Neighborhood Development Grants Program
The Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates, in partnership with the City of Roanoke's Office of Neighborhood Services, is proud to offer the Neighborhood Development Grant Program. This program creates opportunities for volunteer community organizations to make their neighborhoods safer, cleaner, and healthier by providing them with the resources to achieve their goals. Through neighborhood development grants, volunteer community organizations have the opportunity to build community spirit, develop leaders within the neighborhood, show others that projects can be accomplished, and recruit volunteers to share in these efforts.
Neighborhood and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding that support projects that complement their organization's business plan, the city's neighborhood plan, the City of Roanoke's Vision 2001-2020 Comprehensive Plan, and/or the city's Arts and Cultural Plan..
The Neighborhood Development Grant program provides grants to undertake projects ranging from $250.00 to $25,000.00. In the past, these grants have been used for a number of projects ranging from housing rehabilitation and lead paint abatement to the purchase and installation of period street lighting.
The neighborhood organization is not required to provide a match in the form of in-kind donations, volunteer services, and/or cash; however, when the application is being evaluated by the RNA Grants Review Committee, points will be given for a project that leverages or combines funding from sources that contribute to the project and thus does not rely solely on financial assistance from the City.
Program Goals
- To promote healthier, safer and cleaner neighborhoods
- To improve neighborhood appearance
- To encourage neighborhood residents to participate
- To demonstrate collaboration with community groups and organizations
- To develop leadership within the neighborhood
- To enhance partnerships between community organizations and the City
- To integrate arts and cultural activities into our neighborhoods
Eligible Projects
- Neighborhood physical improvements such as trees, community gardens, gateway signs, art/cultural activities, and projects that address neighborhood preservation, blight, safety, and/or security.
Eligible Groups
- Neighborhood / community groups
- Youth, parent or senior groups
- Volunteer groups
- School-based groups
Ineligible Groups
- Educational institutions
- Religious institutions
- Private and for-profit businesses and corporations
- Individuals
Information regarding next year's (Fiscal Year 2013-2014) Neighborhood Development Grant Funding opportunities
The Neighborhood Development Grant Program is funded by combination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and city general funds. Each year the City benefits from about $3.5 million in grant funds through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A public meeting was
held in Room 159 (EOC Conference Room) located on the 1st floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, SW on Thursday, November 15, 2012 beginning at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the City’s FY2013-2014 HUD funding estimates. This meeting was followed by a Neighborhood Development Grant Workshop in the City manager's Conference Room (Room 364) at which
attendees were provided information on how to apply for funding, allowable uses, limitations, record keeping, and other policies regarding the program. Attendance at this session was NOT a requirement for neighborhood organizations desiring to submit application(s) for participation in the program.
The Neighborhood Development Grant Program's FY2013-2014 Grant Application packet was made available during this session, the contents of which are shown below:
- FY 2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Program Overview
- FY 2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Program's Process Timeline
- FY 2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Application - the application can be completed online. Once completed, you will need to print and submit the original with 5 copies to the Office of Neighborhood Services. If you prefer, a document version of the application is also available for your convenience.
- FY 2013-2014 Project Quote Sheet form
- FY 2013-2014 Payment Request form
- FY 2013-2014 Interim Report form
- FY 2013-2014 Final Report form
Copies of the grant application package for the FY2013-2014 program is also available by request from the Office of Neighborhood Services, Room 312 North in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave, Room 312 North, Roanoke, VA 24011.
- All Neighborhood Development Grant Program applications (1 original with 5 copies) are to be submitted to the Office of Neighborhood Services no later than 5:00 p.m.on January 18, 2013 to qualify. This deadline ONLY applies for applications being submitted by neighborhood groups for amounts LESS THAN $25,000.00. For information regarding general CDBG, ESG, and HOME grant opportunities, FY2013-2014 Application Packages are available on the HUD Community Resources Division website.
- The maximum funding per grant request is $25,000.00.
- All applications received are reviewed by the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates Grants Review Committee who review and approve projects to be funded and make funding recommendations to the RNA and the City Council for final approval.
Information regarding the current fiscal year (FY2012-2013) Neighborhood Development Grant funding underway
The FY2012-2013 Neighborhood Development Grant Program's packets were made available on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 and contained the following program support documents:
- FY 2012-2013 Neighborhood Grant Application.
- FY 2012-2013 Quote Sheet Form
- FY2012-2013 Interim Report
- FY 2012-2013 Payment Request Form
- FY 2012-2013 Volunteer Time Log Form
- FY 2012-2013 Final Project Report Form
Overview of Neighborhood Development Grant Program Funded Projects
For additional information, contact the Office of Neighborhood Services at (540) 853-5210, email Neighborhood Services, or stop by the Office of Neighborhood Services located in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave, Room 312 North, Roanoke, VA 24011.