Neighborhood Grant Program

The Neighborhood Grant Program, administered by the City of Covington, Kentucky, is a competitive grant opportunity aimed at supporting community-led efforts to enhance neighborhood quality of life through beautification, blight removal, and special events. The program is managed through the City’s Neighborhood Services Department in partnership with The Center for Great Neighborhoods. With a streamlined application process, it provides flexible financial support of up to $5,000 per project for resident-led or informal community groups to implement projects that improve their local physical environment and foster social cohesion. Applicants must be groups of residents or organizing associations based in Covington. Formal organizations, such as businesses, public agencies, schools, and religious or fraternal organizations, are not eligible as lead applicants but may participate as collaborators. Projects should have broad community support, be sustainable, visibly improve the neighborhood, and provide a public benefit in alignment with legal requirements. Applications involving events must ensure those events are inclusive, neighborhood-specific, and unique—funding for event costs is capped at $2,000, with the remaining budget directed toward permanent improvements. The submission process begins with developing a project concept in collaboration with neighbors, followed by a consultation with Cate Douglas at The Center for Great Neighborhoods. This step helps vet proposals before formal submission. Completed applications must be submitted between November 3, 2025, and December 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Proposals will be evaluated by a joint committee from the City and The Center, and finalists will be recommended for approval by the City Commission. Winning applicants must sign a grant agreement and coordinate with program staff to implement their projects by May 4, 2026. Proposals are evaluated based on feasibility, impact, need, support, leverage, inclusion, and sustainability. The City prioritizes equitable distribution of funds across neighborhoods, with preference given to areas that have not previously received grant support. Successful projects will be assigned a staff liaison and are required to submit a final report including financial reconciliation and outcome documentation. For assistance or questions, applicants may contact Walt Mace, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services at wmace@covingtonky.gov or 859-292-2143, or Cate Douglas, Community Building Director at cate@greatneighborhoods.org or 859-547-5550. Applications may be submitted by email or delivered in person to the City Finance Department at City Hall. This grant cycle is one-time for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, but similar opportunities may recur annually depending on city funding allocations.

Coordinate with Cate Douglas early; emphasize community uniqueness and neighborhood benefit; event costs should not exceed $2,000; show broad support and contribution.