Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

CSBG funding can be used for anti-poverty work in any of the nine federal priority areas including, employment, education, income management, housing, emergency services, nutrition, linkages with other programs, self sufficiency, and health. Every three years, Denver Human Services conducts a Community Needs Assessment to determine top priorities for the next funding cycle.

The funding priorities for 2024-2026 are:

• Reducing barrier to employment
• Providing housing stabilization services
• Providing support services, including benefits navigation, technology access, digital navigation support, and linking families and individuals to supportive services

2023 Community Needs Assessment(PDF, 3MB)

Here are some of the key requirements for CSBG subgrantees:

• Client income verification is required. Some exceptions can be made for programs where collecting income verification documentation is impossible or impractical, such as some food access programs.
• CSBG funds serve individuals and families who have a household income that falls below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Subgrantees must serve residents of the City and County of Denver. Individuals and families are eligible regardless of immigration status.
• Subgrantees are required to set specific goals and outcomes, track and report progress, and maintain client files documenting eligibility determinations and services provided with CSBG funds.
• Subgrantees are required to track demographic data of the clients they serve.
• Subgrantees are required to develop and maintain a Language Access Plan in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

2024-26 CSBG Funding Cycle Timeline:

The application for CSBG subawards through Denver Human Services will take place through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process from November 8 to November 30, 2023. The RFP can be accessed by viewing our current bid opportunities in BidNet.