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.