Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn in partnership with Senator Kevin Parker, NYC Council Members Farah N. Louis, and Rita C. Joseph, on Thursday, Jan. 12, hosted a Grants Guidance information session to help non-profits navigate the application process.
The packed audience in the second-level Flatbush YMCA auditorium, listened to Bischotte Hemerlyn opening statement via a video presentation that outlined the process of obtaining billions of dollars in government grants to help alleviate the effects of poverty and provide opportunities for New Yorkers to reach their full potential.
Senator Parker and Councilmember Louis welcomed and thanked residents for attending the informational session that provided a wealth of information to bring visibility, and to enhance community organizations. The elected officials reminded constituents of the great opportunities that are available through various city agency and encouraged attendees to adhere to the February 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m., deadline.
Participating agencies included NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, (DNYC), NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Public Schools, the Mayor’s Office, and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
The event, moderated by Jarryd Bavch, director of legislation, office of Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn, offered a wealth of information shared by members of the head table who reminded non-profit organizers of the millions of dollars in government grants that are available to enhance communities across New York.
Andrew Miller, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, (DYCD) Moikgantsi “Konsi” Kgama, program director, Culture, Department of Cultural Affairs, Andrea Black, chief administration, DCP, Angela Edwards, chief Administrator DCP, and Haris Khan, NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), made presentations, and answered questions.
Billions of dollars in Federal grants are awarded each year for programs and projects that benefit the public. This assistance is rooted in the Constitution and its call to “promote the general Welfare.
Joe Kovac, director, Discretionary, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Gibbs, and others participated in the forum.
Yexenia Markland, chief charge officer, NYC Mayor’s Office, called on audience members to familiarize themselves with PASSport the city’s digital procurement system. A monthly in-person workshop series is also designed to help vendors and prospective vendors confidently navigate the path to contracting with the City of New York.
“This provides information on how to navigate training for none-profits and Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), and shares all forms of information for procurement opportunities,” said Markland.
Organizations were urged to follow guidelines for eligibility to apply for the grant, that include, Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, Alumni Grants, among many others.
Council member Rita C. Joseph thanked her colleagues for hosting the seminar, and including her, and noted that there will be follow-up with webinars, and zoom meetings to further information the public, adding that it was exciting to see the large turnout. She further encouraged constituents to disseminate what they had learned.
According to the www.Grants.gov website, the Federal Grant, and Cooperative Agreement Act, passed in 1977, set out to guide government agencies in their use of Federal funds – particularly by defining the roles of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.
“Contracts, the law states, should be awarded when a federal agency is acquiring something – an improved computer network, for example. Grants and cooperative agreements, meanwhile, should be awarded when a federal agency is aiding, such as funding for a lower-income housing program in an at-risk urban community.”
Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) member, Jean Joseph, CEO, Joseph Tax and Consulting Services, and President, Palatial Publishing LLC President Kamla Millwood attended the session.
Log on to www.grants.gov and http://www.nyc.gov/mocs to learn more.
