Providence committee reviews CDBG proposals from local nonprofits and accepts exhibits

Providence City Council’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committee met April 28 to hear presentations from nonprofit applicants for the 2025–26 HUD entitlement grant cycle, review the timetable for final HUD allocations and ordinance drafting, and accept applicant exhibits into the record.

Committee members were told city staff expect final HUD allocation figures in mid‑May and plan to submit the city’s annual action plan to HUD by July 1. Staff said they will draft an ordinance based on the mayor’s proposed budget and aim to have a substitute ordinance ready for the committee’s next meeting so it can meet the council docket deadline of May 9.

The committee heard four substantive applicant presentations and program updates:

- Design by Rhode Island described two programs aimed at Providence‑based creative entrepreneurs: Design Catalyst, a multi‑month cohort program that pairs participants with mentors and provides seed grants, and Launch, a shorter program aimed at earlier‑stage creative businesses. The presenter said CDBG support has underpinned the seed‑grant component since 2015; the organization reported that since the program began it has channeled more than $1.5 million in direct grants to Providence creative businesses, grant awards typically range from $5,000 to $35,000, 99 businesses have completed the program to date, and about 84% of graduates remain in business. The presenter said Design by RI currently staffs three full‑time employees and that annual operating revenue is “around between $500,000 and $600,000.”

- The Rhode Island Black Business Association (Reba) described technical assistance, certification assistance, capital access and workforce programs targeted to Black and other underrepresented business owners. Reba staff told the committee that, through its CDBG pipeline since 2021, it has served more than 200 clients and that in 2024 it helped clients access roughly $321,000 in capital tied to its programs. Reba said it also provides legal, tax and financial management services and that a majority of its CDBG clients fall into extremely low‑income and low‑income categories.

- FirstWorks presented its arts‑education proposal, describing after‑school workshops, student matinees, long‑term artist residencies and a youth board. FirstWorks told the committee its education budget is more than $200,000 and that the organization’s operating budget is about $2 million; the organization said its education programs serve roughly 2,000 students and that arts integration supports attendance, social‑emotional learning and teacher professional development.

- Mathewson Street United Methodist Church described outreach operations it says are open five days per week and reported more than 40,000 meals served in 2024, more than 10,000 restroom visits and distribution of clothing and other essentials. The church requested $31,200 to pilot a one‑year food‑services director position to professionalize meal planning, broaden dietary options and coordinate volunteers and partners, and separately sought facility improvements to correct a roof‑drain/sewer connection and improve basement ventilation; the facility work was estimated roughly at $130,000.

Committee business and next steps

The committee voted to accept exhibits 7–10 from the organizations that presented; the motion was made and seconded on the record and approved with an affirmative voice vote and no recorded abstentions. Staff said they will circulate a draft ordinance to the committee chair and vice chair before the next meeting and proceed toward the May 9 docket deadline. Staff also reiterated the department’s plan to incorporate the adopted budget into the city’s consolidated plan and submit the annual action plan to HUD by July 1 to avoid programming delays.

The presentations highlighted a mix of workforce development, small‑business support, arts‑education and homeless‑services projects seeking CDBG support. Committee members and presenters discussed program sustainment, fundraising diversification and coordination with city economic‑development and education partners. The committee did not make final award decisions at this meeting; staff and applicants will return with ordinance language and supporting materials at subsequent hearings.