Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program

The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program is a local initiative designed to support neighborhood and homeowner associations (HOAs) in their efforts to enhance and improve their communities. Administered by the City of Peoria, the program encourages civic engagement and community-driven development through financial assistance to small-scale improvement projects. By allocating public resources to local organizations, the city aims to promote quality of life, foster neighborhood pride, and support grassroots efforts that address the unique needs of local residents. The 2026 application cycle for the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program opened on March 2 and will close on April 3. First-time applicants are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant funding, while returning applicants may apply for up to $2,500. This tiered funding approach allows the program to welcome new participants while continuing to support ongoing community-led initiatives. All grant funding is intended to be used for neighborhood improvement purposes, and applicants are expected to propose projects that demonstrate clear community benefit and alignment with program objectives. Applicants must be officially recognized neighborhood associations or homeowner associations within the City of Peoria. The program is not open to individuals or organizations that do not meet this criterion. While the application itself is straightforward, interested associations are encouraged to carefully consider the impact, feasibility, and sustainability of their proposed projects to strengthen their chances of receiving funding. There is no indication of a cost share or matching funds requirement. The submission process begins by accessing the online application via the link provided on the city’s website. There are no indications of a required Letter of Intent or other pre-application steps. Prospective applicants are advised to submit their completed materials before the stated deadline. All proposals will be reviewed following the close of the application period, and funding decisions will likely be made shortly thereafter. For any questions or assistance, applicants can contact Management Analyst Lamia Doueihi by email at [email protected] or by phone at 309-494-8637. No specific performance period or formal evaluation criteria were provided in the announcement. Additionally, there is no indication that the program is recurring annually, and no details were given regarding the timeline for award notification or project implementation.