Local Environment Grants

This program provides micro-grants to local artists in Columbia, South Carolina, to create public art that reflects the city's history, river systems, and sustainability efforts.

The City of Boulder's Human Services Fund (HSF) is an annual grant program designed to improve the well-being of community members facing social or economic disparities. The fund is sourced from the city's general fund and aims to strategically invest resources in programs and services that promote shared outcomes aligned with the city's mission of fostering a more equitable and supportive community. The HSF targets individuals and groups experiencing systemic socio-economic barriers, those who have been historically excluded, and those in need of basic assistance. The grant program's impact goals are to increase economic stability, mobility, and resilience; enhance access to and maintenance of housing; advance personal growth, development, and leadership potential; create safe environments for people with diverse identities; improve physical, mental, or behavioral health and well-being; and increase the ability of community members to access critical services. Key priorities for the HSF include supporting programs that demonstrate sound research and evidence-based best practices, value lived experience and cultural knowledge, and meaningfully engage community members in program design, implementation, and evaluation. The program also emphasizes strong collaboration and equitable partnerships, cost-effectiveness, and a commitment to sustained financial stability and diverse funding sources from applicants. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to the HSF. Programs must be directly linked to specific outcomes and indicators, with a strong focus on long-term evaluation. This aligns with the city's strategic priority to invest in initiatives that not only address immediate needs but also demonstrate a clear path towards lasting positive change and self-sufficiency for beneficiaries. The grant period for accepted proposals is January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development has launched a new grant opportunity called “ACCESS GRANTED.” This initiative is designed to support small minority and women-owned businesses, both start-up and established, by providing access to capital for specific projects aimed at scaling their operations. The program aligns with the city's mission to foster a supportive and inclusive business environment, enabling entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. The primary beneficiaries of the "ACCESS GRANTED" program are small minority and women-owned businesses within The City of Frederick limits. The impact goal is to empower these businesses by providing financial assistance that will facilitate their growth and development. This initiative aims to address the challenges these businesses face in accessing capital, thereby contributing to a more equitable and robust local economy. The program prioritizes small minority and/or women-owned businesses that are physically located within The City of Frederick limits. Eligibility criteria include being a registered for-profit business, being in good standing in the state of Maryland, and having no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. These criteria ensure that the funding reaches businesses that are genuinely in need of support and are poised for growth within the city. The City of Frederick has earmarked $400,000 for this program, with individual grant sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. The expected outcome is a tangible increase in the capacity and scalability of participating businesses, leading to job creation, economic growth, and enhanced community vibrancy. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the financial allocation, the program's success will likely be evaluated by the number of businesses supported, the scale of projects undertaken, and the overall economic impact on the community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Murfreesboro to deliver essential services and affordable housing solutions for low- and moderate-income residents.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant funding to support early child care providers within the county. This grant program aims to enhance the quality of child care services by funding improvements in educational materials, physical environments, technology, and developmental support services. The program's mission aligns with fostering a robust early childhood education ecosystem, recognizing the critical role these providers play in child development and community well-being. The grant targets DCFS Licensed Childcare Providers located in Will County. Priority is given to providers serving specific populations, including children ages birth to five in Will County R3 Zones, those receiving Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds, children 0-5 years of age whose families speak English as a Second Language (ESL), children in the Early Intervention program, children with developmental or medical diagnoses, and children with active Individually Education Plans (IEP) in the public school system. The impact goal is to strengthen the capacity of these providers to offer high-quality care, particularly to vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to developmental and educational resources. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include the acquisition of educational materials such as books, art supplies, and STEAM/STEM resources; improvements to the physical environment including safety, sanitation, furniture, and air/water filtration; technology upgrades for security systems, computer software for administrative tasks, and parent communication; and developmental supports like screening tools, consultant hiring, social-emotional program enhancements, and health screenings. The focus is on creating safe, stimulating, and technologically advanced environments that cater to the holistic developmental needs of young children. Expected outcomes include improved learning environments, enhanced safety and health standards, more efficient administrative processes, and increased access to specialized developmental support services for children. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of new educational tools, upgraded facilities, advanced technology systems, and the provision of targeted developmental interventions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the overall well-being and readiness for school of Will County's young children, thereby supporting the county's broader strategic priorities in early childhood development and community health.

