What are Neighborhood Mini-Grants?#
The City of Fort Collins and the Neighborhood Services department seek to promote positive neighborhood activities and community improvements by providing financial assistance through these mini-grants. These mini-grants are intended to encourage community resiliency while also highlighting diversity in and amongst neighborhoods, and to also promote inclusive events and projects.
Please review this page if you have any questions about what the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program is, as well as key dates and how you can apply. Questions about the program, as well as application assistance, can be directed to the program coordinator, Cole Herrera, at cherrera@fcgov.com.
Applications for Round 1 of Neighborhood Mini-Grants Open Now!
Award decisions will be announced in early March.
This round of grants is for events in April & May.
- Grant awards typically $150 - $1000
- See below for a full yearly grant schedule and FAQ
We use a separate platform, Eproval, to receive and review applications. This system sends automatic notifications to keep you updated on an application's status, like: Submitted, Under Review, Approved, Declined.
Please contact mini-grant program coordinator, Cole Herrera, at cherrera@fcgov.com if you have any questions or need application assistance.
Note: Funds typically take 1-3 weeks to arrive after award decisions are made, so plan accordingly.
¡Las solicitudes para la Ronda 1 de minisubvenciones vecinales se abrirán el 1 de febrero!
Las decisiones de adjudicación se anunciarán a principios de marzo.
Esta ronda de subvenciones es para eventos en abril y mayo.
- Las subvenciones suelen ser de entre $150 y $1000.
- Consulte a continuación el calendario completo de subvenciones anuales y las preguntas frecuentes.
Usamos una plataforma separada, Eproval, para recibir y revisar solicitudes. Este sistema envía notificaciones automáticas para mantenerlo actualizado sobre el estado de una solicitud, como: enviada, en revisión, aprobada, rechazada. Comuníquese con el coordinador del programa de minisubvenciones, Cole Herrera, en cherrera@fcgov.com si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita ayuda con la solicitud.
Nota: Los fondos suelen tardar entre 1 y 3 semanas en llegar después de que se toman las decisiones de adjudicación, así que planifique en consecuencia.
| Round 1 (Spring) | Round 2 (Summer) | Round 3 (Fall/Winter) | |
| Project/Activity Date | April - May | June - August | September - December |
| Application Opens | February 1 | April 15 | July 1 |
| Application Closes | February 28 | May 26 | August 15 |
| Award Letters Sent | Early March | Early June | Late August |
| Ronda 1 (primavera) | Ronda 2 (verano) | Ronda 3 (otoño e invierno) | |
| El Proyecto Ocurre | Abril - Mayo | Junio - Agosto | Septiembre - Diciembre |
| Inicio de las Solicitudes | 1 de Febrero | 15 de Abril | 1 de Julio |
| Cierre de las Solicitudes | 28 de Febrero | 26 de Mayo | 15 de Agosto |
|
Notificacion de Ajudicacion |
Principios de Marzo | Principios de Junio | Finales de Agosto |
Mini-Grant Frequently Asked Questions#
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What kind of projects do these grants fund?
Past funded projects include:
- Little Free Libraries
- Neighborhood Clean-ups
- Neighborhood Seed Libraries & Garden Hubs
- Neighborhood Book Swaps
- Neighborhood Movie Nights
- Rain Barrel Workshops
- And much more!
2. Can my neighborhood or small community nonprofit apply for more than one grant per year?
Yes. Your neighborhood or small community nonprofit can apply more than once in a calendar year, and there is no limit to the amount of awards a community may receive. however, the City reserves the right to award funds equitably and fund previously unfunded neighborhoods and projects. The City also reserves the right to deny funding to a repeat grantee in order to award money to a new grantee.
3. How much are typical mini grant awards?
Typical award amounts range from approximately $150 to $1000, depending on the scope of the project or activity and the number of participants involved. *Special grant rounds may have different award amounts.
4. Can I buy anything I want with the mini grant funds?
No. The City of Fort Collins is dedicated to sustainable practices. Mini grant dollars cannot be spent on disposable items (like plastic or paper tablecloths, paper decorations, bottled water, etc.). *Personal protective equipment (face masks, hand sanitizer) is an allowable use of grant dollars.
