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PURPOSE:
The Neighborhood Mini Grants Program is a United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County effort to encourage the activities and ideas of neighborhoods in San Antonio and Bexar County by supporting small projects that can have a large impact. Grants will be made to individuals and grass roots organizations to develop new leadership while connecting residents with each other and the organizations and associations in their area.
Through the Neighborhood Mini Grant Program residents will be engaged and participate in community building efforts. By making these investments, the United Way hopes to increase community participation in neighborhood events, membership in neighborhood associations, leadership skills among community members, input into decision-making, grassroots conditions to improve community conditions, and involvement of youth and seniors in activities that benefit their community. |
NEIGHBORHOOD MINI GRANTS PROGRAM GOALS:
1. Increase the sense of community among individuals who are linked by location.
2. Strengthen the capacity of individuals, groups and neighborhoods to solve problems, to make decisions, and to respond more effectively to issues and challenges facing them.
3. Expand individual participation within groups or neighborhoods in order to draw upon the collective abilities and skills of all residents. |
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4. Increase the leadership skills of individuals within neighborhoods to maximize people's efforts to work together and share responsibilities.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? |
Three or more Individuals with a great idea, organized groups, and associations located within Bexar County.
WHAT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?
- Ongoing health and human service programs
- Management and general expenses for organizations
- Political contributions
- "Seed money" for starting a for-profit business
- Currently funded United Way agencies
- Programs that are principally religious or sectarian
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I APPLY FOR?
There is no minimum amount for the Mini Grants, however, the maximum amount for any funded project is $1,000. Applicants can only apply for projects that have a beginning and an end, and may not apply again until the first project is completed. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION AND CONDITIONS FOR FUNDING: |
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 Applicants must demonstrate that they have local leadership, support and participation. All projects must be designed and implemented by people living within the designated neighborhood.
Applicants must be able to clearly define the geographic area within San Antonio where the project will take place.
Applicants will be volunteer groups with no or small budgets and limited access to other funding sources.
Applicants must demonstrate that their project will help achieve the goals of the Neighborhood Mini Grants Program.
Groups do not need to be incorporated as formal non-profit 501c3 organizations, but must have at least three persons willing to represent the group. |
Each project must be completed within a twelve month period. Successful applicants can not apply again until the first project is completed.
Funded projects will be expected to report their accomplishments.
Applications must include signatures from at least three (3) persons from the group. |
Application Timeline
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Action Steps
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Cycle 1 |
Cycle 2 |
Cycle 3 |
Cycle 4 |
| Application Deadline |
July
3
, 200
7
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September 1
8
, 200
7
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January
8
, 200
8
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April
8
, 200
8
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| Notification of Award |
July 2
6
, 200
7
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October 2
3
, 200
7
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February 1
2
, 200
8
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May 13, 2008 |
Applications MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4:30 P.M. on the Deadline Date
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REQUIREMENTS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS:
1. Grant funds can only be used for completion of the specific project outlined in the application.
2. Grant recipients will be required to submit a written report on the completed project, including receipts no later than 60 days after the project is completed.
3. Successful grant recipients can not apply for another Neighborhood Mini Grant until the previous project is completed and the report is submitted. |
HOW WILL DECISIONS BE MADE?
A committee made up of residents representing neighborhoods from around San Antonio will make all grant decisions. Their decisions will be made based on the criteria for Neighborhood Mini Grants and on a first come, first served basis. All decisions made by the Neighborhood Mini Grants Committee are final. Applicants that are not successful are welcome to reapply and to contact the United Way to get feedback on the proposal. |
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If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the Neighborhood Mini Grants Program, simply click on the link below to obtain a .pdf version of the the application
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Neighborhood Mini Grant Application [ .PDF]
Neighborhood Mini Grant Application [ MS Word]
Contact Margaret Oser, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives at 352-7067 for more information.
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