1. home and garden

How to Prepare NSP/NBDSF Proposals
invest@investinneighborhoods.com
921-5502
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF NSP?
The primary purpose of NSP is to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods through increased citizen
participation and to strengthen neighborhood councils through organization development activities, such as:
» Membership recruitment and community organizing activities
» Research and/or planning tied to a public project or available city-wide programs, or to the elimination of blight
» Resource development, volunteer recruitment, grant writing and training
» Neighborhood communication such as newsletters, brochures and flyers
» Inter-agency planning and cooperation
» Leadership and organizational development assistance
A neighborhood newsletter is an eligible organizational development tool. No more than $3,000 of the available annual grant
may be allocated to an all-inclusive communication project such as a newsletter. However, if one issue per year is distributed to
every residence, the neighborhood is eligible for $4,000 in NSP funds.
✓ NSP funding for membership recruitment activities is limited to $1,000.
✓ A council may offer reimbursement for mileage for volunteers working on NSP projects, but may not exceed the rate of 55
cents per mile.
✓ Councils may allocate up to $500 for the preparation of reports to the Ohio Attorney General's office and/or the IRS.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF NBDSF?
The purpose of the program is to fund neighborhood business district projects that will enhance the vitality of the
districts, enhance the leadership capacity of business associations and community councils, and support efforts to
recruit, train, and increase the productivity of volunteers. Eligibility for projects:
» Projects are limited to the business districts currently recognized in 34 neighborhoods
» Projects to strengthen, improve, and develop the NBD through organizational development activities aimed at
increasing membership
» Promotional activities intended to increase community awareness of the NBD and its businesses
» Physical improvements such as streetscape improvements or other amenities or activities in the NBD public
right-of-way that are designed to improve safety, clean-up, beautify, enhance signage or lighting, and/or
landscaping (including planters).
» Collaboration between the Neighborhood Business Associations and Community Councils
✓ NBDSF funding for membership recruitment activities is limited to $1,000.
✓ Equipment purchased with program funds shall be used primarily in the implementation of program allowable
projects.
✓ Up to $500 may be allocated for the preparation of reports to the Ohio Attorney General's office and/or the IRS.
Ineligible Activities/Expenses
Cash awards to individuals or groups; direct social
services
Routine operating expenses (rent, utilities, office
supplies, building maintenance, etc.)
Food, except for fund raising ($1500 limit per year)
Entertainment except for public events
Endorsing/promoting political candidates
Hiring NSP manager (can hire project manager)
Duplicate government services already available
TO APPLY FOR FUNDS, COMMUNITY COUNCILS AND BUSINESS DISTRICTS MUST:
Encourage and review all ideas from residents, members AND non-members
Make decisions in regular, open, well-publicized council meetings.
Document a democratic process for the review committee. Before a project can be presented to
the review committee, it must be submitted to Invest In Neighborhoods by the established
deadline(s) and include copies of:
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Minutes and sign-in sheets from the decision-making meeting
Current By-Laws and Statements of Non-Discrimination
Proof of Non-Profit Corporation Status and Articles of Incorporation
Job Descriptions and Organizational Plans for employees
Proposal cover sheet, budget page, and project descriptions
Final Performance Reports for previous year's projects
Community councils must also be in compliance with the following as detailed in Guidelines:
Resolution(s) stating non-discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, handicap, or national origin; adoption
of City Ordinance# 200-1989; and abiding by City Council's Ordinance regarding non-discrimination based on
housing quarters.
Invest staff members are available to explain the requirements and program guidelines.
Step 1: You must be a legitimate neighborhood organization recognized by
the City of Cincinnati as representing a particular geographical neighborhood area (See NSP Guidelines). Presently there are 51 neighborhoods:
Avondale Community Council
Bond Hill Community Council
California Community Council
Camp Washington Comm. Council
Carthage Civic League
Clifton Town Meeting
CUF Neighborhood Association
College Hill Forum
Columbia-Tusculum Comm. Council
Corryville Community Council
Downtown Residents Council
East End Area Council
East Price Hill Improvement Assn.
East Walnut Hills Assembly
East Westwood Improvement Assn.
