Page last updated on April 10, 2023 at 2:10 pm
The City of Bloomington, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) offers Neighborhood Improvement Grants annually. The program is designed to improve the quality of life within neighborhoods and in the city as a whole, by giving residents an opportunity to have direct input in the improvement of their neighborhoods. The funds provide for neighborhood-driven projects with community-wide benefit. In 2023 the City expects to award $30,000 in grant funding.
Eligible projects include these categories:
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physical improvements,
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public art,
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leadership training,
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organizational capacity building projects and events.
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up to 10% of funds may be used for design development of a proposed project.
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.
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,
- signs in Rose Hill Cemetery,
- kiosks, trash cans, dog waste stations,
- walking paths,
- historic markers/signs.
2023 Timeline
Virtual Informational Meeting--MANDATORY. A representative from each neighborhood that is considering an application must attend ONE of these meetings.
- Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 6:00 p.m. OR Monday, January 30, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
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Info meeting Slide Presentation.
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Letter of Intent
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Due Monday, February 6, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.
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Email letter to angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov.
Technical Assistance Meeting
- HAND will schedule a meeting with each participating neighborhood. Must be completed by Friday, February 17, 2023.
Applications Due
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Monday, March 20, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Presentations to Grant Council (virtual public meeting)
- Monday, April 10, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
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https://bloomington.zoom.us/j/82318489455?pwd=ZkR2WUxXYVdOczI2eG5KT2hYWUltdz09
Meeting ID: 823 1848 9455
Passcode: 637923
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82318489455# US (Chicago)
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council Work Session (virtual public meeting)
- Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
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https://bloomington.zoom.us/j/81680473518?pwd=elVkWDJNK28vVEUzOTRlSTZuNERxQT09
Meeting ID: 816 8047 3518
Passcode: 748564
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81680473518# US (Washington DC)
How to Apply
START with the 2023 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 2023 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
2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Guidelines
Waiver, Release, and Hold-Harmless Agreement
2023 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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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.
2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council Members
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, 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