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Criteria for Selection & Requirements -- 2013
This page includes general criteria and requirements for the Neighborhood Small Grants Program.
Some district coalitions have additional requirements. Be sure to read fully and carefully the application form for the district in which you plan to apply.
Goal of the Neighborhood Small Grants Program
Our goal is to provide neighborhood and community organizations the opportunity to build community, attract new and diverse members and sustain those already involved.
Who Can Apply?:
Neighborhood and community organizations are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to proposals submitted on behalf or in direct partnership with one or more of the following:
- Neighborhood Association.
- Organizations predominantly led by people from historically under-engaged communities including communities of color, immigrants and refugees, low-income individuals and families, schools and youth, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered people.
- Business Association or business organizations.
Project Criteria
Grant proposals should clearly describe how the project will help neighborhood and community organizations build livable, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods and communities for all by meeting one or more of the following goals:
- build community
- attract new and diverse members
- sustain those already involved.
Eligibility Requirements
Project proposals must meet the following requirements:
1. Projects must take place in and benefit the residents of the coalition area within which they are applying. (See map).
2. In the case of partnerships between organizations, applicants must show proof of partnership as defined by the district coliation in which you are applying (e.g. formal letter of support from the partner organization, etc.)
3. An applicant must have 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status from the IRS, be a government entity or have fiscal sponsorship from one of the above to apply.
4. Past Neighborhood Small Grant Program grant recipients, to be eligible for a grant in 2013, must have completed their project and submitted their final report and photo, or a mid-term report in the case of not yet completed projects from the 2012 grant cycle.
Reporting Requirements:
- Final Report: After the completion of the project, each grantee must complete a two-page end-of-project evaluation and expense report and submit it to the coalition office that awarded the grant. This final report must be turned in by January 31, 2014. If you complete your project earlier, we encourage you to complete and turn in your final report within 30 days of the completion of your project.
- Photograph(s): Provide at least one photograph (preferably in electronic format) of your project activities along with your completed final report.
Funds cannot be used for:
- Costs that may be incurred in preparing this application.
- Direct social services such as food baskets, health clinic services
- Ongoing general organizational support such as rent, utilities
- Direct grants, scholarships or loans for the benefit of specific individuals
- Loans or debt retirement
- Annual appeals, general fund drives
- Emergency funding
- Capital projects
Important Notes
- Applicants may be contacted during review process for additional information and/or potential partnership opportunities.
Typical types of community-building projects
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Communications: designing new websites, email lists and forums, newsletter mailing to all households, etc.
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Outreach mobilizations: door-to-door canvassing, A-frame signs, to build membership and outreach to neighbors and businesses.
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Targeted outreach strategies to build ties with people traditionally not involved including low-income families, people of color, young adults, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
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Projects that build relationships between neighborhoods and local organizations such as schools, PTA’s, churches, non-profits, and businesses.
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Providing language translation and interpretation, childcare, or other efforts to make neighborhood activities more accessible.
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Community-building activities: street tree plantings, neighborhood clean-ups, etc.
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Crime prevention activities: National Night Out, foot patrols, and block watches, etc.
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Community design/build place-making projects such as planning for playgrounds, intersection repairs, and community gardens.
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Neighborhood or culturally specific fairs and/or festivals.
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Special one-time events and projects such as publishing community story books, block parties, neighborhood forums.
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