English Woods Civic Association
Evanston Community Council
Fay Community Council
Hartwell Improvement Association
The Heights Community Council
Hyde Park Neighborhood Council
Kennedy Heights Comm. Council
Linwood Community Council
Madisonville Community Council
Millvale Residents & Comm. Council
Mt. Adams Civic Association
Mt. Airy Town Council
Mt. Auburn Community Council
Mt. Lookout Civic Club
Mt. Washington Comm. Council
North Avondale Neighborhood Assn.
North Fairmount Comm. Council
Northside Community Council
Oakley Community Council
Over-the-Rhine Comm. Council
Paddock Hills Assembly
Pendleton Community Council
Pleasant Ridge Comm. Council
Riverside Civic & Welfare Club
Roselawn Community Council
Sayler Park Village Council
Sedamsville Community Council
South Cumminsville Comm. Council
South Fairmount Comm. Council
Spring Grove Village Comm. Council
Walnut Hills Area Council
West End Community Council
West Price Hill Comm. Council
Westwood Civic Association
Winton Hills Community Council
STEP 5: The Council or Business District should appoint a committee to develop project
descriptions, job descriptions, and an organizational plan for each project. (See Sample
Proposal). It is also recommended that one individual be designated as the NSP or NBDSF
Manager to oversee the implementation of the proposed projects.
The Four Questions ALL Proposals Must Address:
1. What is to be accomplished or what is the problem/need?
2. How will the project be accomplished?
a. Number of volunteers
b. Number of paid workers and rate of pay
c. Product to be generated (l.e., newsletter, feasibility study, etc.)
3. What are the intended results and how will they be evaluated for success?
4. What is the itemized budget?
An Organizational Plan Should…
Identify all personnel positions by project (both paid and volunteer)
Divide project tasks between paid and volunteer personnel
Describe the interaction between paid and volunteer staff
Refer to the Sample Proposal for more hints on creating your own proposal.
STEP 6: Confer with Invest staff when necessary on the eligibility and/or possible
modifications needed to submit your proposal. It is recommended that
communities submit rough drafts of proposals to Invest whenever you have any
questions about your ideas. Invest staff can provide comments and suggest
revisions for improvement in time to modify the proposal and resubmit by the
subsequent Final Deadline.
STEP 7: The Community's NSP Committee must complete the full proposal form
and submit to Invest In Neigh bor hoods by the published deadline.
NSP PROPOSAL
completing p roposal , c>1I1921-55Ul)
SEND
OSAL TO: I nvest .In ,'i eig b b orh oods , In c.
.'--_ Sta te th e total amount of NSP funds requested.
3!:> We s t Court Street, Cincinnati, Oil 45202
P LEASE PRl NT IN fNK OR TYPE
C hec k One:
ew Cu n frdl 't for Year
ill
A m ou n t Req uested:
_
Amend ment
rOI" Co ntrac t
o.
- + - Indicate wh ether the proposal is for a new contract or an am endment. If it is an am endment, indicate current contract number.
- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- -
Pr esident's Signaturc:
iz:
Have yo u incl uded th e follnwing'! Check th ose which are enclosed 01" ma r k 4'N /A II •
app ly. Proposals "' ill not be conside red with ou t this doc um
.
.'
I
,
for th ose t hat do not
If d or.umen tat iOtl ls OD file, ind icat e h)' wl'ilion "OII'F' 1 sr :
wh ich mus t be ou file a t In vest,
to.
I C In spec) rc a rea.
_ ,_
I'roof of NOll-Profit S ta tus
_._ _ Current Articl es of Inl'orp orati on
_ "...
(-.===-.. C lllTeot
_ ._ Council Miuures & Sign-In Sheets
.
-i I'CVIOUS Yenrts Final Report s
__. _ , ob DeseriptiollS for E lOplo>'ccs
_ _ Ol'ga niza tiona l Plan for Emplo}'ecs
What was Ihe " ote 0/1, this NSP Proposa l:i t the dceisioll - Ulllki,H' CHlIOCii meeting?
-
_ NUlII lu:r of Yeus
_
..- -
N ll
' In
be ' fN
I0
TOf<\ J Attendance
Quorum '! Yes
- -
R ene wa l
Y cslN o
Vnlu nt eerH.-s, Est .
