Neighborhood Improvement Projects Fund

The Neighborhood Improvement Projects (NIP) Fund is a grant available to communities registered with the Neighborhood Group Leaders Association (NGLA) that fulfill minimum criteria for participation and attendance at NGLA meetings. The grant supports large-scale community improvements managed by the applying community group. Grant eligibility ranges from $3,000 to $9,000 based on the number of households in the community and requires a community contribution.
NIP grant packets are available in the summer each year, and eligible Neighborhood-Based Community Groups must submit a proposal and budget for a complete project by the September deadline, followed by a final application that responds to staff feedback in January.
Interested communities are supported by proposal and implementation workshops through the Neighborhood Leadership Series each year.
NIP Projects
NGLA communities have completed a diverse array of projects utilizing NIP grants. A few previously funded project examples are included below and please visit the project library for additional project details and inspiration.
Visit the NGLA Project Library to see projects from previous years.
The NIP facilitates improvements that enhance quality of life and bring neighbors together. Projects that benefit only individual people, properties, or organizations, are for maintenance, or fail to fulfill all of the evaluation criteria detailed below cannot be funded. Proposals must designate one on the following categories based on the primary purpose of the project:
- Sense of Community & Connection: Neighborhood identity signage, community message board, tree planting, landscaping enhancements
- Infrastructure & Safety: Installation of a playground, Water conserving irrigation upgrades, Community gazebo, Safety lighting
- Sustainable Neighborhoods: Create a pollinator habitat, a little free library
- Community Assessment and Planning: Historic district survey
For more questions and you can contact our team via email at NGLA@longmontcolorado.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Neighborhood-Based Community Groups (NBCG) that have achieved ‘active’ status with NGLA. *Eligible groups may apply multiple times per year.
- Applications are accepted anytime with specific review deadlines in 2025 on January 2, March 6, May 1, July 3, and September 4.
- Requests are reviewed and awarded the month following the original applications.
- Your neighborhood may apply more than once a year.
- NIP Neighborhood Enhancement Projects (NEP): $6,000 with NLS*
* Amount requires qualifying Neighborhood Leadership Series (NLS) training participation in last 12 months.
- Quality of Life Grant: Neighborhood Identity & Branding, Landscaping & Beautification, Transportation & Public Safety, Placemaking & Community infrastructure
- *Review guidelines with staff and receive approval to submit an application (email below)
- Complete the application: https://bit.ly/NGLAGrantApp must be completed in one session
- Documents submitted with application: Budget, map, property ownership approval, maintenance plan, bids/price comparisons (+ preference letter), supplemental material
- Overall Application: concept, planning, budget, justification, quality
- Public Benefit: The project furthers one of four general quality of life public benefits (NEP) at the neighborhood scale.
- Community Participation: Broad community involvement or support
- Community Contribution: At least 10% of the project cost, aim for 25% to 50%. Options: Financial, Volunteer labor, Donated professional services, Donated materials, and Volunteer management/planning hours (<50). Typically a combination.
- Longevity: Will the project last into the future, clear maintenance plan.
- Need: Is this funding necessary for the project to occur.
- Creativity: A unique, inventive, or inspirational project or approach
- Replicability: Can other neighborhoods replicate the project
- NIP Neighborhood Enhancement Projects (NEP) are awarded by the NIP Committee
- Meet with staff, then complete the project within three months of award notification (extensions may be approved as part of project requirements or with extenuating circumstances)
- Submit payment request with acceptable proof of payment (dated receipt/invoice), final report, and pictures or a community celebration video (recommended)