Grant Purpose

With the goal of realizing Englewood’s vision of cultivating strong, unique, and inclusive neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Resources Program invites neighborhood groups to submit grant proposals for the 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Neighborhood groups can apply for up to $3,000 for their neighborhood project. The most successful projects will activate gathering spaces and bring neighbors 

together. Projects will celebrate your neighborhood’s unique character, engage skills and knowledge from neighbors and improve quality of life for your neighbors. It will also:

• Establish central neighborhood gathering places that connect and assist neighbors in everyday gatherings and in times of emergency;
• Enhance community resilience by strengthening connections between neighbors;
• Enhance neighborhood pride and identity; and
• Improve the physical condition of a neighborhood.

This webpage sets forth the guidelines and requirements for participation in the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program. Selected applicants will be required to enter into a separate “Grant Agreement” with the City of Englewood prior to the disbursement of funds.

For purposes of this program, a ‘neighborhood group’ means an organized group of residents within a defined geographic area of the City of Englewood, whether formal or informal, that is acting collectively for the benefit of the neighborhood.

Apply for the Grant Here - Deadline to Submit is April 6, 2026

Grant Summary

• Neighborhoods can be granted up to $3,000 per grant
• 25% neighborhood match

The City of Englewood reserves the right to reject any or all applications, to award less than the amount requested, and to interpret and apply these guidelines in its sole discretion. 

Key Dates

• February 16: Grant application opens
• April 6: Grant applications due
• May 2026: Grant recipients notified
• Late May 2026: Grant projects begin
• December 2026: Final grant report due

Grant Eligibility and Application Requirements

• Grant applicants must submit the budget form with application.
• Grants are intended to implement new improvements to neighborhoods. 
  • Grants are intended for the implementation activities (programs, structures, events or projects); planning efforts are not to be included. 
  • Grants are not to be used for cash prizes, field trips, or admissions. 
  • Reimbursement for operational or maintenance costs, or salaries are not allowed expenses. Funds shall also not be used for motor vehicles, or any other electronic devices not required for grant purposes (such as cell phones, ipads, etc.).
• Projects must be located within the City of Englewood and cannot be for the primary benefit of a single resident. 
  • Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest related to the proposed project. For purposes of this program, a conflict of interest is any special benefit stood to be received by the grant applicant, apart from the benefit to be conferred on the neighborhood as a whole. For questions concerning what might constitute a conflict of interest, please reach out to the Neighborhood Engagement Program Manager at neighborhoods@englewoodco.gov
• Must have at least two residents who live in the neighborhood to serve as project coordinators. 
  • The designated project coordinators will be the points of contact between the neighborhood and City of Englewood during and following completion of the project. 
• All projects must include written permission from the property owner or entity that is responsible for the maintenance of the project location for the construction and reasonable use of the project.
• Grants are not to be used for the purchase of land or to subsidize social, political or organizational memberships. 
• Grants are to benefit the neighborhood or Englewood community, the funds are not to be used to pay individuals, organizations or groups for their private benefit.
  • Grant-funded activities must be conducted in a manner consistent with the City of Englewood’s non-discrimination policies. 
• Grant projects must be publicly accessible. 
  • Grant-funded projects must be accessible to the general public without restriction during reasonable hours.
• Projects must be completed and maintained by the neighborhood. 
• If a grant recipient fails to complete the approved project, uses funds for unapproved purposes, or otherwise fails to comply with these guidelines, the City may withhold reimbursement and may require repayment of funds previously disbursed.

Grant Process

• Applicants must complete the entire Neighborhood Improvement Grant Application 
• All applicable permitting fees remain in effect. City permits are still required and are not waived as a part of the grant process. Fees for items including, but not limited to building permits, fence/wall permits, and sign permits must be submitted to the City of Englewood prior to construction/installation. Please keep this in mind when formulating your grant budget. 
• Applications must include a maintenance plan to show how the project will continue beyond the funding period.
  • Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all improvements funded through this program shall be owned and maintained by the neighborhood or the underlying property owner. The City of Englewood assumes no responsibility for maintenance, repair, or liability arising from the project. 

Grant Match

Applicants must provide a match equal to 25% of the amount requested as a Neighborhood Improvement Grant from the City of Englewood. 

A minimum of 15% must be provided in the form of volunteer time from the residents that live in the neighborhood. Volunteer hours will be valued at $25 per hour. The other 10% can also be volunteer time, donated materials, donated services, monetary contributions or activities that improve the neighborhood group as a whole. Examples of this include setting up a neighborhood website or monthly newsletter, hosting a neighborhood social, organizing a neighborhood clean-up, etc. 

Grant Reimbursement

• Grant funds must be spent by the end of the 2026 calendar year and expense receipts submitted to the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator by December 2, 2026.  

• Grant recipients will receive reimbursement for grant funds once receipts for allowed expenses have been provided.  

• The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Evaluation Form must be submitted along with the reimbursement request in order to be eligible for reimbursement.

• Please reach out to Madeline Hinkfuss, Neighborhood Engagement Program Manager at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov or call 720-926-2154 with additional questions.

All applications are reviewed by committee that will include a cross-departmental team of city staff. The review committee will consider the following factors when evaluating grant applications: 

Project Ideas

• Creative placemaking, such as a neighborhood sponsored painted crosswalk, mural or sculpture
  Little free library, community sharing box or community message board
• New trees in neighborhood communal space
• Benches in public space

Grant Application

Submit Your Grant Application Here

Deadline to Submit is April 6, 2026

Questions?

If you have questions please reach out to Madeline Hinkfuss, Neighborhood Engagement Program Manager, at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov or 720-926-2154.

Past Projects

Explore the map below to view past grant recipients.