Page last updated on April 4, 2022 at 4:14 pm
The City of Bloomington, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) offers Neighborhood Improvement Grants annually. This grant program is intended for projects with a total cost of at least $1,100, and requires a 10% neighborhood match. The match requirement may include in-kind labor, donated materials and services, and cash.
The Neighborhood Improvement Grant is designed to give residents an opportunity to have direct input in the improvement of their neighborhoods. The funds provide for non-traditional capital projects with community-wide benefit: the type that are not typically covered by traditional City programs.
Projects may include physical improvements and public art. Funds may also be used to develop designs for a proposed project. This is a neighborhood-driven process, therefore the application must demonstrate neighborhood 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,
- signs in Rose Hill Cemetery,
- kiosks, trash cans, dog waste stations,
- walking paths,
- historic markers/signs.
2022 Timeline
Virtual Informational Meeting--MANDATORY. All neighborhoods that are considering an application must attend
- Meeting slide deck
- Meeting recording (Passcode: tRT5&@2.)
Letter of Intent Due
-
Monday, February 14, 2022 by 4:00 p.m.
Technical Assistance Meeting
- Scheduled with each participating neighborhood
Applications Due
-
Monday, March 21, 2022 by 4:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Presentations to Grant Council (public meeting)
- Monday, April 11, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend this public meeting. Find out what types of projects other neighborhoods are undertaking. There will be time for questions from the public. The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6:00 – 6:10 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
6:10 – 6:25 p.m. Prospect Hill
6:25 – 6:40 p.m. Arden Place
6:40 – 6:55 p.m. Blue Ridge
6:55 – 7:15 p.m. Final questions & public comment
7:15 p.m. Adjourn
While room capacity restrictions are no longer in place in City Hall, we ask that only the Grant Council and no more than two representatives from each neighborhood attend in-person. This will be a hybrid meeting. Members of the public are asked to attend virtually.
https://bloomington.zoom.us/j/81615850979?pwd=VXJpSlZ5bFJhSkxwc3FLZFcycnp0Zz09
Meeting ID: 816 1585 0979
Passcode: 178557
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81615850979# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,81615850979# US (New York)
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council Work Session (public meeting)
- Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
This meeting is open to the public, however, there will be no opportunity for public comment. The public may access the meeting at the following link:
https://bloomington.zoom.us/j/86958233925?pwd=Qysyak96NW5Qc0F5RlVRN0JIVHA2Zz09
Meeting ID: 869 5823 3925
Passcode: 199473
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,86958233925# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,86958233925# US (Chicago)
HOW TO APPLY---the 2022 application period has closed
START with the 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 2022 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 necessary forms and documents
2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Guidelines
2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Application Form
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Budget Template
Volunteer Hours Computation Sheet
Affidavit of Notice to Adjacent Property Owners
Neighborhood Services 2022 calendar
Waiver, Release, and Hold-Harmless Agreement
Attestation of Neighborhood Inclusivity
A Guide to the Regulated Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species of Indiana
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.
---------------------------------------------------------
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, Planning and Transportation Department
Cindy Kinnarney, Redevelopment Commission
Nate Nickel, Public Works Department
Debora Shaw, Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association
Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association
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