About This Solicitation

The Houston Land Bank (HLB) is the only land bank in the State of Texas, operating under Chapter 379H of the Texas Local Government Code. HLB converts vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties into productive use and generates new property tax value for the communities it serves.

HLB seeks a qualified consultant (the "Consultant") to design, structure, and stand up a catalytic community investment fund (the "Fund"). The Fund will position HLB as a financing partner and ecosystem activator for development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. It will attract and deploy capital that incentivizes catalytic, tax base-building development, expands below-market financing options for local and small builders, and strengthens the pipeline of development-ready sites and development partners across the Houston region.

Public sector partners, including tax increment reinvestment zones and other local entities, have expressed intent to align programmatic dollars with the Fund’s purposes and to serve as anchor participants. The Fund is intended to leverage these public commitments to attract philanthropic, institutional, and private capital.

Engagement Objectives

• Establish a master fund strategy with defined program lanes that can flex by project type and partner — including builder financing, due diligence and technical assistance resources for HLB, infrastructure support, mixed-use and commercial catalytic investment, and future expansion lanes.

• Structure the Fund as an independent entity with professional third-party fund management, with HLB and anchor partners serving in governance and advisory roles rather than operating roles.

• Design an investment model that produces measurable financial return to HLB and its partners alongside community impact, with clear metrics and reporting.

• Secure anchor capital commitments and build a credible capital raise pipeline across philanthropy, financial institutions, CRA-motivated lenders, CDFIs, family offices, and accredited impact investors.

• Deliver a fund that is operational by early 2027 and positioned for public announcement with committed capital in place.

Scope of Services

The engagement is organized in two funded phases plus an optional extension. Phase 1 is funded at execution. Phase 2 is contingent upon funding identified and committed during Phase 1.

Phase 1 — Assessment and Fund Framework (60 days)

• Organizational and market assessment. Evaluate HLB’s capacity, statutory authorities, existing capital relationships, and partner alignment. Assess market conditions and comparable fund models in peer markets.

• Fund Framework Document. Deliver a complete framework covering fund size and capitalization target for Fund I with a portfolio approach for successor funds, capital sources, geographic focus, investment instruments (including recoverable grants, debt, and equity), investor return structure and fee model, program lanes, impact metrics, and reporting requirements.

• Governance and legal structure recommendation. Recommend the entity structure for the Fund, including formation of an independent limited liability entity, third-party fund manager arrangement, advisory board composition for public partners, and the role of HLB’s 501(c)(3) affiliate as a philanthropic conduit. Coordinate with HLB legal counsel.

• Phase 2 funding identification. Identify and secure funding commitments sufficient to execute Phase 2, including anchor partner professional services commitments and other available sources.

• Implementation roadmap. Provide a sequenced timeline from framework approval through fund formation, capital raise, and public launch, with defined benchmarks for HLB board and partner reporting.

Phase 2 — Fund Formation and Launch (contingent upon funding)

• Entity formation and fund documents. Complete legal formation of the Fund entity and supporting structure in coordination with legal counsel. Prepare fund governance documents, management agreements, and partner participation agreements.

• Fund administration design. Establish fund management, accounting, compliance, and reporting systems, including public partner reporting requirements.

• Capital raise execution. Develop investor materials and lead engagement with philanthropic, institutional, banking, CDFI, and family office prospects. Convert anchor partner programmatic alignments into documented commitments.

• Pilot deal pipeline. Identify, vet, and package one to two catalytic pilot projects with development partners, including convening significant developers with capital partners.

• Launch preparation. Prepare the public announcement package, including committed capital summary, program descriptions, and board and stakeholder briefing materials.

Optional Extension — Fund Management and Operations

Upon successful completion of Phase 2, HLB may extend the engagement, or enter a successor agreement, for ongoing fund management and administration services for an initial term of no less than two years. Terms will be negotiated based on the approved fund structure.

Deliverables and Schedule

Contract execution

Executed professional services agreement - November 2026

Phase 1:   Fund Framework Document and Phase 2 funding plan - Within 60 days of execution

Phase 2: Fund entity formed, fund documents executed, operations ready - Q1 2027

Public launch readiness: Announcement package with committed capital in excess of   fifty percent of the initial fund goal - March 2027

Compensation and Contingency

• Phase 1: Fixed fee, not to exceed $10,000, funded from committed philanthropic funds of HLB and anticipated anchor partner contribution.

