Only St. Louis Park neighborhood organizations are eligible to apply for funds.

To be recognized as an organized neighborhood association by the city, you must be approved through the annual registration process and demonstrate the following:

• Have at least three elected officers who are residents of the neighborhood (e.g., chair/president, co-chair, treasurer).
• Have a method of transferring leadership.
• Have written bylaws approved by membership, which must be reviewed annually.
• Hold an annual neighborhood meeting.

If you have not completed the annual registration process, complete the neighborhood registration form to register your neighborhood and be eligible for grant funding.

What can be funded? 

Community projects/events that focus on the following criteria will be considered for funding: 

• Annual neighborhood meeting 
• Annual neighborhood-wide event (with connection to the city/government)
• Communication and outreach materials
• Community cleanup and/or beautification 
• Health and wellness events/activities
• History/equity events  
• National Night Out events

Funding distribution

Funding for the program will be distributed based on a needs-based formula that considers three key factors: population, residents' median income, and the median property value within each neighborhood. Using this data, neighborhoods will be evaluated and assigned to one of three tiers, determined by their overall score.

Once neighborhoods have completed their annual registration, they will be notified of their assigned tier and corresponding available funding:

• Tier 1 (high needs) – $1,900
• Tier 2 (moderate needs) – $1,400
• Tier 3 (low needs) – $1,000

This approach ensures that resources are allocated equitably to support the varying needs of our neighborhoods.

The application process to register your neighborhood and apply for funds for neighborhood events or projects begins March 17, 2025.

To apply for funds for events/projects, complete the neighborhood project/event registration form. Registration forms can be submitted throughout the year.

Note: Neighborhoods must have completed the annual neighborhood registration form and have been approved before submitting the neighborhood project/event registration form.

The program period covers events or projects occurring between May 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Reimbursement guidelines 

• Neighborhood residents are required to pay for expenses upfront and will be reimbursed by the city if they follow the grant guidelines for purchases (e.g., no alcohol, gift cards, etc.). 
• Reimbursements must be submitted by one of the neighborhood's elected officials (president/chair, co-chair, or treasurer).  When submitting a reimbursement request, up to four core group members may receive payment for reimbursed expenses.
  • Each individual receiving payment must fill out a W-9 form to the city to be eligible for reimbursement.
• Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than 30 days after the project or event has ended. Any reimbursement request submitted after the 30-day requirement may be denied.
• Reimbursement requests will be processed within 35 days of a complete submission. Payment and reimbursement may be delayed if there are issues with the information or documentation submitted, which will require further communication between city staff and the neighborhood contact.
• The city may request additional documentation to verify outreach and/or engagement for events.
• Reimbursements or invoice payments may not exceed the total grant award.
• Reimbursements for the previous year can't be accepted or processed after Dec. 31, 2026. 

How to request reimbursement

To request reimbursement for expenses related to a grant that has already been awarded, complete the reimbursement request form.

Neighborhoods that apply for funds for neighborhood projects/events during the program period are required to attend a short training to learn the obligations and responsibilities associated with using public dollars. The training will be a fun way to learn what can be done with city resources and which things to avoid.

Trainings will take place April 9 and 10, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at city hall.