Neighborhood Micro-Grant Program

The Neighborhood Beer Micro-Grant Program is an initiative of Big Grove For Good, the charitable arm associated with Big Grove Brewery. The program is designed to support grassroots, community-driven ideas that enhance neighborhoods and foster stronger social connections. Through this initiative, the organization emphasizes the importance of small-scale projects that can create meaningful local impact, recognizing that community strength is often built through incremental improvements and acts of neighborly care. The program operates as part of a broader philanthropic strategy but specifically focuses on hyper-local engagement and direct resident involvement. The primary purpose of the grant program is to empower individuals to bring positive change to their communities through accessible funding opportunities. Eligible projects span a range of categories including accessibility improvements, environmental stewardship efforts, community connection events, and neighbor-nominated support initiatives. Examples of supported activities include building ramps or benches, establishing community gardens or pollinator habitats, organizing neighborhood gatherings, and assisting individuals recovering from hardship such as natural disasters. The program is intentionally broad in scope to encourage creative and community-specific solutions. Funding is provided in the form of micro-grants ranging from 250 to 1000 dollars. These funds may be used for a defined set of allowable expenses including materials and supplies, specialized labor, equipment, rentals, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment costs associated with community events. However, there are strict prohibitions on the use of funds, including expenditures on alcohol, tobacco, weapons, controlled substances, or personal bills and expenses. These guidelines ensure that funds are directed toward community benefit and align with the mission of the program. Eligibility for the program is limited to individuals who are legal residents of Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, or Missouri and are at least eighteen years old at the time of application. Certain groups are explicitly excluded, including employees and affiliates of the sponsoring organization, individuals involved in the administration or promotion of the program, immediate family members of such individuals, government employees restricted by policy, and retailers or distributors associated with the sponsor’s products. Applicants must agree to all eligibility requirements and conditions as part of the submission process. The application process is designed to be simple and accessible. Applicants begin by submitting an idea through a straightforward application that describes the project, its anticipated impact, and how it benefits the neighborhood. A basic budget outlining the intended use of funds is also required. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to projects that align closely with the program’s mission of fostering connection, addressing inequities, and improving quality of life. There is no formal pre-application requirement or staged submission process. Once an application is approved, funds are distributed directly to the recipient to implement the project. In some cases, the organization may participate in the project alongside the recipient. After project completion, recipients are asked to complete a follow-up survey and may be invited to share photos and stories documenting the impact of their work. While no fixed deadlines or award cycles are specified, the rolling review structure allows for continuous intake of applications, making the program responsive to emerging community needs and opportunities throughout the year.

Align proposals with community connection, equity, and neighborhood quality of life priorities; clearly demonstrate local impact and feasibility