Neighborhood Connection Fund

Eligible Applicants

• Neighborhoods within the city limits of Boulder.
• Community groups, Neighborhood Association, and Homeowners Associations with a majority of members residing in the neighborhood.
• Neighbor-led projects that support the neighborhood in meeting all city requirements set forth by ordinances and any rules or regulations set by property owner/management.

Ineligible Applicants

• Residents in other cities or in unincorporated Boulder County
• For-profit businesses
• Non-profits
• Individuals seeking personal financial assistance
• Individuals seeking personal or financial gain from neighborhood events (e.g. real estate events, or open houses)

Categories and maximum award amounts:

Block Party

• Maximum award amount of $599.00
• Funding for neighborhood event or party to pay for party rentals, food, soft drinks or entertainment. Funds can be used for any neighborhood gathering event.
• Funds are awarded via a grant or reimbursement.

Spark

• Maximum award amount of $3,000.00
• Funding for a neighborhood project, larger event, training or other creative ideas that center program goals.
• Funds are awarded via a grant that will require a fiscal sponsor.

Manufactured Home Community

• Maximum award amount of $3,000.00
• Funding for a neighborhood project, larger event, training or other creative ideas that center program goals specifically for Manufactured Home Communities.
• Funds are awarded via a grant that will require a fiscal sponsor.

Method of Receiving Funding

Grant Award

• This option is available for Block Party, Spark and MHC awards. If awarded, the full awarded amount will be distributed to the person or HOA applicant before neighborhood makes any purchases for their event.
• Grant awards may take up to 8 weeks to processes.

Reimbursement

• This option is available only for Block Party awards under $599. If awarded, funds will be reimbursed with submitted receipts of any purchases made after the event or project.
• Reimbursement may take up to 3 weeks after submitting receipts.

Grant through Fiscal Sponsor

• A fiscal sponsor is an entity (small business or 501c3 Non-Profit) that acts as a third party. This partner will receive the funds from the City of Boulder and will disburse them to you only for the intended purpose that is referred to on this application.
• This practice is only for our funding opportunities over $600 to ensure that funds are used and allocated responsibly. Using this process, we also prevent potential impact on the applicant's taxes.
• Any small business, HOA or a local non-profit that can work with your community may be a fiscal sponsor.
• You will need this following information when you apply:
  • Name of organization or small business
  • Name of a contact person at that organization
  • Contact person's email and phone number

Applications are open April 4 at 6 p.m. through July 31, 2025. There are three rounds of application evaluation. Your awarded funds should be used within 10 weeks after the decision date. All awardees will have until October 24, 2025 to submit any paperwork to program

Round 1

Deadline: May 1, 2025

Decision: May 15, 2025

Round 2

Deadline: June 15, 2025

Decision: June 25, 2025

Round 3

Deadline: July 31, 2025

Decision: Aug. 13, 2025

• Decide which type of grant for which you are applying, how much money you are requesting and deadline for receiving funds or reimbursement.
• Be able to explain how the requested funds will support your neighborhood based on the above program goals.
• Compile a list of materials and services needed to accomplish the project or activity, or to host the party. Please note that hiring a contractor to do work for the neighborhood will not be considered a neighborhood connecting project.
• Gather cost estimates for each item from more than one reliable/licensed source.
• Gather contact information for your neighborhood HOA (if applicable) and/or fiscal sponsor (if applicable). See Types of Funding for more information about fiscal sponsors.
• Applicants must invite/include residents in their neighborhood and/or surrounding homes in the community. Other city of Boulder residents may attend, as well.
• Identify where you live within the city of Boulder. The City of Boulder has not defined neighborhoods within city limits. See this subcommunity map.
• Depending on the type, size and location of the project (i.e. neighborhood beautification, permanent signage, etc.) permitting may be required by the City of Boulder Planning and Development Services.

Applications will be reviewed by City of Boulder staff panels for Rounds 1 and 3. The Youth Opportunities and Advisory Board interns will be reviewing Round 2 applications. Panels will consist of three people and each panelist give each application a score of 0-10 with 0 representing “Does not meet evaluation criteria” and 10 representing “Clearly meets evaluation criteria.” Each score will be then weighted using percentages to calculate a total weighted score between 0-10. The highest-scored applications will be given priority for funding.

Alignment with Program Goals (20%)

The application clearly aligns with at least one of the Program Goals. The goals include:

• Increase opportunities for neighbors to meet and get to know each other
• Provide community-building resources to under-resourced neighborhoods
• Enhance community resilience, healing and joy through personal connections

Key Questions:

• Does the application clearly specify which of the three goals they are meeting?
• How does the applicant specify they will meet these goals?

Equity and Inclusion (20%)

This application clearly shows how they plan to get diverse participation in their neighborhood and uses equitable distribution practices to reach all homes within community. This application aligns with Racial Equity goals set by the City of Boulder.

Key Questions:

• Does the project engage a broad segment of the community, including marginalized or underrepresented groups?

Impact and Outcomes (15%)

Outcomes and impact are clearly identified in application building community resilience and connection.

Key Questions:

• What are the short-term and long-term impacts of the on the community?
• Will funding this application address a specific neighborhood challenge or benefit a particular underserved group?

Community Involvement and Collaboration (20%)

The application demonstrates plans to involve the community in its planning.

Key Questions:

• How are neighbors involved in the proposal?
• Does the proposal leverage partnerships or collaborate with other communities or organizations?

Feasibility and Sustainability (15%)

The proposal is realistic and feasible within the proposed timeframe.

Key Questions:

• Are the proposal’s goals achievable with the proposed timeline?

Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (10%)

The proposal has a planned budget planned that is reasonable and aligned with the Neighborhood Connection Fund.

Key Questions:

• Is the budget clear and provide the requested details?
• Are there other funding sources or in-kind contributions that supplement the budget?