The James City County Good Neighbor Grant Program aims to enrich neighborhoods by fostering community spirit and environmental well-being through sustainable community planning. This grant seeks to align with a broader mission of promoting civic pride and environmental stewardship among residents by encouraging active participation in maintaining and enhancing communal spaces. The program's core objective is to empower community members to take ownership and responsibility for their shared environments. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the community members within James City County, with a focus on neighborhoods seeking to improve their common areas. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the physical aspects of these communal spaces, leading to a more vibrant and environmentally healthy community. This includes improvements in areas such as community gardens, entryway landscaping, trail systems, communal composting, and playground or pool area aesthetics. The program prioritizes projects that focus on environmental quality and the minimization of negative impacts. This includes initiatives like the installation of native plants to support local ecosystems, the implementation of erosion control methods to protect natural resources, and place-making efforts that create inviting and functional spaces for residents. Additionally, the grant encourages projects that consider energy-saving techniques and litter prevention measures, further contributing to a sustainable and clean environment. Expected outcomes include a visible improvement in the physical appearance and ecological health of common areas, leading to increased community engagement and a stronger sense of shared responsibility. Measurable results could include the number of native plants installed, linear feet of trails improved, or the establishment of new community gardens. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support and encouraging community-led initiatives, residents will be more invested in their neighborhoods, fostering a positive cycle of environmental improvement and social cohesion. Matching grant awards up to $500 demonstrate a commitment to supporting these local efforts.

This funding opportunity supports sustainable building projects and resilient housing designs, particularly those led by or benefiting women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and city departments in Tucson to implement public service projects that assist low- and moderate-income individuals and families, focusing on issues like homelessness, health equity, and access to affordable housing.

This funding opportunity supports community-based projects in Ellensburg that enhance and protect surface water quality through education, outreach, and implementation efforts, specifically targeting volunteer groups and non-profits.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation offers Community Impact Grants to support nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County, Indiana. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to foster effective, efficient, and self-sustaining nonprofits that create significant community impact. The grants are funded by the Foundation’s unrestricted funds, demonstrating a strategic commitment to addressing broad community needs through flexible funding. The target beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations that serve LaGrange County and its citizens. The primary impact goal is to empower these nonprofits to be more effective, efficient, and self-sustaining. The Foundation specifically seeks innovative or creative projects that will have a significant impact on the community, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and development of LaGrange County. The program prioritizes grant requests that reach a broad segment of the community, promote cooperation to avoid service duplication, and offer seed money for innovative solutions to unmet needs. It also favors projects that provide services not typically available, inspire additional funding, and ultimately enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of charitable organizations. This reflects a strategic focus on collaborative, forward-thinking initiatives that strengthen the nonprofit sector. Expected outcomes include a more robust and responsive nonprofit ecosystem within LaGrange County, with organizations that are better equipped to meet community needs. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the emphasis on significant impact, efficiency, and self-sustainability suggests a focus on long-term positive change. The Foundation’s theory of change appears to be that by supporting innovative and collaborative projects, they can catalyze community-wide improvements and create a lasting positive legacy.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations, civic groups, and neighborhood groups in Ellensburg to address local needs and enhance community capacity through various projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California for projects that assist very low to moderate-income residents of Palm Desert, including seniors, the disabled, domestic violence victims, and the homeless.

