Page last updated on June 4, 2025 at 9:08 am
- - - The 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant cycle is closed for the year - - -
The City of Bloomington, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) offers Neighborhood Improvement Grants annually. The program is designed to empower neighborhood groups by providing funding opportunities for residents to address neighborhood concerns and special needs. The funds provide for neighborhood-driven projects with neighborhood-wide benefit. In 2025 the City expects to award approximately $30,000 in grant funding.
**START HERE: At-a-glance overview of the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program
Eligible projects include these categories:
physical improvements,
public art,
leadership training,
organizational capacity building projects and events.
up to 10% of funds may be used for design development of a proposed project.
Project funding requests must fall between $1,000 and $10,000. Neighborhood groups must provide a minimum match equaling 10% of requested funds. The match requirement may include in-kind labor, donated materials and services, and cash.
This is a neighborhood-driven process. Successful applications will demonstrate significant neighborhood involvement and support.
Past projects have included:
- neighborhood entrance signs
- restoration of historic sidewalks
- playground equipment
- public art installations
- landscaping
- street tree planting
- bench installation
- native plant restoration in a neighborhood park
- signage and headstone restoration in Rose Hill Cemetery
- kiosks, trash cans, dog waste stations
- walking paths
- historic markers/signs
2025 Timeline
Virtual Informational Meeting
MANDATORY for any neighborhood group that has not received a grant in the past two years. A representative from each neighborhood considering an application must attend.
Please email angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov to register.
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Zoom link: bton.in/Info2
Meeting ID: 897 7903 0041
Passcode: 083866
Recording of Thursday, January 30, 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant informational meeting
Letter of Intent to Apply
- Due Monday, February 17, 2025
- A brief summary of the proposed project (no more than one page). Please include:
- project description,
- project location (if applicable),
- how the neighborhood chose the project (E.g., What problem does is solve? What need does it fill? Who will benefit?)
- Email letter to angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov.
Technical Assistance Meeting
- HAND will schedule a technical assistance meeting with each neighborhood that has submitted a letter of intent. At this meeting, HAND staff will:
- Review the grant process, City expectations, and neighborhood responsibilities.
- Determine whether the proposed project requires City permits/permissions, and if so, how to secure them?
- Answer questions specific to the project.
Application Due Date
- Monday, March 24, 2025
Neighborhood Presentations to Grant Council (hybrid public meeting)
- Monday, April 14, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council Work Session (virtual public meeting)
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
How to Apply
START with the 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Application Guidelines. They provide everything you need to know about the application process. Keep the guidelines handy as you complete the application--they are your step-by-step instructions.
The 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant application form is entirely electronic. You will need a Google account to submit the application. This allows you to upload files, receive a copy of your application, and edit your application after submission.
Please read through the application in its entirety before beginning to fill out the electronic form. You will be asked to upload a number of files to your application; please have these completed and ready for upload before you begin to complete the form.
Links to all REQUIRED documents
Please download each form, complete it, and save your completed version. Please refer to the grant application form for information about where to upload each of your completed documents.
Volunteer Hours Computation Sheet
Affidavit of Notice to Adjacent Property Owners
Attestation of Neighborhood Inclusivity
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Budget Template
Additional Resources
2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Guidelines
Waiver, Release, and Hold-Harmless Agreement
2025 Neighborhood Services Calendar
A Guide to the Regulated Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species of Indiana
City of Bloomington Prohibited Plant Species
Need Assistance?
If your organization has an idea for which you are interested in applying for a Neighborhood Improvement Grant, contact
Angela Van Rooy
Neighborhood Services Program Manager
angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov
812-349-3505.
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2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
Bentley Court Community Association
Awarded $9,067 to establish a Wildlife Corridor along Winslow Road, running alongside the city sidewalk bordering Bentley Court, from Rogers Family Park to the Sherwood Oaks subdivision. This grant represents the first year of a three year project. This phase will focus on development of a comprehensive plan with the help of a professional landscape designer and removal of existing invasive trees.
Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association
Awarded $2,928 to enhance the existing wrought iron gate at the neighborhood’s North Walnut Street entrance by adding the words “Blue Ridge”.
Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association
Awarded $10,000 for continuing professional work to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, five public headstone restoration techniques and skills workshops were held.
