Lowell Non Profit Subcommittee - June 30, 2026

The Lowell Non Profit Subcommittee met on June 30, 2026, to discuss issues related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and opioid abatement spending. The meeting focused heavily on the challenges and confusion surrounding the FY27 CDBG grant application process, where federal guidelines and internal city decisions led to funds being retained internally rather than distributed to nonprofits through a competitive RFP process. Subcommittee members expressed frustration over the lack of clear communication and collaboration between the city and nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the need for transparency and support in future funding cycles. It was noted that the city plans to continue the conservative approach to CDBG funds in FY28, with no anticipated changes to the distribution process. The discussion also covered the opioid abatement funds, highlighting the slow spending pace of the $1.4 million received since 2023 and the need for better community engagement and nonprofit involvement in allocating these resources. The subcommittee agreed on the importance of ongoing dialogue, potential technical assistance for grant applications, and scheduling regular meetings to improve collaboration between the city and nonprofits.