[
Department Homepage ]
Neighborhood Development Project Fund
Mayor Ryan is commited to civic engagement, and the Neighborhood Development Project Fund was created in 2008 to provide engaged residents with the resources needed to improve, beautify and strengthen our neighborhoods.
Funded by the Community Development Block Grant, the NDPF initially offered small grants (up to $3,000) for neighborhood assemblies, resident-led groups and human service agencies to undertake projects in CDBG-eligible areas that comply with the federal grant regulations and advance administrative goals. Prior awards have supported murals, youth work and volunteer programs, community gardens, and streetscaping.
History
The City allocated $70,000 to the NDPF's first year, 2007/2008, and $80,000 for 2008/2009, which supported resident-led projects as well as select services provided by human service agencies. Drawing from the first NDPF allocation, Mayor Ryan announced 15 grants in 2008 and seven more in January 2009. Drawing from the second allocation, the Mayor announced 10 grants in April 2009, and six in October 2009.
Click the links to see the list of award recipients.
2010 Fund Guidelines & Neighborhood IDEA! Form
This year, the City modified the NDPF based on feedback from residents. The fund will be limited to resident-led projects to better integrate the activities with pending and ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives. Additionally, the application process has been streamlined. The new Neighborhood IDEA! form (NDPF application) is only one page, and can be submitted at any time. Applicants will receive a final decision within 30 days from date of submission.
Successful applicants will still be expected to lead, coordinate and implement the project, and the City will provide technical assistance in ensuring the beautification project is a success. Applications that show evidence of strong support from residents, neighborhood groups and elected officials are more likely to be funded.
Projects will be judged by the following criteria:
- Located in a CDBG-eligible area (see green shaded areas on map)
- Compliant with HUD regulations specific to the Community Development Block Grant program (most beautification projects, such as murals, park improvements, streetscaping, community gardens, and block clean-ups, are eligible activities)
- Consistent with administrative goals of community development (see MISSION and VISION statements)
- Consistent with pending and ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives
Interested residents should review award winners from prior years and the application, and then contact Jennifer Taylor, Grants Administrator, with any questions or concerns.
