Neighborhood Improvement Grants (Bloomington, IN) is a grant from the City of Bloomington HAND Department that funds neighborhood-driven capital projects, organizational capacity building, and community events in Bloomington, Indiana. Past funded projects have included neighborhood entrance signs and other local improvements.

Funding requests must fall between $1,000 and $10,000, and applicants must provide a minimum 10% match — which may be satisfied through in-kind labor, donated materials and services, or cash. Eligible applicants are neighborhood groups in Bloomington, IN, who must demonstrate significant neighborhood involvement and support. The 2026 application deadline was February 16, 2026.

Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program | City of Bloomington, Indiana Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program At-a-glance overview of the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program 2026 Neighborhood Services Calendar Eligible projects include these categories: organizational capacity building projects and events. funds may also be used for design development of a proposed project.

Project funding requests must fall between $1,000 and $10,000. Neighborhood groups must provide a minimum match equaling 10% of requested funds. The match requirement may include in-kind labor, donated materials and services, and cash.

This is a neighborhood-driven process. Successful applications will demonstrate significant neighborhood involvement and support.

Past projects have included: neighborhood entrance signs restoration of historic sidewalks native plant restoration in a neighborhood park signage and headstone restoration in Rose Hill Cemetery kiosks, trash cans, dog waste stations Virtual Informational Meeting Letter of Intent to Apply Due Monday, February 16, 2026 A brief summary of the proposed project (no more than one page).

Please include: project location (if applicable), how the neighborhood chose the project (E.g., What problem does is solve? What need does it fill? Who will benefit?)

estimated budget, if possible Email letter to [email protected] . Technical Assistance Meeting HAND will schedule a technical assistance meeting with each neighborhood that has submitted a letter of intent. At this meeting, HAND staff will: Review the grant process, City expectations, and neighborhood responsibilities.

Determine whether the proposed project requires City permits/permissions, and if so, how to secure them? Answer questions specific to the project. Neighborhood Presentations to Grant Council (hybrid public meeting) Monday, April 13, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.

m. Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council Work Session (virtual public meeting) Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p. m.

START with the 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Application Guidelines . They provide everything you need to know about the application process. Keep the guidelines handy as you complete the application--they are your step-by-step instructions.

The 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant application form is entirely electronic. You will need a Google account to submit the application. This allows you to upload files, receive a copy of your application, and edit your application after submission.

Please read through the application in its entirety before beginning to fill out the electronic form. You will be asked to upload a number of files to your application; please have these completed and ready for upload before you begin to complete the form. Links to all REQUIRED documents Please download each form, complete it, and save your completed version.

Please refer to the grant application form for information about where to upload each of your completed documents.

Volunteer Hours Computation Sheet Affidavit of Notice to Adjacent Property Owners Neighborhood Improvement Grant Budget Template Volunteer Commitment Form 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Guidelines Waiver, Release, and Hold-Harmless Agreement 2026 Neighborhood Services Calendar A Guide to the Regulated Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species of Indiana City of Bloomington Prohibited Plant Species City of Bloomington Policy and Procedures for Private Art Installations within the Public Right of Way If your organization has an idea for which you are interested in applying for a Neighborhood Improvement Grant, contact Neighborhood Services Program Manager 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded Bentley Court Community Association Awarded $9,067 to establish a Wildlife Corridor along Winslow Road, running alongside the city sidewalk bordering Bentley Court, from Rogers Family Park to the Sherwood Oaks subdivision.

This grant represents the first year of a three year project. This phase will focus on development of a comprehensive plan with the help of a professional landscape designer and removal of existing invasive trees. Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association Awarded $2,928 to enhance the existing wrought iron gate at the neighborhood’s North Walnut Street entrance by adding the words “Blue Ridge”.

Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association Awarded $10,000 for continuing professional work to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, five public headstone restoration techniques and skills workshops were held.

Special THANKS to 2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission Maryanne Dorsey, Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association Tom Payne, Near West Side Neighborhood Association Maria McCormick, Engineering Department Cassie Werne, Public Works Department 2024 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association Awarded $12,825 to refurbish two neighborhood entrance signs and associated landscaping.

Work included repairs to limestone signs and lighting, and replacement of existing landscaping with native plants in the islands at each of the two neighborhood entrances. Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association Awarded $12,590. 00 to hire restoration professionals to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle.

In addition, four public headstone restoration techniques and skills workshops were held. Rockport Hills Neighborhood Association Awarded $1,350 to clean, paint, and seal the existing neighborhood entrance sign and install native landscaping. Woodlands-Winding Brook HOA Awarded $7,400 for the second phase of a project to convert an inoperable retention pond into a bioretention area.

