Human Services Funding Administration

Funding Opportunity for the City of Lansing Human Services Grants!
The application period for 2020-2021 has closed.
Thank you to all applicants.
Download the application and additional information from the links below.
Additional information and Q&A (PDF) - updated 2/18/2020

Organizations that did not attend the Community Forum, but are interested in applying for Human Service funding must contact Kim Gillespie at kimberly.gillespie@lansingmi.gov to obtain an application number. 
Human services funds designated by the City of Lansing are administered by the Human Relations and Community Services Department. The department enters into and monitors contractual agreements with community-based non-profit charitable organizations for the provision of human services. Funding through the Human Relations and Community Services Department, pursuant to City Ordinance, seeks to address community needs identified by the City and/or other local, state, federal or public sector sources.

Funding Formula


The City of Lansing designates, at a minimum, 1.25% of general fund revenue annually to support Lansing area human services organizations. These funds are used to provide a locally funded revenue base that supports basic human services, and meets local match requirements for grant funds generated from federal, state, foundation and other similar sources. In addition, these funds provide locally generated revenue which assists local human services providers to leverage additional funds in support of service delivery efforts. The percentage of general fund revenue designated for support of human services is exclusive of any direct funding of Community Supported Agencies by the Lansing City Council and any funding allocated for the purpose of supporting Cultural Arts Programs.

Human Services Funding Criteria


Human services agencies and programs must meet the following criteria to receive funding from the City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services Department.

They must provide Human Services, such as: basic needs, life skills, employability development, and health/mental health services as outlined below.

They must meet community needs. Identification of community needs and successful implementation of appropriate services to address identified needs.

The services must demonstrate operational capacity. The Federal Internal Revenue Service must recognize the organization as a non-profit entity. Financial and human resources capacity are necessary to implement the proposed program or service and a strategic plan to sustain programming after HRCS funding expires.

They must demonstrate Lansing resident focus. They must be program services that are primarily designed to address the needs of City of Lansing residents.

The services must have performance and contract compliance history which has demonstrated timeliness and accuracy in reporting, expenditure of funds consistent with funding contract budget, successful completion of contract objectives and evidence of the extent to which projected outcomes are achieved.

Program & Funding Categories


Basic Need


  • Homeless Shelters
  • Child Care
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Housing Assistance
  • Transportation
  • Senior Citizen Basic Assistance
  • Legal Assistance for Indigents

Life Skills

  • Mentoring
  • Academic Enhancement
  • Social Competency
  • Literacy
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Parenting Classes
  • Structured Recreation
  • Self Sufficiency for Disabled Citizens

Employability Development


  • Job Readiness/Placement/Retention
  • Job Seeking Skills
  • Vocational Training
  • Job Site Development

Health/Mental Health


  • Health Awareness Promotion
  • Counseling
  • Substance Abuse
  • Health Care Access
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Dental Care
  • Prescription Medications
  • Safety Promotion
  • Respite Care

Community Supported Agencies


Organizations directly funded by City Council through the Human Relations and Community Services Department to help improve social and community conditions.

Cultural Art Programs


Fine Arts and Cultural Appreciation activities supported through a direct City Council allocation that is administered by the Human Relations and Community Services Department.

Note: Community Supported Agencies and Cultural Arts Programs are supported by City Council with funds separate from human services designated revenue.