Now in its fifth year, the city’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program continues to help residents reinvest in their own neighborhoods. This matching program allows residents to identify priorities for their neighborhood and to undertake the enhancement project together.
Grant awards could range from $500 to $10,000, depending on the scope of the project, the number of grant proposals received, and the funding available. Neighborhoods must provide a 25 percent match to the cost of the project, which could be met through the value of donated services, materials, and labor in addition to cash.
To be eligible for a grant, the neighborhood must be organized as a neighborhood or homeowners’ association and be registered with the city. The association is not required to be incorporated or have tax exempt status, but must have an elected board and adopted by-laws. The project must be something that benefits the entire neighborhood and must be located in the city’s right-of-way. Some examples of eligible projects are landscaping, planting street trees, or installing signage for a neighborhood watch or subdivision.
Grant awards are competitive and selected by the city’s Preservation and Development Commission, who consider feasibility, need, and potential impact to the neighborhood and community when selecting grantees.
If a neighborhood would like to participate, but is not yet organized, city staff is available to help coordinate an organizational meeting.
For more information about the grant or an application form, call Jonna Wensel at 816.439.4537. The deadline for submitting a grant application is March 13, 2015. Grant awards will be announced in April.