The City of Bloomington, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND), administers the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program to empower neighborhood groups by funding projects addressing local concerns and enhancing neighborhood-wide benefits. The program encourages community-driven initiatives and will allocate approximately $30,000 in grant funding for 2025. Grant funding requests must range between $1,000 and $10,000, with a mandatory minimum match of 10% from applicants. The match can include in-kind labor, donated materials or services, or cash contributions. Up to 10% of the grant funds can be used for design development of proposed projects.

Eligible projects for funding encompass physical improvements, public art, leadership training, organizational capacity building, and community-focused events. Past projects funded by this program include neighborhood signage, playground equipment, public art installations, landscaping, tree planting, and restoration initiatives such as historic sidewalks or cemetery headstones. Projects must demonstrate significant neighborhood involvement and support to be competitive.

Participation in the application process is structured. Mandatory virtual informational meetings are required for neighborhoods that have not received a grant in the past two years. These meetings are scheduled for January 30 and February 4, 2025. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by February 17, 2025, detailing the proposed project, its location, the problem it addresses, and the beneficiaries. Technical assistance meetings will be scheduled individually for those who submit letters of intent.

The full application is due on March 24, 2025, and must be completed electronically via a Google account. Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the application guidelines, prepare all required documentation, and have materials ready for upload before beginning the online submission. Neighborhood presentations to the Grant Council will take place on April 14, 2025, followed by a virtual work session on April 16, 2025.

This program prioritizes projects with demonstrable community support and involvement, emphasizing collaboration between residents and HAND staff to address shared concerns. Neighborhood groups are encouraged to be well-prepared and organized, as this increases the likelihood of a successful application. Additional assistance is available through HAND staff for clarifications and guidance throughout the application process.