Wake County is currently reviewing the 215 applications we received for community funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. We plan to take staff recommendations to the Wake County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 28, 2022. The board will have a few weeks to review them before giving final approval, which we may receive on March 21, 2022.
The following questions and answers pertain to community funding through ARPA.
Who is eligible to apply for these funds?
Non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, as designated by the IRS.
If my organization receives funding, will we be required to sign a contract?
All organizations that receive funding will be required to sign a contract with Wake County. The contract will include language about data reporting and performance expectations.
If my organization receives funding, how long do we have to spend or encumber the funds?
ARPA must be spent or encumbered by December 31, 2024. Funds that are encumbered beyond December 31, 2024, must be spent by December 31, 2026.
How do we intend to define “equity” for our funding purposes?
Our framework for equity is consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order:
- Equity is the consistent and systematic, fair and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino and Indigenous and Native American persons; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
What is the Equity Fund, and how is it different from General ARPA Community Funding?
The Equity Fund ($4 million) is for projects that focus on systems change, aiming to make a positive difference in the lives of people who historically have been disproportionately marginalized, disenfranchised and underrepresented, and primarily serve HUD-designated Qualified Census Tracts or other census tracts that have similar economic demographics. A Qualified Census Tract is any census tract where at least 50% of households have an income less than 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). General ARPA Community Funding ($16 million) is for any non-profit proposal serving the citizens of Wake County.
Is it possible for my project to qualify for both the Equity Fund and General Community Funding?
If a project is eligible for the Equity Fund, it is also eligible for General Community Funding.
If my organization applied for Community Capital funds but didn’t receive funding or was awarded less than our full funding request, is my organization eligible for this funding opportunity?
Yes; however, ARPA funds may not be used as a match for Community Capital requests.
If my organization is awarded funding through this process, what will be our requirements?
Organizations will be required to provide performance reporting regarding the use of funds, project impact and populations served. Additionally, periodic financial reporting will be required to ensure compliance with the funding contract, including expenditure reporting and federal subrecipient monitoring.
What criteria will be used to evaluate my application?
Criteria that may be used to evaluate applications include, but are not limited to: project impact, area of the County to be served, population of the County to be served, alignment with multiple Board goals and/or guiding principles of ARPA, and matching or in-kind contributions available to support the project.