Mini grant dollars also cannot be spent on alcohol or marijuana purchases, political campaigning, HOA business expenses, donations to charitable organizations, fundraising efforts, or improvements to private property.
Grant funds may only be used to pay for expenses listed in grant application and approved by grant committee. Additionally, some specific expenses listed in the grant application may be denied at the discretion of the grant committee. When this happens, the grant committee will let you know which expenses will not be eligible for grant funds ahead of time.
5. How can I use my mini grant dollars?
Mini grant dollars can be used on a wide variety of projects/events. Consider the following questions when developing an idea for a project/activity: How are you and your community creating connection with this grant award? What skills are in your neighborhood that you can leverage to help your neighborhood? What needs exist in your neighborhood? (For example, would a grant for a lawnmower help you cut grass for elderly neighbors or persons with disability?)
6. How do I receive the grant funds?
You can choose to receive the funds before the event/activity or as after as a reimbursement. In either case, you will need to complete paperwork and submit your receipts. Grant funds are typically sent via check, and will arrive 1-3 weeks after grant paperwork is complete.
7. How are applications evaluated?
The grant review committee will be looking for these elements in applications during review:
- Inclusivity - Is there a plan to make people aware of the project or to invite people to participate? Is the project considerate of the wants/needs of other neighbors?
- Planning – Does the application clearly describe the project/activity and identify any helpers, outreach/coordination, a timeline, a proposed budget, etc.
- Sustainability – Does the proposal consider sustainable practices? (e.g., encouraging reusable options, eating lower on the food chain, composting, etc.)
- City Priorities – Does the proposal align with one or more City priorities?
Consideration is also given to:
- Neighborhood size
- Projects/activities that benefit an underserved area and community
- Neighborhoods who have never received funds
- Neighborhoods who have successfully managed City grant-funded projects in the past
8. How will we know if our application is approved for funding?
Award notification will come via email.
9. What happens after receiving the award?
If your application is approved for funding, you will have to:
- Sign a contract
- Complete a W-9 form
- Submit your receipts
- Submit a sign-in sheet from activity/event
- Complete an evaluation
10. Do I have to complete a W-9 to receive the grant award?
A Form W-9 must be submitted to Neighborhood Services if your grant application receives approval. Applicants will need to complete and submit the form even if they have submitted one in the past. This is for City of Fort Collins tax purposes only. It is not necessary to report this on a tax return as these funds are not considered income. (***Awards over $600 may be taxed.***)
11. What if I don’t want to use my personal information on the W-9?
If you prefer, you could provide us with the tax information for the HOA. The address on the W-9 and the entity (personal, HOA, or other) that completes the W-9 is to whom the check will be written and the location to which the check will be mailed. There will be no exceptions to this standard. Previous W-9 forms will not be adequate for this requirement.
12. How do I submit my receipts?
Please scan/photograph and submit copies of receipts online through the Eproval application system. You may also submit receipts by email to cherrera@fcgov.com.
13. When must I submit my receipts?
Please submit them within two weeks of your activity or event. Failure to submit them in a timely manner could result in loss of funding/reimbursement and/or loss of future grant awarding.
14. Is there an evaluation to complete?
Yes! Please complete an evaluation here.
15. Do I need a special event permit?
Special event permits are required for all events involving street closure. Special event permits typically require six (6) weeks for approval. Forms are available here: https://specialevents.fcgov.com/
16. Can the neighborhood event be on private property?
Signed permission is required if the event is held on private property. Signatures will be collected after application has been reviewed and approved for funding.
17. Could my neighborhood or small community nonprofit receive a grant for an activity or event that happened in the past?
No.
18. Can my neighborhood or small community nonprofit submit a late application?
No. Late applications will not be considered.
19. Can City of Fort Collins employees apply for these mini grants?
Grant funds cannot be paid to City of Fort Collins employees.
20. Can residents outside of the City limits apply for these mini grants?
No. These mini grants can only be accessed by residents within City of Fort Collins boundaries. *Special grant rounds and collaborations will open funding to residents in the Growth Management Area.