NoFA Application Process

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Arlington's FY 2028 Community Development Fund NOFA is available for review on the County's website at arlingtonva.us.

View the online application on Neighborly. The online application is now available.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Application Opens: Monday, July 6
  • Pre-Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 5
  • Full Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 16

Click (PDF, 175KB)here(PDF, 325KB) to view and print the Community Development Fund Application Process (PDF) or follow the steps below. 

Community Development Fund NoFA

Arlington County invites nonprofit organizations to submit proposals requesting funds for eligible programs and services from the Community Development Fund (CDF) for a one-year grant for FY 2028.

The Community Development Fund is an annual competitive grant comprised of a combination of federal, state, and local sources:

  • Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
  • Community Services Block Grant – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (CSBG-TANF)
  • Arlington County’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund, Housing Services (AHIF Services)

*NEW THIS YEAR*

For FY 2028, the Community Development Fund application is organized into three tracks to support a range of program types and organizational capacities:

  • Track 1: Community Development Grants support established programs providing eligible community development initiatives, social services programs and other housing-related activities. Programs funded under this track will be supported by a combination of CDBG, CSBG, CSBG-TANF, and AHIF Housing Services funding, depending on program eligibility.
  • Track 2: Economic Development Grants support programs focused on entrepreneurship and small business development for low- and moderate-income residents. Programs funded under this track are supported by CDBG funding.
  • Track 3: Innovation Small Grants support new, emerging, or evolving programs that provide direct services on a smaller scale and are testing or refining program models. Programs funded under this track are supported by local AHIF Housing Services funding.

Applicants will select the track that best aligns with their proposed program during the pre-application stage. Based on this selection, applicants invited to submit a full application will complete only the questions associated with that track.

Grants will be awarded for one year, beginning July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028. The actual amount will be determined upon the Arlington County Board’s approval of the Fiscal Year 2028 budget and may be dependent on federal appropriations.

Learn more about the Community Development Fund NoFA including eligibility requirements, pre- and full application and more. 

How to Apply

Step 1.Complete at least one (1) Technical Assistance Offering

Technical Assistance for Applicants
Prospective applicants are required to participate in at least one (1) technical assistance offering (either the FY 2028 NOFA and/or a Technical Assistance Office Hours session) in order to be considered for funding.

  1. FY 2028 Community Development Fund NOFA Workshop: A virtual workshop to provide an overview and answer questions about the regular FY 2028 Community Development Fund will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2026 at 2:00pm. 
    To RSVP and receive a Microsoft Teams meeting link, contact Caitlin Jones at cjones1@arlingtonva.us.   
  2. Technical Assistance Office Hours: Arlington County offers technical assistance office hours to support applicants throughout the application process. Applicants may register for a maximum of two (2) 30-minute office hour sessions to ask questions and receive guidance from County staff.

Step 2.Complete the Pre-Application

All applicants are required to submit a pre-application electronically through Neighborly by Wednesday, August 5, 2026.  

Applicants will be notified by Friday, August 8, 2026, if they are approved to complete the full application.

Step 3.Complete the Full Application

All applicants are required to submit a full application electronically through Neighborly by Wednesday, September 16, 2026. 

Step 4.Cure Your Application (If Necessary)

Applicants that submit incomplete and/or insufficient applications will be invited to cure their application within two (2) business days after the application deadline.

Staff will inform applicants if their application has been successfully cured, allowing it to be considered for funding.

More Information

  • All pre- and full applications are to be submitted electronically through Neighborly (new application software).
  • Applicants must complete at least one technical assistance offering to be considered for funding.
  • There will be no applicant presentations during the FY 2028 review cycle.
  • A new budget template is required to be submitted along with all full applications.

Contact Us

Questions? 

Applicants are encouraged to submit Community Development content-related questions and to discuss program ideas with County staff prior to submitting an application. Please contact:
Caitlin Jones
cjones1@arlingtonva.us
(703) 228-3762 

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