Hamilton County staff on Oct. 28 recommended eight nonprofit projects for 2025 funding from the county’s Community Development Block Grant nonprofit services allocation.

Jake Berghaus, program manager in the community development division of Planning and Development, told commissioners the county had $500,000 to award and that CDAC — the Community Development Advisory Committee — reviewed 30 applications (27 were deemed eligible and 29 unique organizations applied). Because scoring was unusually close this year — "less than 5 points separated the top 8 scoring proposals" — CDAC recommended funding the top eight proposals at 70% of each project’s requested amount, leaving approximately $2,500 that went to Habitat for Humanity, Berghaus said.

The eight recommended programs cover workforce development, food access, legal services and supports for older adults and immigrants. Berghaus summarized the slate as: a Habitat for Humanity construction training program in partnership with CityLink; Saint Vincent de Paul’s charitable pharmacy for uninsured and underinsured residents; LeSoup’s rescue, transform and share meal program; a last‑mile food rescue program using an integrated app and volunteers; Legal Aid Society eviction and foreclosure prevention services; Icron Corporation’s employment training and support program; Pro Seniors’ estate planning and survivorship services for low‑income older adults; and the Immigrant & Refugee Law Center’s legal immigration services including asylum and citizenship assistance.

Berghaus said CDAC intends to provide technical assistance to applicants ahead of next year’s RFP and that staff plans to update scoring criteria before the next round. He told the board no immediate action was required at the Oct. 28 meeting; the recommended contracts will come back to the board for execution when they are prepared.

Commissioner Summer Udumas thanked staff and asked that acronyms and funding sources be stated plainly for the public. Berghaus clarified that CDBG stands for Community Development Block Grant, a federal entitlement grant administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and that CDAC is an 11‑member citizen advisory committee appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Reese asked about contract timing; staff confirmed contracts follow the county program year (July 1–June 30) and that the awarded funds are already in the county account.

The presentation did not include final contract language, specific award amounts for each recommended project beyond the notable $75,000 requests for some food programs mentioned in the discussion, or signatures; staff said contracts will be brought forward for board approval when ready.

As a next step, Berghaus said Community Development staff will share technical assistance opportunities with applicants and return to the board when contracts are ready for signature.