ELGIN - The City of Elgin Planning & Neighborhood Services Department has announced that Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program (NIGP) applications for both the Large Project Fund and the Small Sparks Fund are now available for the 2006 program year. These applications can be downloaded from the City of Elgin website at www.cityofelgin.org.
The Large Project Fund allocates grant monies ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. Eligible projects for funding include physical improvements to the neighborhood located on publicly owned property, such as signage and lighting, parkway tree replacement, neighborhood festivals and community-building events. Staff is available to meet with interested neighborhood groups for pre-application meetings. The deadline to submit a request for pre-application is Friday, April 14, 2006. The final deadline for applications for the Large Project Fund is Friday, April 28, 2006. Funding will be awarded in the spring of 2006 and all projects should be completed within one year of receiving a grant.
The Small Sparks Fund allocates grant monies for projects under $1,000. Eligible projects for funding include small neighborhood projects, such as survey work and documentation, introductory mailings for new organizations, neighborhood festivals and community-building events. Funding was available beginning January 1, 2006 and will be granted in a first come first served basis. All projects and activities should be completed within six months from receiving a grant.
A 50/50 match is required for all grants received from the NIGP. Applicants may provide their match in the form of cash, donated professional services, materials, or volunteer labor. Of the match provided by the neighborhood, at least 50% must be in the form of volunteer labor.
Funding for the NIGP comes from the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund, and is intended to provide financial assistance and incentives for neighborhood groups and organizations in the development and implementation of projects benefiting their respective neighborhoods. Since 1996, over $775,000 has been awarded to neighborhood projects throughout the community.
For more information regarding the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program, please contact RuthAnne Hall, Management Analyst at (847)-931-6104.