Neighborhood Grant Program

The City of St. Augustine's Neighborhood Grant Program (NGP) is a locally administered initiative aimed at empowering both formal and informal nonprofit groups to improve the quality of life in their communities through neighborhood-based projects. Managed by the Neighborhood Services Division, the program seeks to support beautification, enrichment, and engagement efforts that enhance the public realm and foster a deeper sense of community throughout St. Augustine’s historic neighborhoods. With a maximum grant award of $3,000 per fiscal year, the NGP encourages grassroots participation in small-scale projects that can have a tangible, positive impact on local residents. The NGP accepts applications from eligible nonprofit groups during four designated windows each year—January, April, July, and October—specifically from the 1st to the 15th of those months. These quarterly cycles ensure continuous opportunities for neighborhood organizations to propose projects such as community gardens, local festivals, signage improvements, mini libraries, environmental enhancements, art installations, and public space improvements. All funded projects must be located within the municipal boundaries of the City of St. Augustine, and organizations must demonstrate active participation throughout the entire project lifecycle, from proposal to execution. To be eligible, applicant groups must consist of at least three active members and show documented evidence of being operational for at least 365 days prior to applying. Formal organizations are encouraged to include bylaws, tax ID numbers, and board-approved meeting minutes with their submissions. Informal organizations are also eligible, provided they can demonstrate a consistent pattern of community engagement. The program disqualifies familial organizations consisting entirely of individuals related by birth or marriage. Applications are subject to review by the Neighborhood Grant Program Award Committee (NGPAC), an internal panel that evaluates submissions based on three scoring criteria. A minimum cumulative score of 15 points is required for funding consideration. The grant operates on a reimbursement model, meaning awarded funds are disbursed after proof of expenditure is submitted. Some grants may be subject to the City’s public procurement policies, especially when engaging vendors. In select cases, grants may be paid directly to vendors upon verification. Applicants must be cautious to ensure that the scope of the project does not require ongoing subscription costs, conflict with city capital improvements, or exceed the annual $3,000 funding cap across multiple submissions. Projects must be completed and reported within the same fiscal year they are funded. Application submission is possible through multiple channels: email ([email protected]), mail, or in-person delivery at the Neighborhood Services Division office. All applications must be fully completed and received by 5 PM on the final day of the acceptance period. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered and must be resubmitted in the next cycle. Following submission, applications are vetted for compliance, scored, and, if approved, move on to legal review and award processing. Denied applicants receive written notice with reasoning. For questions or support, Jill Collins, the Administrative Coordinator for the Neighborhood Services and Community Redevelopment Agency, serves as the main point of contact. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 904-209-4201. Projects that successfully receive funding must be documented with a completion report, including financial records and a narrative outlining public impact. Non-compliance with final reporting requirements may jeopardize eligibility for future grant cycles.

Submit during the application window (1st–15th). Ensure eligibility docs and project scope align with criteria.