You can apply for a Neighborhood Enhancement Grant by visiting our application portal through Neighborly here.

There is no deadline to apply for the grant, our Neighborhood Action Plan Grant is administered on a first come, first serve basis until grant funding has been exhausted for the current fiscal year.

There are two levels for the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant:

• Level I: $0 - $1,000 No community matching required Must be to neighborhood-wide public benefit
• Level II: $1,001 - $10,000 1-for-1 matching required for funding above $1,000 Must be to neighborhood-wide public benefit. Matching may be in raised dollars or in-kind contributions (sweat equity).

Grants are awarded up to $10,000 in funds for an association in a single fiscal year.  No community matching required  Must be to neighborhood-wide public benefit Please note: Grants are awarded up to $10,000 in matching funds for an association in a single fiscal year. Groups that have applied in previous years are eligible to apply again, however priority is awarded to new projects. Each neighborhood can only apply and/or benefit from the grant once per fiscal year.  Neighborhoods are only permitted to apply and/or benefit from one Neighborhood Connections Division grant program per fiscal year.

Neighborhood Action Plans are long-range plans adopted by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and used by County Departments; the plan gives the County and its departments a collective document outlining the neighborhood’s values and priorities. An Action Plan enables a neighborhood to create an internal vision and define the steps to achieve their goals.

The Neighborhood Action Plan Grant specifically targets neighborhoods that have an adopted Neighborhood Action Plan; neighborhoods in Washington Park, Parrish, Rubonia, Bayshore Gardens and Samoset. The grant level for the NAPG includes a no community matching requirement and grants are awarded up to $10,000.  The Neighborhood Enhancement Grant does not require an adopted Neighborhood Action Plan and is open for all neighborhoods in Manatee County. Grants levels for the NEG, include Level I: $0- $1,000 where there is no community matching required; Level II: $1,001- $10,000 where there is 1- for- 1 matching required for funding above $1,000 and matching may be in raised dollars or in-kind contributions (sweat equity).   **All grant funding must be for a public benefit.

All applicants are required to create a Neighborly account to access the application and additional required documentation for proceeding with the Neighborhood Action Plan Grant. Please see the process steps below:

1. Initial application. Submit the initial application.
2. Site visit. County staff will visit the neighborhood to learn more about the project and to visit the project site. Once the project is deemed eligible, the neighborhood representative must complete the neighborhood site visit check list.
3. Submit paperwork. The neighborhood will submit their: W9, meeting minutes, 3 bids, and budget through Neighborly.
4. Review. The NAPG committee will review the application. If approved, it will be scheduled to be on the next available Board of County Commissioner's meeting agenda.
5. BOCC approval. At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board will approve/reject the agenda item.
6. Sign agreement. Staff will contact the neighborhood to sign the agreement. Please be advised, no improvements/work can start before having a fully executed contract (all parties have signed).
7. Complete the work. The neighborhood will have a year from the signature date of the reimbursement agreement to complete the project. No improvements/work started prior to this date will be reimbursable.

All applicants are required to create a Neighborly account to access the application and additional required documentation for proceeding with the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant. Please see the process steps below:

1. Initial application. Submit the initial application below.
2. Site visit. County staff will visit the neighborhood to learn more about the project and to visit the project site. Once the project is deemed eligible, the neighborhood representative must complete the neighborhood site visit check list.
3. Submit paperwork. The neighborhood will submit their: W9, meeting minutes, 3 bids, and budget through Neighborly.
4. Review. The NAPG committee will review the application. If approved, it will be scheduled to be on the next available Board of County Commissioner's meeting agenda.
5. BOCC approval. At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board will approve/reject the agenda item.
6. Sign agreement. Staff will contact the neighborhood to sign the agreement. Please be advised, no improvements/work can start before having a fully executed contract (all parties have signed).
7. Complete the work. The neighborhood will have a year from the signature date of the reimbursement agreement to complete the project. No improvements/work started prior to this date will be reimbursable.