• Phase 2: Not-to-exceed amount to be established upon confirmation of Phase 2 funding, anticipated through a professional services agreement between HLB and an anchor public partner. A preliminary planning estimate of $100,000 applies, inclusive of an allowance for HLB administrative costs.

• Contingency: HLB’s obligation to proceed to Phase 2 and any extension is expressly contingent upon the identification, commitment, and receipt of funding. HLB incurs no obligation for Phase 2 services unless and until such funding is in place and authorized.

Important Submission Rules

• Proposals must be submitted electronically through this Submittable form by Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT. The Submittable timestamp determines time of receipt. Late submissions will not be considered.

• A $100 non-refundable application fee is required for consideration. Pay via the PayPal link provided in the RFP and in Section 1 of this form, then upload your payment confirmation and enter the transaction ID.

Click here to pay Application Fee 

• All communications regarding this solicitation must be directed to procurements@houstonlandbank.org. Written questions are due Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT.

• Submit response materials in the order listed in Section 8 of the RFP. A single combined PDF of the complete proposal is required in addition to the individual form fields.

• Submission of a proposal creates no obligation on HLB. All phases beyond Phase 1 are contingent upon identified and committed funding.

The Houston Land Bank is launching the Third Ward Early Capacity Building Grant Fund to support organizations working to strengthen and uplift the Third Ward community.

This funding opportunity is designed to invest in organizational capacity, sustainability, operational growth, and long-term community impact for nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and mission-driven entities serving Third Ward residents.

Funding will support initiatives that improve organizational infrastructure, leadership development, operational systems, community programming, strategic planning, and other capacity-building activities that contribute to long-term neighborhood stability and community advancement.

Funding Tiers

Tier 1: Community Micro Fund for early-stage and grassroots organizations beginning to grow their impact in Third Ward.  Up to $15,000  ✔ 2+ years of establishment

 Tier 2: Growth Fund for established nonprofits and businesses with a proven track record of impact in Third Ward.  Up to $75,000  ✔ 5+ years of establishment

Application Requirements

📋 Completed grant application

🏢 Organization or business description

• Mission, services, and organizational overview

📝 Project proposal

• Description of the proposed project, project goals, activities, and expected outcomes

💰 Completed budget template

• Detailed budget using the Houston Land Bank template. Budget narrative/justification must explain how grant funds will be used

📍 Proof of Third Ward connection

• Demonstrate service to Third Ward residents and/or operations within the Third Ward community 

📄 Business/Organization Documentation 

• Business registration, Articles of Incorporation, DBA, IRS letter, fiscal sponsor agreement, or nonprofit registration 

🧾 Most Recent Financial Statement (Tier 2 Only)

• 1-Year Bank Statements, P&L, Tax Returns, Audited Financial, IRS Form 990, and/or Balance Sheet

📝  3 Letters of Support from Community Leaders (Tier 2 Only)

📝  Organizational Structure (Tier 2 Only)

📄 IRS Form W-9

✔ Applicant Certifications

Business Registration Information:

We accept all types of organizational designations, including DBAs (Doing Business As). There is no requirement to have a fiscal agent in order to submit an application or documentation.

For organizations that do have a fiscal sponsor arrangement, we recognize that model and can accommodate it. However, to ensure accountability and transparency, we do require the following documentation:

1. Formal Agreement & Demonstrated Work: A written agreement outlining the nature of the partnership must be provided, along with a demonstration of the work performed. The agreement must reflect a relationship that meets either a 2-year or 5-year timeline requirement, as applicable. Organizations that do not meet this timeline would be ineligible.

 2. Signed Agreement Between Entities: A signed agreement between the two organizations is required, clearly confirming each party's roles and responsibilities and the separation of their respective programs. OR Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement: For community groups operating under a fiscal sponsor, a copy of the fiscal sponsorship agreement must be provided.

Eligible Uses of Funds

Funding may support:

• Organizational development
• Strategic planning
• Staffing and operational support
• Technology and infrastructure improvements
• Community engagement initiatives
• Financial management systems
• Program development
• Capacity-building activities

Important Dates

• Application Opens: September 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
• Award Notifications: December 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all eligibility requirements and prepare required documentation prior to submission.