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BFZ Funding Type FAQs

Community Solutions provides three types of investments to communities in the BFZ Network. Each type of funding is intended to provide resources for communities to develop specific capacities and achieve specific types of goals. Communities frequently pair the funding types — both through Community Solutions grants and other funding sources — for maximum impact and sustainability.

See the FAQs regarding each funding type below:

• Capacity Building Investments
• Catalytic Investments
• Flexible Funds

Application Timeline and How-to

Community Solutions investment opportunities are for communities in the BFZ Network. Communities are invited to submit investment ideas on a quarterly basis. Applicants should expect the process to take about three months from start to finish:

• The process begins with a Concept Note — this is similar to a “letter of intent to apply.” A Concept Note is a brief description of the funding idea, budget, and goals of the potential funding. Here are the links to submit concept notes:
  • Capacity Building
  • Catalytic Investments
  • Flexible Funding
• Once submitted, Concept Notes are reviewed and communities receive feedback on the idea from the BFZ team. Once concept notes are reviewed, communities are invited to submit a Case for Investment (CFI) — this is the full funding application. 
• CFIs are reviewed over the course of a few weeks, and applicants may receive requests for clarification or additional information. 
• Awards are announced via emailed award letter. Letters must be signed and returned by the community partner/fiscal agent to begin the grant. 

2025 Quarterly Case for Investment (CFI) Calendar 

(dates subject to change – posted dates will be updated accordingly)

Grant Reporting

All Grantees

All grantees are required to submit biannual written reports each October and April for the duration of their grant period through this common form. Communities with multiple active grants must submit separate reports. We will reach out to your grant points of contact leading up to the reporting deadline as a reminder of what grants require reporting. Some reasons why your community may be exempted from a biannual reporting period include:

• The grant award or new hire date is close to the upcoming reporting deadline
• A midpoint conversation was recently completed or is scheduled to be completed around the time of the reporting deadline

Capacity Building Grantees

In addition to biannual reporting, capacity-building grantees are required to complete two additional reporting components:.

• New Hire Survey (10 minutes): Because recruitment and hiring timelines vary by community, we ask communities to let us know when they’ve hired their staff person funded by the capacity grant. The new hire date sets reporting exemptions for the biannual report and timing for the midpoint conversation, as well as helps us reach out to your staff person for training and peer connection opportunities
• Midpoint Conversation (90 minutes): Roughly 12 months after your new hire start date (not the award date), we will have a 90-minute conversation about the tests of change made possible by the capacity-building funding. Completing a midpoint conversation is required for approved disbursement of year 2 funding. BFZ will coordinate scheduling the midpoint conversation though your team is free to schedule a time through this link.

Flex Funding/Catalytic Grantees

For grants totaling over $100k, communities are required to have a midpoint conversation in addition to biannual reporting.

• Midpoint Conversation: Roughly 12 months after the award date, we will have a conversation to talk through the impact of the Flex/Catalytic investment and what your community has learned. Completing the midpoint conversation is required for approved disbursement of year 2 funding.

Requesting support from Community Solutions

For Capacity Building Investments: 

• Lenny Pierce, lpierce@community.solutions

For Catalytic Investments or Flexible Funding

Megan Klenke-Isgriggs, mklenke@community.solutions

Capacity Building

Flexible Funding

Catalytic Investments

Support for Other Funding Opportunities

Upcoming Funding Opportunities/RFPs

As housing partners and/or field adjacent funders post opportunities that might be of interest to BFZ communities, look for application information here.

We are unable to support individual communities’ grant writing/seeking. All grants will not be applicable to all communities. See the list below of upcoming applications.

• National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH): Workforce Innovations Grant
  • Due: Friday, March 28, 2025
  • Grant Purpose: The Alliance is requesting proposals for a funding opportunity that will award a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to continue an existing project or start a new one. Eligible activities include any small scale innovations that support the recruitment, promotion/advancement, and retention of high-quality homeless services staff.

• Robert Woods Johnson Foundation: Data for Equitable Communities RFP
  • Due: March 18, informational webinar on February 18
  • Grant purpose: Support nonprofits to collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. Must be a 501 c3/501c4. Thirty (30), $50,000 grants will be awarded. 9-month grants, start date July 2025