Neighborhood Investment Program
IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding Upcoming FY 2025 NIP Grant Cycle:
- The FY25 NIP application will be available online beginning May 20, 2024.
- Applications are due by 5 pm on June 30, 2024.
- No in-person workshops will be held for this grant year.
- The FY25 NIP Workshop Presentation will be available here by May 15, 2024 and will be required reading before completing the quiz.
- In lieu of workshops, a mandatory quiz related to the workshop material will be available online beginning May 17, 2024 and must be submitted with your application.
- This is a good time to make sure your organization’s documents are all up to date with the Secretary of State.
- For questions or technical assistance with your application, contact Cathy at [email protected]
NIP Background
The Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) is a tax credit program of $3 million each year, which allows 501(c)3 designated charitable organizations to apply for tax credit vouchers, which began in 1996 with $2 million. When awarded, the organization can distribute the vouchers to business and individuals who contribute a minimum of $500 to organizations, receiving up to 50% in tax credit, allowing the donor or corporation to reduce their West Virginia tax liability no more than 50%. The organizations pay a 3% fee on the donation, which offsets the administrative costs of NIP. During this time, approximately 63,387 donations from individuals and businesses have been received.
Benefits of NIP
There are 15,883 non-profits in West Virginia and we assist 200 of them each year with NIP credits, which has leveraged over $129 million in donations since inception.
Funding for NIP
Amount: $3 million annually
Source of Funds: State of West Virginia
Funding Cycle: July 1 to June 30
Authorizing Legislation/Statute: 11-13J – Senate Bill 293
Eligible Applicants for NIP
Non-profit organizations apply annually to the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO). The applicant must be registered with the Secretary of State as a 501(c)3, have a letter from the IRS stating they are non-profit, serve citizens in the state of West Virginia, have a local board, submit various financial documentation and attend a mandatory workshop to apply by June 30th each year.
Projects generally eligible for program participation include but are not limited to the following:
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Eligible Applications
Tax credit vouchers are awarded to organizations that are designated as 501(c)3 by the IRS and registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State's office as charitable organizations. Preference will be given to organizations that:
- Offer emergency assistance
- Are community based
- Are direct needs
- Serve highly distressed neighborhoods or communities
- Serve primarily low-income individuals
- Collaborate with other organizations
- Are novel, creative or unique in approach
- Have a history of maintaining low administrative costs
- Demonstrate the ability to deliver the proposed services
- Demonstrate a strong need for the proposed services