Special THANKS to 2024 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Bram Boyd, Grandview Hills Neighborhood Association John West, Redevelopment Commission Maria McCormick, Engineering Department Christina Smith, Public Works Department Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council Awarded $6,410 to refurbish two playgrounds, in the Rev.

Butler and Walnut Woods communities. Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association Awarded $12,590 to hire restoration professionals to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, restoration professionals offered a 3-hour public workshop to teach headstone restoration techniques and skills.

Woodlands-Winding Brook HOA Awarded $11,000 for the first phase of a project to convert an inoperable retention pond into a bioretention area, to include storm water mitigation features, native plantings, and community gathering spaces.

Special THANKS to 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Bram Boyd, Grandview Hills Neighborhood Association Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission Maria McCormick, Engineering Department Nate Nickel, Public Works Department Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association 2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded Arden Place Neighborhood Association Awarded $9,000.

00 to install stand-alone outdoor fitness equipment in Southeast Park . Equipment will be accessible to individuals of differing ages and fitness levels. Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association Awarded $6,000.

00 to repair eight decorative wrought iron panels, located at the two neighborhood entrances on North Dunn Street. Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association Awarded $6,551. 74 for 20 street sign toppers, a kiosk in Building Trades Park , and signage in Rose Hill Cemetery .

CONGRATULATIONS 2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant recipients!

Special THANKS to 2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Roy Aten, Engineering Department Deborah Myerson, Redevelopment Commission Nate Nickel, Public Works Department Sue Tuohy, Crescent Bend Neighborhood Association Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council Awarded $5,019.

16 to place additional trash cans, cigarette butt disposal cans, and pet waste stations throughout the three Bloomington Housing Authority properties (Rev. Butler, Crestmont, and Walnut Woods). A dog waste station installed in Crestmont Community.

EverGreen Village Neighborhood Awarded $1,107. 60 to place a neighborhood entrance sign at the corner of Susie Street and RCA Park Drive. Neighborhood entrance sign welcomes you to EverGreen Village.

Near West Side Neighborhood Association Awarded $2,743. 00 to paint murals on the five traffic calming circles within the neighborhood. The theme of the murals will celebrate the diverse history of the Near West Side.

Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association Awarded $4,410. 00 to place seven way finding signs in the Rose Hill Cemetery . This is the continuation of a grant request that was partially funded in 2020.

One of the Rose Hill Cemetery way finding section signs. St. James Woods Neighborhood Association Awarded $5,491.

79 to revitalize the landscaping on a City-owned parcel at the entrance to their neighborhood along E Moores Pike. St. James Woods neighbors made many improvements to this landscaped area at their neighborhood entrance.

Village of Ridgefield Homeowners Association Awarded $3,973. 85 to place four ADA-compliant benches along the sidewalks within their neighborhood. A resident of the Village of Ridgefield enjoys a respite on one of their new ADA-compliant benches.

Woodlands-Winding Brook Homeowners Association Awarded $4,254. 60 to place new neighborhood signs on either side of their neighborhood entrance. Their previous signs were removed when the City constructed a new walking path in the area.

One of the two new neighborhood signs at the entrance to The Woodlands neighborhood. CONGRATULATIONS 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grant recipients!

Special THANKS to 2021 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Roy Aten, Engineering Department Cindy Kinnarney, Redevelopment Commission Nate Nickel, Public Works Department Debora Shaw, Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association 2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grants Awarded At its May 4, 2020 meeting the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved the following Neighborhood Improvement Grant funding, for a total of $14,800.

74: $4,532. 74 to the Bloomington Housing Authority Residents' Council for “Community Engagement and Back-to-School Resource Fair” Three kiosks were installed at Bloomington Housing Authority properties to improve communication with residents. $3,488.

00 to the Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association for “Creekside Gardens and Paths—Park Ridge East Park Restoration Phase 2” The butterfly garden in Park Ridge East Park . $6,780. 00 the the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association for “Rose Hill Cemetery Improvements 2020” One of twelve cemetery section signs installed at Rose Hill Cemetery .

Special THANKS to 2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Council members for their service: Roy Aten, Planning and Transportation Department Cindy Kinnarney, Redevelopment Commission Nate Nickel, Public Works Department Linda Woods, Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association Sharon Yarber, Matlock Heights Neighborhood Association Department: Housing and Neighborhood Development