The Philadelphia City Fund is offering a one-year grant of $15,000 to Philadelphia-based organizations working towards long-term environmental justice and community resilience, with activities including community organizing, education, youth leadership, and project implementation, to be used within 12 months of being awarded.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in the Delaware Valley that offer direct services to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Charleston County Community Development Program has announced the opening of the application period for the 2025-2026 Urban Entitlement Funding Request for Applications (RFA). This program supports projects that align with the goals of the county's Consolidated Plan for Program Years 2021–2025. Applicants must clearly identify which goal their project addresses and include measurable outputs. Additionally, applications should specify whether the funding request is for Charleston County, the City of North Charleston, or both jurisdictions. The application window runs from November 25, 2024, at 4:00 PM EST to January 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. Funding is available through several programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), and Emergency Solutions Grant (HESG). Each program has specific requirements, and applicants must submit all documents electronically via the Urban Entitlement Application in Neighborly. Signed forms must include an authorized representative’s signature. HESG applicants must also obtain an endorsement letter from the Lowcountry Continuum of Care, with requests due by December 13, 2024, at 12:00 PM EST. The required documents vary by program and include forms such as the Application Certification, Financial Statement Form, and budget templates specific to each grant type. Additional details can be found in Section 5 of the RFA Instructions. Workshops will be held to assist applicants on December 3, 2024, at City Hall in North Charleston and December 5, 2024, at the Charleston County Council Chambers. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the application process and ask questions. Applicants may also submit written questions about the RFA process to Community Development staff by December 13, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Answers will be posted in an addendum on December 20, 2024. Town hall meetings will be hosted in participating jurisdictions to discuss program funding and gather community input, with meetings scheduled throughout November and December 2024. Projects must align with the Consolidated Plan's goals and provide measurable results. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by the January 6, 2025, deadline through the designated portal. Late submissions will not be accepted. For additional information or support, applicants can email CommunityDev@CharlestonCounty.org or call (843) 202-6960.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Grant Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in partnership with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, offers approximately $500,000 in federal funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This program is designed to provide comprehensive, collaborative, and community-based approaches to reducing violent crime by employing a full range of appropriate violent crime reduction strategies. As the State Administrative Agency, DCJS is responsible for managing the coordination and distribution of these funds to support and improve Virginia's overall criminal justice system. The overarching goal of this initiative is to reduce violent crime and promote safe communities across the Eastern District of Virginia. This is primarily achieved through the reduction of gun violence and gang activity, with a specific focus on areas that have experienced increased rates of violent crime and gang-related incidents. The program targets local and state law enforcement agencies, local and state governmental entities, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations located in or serving the Eastern District of Virginia. Funding preference will be given to three regions most impacted by violent crime: Richmond, Newport News, and Norfolk, though other cities in the Eastern District with high violent crime rates will also be considered. The program prioritizes several key funding areas. These include Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategies, which promote prevention and intervention through partnerships between law enforcement, local government, and the community. GVI involves community members delivering moral messages against violence, law enforcement issuing warnings about consequences, and support providers offering help. Another priority is Gun and Gang Crime Investigation/Suppression, focusing on programs and task forces that target perpetrators of gun and gang-related crimes, including illegal firearm possession, illegal gun sales, and gang-benefitting crimes, with an emphasis on multiagency cooperation. Additional funding priorities encompass Firearms Analysis programs, which aim to enhance and support state and local law enforcement agencies in analyzing firearms and ballistic evidence, including NIBIN analysis and firearm tracing. Lastly, Prevention and Reentry Programs are crucial, dedicated to violent crime prevention, identifying high-risk individuals through educational, faith-based, community-oriented, and outreach efforts, and supporting the successful reentry of offenders through housing, educational, and vocational partnerships. While these priorities guide funding decisions, innovative, evidence-based projects outside these specific areas that are aimed at reducing firearm and gang violence will also be considered. Grants are typically awarded for a 12-month period, with a possibility of a 24-month period depending on the specified need in the application.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community groups and organizations in Ellensburg for improving parks, trails, and recreational facilities to enhance public enjoyment and participation.