Special THANKS to 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission
Maryanne Dorsey, Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association
Tom Payne, Near West Side Neighborhood Association
Maria McCormick, Engineering Department
Cassie Werne, Public Works Department
Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association
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2024 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association
Awarded $12,825 to refurbish two neighborhood entrance signs and associated landscaping. Work included repairs to limestone signs and lighting, and replacement of existing landscaping with native plants in the islands at each of the two neighborhood entrances.
Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association
Awarded $12,590.00 to hire restoration professionals to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, four public headstone restoration techniques and skills workshops were held.
Rockport Hills Neighborhood Association
Awarded $1,350 to clean, paint, and seal the existing neighborhood entrance sign and install native landscaping.
Woodlands-Winding Brook HOA
Awarded $7,400 for the second phase of a project to convert an inoperable retention pond into a bioretention area.
Special THANKS to 2024 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Bram Boyd, Grandview Hills Neighborhood Association
John West, Redevelopment Commission
Maria McCormick, Engineering Department
Christina Smith, Public Works Department
Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association
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2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council
Awarded $6,410 to refurbish two playgrounds, in the Rev. Butler and Walnut Woods communities.
Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association
Awarded $12,590 to hire restoration professionals to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, restoration professionals offered a 3-hour public workshop to teach headstone restoration techniques and skills.
Woodlands-Winding Brook HOA
Awarded $11,000 for the first phase of a project to convert an inoperable retention pond into a bioretention area, to include storm water mitigation features, native plantings, and community gathering spaces.
Special THANKS to 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Bram Boyd, Grandview Hills Neighborhood Association
Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission
Maria McCormick, Engineering Department
Nate Nickel, Public Works Department
Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association
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2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
Arden Place Neighborhood Association
Awarded $9,000.00 to install stand-alone outdoor fitness equipment in Southeast Park. Equipment will be accessible to individuals of differing ages and fitness levels.
Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association
Awarded $6,000.00 to repair eight decorative wrought iron panels, located at the two neighborhood entrances on North Dunn Street.
Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association
Awarded $6,551.74 for 20 street sign toppers, a kiosk in Building Trades Park, and signage in Rose Hill Cemetery.
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grant recipients!
Special THANKS to 2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Roy Aten, Engineering Department
Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission
Nate Nickel, Public Works Department
Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association
Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association
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2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council
Awarded $5,019.16 to place additional trash cans, cigarette butt disposal cans, and pet waste stations throughout the three Bloomington Housing Authority properties (Rev. Butler, Crestmont, and Walnut Woods).
EverGreen Village Neighborhood
Awarded $1,107.60 to place a neighborhood entrance sign at the corner of Susie Street and RCA Park Drive.
Near West Side Neighborhood Association
Awarded $2,743.00 to paint murals on the five traffic calming circles within the neighborhood. The theme of the murals will celebrate the diverse history of the Near West Side.
Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association
Awarded $4,410.00 to place seven way finding signs in the Rose Hill Cemetery. This is the continuation of a grant request that was partially funded in 2020.
St. James Woods Neighborhood Association
Awarded $5,491.79 to revitalize the landscaping on a City-owned parcel at the entrance to their neighborhood along E Moores Pike.
Village of Ridgefield Homeowners Association
Awarded $3,973.85 to place four ADA-compliant benches along the sidewalks within their neighborhood.
Woodlands-Winding Brook Homeowners Association
Awarded $4,254.60 to place new neighborhood signs on either side of their neighborhood entrance. Their previous signs were removed when the City constructed a new walking path in the area.
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grant recipients!
Special THANKS to 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Roy Aten, Engineering Department
Cindy Kinnarney, Redevelopment Commission
Nate Nickel, Public Works Department
Debora Shaw, Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association
Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association
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2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded
At its May 4, 2020 meeting the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved the following Neighborhood Improvement Grant funding, for a total of $14,800.74:
$4,532.74 to the Bloomington Housing Authority Residents' Council for “Community Engagement and Back-to-School Resource Fair”
$3,488.00 to the Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association for “Creekside Gardens and Paths—Park Ridge East Park Restoration Phase 2”
$6,780.00 the the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association for “Rose Hill Cemetery Improvements 2020”
Special THANKS to 2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service:
Roy Aten, Planning and Transportation Department
Cindy Kinnarney, Redevelopment Commission
Nate Nickel, Public Works Department
Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association
Sharon Yarber, Matlock Heights Neighborhood Association