05/15/26 Round 16 Rental Application Info Session

This was an informational session held by the Metro Nashville Network on May 15, 2026, focused on the Round 16 Rental Application for the Barnes Fund, which provides funding for rental and limited equity housing cooperative projects in Davidson County. The session detailed the application requirements, including eligibility criteria, funding availability of $19 million with $11.44 million allocated for rental and housing co-op projects, and specific caps for small organizations. The presentation covered required documentation, project eligibility, scoring criteria, budget tables, and the submission process via Zoom Grants. Key procurement-related points included the need for nonprofits to submit purchasing policies, detailed budget narratives, funding source documentation, and adherence to grant policies such as developer fee caps and construction minimums. The session also introduced a new cure notice process for addressing application deficiencies. The timeline for application submission was June 19, 2026, with contract awards expected after July 28, 2026, pending Metro Council approval. The meeting concluded with a demonstration of the Zoom Grants application platform and a Q&A on technical and procedural matters.