Sta rt .. End
Oat es
- ----'-".- ---+-- - i'- - -Jr--
3.
4.
5.
6,
7.
- --_ __.._ - -----
01'
amendment as
taken at the open public mee tin g.
No
-_ .
Lis t all p rojects using the most descr iptive na me possible.
Is th e project a continuation of a previou s yea r's project'!
B udget
I.
2.
Check all item s which are required fOJ' your particular submission.
Many of the items ma y already be on file with Invest ; but if there
ha ve been any changes to any of the documents since your last
su bmission, you mu st r efile.
J ndicate the final vote on the proposed contract
Ltst th e projects you " ill undertake in till, contraor (I n tbe :
....
...... ......
com pleteJ)', ir'lduding wha t vou wish to accomplish 'tt
o,r services , eac h pr uject must be descr ibed
evalu a te SUCCC!S Also be su·r , to com nlete II. '1' " °tWbYo,U WI acc omp llsh Itl a nd how yo u will measu re and
.
,
re I CIIl Iu:< Ul get s heet' d ' ti
'
.. sr G uideli nes!'
or " Huw-Te' booklet for details.)
.
JIl lea mg speci fic expenses for eac h project. See
PROJ .Eel'S
The C om munity Council President MUS T sign here,
-- -+-_
Li st the estimated number of volun teer hours to be utilized for
each project,
L ist th e month and ye ar of th e anticipated star t of each project.
Remember NSP fundin g will not comm enc e until th e effecti ve start
date of your contract (see NSP M eetings a nd Deadlines) and
cannot be carried over into a new calendar yea r.
...
If the project is bein g amended, indicate the change in the original
dollar amount (plus or minus) in the far right column. If the
project is being amended without changing the dollar amount, put
nothing in thi s column,
STEP 8: The Community's NSP Committee, along with the treasurer, should prepare an itemized budget for each project.
Budgets should include your best estimate of all goods, services, materials, and equipment needed to achieve the stated goal of
each project.
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR CONTRACT PERIOD
Project
Direct
Personnel
Services
Specialty
Contracts
Printing
Fixed
Imprvmts
or Equipt.
Postage
Consummable
Supplies
Mileage
or Misc.
GRAND
TOTAL
Direct Personnel Services - Record total dollars to be paid
any hourly workers.
Specialty Contracts - List other professional services here.
Usually these will be lump sum payment contracts such as
landscapers, attorney fees,consultants,etc. Be sure to
explain such contracts at the bottom of the page (**)
1
2
3
Printing - List all printing costs for each project.
4
8
Fixed Improvements or Equipment - Specify all equipment
purchases,as well as any fixed improvements,such as park
benches, signage, etc. Explain these costs at the bottom of
the page, including cost per item (##) It is also strongly
recommended that a bid for such items be part of the
proposal.
9
Postage - List all postage costs.
5
6
7
10
TOTALS
SUPPORTING EXPLANATIONS
List specific items included in "Specialty Contracts" column. Include dollar amount. (Example: Photo Developing=$50)
**
List specific items included in "Fixed Improvements or Equipment" column. Include dollar amount (Example: Park
Benches=$200/ea.)
##
List specific items included in "Mileage or Miscellaneous." Include dollar amounts. (Example: Gas for Lawn Mowers=$20)
++
Mileage or Miscellaneous - Record mileage to be paid to
volunteers for use of vehicles for project purposes. Mileage
is reimbursed at 55 cents per mile. Also record miscellaneous
expenses that do not fit into any other category. Explain the
miscellaneous items at the bottom, including the cost per
item. (++)
Total columns both vertically and horizontally.
ys P
a
w
Al d e ZI
u
ncl
I
A
S
M
E
L
P
Forms Necessary for Proposal
(as found on Invest web site)
NSP PROPOSAL FORM.pdf (NBD Proposal.pdf)
ProposedBudget.pdf
5questions.pdf
EEO Form.pdf
AuthorizedSignatures.pdf
As soon as possible
NSP Amendment form.pdf
or
NBD Amendment form.pdf
Community profile or Business District profile
(early in year or whenever leaders change)
Online Community Profile Form