City of Fayetteville Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant Program

The City of Fayetteville, North Carolina, through its Economic and Community Development Department, administers the Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant Program. This initiative is designed to support community-based organizations and individuals who aim to enhance public safety and reduce violent crime through grassroots efforts. The micro-grant program is part of the city’s broader commitment to investing in innovative, collaborative, and inclusive strategies that promote community stability, address upward mobility, and support diversity. The Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant Program offers low-barrier funding opportunities, allowing easier access for community groups and individuals who may not typically qualify for traditional grants. The program focuses on specific themes including conflict resolution and mediation, youth and family engagement, family stability, community crime prevention, and reducing implicit bias. Priority is given to programs that demonstrate innovation, resourcefulness, and collaborative planning with a measurable impact on crime reduction. Funding for this initiative is allocated in two grant cycles, with a total of $100,000 designated for the program. Each cycle spans approximately six months. Micro-grant awards are distributed across four tiers: Tier One and Tier Two provide up to $2,500 each; Tier Three offers up to $5,000; and Tier Four grants are available for up to $10,000. Tier Two applicants must have completed Tier One, and Tier Three and Four applicants must be nonprofits or fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit. Tier Four applicants must additionally demonstrate measurable outcomes, long-term sustainability, and partnerships. The application process is facilitated through the Neighborly Participant Portal. Applicants must register on the platform to access and submit their applications. For Cycle 7, applications open on July 16, 2025, and close on July 28, 2025, at 9 AM. A pre-application workshop is strongly encouraged and offered on July 23 and July 25, 2025, to help applicants understand the grant tiers, eligibility, portal usage, and timeline. Attendance at capacity-building workshops is mandatory for all awardees. Eligibility for the program is limited to organizations with annual operating budgets under $100,000 and individuals or groups that intend to conduct crime-reduction activities within high-violence areas of the City of Fayetteville. Participants must demonstrate alignment with one or more of the program themes and commit to participating in required workshops and reporting activities. For more information or questions regarding the application process, interested applicants are encouraged to contact the City of Fayetteville at 910-433-1329. Additional documentation such as the Micro-Grant Manual and full Notice of Funding Availability are accessible through the city’s website or upon request from the Economic and Community Development Department.

Attend pre-application workshop to understand eligibility, grant tiers, and application process. Familiarize with Neighborly Portal prior to submission.