The 2025 Public Service Application Information Session kicked off with key insights into funding opportunities for local nonprofits in Pittsburgh. Kelly Russell, Assistant Director for OMB Community Development, and Program Supervisor Joshua Rololow outlined the essential details of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), which allocates $550,000 specifically for public service grants aimed at benefiting low to moderate-income residents.

Russell emphasized that these grants operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning organizations must first incur expenses before receiving funds. Nonprofits, referred to as subrecipients, will need to submit documentation to the city after their contracts are finalized to receive payment.

For 2025, the application process will utilize a new software platform called Bridgeway. Organizations can request between $10,000 and $50,000, with a focus on services that directly support low to moderate-income clients. The deadline for applications is set for April 7, 2025, at 5 PM, with award decisions expected in late fall of the same year. Notably, contracts will not be executed until January 2026, and no expenses incurred before that date will be eligible for reimbursement.

This session marks a crucial opportunity for local nonprofits to secure funding and enhance their services for the community, setting the stage for impactful projects in the coming years.