Invest STL Neighborhood Solidarity Fund

A COVID-19 Funding Response

Invest STL, in consultation with community partners and neighborhood leaders, has developed a fund to support neighborhoods that stand to be the hardest hit by the pandemic and efforts to slow its spread.

The fund focuses on areas that are most vulnerable to economic, social and service delivery setbacks exacerbated by COVID-19. Neighborhoods and areas in St. Louis County, St. Louis City and East St. Louis are being prioritized for Neighborhood Solidarity funding based on socioeconomic indicators including race and household economics. You can view eligible neighborhoods using the Neighborhood Solidarity Fund Focus Area Map.

The Neighborhood Solidarity Fund seeks to expedite the recovery period in these areas by bolstering the human, organizational and economic infrastructure at the neighborhood level and includes three separate opportunities: the Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity grant, the Community Development Corporations (CDC) Stability grant and the Neighborhood Small Business Lift grant. The applications for the Neighborhood Solidarity Fund opportunities are closed.

• The Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity grant was available for formal and informal neighborhood associations and similar organizations to support organizing, connecting and communicating while upholding physical distancing guidelines. Grantees can use funds to implement a solution to connect to their neighbors in this time. Award amount will be determined by size of the area each connectivity project anticipates. The application for the Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity grant closed on May 31.
• The CDC Stability grant was available for neighborhood-focused community development organizations to maintain core operations, staff and healthy work environments. Grantees may also use the funds to provide additional emergency services or financial support to the neighbors they serve. Award amount will be determined by the core operating expenses of each organization. The application for the CDC Stability grant is now closed.
• The Neighborhood Small Business Lift grant was available for neighborhood-serving small businesses to maintain staff, facilities and other essential costs. Grantees may also use funds to adapt to remote operations where possible. Award amount is determined by the monthly operating expenses of each business. The application for this grant closed on May 1st. Funding decision notices were sent to all applicants on Monday, May 11th. If you applied and have not received a notice, please email bizgrant@stlpartnership.com.
  
  

Invest STL has partnered with St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO), Community Builder Network (CBN), The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC) to assist with outreach, reviewing applications and providing technical assistance to grantees.

If you have additional questions about the Neighborhood Solidarity Fund, please review the FAQ. Please direct all questions or inquiries regarding the fund to info@investstl.org.

The Neighborhood Solidarity Fund is generously supported by JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo.