/subcontracting
- Affordable Housing How-To Guide – How to Use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Affordable Housing Production and Preservation (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
- Compliance and Reporting Guidance – State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Guidance on Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
*We suggest independent review by legal experts.
ARPA funding is made possible through a partnership with the City of Omaha.
