The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is best known for backing big projects in Atlantic City. Its newest program is aimed at the city’s neighborhoods.
On Wednesday, CRDA announced RISE Atlantic City (Resources for Investment, Support & Empowerment), a $3 million grant program that will put money directly in the hands of the city’s nonprofits and community groups.
Mo Butler, the CRDA’s Board Chair, said that’s the point.
“RISE Atlantic City reflects the board’s vision for what Atlantic City can become: a city where investment in our neighborhoods is treated as seriously as any development project,” he said. “We’re going to keep building on this.”
The grants will be split among four categories:
• Tourism, arts and culture ($1 million): Think festivals, cultural events, public art and historic preservation;
• Workforce development ($700,000): This is job training, credentialing, career coaching, adult education and reentry programs;
• Youth, teen and young adult development ($600,000): Think after-school and summer enrichment, mentoring, tutoring, recreation and civic engagement;
• Community resilience ($700,000): This is documented needs such as food security, homelessness services and mental health support.
CRDA Executive Director Eric Scheffler said the categories came from months of meetings with small business owners, nonprofit leaders and residents.
“Every grant category was shaped by that feedback, and we built in the accountability measures so these dollars deliver results residents can see,” he said.
Those safeguards are significant:
• Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis. Grantees spend first, then submit documentation to be repaid;
• Requests of $30,000 to $99,999 require a 25% funding match;
• Requests of $100,000 or more require a 50% funding match;
• Every award requires CRDA board approval.
Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until each category’s money runs out, so applying early matters. Applications open Nov. 24. The CRDA also will hold a virtual information session on requirements.
CRDA Deputy Director Maisha Moore said the program is about results residents can see.
“The afterschool program that gives a parent peace of mind, the job training that leads to a first paycheck,” she said.
Butler called it “a first step, not a finish line.”
Earlier this year, CRDA approved nearly $1.8 million in community grants.
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