Capital Impact Partners is providing grants to support alumni of the Detroit Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) for professional services, related to their real estate development projects and businesses.   

EDI seeks to reduce wealth disparities for communities of color; contribute to neighborhood stabilization and revitalization; and increase knowledge and network-building for local real estate developers of color. This critical early-stage grant product is designed to reduce the risk for EDI alumni working to assess whether to move forward with a project, eventually resulting in properties that build wealth for their owners, and the addition of high-quality housing and mixed-use space in Detroit neighborhoods. Capital Impact Partner will award funding to businesses and nonprofit organizations led by Detroit EDI alumni for real estate development-related professional services for projects in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.   

In Round 5, we plan to disburse up to $200,000 to a maximum of six mixed-use projects or grantees. To be considered, projects should meet the Predevelopment Grant ($20,001 - $125,000) Application Requirements. 

The eligible expenses and reimbursements uploaded in the application will determine individual award amounts.

 Feasibility Grant applications ($10,000 - $20,000) will not be considered in Round 5. 

Capital Impact Partners is providing project grants to support Housing Equity Accelerator Fellows in advancing affordable housing projects, including workforce housing in the region. The program intends to accelerate the capacity of growing BIPOC developers committed to building affordable housing options across the greater Washington DC metropolitan area.

Affordability definitions:

a. Affordable is up to 80% AMI

b. Workforce is up to 120% AMI

The geography of focus consists of the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and the Northern Virginia region. 

We plan to disburse up to $300,000 per entity. Awards will be determined by the size of the request, project eligibility, and application strength.
 

Key Information

Applications close - Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Submission & Selection period - Applications will be received by the 3rd Wednesday of each month and selections will be ongoing monthly through the application closing date. Four (4) applications will be accepted per month. Submissions will be prioritized according to the date and time received. Requests received after the cutoff period will be deferred to the following month unless otherwise noted.
 

Reporting period - a reporting schedule will be provided upon execution of the grant agreement. Grant reports will be required at least quarterly and are expected to be submitted on time. 

Mandatory reporting check-in - Date and time TBD

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants are businesses and nonprofit organizations led by Housing Equity Accelerator Fellows or partnerships including at least one HEAF Fellow.

The individual completing the application must be a HEAF Fellow in the 2024 cohort.

Project Eligibility

Eligible projects are mixed-use, multifamily, rental, and for sale. Projects should consist of 8 to 10 (preferably) units at minimum to be considered.

Bundled single-family home projects will be considered so long that they are in proximity to one another and the cumulative unit count is at or above 8 units, preferably 10.                          

Beyond 10 ≥  or more housing units,  there is no required minimum or maximum project type, size, or commercial square footage to be considered for funding.

Eligible Grant Uses 

Applicants may apply for funding as a reimbursement of expenses or to fund new or future anticipated expenses, so long as the use of funds is allowable and logical. Eligible costs may be reimbursed so long as they were made on or after December 6, 2023. 

Grant funds may be used for the following:

• Architectural & engineering expenses
• Interest reserves 
• Earnest money 
• Legal fees, title, and recording 
• Permitting fees
• Survey & site planning and/or control fees
• Market/feasibility studies
• Appraisal
• Environmental reports, property conditions assessment
• Consultant fees for managing financing, project development, local & state approvals, etc. Consultants must be outside entities (not the developer)
• Other fees and costs may be permitted on a case by case basis upon review by Capital Impact. Please contact Melissa Stallings in these instances. Please note that potentially adding a new allowable use can take up to 30 - 45 days or so.

Contact Information

Please contact Melissa Stallings (mstallings@capitalimpact.org), with questions about the application process.
 

Support@submittable.com can help with application software issues.