2011 Denver Neighborhood Small Grants Program
Application Instructions
The City and County of Denver’s Division of Business & Housing Services of the Office of Economic Development has contracted for funds to be awarded for projects that improve the overall quality of life in targeted Denver neighborhoods. Drawing on the advice of residents and community leaders, City staff has the task of facilitating the development of community improvement projects. Accordingly, Denver’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program (NSGP) has been established with goals to: promote leadership development; increase resident participation, and encourage community capacity building.
The NSGP strives to increase the sense of community within targeted neighborhoods by awarding grant funds of $1,000 or less for resident-initiated projects that address neighborhood-related issues. Denver’s Division of Business & Housing Services is partnering with Neighborhood Resource Center of Colorado (NRC) to administer and manage this program. NRC’s mission is to build stronger healthier communities through partnerships.
Who can apply for a Neighborhoods Grant?
Groups of residents or organizations from the following Denver neighborhoods can apply for the NSGP:
Sunnyside, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Clayton, Skyland, Curtis Park, East Colfax, North Capital Hill, Chafee Park, Whittier, Northeast Park Hill, Cole, Five Points, Jefferson Park, Sun Valley, Valverde, Baker, Westwood, Villa Park, Athmar Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Highland, Montclair, Montbello, and La Alma/Lincoln Park. Residents or groups are not required to have 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status to apply.
Preference is given to start up projects. It is recommended that projects include a match - such as volunteer hours and/or in-kind donations. To receive funding, at least 3 unrelated people who live in the neighborhood must serve as co-applicants and commit to implementing the grant project. Non-profits that apply must show how project planning involves neighborhood residents and expands the non-profit’s accessibility and responsiveness to the neighborhood.
Projects/Expenses not funded by this program include: political activities; religious promotion; personal benefit; alcohol; bad debts; and fines and penalties. Ongoing programmatic expenses for nonprofits will not be funded.
Project maximum funding is $1,000.
Click here to view application.
Neighborhood Small Grant Applications should demonstrate:
❚advance planning and collaboration with other groups within the neighborhood
❚ well thought-out project goals that relate to neighborhood goals
❚ how residents are involved in the project planning & implementation
❚ what project implementation skills residents will obtain
❚ an effective evaluation process
Successful Applications can show one or more of the following outcomes:
❚ promote resident involvement and leadership ❚ promote neighborhood and school collaboration
❚ effectively utilize assets, skills, and resources of neighborhood residents and organizations
❚ build the neighborhood’s problem-solving capacity to produce lasting positive effects
❚ link, as appropriate, neighborhood resources to outside resources
❚ promote inclusiveness that reflects the neighborhood’s diversity
For additional information, please contact:
Sarah McCarthy, Executive Director
Neighborhood Resource Center of Colorado
303.477.0023
sarah@nrc-neighbor.org
OR
Michael Miera, Business & Housing Services
City and County of Denver, Office of Economic Development
720.913.1534
michael.miera@denvergov.org
