The 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant is a funding opportunity provided by the City of Fort Wayne to support projects that enhance the quality of life in local neighborhoods. The program aims to empower neighborhood associations by offering grants of up to $5,000 for community-led improvement projects. The grant is designed to promote engagement among residents and encourage the beautification and development of public spaces within the city’s neighborhoods.

Neighborhood associations can apply for funding for projects that fall into one of four categories: Placemaking, Transit Oriented Improvements, Landscaping, and Neighborhood Identification/Branding. Eligible projects may include park enhancements, playground equipment, community gardens, transit stop improvements, public murals, decorative street signage, and more. Routine maintenance projects, however, are not eligible for funding. Neighborhoods may choose between direct payment to contractors and vendors or reimbursement for project expenses upon proof of payment.

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant must be a recognized neighborhood association within the City of Fort Wayne. Associations that have not previously received grant funding will be given additional consideration, though past recipients are still encouraged to apply. The application must demonstrate community support and engagement through documentation such as meeting minutes, surveys, petitions, or letters of endorsement from residents. Applications must also include a letter of support from the neighborhood association president, project designs, proof of neighborhood support, and a copy of the association’s bylaws or organizational documents.

Applications for the 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant opened on January 15, 2025, and must be submitted by March 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Submissions will be reviewed based on completeness, originality, clarity, level of detail, and evidence of community engagement. Applications that do not adequately address required questions will receive zero points for those sections, which may affect the applicant’s chances of receiving funding.

Selected projects will be announced in April 2025, and grant agreements must be signed by late April or early May. Projects must be substantially completed by December 1, 2025. Grantees must provide a halfway progress report by September 15, 2025. Additionally, all projects require at least three competitive bids for materials and services, with the lowest and most responsive bid selected.

For questions regarding the grant application, applicants may contact the Neighborhood Grant Administrator at NeighborhoodGrant@CityofFortWayne.org or call 260-427-8311. The mailing address for correspondence is Citizens Square, 200 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.