(Concord, NH) The NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) has approved a Community Development Block Grant award of $500,000 to the City of Concord to help fund the expansion of the Boys and Girls Club. The grant is part of a $3.7 million plan to expand the Bradley Street club house and increase the number of children the organization can serve from 180 to 220.

“Expanding the Concord Boys and Girls Club will help the nonprofit organization continue its long history of helping the city’s low- and moderate-income and at-risk youths by providing much-needed, affordable after-school programs,” said Kevin Flynn, CDFA Communication Director. “This is a project everyone can stand behind.”

“This grant from CDFA and City of Concord will help us get that much closer to completing our goal and serving even more children,” said Chris Emond, Executive Director of the Concord Boys and Girls Club. “But much fundraising remains in order for us to be successful. Now that CDFA has recognized the importance of our mission, we hope more members of the public will recognize that too.”

The Concord Boys and Girls Club is in the middle of a capital campaign to fund the Bradley Street club house expansion. Other sources of funding include traditional bank financing, the CDFA Investment Tax Credit program, and private donations.

“Just this July, the CDFA Board of Directors approved a $700,000 tax credit award for the Concord Boys and Girls Club. We urge area residents and business to further support the organization so it can complete its mission.”

The $500,000 award was made to the City of Concord, then subgranted to the nonprofit. This award was one of several made in a recent $3 million competitive Housing and Public Facilities round for CDBG funding in NH. Grants were awarded on a competitive basis, with each project being scored on criteria such as project need, number of low-to-moderate beneficiaries affected, and readiness for implementation. The grants await final confirmation from the Executive Council.

The CDBG program funds provide housing and create jobs primarily for low- and moderate-income people. Funds are provided to the state of New Hampshire by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and administered by CDFA. Each project is evaluated on several criteria, including impact on low- and moderate-income residents and the acquisition of matching funding.

About CDFA:
CDFA supports the development of vibrant and resilient communities by providing resources for community development efforts. CDFA, created by the Legislature in 1983, is a nonprofit public instrumentality of the State of New Hampshire. CDFA administers nearly $57 million in funding resources, which includes a combination of state tax credits and federal Community Development Block Grant, Neighborhood Stabilization, and Energy Reduction Funds. For more information about CDFA and its programs visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170.

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