Neighborhood Mini-Grants

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!

Yes. Your neighborhood can apply more than once per year with no limit on awards. However, the City may award funds fairly to previously unfunded neighborhoods and projects. The City may also deny funding to repeat grantees to award money to new grantees.

Awards typically range from $150 to $1000, depending on project scope and number of participants.

*Special grant rounds may have different award amounts.

No. The City of Fort Collins supports 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 allowed.

Mini grant dollars also cannot be spent on alcohol or marijuana, political campaigning, HOA business expenses, donations to charities, fundraising efforts or improvements to private property.

Grant funds can only pay for expenses listed in your application and approved by the grant committee. Some specific expenses may be denied. The grant committee will tell you which expenses are not eligible ahead of time.

You can receive funds before your event or after as reimbursement. Either way, you must complete paperwork and submit receipts. The City sends grant funds by check, arriving 1-3 weeks after paperwork is complete.

The grant review committee looks for these elements:

• Inclusivity – Is there a plan to make people aware of the project and invite participation? Does the project consider other neighbors' wants and needs?
• Planning – Does the application clearly describe the project and identify helpers, outreach, timeline and budget?
• Sustainability – Does the proposal use sustainable practices? (reusable options, composting, etc.)
• City Priorities – Does the proposal align with City priorities?

The committee also considers:

• Neighborhood size
• Projects that benefit underserved areas and communities in specific neighborhoods
• Neighborhoods that have never received funds
• Neighborhoods that have successfully managed City grant-funded projects before

You will receive award notification by email.

If the City approves your application, you must:

• Sign a contract
• Complete a W-9 form
• Submit your receipts
• Submit a sign-in sheet from your activity/event
• Complete an evaluation

You must submit a Form W-9 to Neighborhood Services if the City approves your grant. You need to complete and submit the form even if you submitted one before. This is for City of Fort Collins tax purposes only. You do not need to report this on a tax return as these funds are not income. (Awards over $600 may be taxed.)

You can provide tax information for the homeowners association (HOA), nonprofit or LLC instead. The address on the W-9 and the entity (personal, HOA or other) that completes the W-9 determines who gets the check and where it gets mailed. There are no exceptions. Previous W-9 forms will not work.

You can email receipts to NSPrograms@fortcollins.gov.

Submit receipts within two weeks of your activity or event. Late submission could result in loss of funding and future grant eligibility.

Yes!

Complete an Evaluation

Block Party permits are required for all events involving street closure. These permits need three weeks for approval.

Special Event Forms

Yes, but projects cannot improve private property, like putting in a community garden on someone’s front lawn.

No.

No. The City will not consider late applications.

Grant funds cannot be paid to City of Fort Collins employees.

No. These mini grants are only for residents within City of Fort Collins boundaries.