Neighborhood Engagement and Transformation (NEAT) Grants Program

The Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) administers the Neighborhood Engagement and Transformation (NEAT) Grants Program to support resident-led initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in under-resourced neighborhoods. NEAT empowers community groups and individuals to take active roles in shaping their environment by providing financial resources, technical assistance, and training. The overarching goal of the program is to promote collaboration, civic engagement, and neighborhood revitalization through small-scale, high-impact projects that reflect local priorities and creativity. The program provides grant awards of up to $10,000 for eligible projects proposed within designated Countywide Community Revitalization Team (CCRT) neighborhoods in unincorporated Palm Beach County, as well as the Glades region, which includes the municipalities of Belle Glade, South Bay, and Pahokee. Projects must deliver a public benefit, demonstrate community support, and be completed within a nine-month implementation window. Proposals must fall into at least one of nine defined categories: Neighborhood Beautification, Identification, Organizing and Sustainability, Outreach and Capacity Building, Public Safety and Crime Prevention, Community Gardens, Green Projects, Emergency Preparedness, or Other eligible neighborhood enhancements. To be eligible, applicants must be individuals or community groups serving CCRT neighborhoods. Formal groups, such as homeowners’ associations or neighborhood associations, must be incorporated nonprofit entities in good standing with the State of Florida. Each project must secure a dollar-for-dollar match through a combination of volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and/or cash contributions. Volunteer labor is valued at $33 per hour. Maintenance of the funded improvements for a minimum of two years post-completion is required and may count toward the match. The application process begins with a mandatory pre-application conference scheduled for March 10, 2026. Attendees must RSVP by March 9. Following this session, interested applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by April 9, 2026, to confirm project eligibility. The final application, including all required forms and documentation such as vendor quotes, neighborhood support, photos, and budget tables, is due by 4:00 PM on May 14, 2026. Submissions must be in PDF format and delivered via email or USB to the Office of Community Revitalization. Each submission is reviewed by OCR staff and a multi-departmental review committee composed of representatives from county departments including Planning, Zoning and Building, Parks and Recreation, and Emergency Management. Evaluation criteria include tangible neighborhood benefit, alignment with OCR’s mission, level of community involvement, and feasibility. Bonus points are awarded for applicants whose match contribution exceeds 50% of the requested funding. Funding recommendations are submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for approval. Award announcements are expected by July 30, 2026, with final grant agreements signed and projects launched by October 20, 2026. Grantees must complete their work and submit a final report no later than one month prior to the grant’s expiration. Throughout the project period, grantees are responsible for securing all necessary permits, maintaining communication with OCR, and documenting project impact and match expenditures. The program fosters leadership, civic pride, and lasting improvements in communities historically underserved in Palm Beach County.

Attend the required pre-application conference, verify permitting needs early, and ensure match documentation meets 1:1 requirement.