The Neighborhood Grant Program

The Neighborhood Grant Program is a community-focused initiative managed by the City of Covington, Kentucky, through its Neighborhood Services Department in partnership with The Center for Great Neighborhoods. Designed to enhance the quality of life in Covington neighborhoods, the program offers competitive funding to support resident-led groups aiming to beautify their communities, remove blight, and foster social cohesion through events and other projects. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 per project, with a total funding pool of approximately $30,000 available for the current cycle. These grants are specifically reserved for groups composed of or organizing neighborhood residents. Applications from businesses, public agencies, schools, religious or fraternal organizations, or individuals are not accepted unless they partner with eligible groups in a supporting role. The application process includes multiple steps: community members must first collaboratively develop a project idea, consult with Cate Douglas from The Center for Great Neighborhoods for early guidance, then complete and submit the formal application by the posted deadline. After submission, proposals are reviewed by a committee composed of City and Center staff. The evaluation uses a structured scoring rubric, focusing on factors such as feasibility, community impact, level of support, inclusion, and sustainability. Projects scoring more than 75 out of 100 points are recommended to the City Commission for final approval. The timeline also requires selected projects to be completed by May 4, 2026. Funded projects must demonstrate neighborhood-wide impact and public benefit. Events are eligible if the cost is under $2,000, with the remainder of the budget supporting more permanent improvements. Eligible uses include but are not limited to beautification efforts, neighborhood events with cultural or artistic significance, and public installations. Projects must be new or unique in character; recurring annual events are explicitly excluded. The City emphasizes equitable distribution of funds across neighborhoods and encourages applicants to consolidate proposals if multiple submissions arise from the same area. Successful applicants must enter into a formal agreement with The Center for Great Neighborhoods before initiating work. All project-related expenses must occur after the agreement is executed to qualify for reimbursement. The Center serves as a liaison and provides ongoing support throughout the implementation phase. Projects are monitored monthly and grantees are required to submit a final report within seven days of completion, outlining expenditures, community impact, and any lessons learned. Unused funds must be returned to the City within 30 days of the completion deadline. Applicants must also secure any necessary approvals from other City departments before the grant agreement is finalized, particularly if the project involves installation on public property or requires permits. Public benefit is a central criterion: the City must maintain control over how funds are spent and ensure that the primary benefit accrues to the general public rather than private groups. The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 cycle is December 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., and applications open on November 3, 2025. Submissions can be emailed to Walt Mace, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services, at wmace@covingtonky.gov or delivered in person to the Finance Department at City Hall. Additional inquiries may also be directed to Cate Douglas at The Center for Great Neighborhoods via cate@greatneighborhoods.org or 859-547-5550.

Projects in underserved areas or with strong cultural ties are prioritized; recurring events are discouraged; consolidate proposals if multiple applications from same area.