Great Neighborhood Program Overview
| Site: | OpenLearn Create |
| Course: | Neighborhood Association Board Member Onboarding |
| Book: | Great Neighborhood Program Overview |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Saturday, 22 November 2025, 8:52 AM |
1. Introduction
Image by City of Springfield MO
The Great Neighborhoods Grant Program is available each calendar year to registered neighborhood associations in the City of Springfield. The grant program offers an opportunity for neighborhoods to host events and create programs that support their neighborhood and local community with the goal of building a cleaner, safer and friendlier Springfield.
This grant program was built based on the Great Neighborhoods Philosophy that was adopted by City Council in 2013. The Great Neighborhoods Philosophy acknowledges that great neighborhoods are built on the following four principles1:
1) Residents must lead the process
2) Long term commitment
3) Inclusive of all participants
4) Engaging activities
1. City of Springfield MO, Great Neighborhoods Grant Program, n.d., https://www.springfieldmo.gov/675/Great-Neighborhoods-Grant-Program, 1.
2. Eligibility
The Great Neighborhoods Grant Program is available to all registered neighborhood organizations in the City of Springfield. In addition to being registered with the City, the four principles of the Great Neighborhoods Philosophy must be continually followed by each neighborhood to remain eligible for grant funds.1
1. City of Springfield MO, Great Neighborhoods Grant Program, n.d., https://www.springfieldmo.gov/675/Great-Neighborhoods-Grant-Program, 1.
3. Application & Requirements
| January 1st |
Application Period Opens |
|---|---|
| March 31st |
Application Period Closes |
| November 30th |
Deadline to Spend Funds ** |
| December 1st |
Deadline to Submit Final Grant Report |
When each application period opens, an online application form will be made available. The application form will generally require:
- Two neighborhood contacts and their information
- Project and event descriptions
- Agreement to the program’s terms and conditions
| Yes-1 | No-0 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Grant application is fully completed with applicable grant materials |
||
| 2 | Submitted event(s) and/or project(s) are allowable within city ordinances |
||
| 3 | Applicant adequately describes the event(s) and/or project(s) |
||
| 4 | Grant event(s) and/or project(s) are achievable within the funding timeframe |
||
| 5 | Neighborhood follows the Great Neighborhoods Philosophy |
||
| 6 | Grant event(s) and/or project(s) provide a broad public benefit |
||
| 7 | Grant event(s) and/or project(s) promote neighborhood identity |
||
| 8 | Grant event(s) and/or project(s) increase resident engagement |
||
| 9 | Applicant sufficiently addresses maintenance for event(s) and/or project(s) |
||
| 10 |
Event(s) and/or project(s) encourages a cleaner, safer, or friendlier neighborhood |
||
| Total |
4. Funding
Program Terms and Conditions1
All events or projects supported by the grant funding must be resident-initiated, benefit Springfield’s neighborhood(s), and be open to participation, use, or enjoyment by all residents within the neighborhood boundaries. With this, it is required that notification to all residents be made of the funded event or project. This requirement shall be fulfilled by way of a neighborhood-wide mailer, newsletter, email blast, and/or a social media post on a public forum – although the use of multiple notification forms is encouraged.
- All grant-funded projects must be allowable within city ordinances, guidelines, and department standards.
Great Neighborhoods Grant funds are dispersed in advance of a scheduled activity or event and thus require proof of proper use afterward. This is not a reimbursement program.
4.1. Ineligible Activities and Expenses
Please note that public grant funds can only be used for activities scheduled after the signed grant agreement is returned to Planning & Neighborhoods staff. The eligibility of activities and expenses is ultimately at the discretion of the City’s Planning & Neighborhoods staff, but for all grant categories, ineligible activities and expenses generally include:
- Monetary prizes, gift cards, door prizes, raffle items, etc.
- General office and meeting supplies such as staplers, printers, pens, ink, etc.
- Improvements or events that directly benefit a particular household or person (e.g., personal family gatherings, home improvements, etc.)
- Equipment and goods that could primarily be used by individuals rather than for the benefit of the neighborhood at large, such as barbeque grills, firepits, trailers, etc.
- Political campaigns and advocacy efforts
- Alcoholic beverages
Please note that the misuse of grant funds will result in the neighborhood being ineligible to receive funds for the next three (3) consecutive years.1
1. Planning and Neighborhoods and City of Springfield MO, Great Neighborhoods Grant Program Guidelines § (2024), 5.
4.2. Funds
Funding will be limited to $500 per neighborhood, each cycle. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be shared with registered neighborhood organizations by way of email from the City’s Planning & Neighborhoods staff on January 1st. An application form will open for eligible neighborhoods online.
Funds must be used solely for the purpose of project(s) and/or event(s) that support making the neighborhood cleaner, safer, and friendlier. Documentation of this will be required via a final grant report at the end of the year. Unused grant funds cannot be carried over.1
4.3. Reporting
Grant awardees will be required to submit a final grant report to the Planning & Neighborhoods office by December 1st.
The report will generally require:
- Copies of receipts that total no less than the grant award amount, are dated during the grant period
- Supporting documentation that prove the event(s) and/or project(s) occurred
- Proof of public notification
- Justification of how the funded project(s) and/or event(s) supported making the neighborhood cleaner, safer, and/or friendlier
Great Neighborhoods Grant Awardees will be recognized at the annual Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Awards (NOVA) banquet, hosted and sponsored by CPO early each December.
1. Planning and Neighborhoods and City of Springfield MO, Great Neighborhoods Grant Program Guidelines § (2024), 6.