The City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program seeks to enhance Houston neighborhoods through community-led physical improvement projects. Administered in partnership with City Council Member’s Offices, the program aims to foster strong neighbor relationships, encourage volunteerism, and develop projects that build a sustainable and stronger community. Its overarching mission aligns with improving the quality of life for Houston communities by actively partnering with residents. The program primarily targets neighborhood-based organizations and civic clubs within Houston city limits. Eligible organizations must be incorporated as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations through the State of Texas, or partner with such an entity. Individuals and political organizations are not eligible. The program's impact goals are to improve neighborhood organization and pride, enhance community appearance and beautification, and increase community participation. The program prioritizes physical improvements that are accessible and beneficial to the broader community, involving neighborhood residents, and offering long-standing benefits. Examples of approved projects include street sign toppers, entryway signage and columns, esplanade landscaping and irrigation, park benches, electrical signage, walkways with pavers, and murals. Projects must demonstrate pre-approval from relevant City of Houston departments if required for permitting. The program does not fund ongoing operation or maintenance. Expected outcomes include tangible physical improvements within neighborhoods, increased civic engagement, and a strengthened sense of community pride. Measurable results would involve the number of projects completed, the extent of community participation in these projects, and visible enhancements to public spaces. The program's theory of change posits that by empowering residents to lead and implement physical improvements, it will cultivate volunteerism, build stronger social ties, and ultimately lead to a higher quality of life and a more sustainable community. Funding for the Matching Grants is provided on a reimbursement basis, ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applicants must also identify how their organization will fund and support the project in the future, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the improvements beyond the initial grant. Required documentation includes letters of permission from property owners, proof of ownership, photos of the proposed site, and three letters of support for the project from neighborhood organizations, businesses, or elected officials.

This funding initiative provides financial support to businesses and organizations along the Route 40 corridor in Cecil County, Maryland, for exterior improvements and revitalization efforts, with a special focus on removing blighted structures.

The City of Fishers 2024 Neighborhood Vibrancy Grant is a matching grant program designed to fund creative and innovative ideas that enhance the community's beauty and positively impact the lives of residents in a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial manner. While a specific "foundation mission alignment" isn't explicitly stated for a city grant, the program's purpose clearly aligns with a civic mission of improving the quality of life and fostering community engagement within Fishers. The grant aims to transform public spaces and encourage sustainable practices, reflecting a strategic priority of community development and environmental stewardship. The target beneficiaries of this grant are neighborhood groups and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) located within Fishers City Limits. The impact goals are to make the community a more beautiful place to live, and to affect the lives of the community at large. This is achieved through projects that focus on design, construction, or installation, with a strong emphasis on visibility and positive effect on Fishers as a community. The program's theory of change appears to be that by providing financial incentives for resident-led improvement projects, the city can foster a greater sense of community pride and improve the local environment, leading to a more vibrant and livable city for all. Priorities for the grant include projects with the greatest visibility and positive effect on Fishers. Preferred projects range from converting high-maintenance lawns to native plantings, installing shoreline plantings and rain gardens, creating Monarch Butterfly Waystations and Wildlife Habitat Corridors, establishing Neighborhood Community Gardens, and improving common area trails and parks with amenities like picnic shelters and accessible playground equipment. Other priorities include connecting neighborhood walking trails, installing solar lights or other renewable energy projects, and improving pedestrian connectivity or tactical urbanism. Grants are competitive and will not be awarded for recurring or maintenance items, emphasizing the focus on new, transformative projects. The expected outcomes include more aesthetically pleasing public spaces, enhanced biodiversity through native plantings and habitats, improved recreational opportunities, increased pedestrian connectivity, and the adoption of sustainable energy solutions. Measurable results could include the number of acres converted to native plantings, the number of new community gardens established, the linear feet of trails improved or connected, and the number of solar lights installed. The maximum amount to be awarded per project is $25,000, and applicants must provide at least 20% of the total project cost, ensuring local investment and commitment to the success of these community-driven initiatives.