CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Nonprofits in Charlottesville are invited to apply for grant funding if they offer assistance in certain fields.

The Charlottesville Department of Human Services is opening grant applications for its Vibrant Communities Fund program.

According to a release, the Charlottesville City Council tasks this program with reviewing community agency funding requests to the city and providing recommendations to the council and the Charlottesville City Manager.

The application period for this program will open on Sept. 20, beginning with orientation and training for prospective applicants taking place on Sept. 13.

Applications will get special instructions, an overview of the competitive process, and any specific priority areas as identified by the city government.

This year’s priorities are education, youth and families; health and safety; and economic impact and jobs.

The release says the new and emerging category of the fund is for organizations that are five years old or younger and also meet one of the city’s priorities.

The Vibrant Community Fund will also facilitate applications for organizations that are focused on arts and culture.

City staff members will act as grant managers for this program, issuing applications, facilitating orientation and training, providing technical assistance to applicants, organizing associated meetings, and preparing the final report for the city.

The city council will make the final decision regarding which organizations receive funding.

Applicants who are focused on affordable housing and homelessness support will be considered under the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund process, not the Vibrant Community Fund.

Applicants need to be submitted through an online tool by Oct. 20.

For more information, click here.