Deadline nearing for neighborhood grant applications
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT
Applications are already pouring in to Hillsborough County’s Office of Neighborhood Relations for its annual neighborhood mini-grant program.
This year, county officials say, there’s twice the good news. Groups will be able to apply for up to $5,000, double the amount available in past years.
The money is awarded to bring neighborhoods together and boost community pride. Applicants are expected to use their creativity and come up with original ideas.
The program, in place since 1998, is used for projects such as community gardens, leadership training, newsletters, websites, along with crime watch, civic and homeowners’ associations registered through the Office of Neighborhood Relations.
All of Hillsborough County is invited to participate, including neighborhoods in the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3.
The county typically receives about 100 applications per year and awards 40 or so grants. At the Neighborhood Relations Office, Neighborhood Liaison Wanda Sloan reiterated that associations must be registered with that office and must have an elected neighborhood board. Representatives must attend a mini-grant training class, along with turning in an application.
The information session can be attended in person or completed online before submitting an application. That session will go over the application process, grant criteria and the types of projects that would qualify for county funding. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the program.
Participants will receive a verification code that must be included on the application as proof the information session was completed.
On-Site Trainings Are Scheduled:
• Tuesday, June 26, at 6 p.m., 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road in Tampa.
• Monday, July 2, at 6 p.m., Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa.
• Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m., Temple Terrace Public Library, 202 Bullard Parkway in Temple Terrace.
• Monday, July 16, at 6 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd. in Tampa.
• Monday, July 23, at 6 p.m., County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 1st floor.
• Monday, July 30, at 6 p.m., Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.
An Online Session is Also Scheduled
Participants can view an online webinar or listen in via telephone.
• Wednesday, July 11, at 6 p.m.
Past projects have included a mini-grant to Lake St. Charles in Riverview to develop a neighborhood app for the smart phone, safety-related projects, neighborhood block parties (for costs not associated with food or beverages) and signs for communities.
Some of the county staff’s favorites include a butterfly garden that is used as a learning garden for children, neighborhood-level disaster training and a paint-your-intersection project.
Word that the grants are coming is spread through a county press release, on social media and by word-of-mouth.
The Hillsborough County Commission initially started the mini-grant program to assist neighborhoods in creating a safe, beautiful place to live, Sloan’s office said. Typically, neighborhoods that have community pride have fewer code violations, illegal dumping and crime, making them more desirable places to live and raise families, county officials say.
To register for one of the training classes, and for complete information about the mini-grants process, requirements, and application, go to HCFLGov.net/Neighborhoods and click on the “Neighborhood Grants” link, or call the Office of Neighborhood Relations at 813-272-5860.