Housing Grants for Nonprofits

Many of the most culturally relevant and well-known nonprofits work in the space of providing housing. Most people have heard of organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. This is no surprise. Housing and shelter is among the most necessary of human needs for survival. And yet the developing world is undergoing a significant housing crisis. More and more nonprofits are rising to tackle the issue of unaffordable housing.

These nonprofits can’t do this essential work, however, without the support from housing grants for nonprofits. These grants are essential for providing funding for a large range of projects and activities, from construction, renovation, and supporting residents, home buyers and renters. These programs can cover both the physical (building houses) and social (affording houses) portions of the housing crisis.

Nonprofits who are looking for housing grants can do so from a wide range of possible sources. Housing grants can be found on both the federal and state level. An example of a foundation that has provided funding in the past for housing grants is the Ford Foundation.

When preparing a housing grant proposal, it’s important to collect extensive data on the seriousness of the housing crisis - but be prepared to get specific. Generally, housing nonprofits will serve a particular community, demographic, or region. You need to be prepared to “zoom in” the data to show just how badly your area is affected. You should also make it clear what you are planning to do to help with the grant money, with data to back up that such actions can have a real impact. Being a storyteller helps here as well - try to bring up testimonials and stories by real people in your community who are needy, or who you have helped before.

If you need more information on how to write great housing grant proposals, make sure to read our great grant tutorials on the subject. You can also find an excellent selection of housing grants for nonprofits above.