Community Connections Program (CCP)

Community Connections Program (CCP) is sponsored by City of Hampton, Virginia. Offers seed funding to grassroots community efforts aimed at improving neighborhood quality of life.

Grants for Neighborhoods | Hampton, VA - Official Website Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Thursday, October 2, 2025 Community Connections Program Description and available funds Community Connections Program (CCP) funds are intended to stimulate grassroots community efforts and encourage groups to come together to make Hampton’s neighborhoods better.

The goals of the CCP are to improve communication and partnerships within a community, involve new members in activities, and enhance the quality of life. CCP is considered “seed funding”; meant to support the project or event initially, in hopes it will generate resources of its own for future continuation and success. The maximum grant amount is $4,000 per project.

Organizations may only have one active CCP project at any time. CCP requests are limited to one per year, per organization. Grants for events covering multiple sites may be sponsored by separate organizations but each sponsoring organization must submit a request.

Eligible strategies and projects: Groups that apply for funding must demonstrate how their project brings people together to make their neighborhoods better places to live by using the skills and interests of those who live, work, play, and or do business in the neighborhood. Groups are encouraged to think creatively about what will work in their communities and with whom they might partner to accomplish their work.

Examples of eligible projects include: Projects that advance Public Safety and increase the feeling of safety in the neighborhood such as fire safety education, disaster preparedness programs, night out events, police-youth athletic leagues, and neighborhood watch outreach, etc. Projects that support Organizational Development to improve the workings of existing neighborhood organizations such as board training and development, membership recruitment, and outreach tools (brochures, newsletters, resident directories).

Projects that support Recreational, Educational, & Cultural Initiatives, may include inter-generational tutoring programs, senior citizen educational programs, neighborhood music or arts events, parades, fairs, cleanups, and community-based outdoor or recreational activities. There are many possible strategies to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods.

We encourage project submissions that reflect new thinking as well as those that use established best practices to advance the Hampton Neighborhood Initiative principles. We are interested in investing in both proven strategies and new ideas.

Before you begin your application, please check the following items: Scope (overview, geographic influence, outcomes) Timeline (season, conflicting events/ holidays) Budget (total cost, outside resources, % to match) Outreach (involve, create a team, internal and external promotions) Your Neighborhood Commissioners Residents/ Business Owners within Geographic Influence All Appropriate Stakeholders Completing this checklist, maintaining minutes, flyers, emails, and any other forms of documentation ensures a much smoother review process.

Apply for the Community Connections Program Here . Consult the Neighborhood Development Fund policy here (PDF) . Learn more about Hampton's Outdoor Special Events Permits .

Places and Spaces Program Description and Available Funds The Hampton Placemaking Program provides grant funding to Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs) for community-driven projects that enhance public spaces, foster neighborhood identity, and support long-term quality of life improvements.

The program supports projects on two types of properties Eligible applicants are registered neighborhood organizations, as previously defined, located in or serving neighborhoods within the City. Applicants must be an active RNO who has attended a sponsored Neighborhood Commission Placemaking Project Lab and who has submitted an Intent to Apply form.

Additionally, for projects on privately owned property that is publicly accessible, the applicant or a co-applicant must be a nonstock corporation that is in good standing in the Commonwealth of Virginia or recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable entity. Neighborhood Organizations may apply for a maximum of $150,000 in grant funds per project .

All other funding levels will be established and defined in the Neighborhood Development Fund Procedures. Funds are available to support collaborative projects that involve physical improvements on City Property or privately owned property that is publicly accessible. Funds are not intended to be solely used for routine maintenance and upkeep of facilities.

However, improvements and upgrades to existing facilities may be eligible. The Neighborhood Commission will assess projects to ensure that they: Are consistent with the goals and principles of the Hampton Neighborhood Initiative; and Benefit an entire neighborhood and community.

Examples of eligible projects include: Neighborhood Entryway Improvements — Projects that provide a clear sense of place and community pride, such as beautification projects, decorative signage, landscaping, and lighting. Safety and Prevention —Projects that enhance residents’ sense of safety, such as street lighting improvements, traffic calming measures, and crosswalk improvements.

Community Enhancements —Projects that improve aesthetic quality and increase opportunities for community building, such as neighborhood parks, playgrounds, walking/biking trails, and community gardens. Recreational, Educational & Cultural Initiatives — Projects may include outdoor or recreational improvements, school park improvements, or public art projects.

Beautifications, Minor Neighborhood Improvement — Projects that quickly and easily improve the neighborhood’s physical appearance, from landscaping, banners, signage, plantings, seating areas, and park enhancements.

Before you begin your application, please check the following items: Scope (overview, geographic influence, outcomes) Timeline (project’s life expectancy is to be at least 5 years) Location (city property or publicly accessible property) Budget (total cost, outside resources, % to match for publicly accessible property) Planning (met and planned with city departments; e.g., Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Clean City, and Zoning) Outreach (involve, create a team, internal and external promotions) Your Neighborhood Commissioners Residents/ Business Owners within Geographic Influence All Appropriate Stakeholders Ongoing Community Commitment (RNOs are expected to demonstrate a vested commitment to specific public spaces, contributing to the project’s long-term success) Completing this checklist and maintaining minutes, flyers, emails, and any other forms of documentation ensure a much smoother review process.

Please submit your Intent to Apply form here . Apply for the Placemaking Grant Program Here. Consult the Consult the Hampton Placemaking Program policy here (PDF) .

Apply for a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) here .

Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Learn more about the education programs provided by Housing and Neighborhood Services here .

For questions, please contact the Housing and Neighborhood Services Division at [email protected] . Or call 757-727-6140 (Fax: 757-728-2449).