The Academy is open to non-profits, community organizations and faith based groups throughout the City of New Haven that serve Empowerment Zone communities:

• Dixwell
• Dwight
• Fair Haven
• Hill
• Newhallville
• West Rock
• West Haven

Applicants must provide direct services or be an umbrella organization for groups that serve in the following need areas:

• Housing and Homelessness
• Ex-Offender Re-entry
• Rehabilitation services to those effected by substance abuse and/or incarcerated individuals
• Elders in need
• Children and Youth
• Families transitioning from Welfare-to-Work

Eligibility Guidelines For Community Development Organizations

• Salaries and benefits of staff do not exceed $500,000.
• Has an active board of directors who have met at least four times in the past year.
• Applicants with for-profit arms do not receive more that 10% of their funding from such ventures and has a clear separation in administration.
• Total budget of a minimum of $100,000.
• Organization has been in existence for five (5) years or more.
• Applicants with for-profit arms do not receive more that 10% of their funding from such ventures and have a clear separation in administration.
• Has a street address where services are provided.

Eligibility Guidelines For Emerging Organizations

• Total budget of under $100,000.
• Organization has been in operation for at least one (1) year or more.

Has a street address where services are provided.