The purpose of this grant program is to strengthen neighborhood associations and communities which they serve. Neighborhoods must have a Neighborhood Action Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Applications must demonstrate community support and involvement in both the application and implementation phases of proposed projects/programs.

The grants are designed to assist in strengthening and sustaining the social network of the Manatee County community while dealing creatively to address cultural, security, beautification, recreation, and family/ youth issues through resident- driven activities within neighborhoods. Manatee County’s Neighborhood Action Plan Grant (NAPG) provides grants of up to $10,000 to neighborhoods. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis as long as funds last. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Grants may be awarded for any one-time improvement project, activities, or events with a clear public benefit.

The purpose of this grant program is to strengthen neighborhood associations and the communities which they serve. Applications must demonstrate community support and involvement in both the application and implementation phases of proposed projects/programs. Manatee County’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program provides matching grants of up to $10,000 to neighborhoods. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis as long as funds last. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Grants may be awarded for any one-time improvement project, activities or events with a clear public benefit.

The following is a sample list of projects/programs that would not be eligible for funding:

• Alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances.
• Beverages and food
• Capital items (individual items that would require tracking by County property control, excluding signage/surveillance camera equipment)
• Computer hardware/software and other electronic devices and related equipment
• Daily operating expenses and maintenance
• Duplication of an existing public or private program
• Expenditures or financial commitments made before the organization has signed the funding agreement
• Fines, penalties and associated costs Food/drink for festivals/celebrations
• Funding for organizations located outside of Manatee County
• Fundraising, investment management cost or employee salaries and other associated cost Gift cards/gifts
• Home improvements
• Interior repairs or improvements
• Lodging fees and associated costs
• Ongoing multi-year projects
• Ongoing or operational costs (including salaries/personnel)
• Operating expenses not directly related to the awarded project
• Private transportation expenses including mileage, gas, insurance, car rentals, etc.
• Projects typically funded under other sources such as County (or City) department operating budgets, Capital Improvement Program, Community Development Block Grant Program Projects which conflict with existing County plans/policies
• Projects/programs already funded from another source (including current operating budgets)
• Projects/programs that have already been completed
• Salaries for administration
• To replace funding lost from other funding sources
• Trophies and awards and associated cost

Please check the following map to see if your neighborhood qualifies for the Neighborhood Action Plan Grant. You can view the Neighborhood Action Plan Zones here.

Projects considered a county government function or responsibility will be deemed ineligible. The following is a sample list of projects/programs that would not be eligible for funding:  Alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances.  Beverages and food  Canal clean ups  Capital items (individual items that would require tracking by County asset management, excluding signage/surveillance camera equipment)  Community Centers   Computer hardware/software and other electronic devices and related equipment  Daily operating expenses and maintenance  Ditch clean ups  Drainage   Duplication of an existing public or private program  Expenditures or financial commitments made before the organization/parties have signed fully executed contract   Extending bus routes   Fines, penalties, and associated costs  Food/drink for festivals/celebrations  Funding for organizations located outside of Manatee County  Fundraising, investment management cost or employee salaries and other associated cost  Gift cards/gifts  Home improvements  Housing   Infrastructure   Interior repairs or improvements  Lift Station   Lodging fees and associated costs  Ongoing multi-year projects  Ongoing or operational costs (including salaries/personnel)  Operating expenses not directly related to the awarded project  Pedestrian walkways   Pedestrian warning lights   Private transportation expenses including mileage, gas, insurance, car rentals, etc.  Projects typically funded under other sources such as County (or City) department operating budgets, Capital Improvement Program, Community Development Block Grant Program  Projects which conflict with existing County plans/policies  Projects/programs already funded from another source (including current operating budgets)  Projects/programs that have already been completed  Railroad improvements   Roadway extensions and realignment   Salaries for administration  Safety signage and lighting   Sidewalks   Street Lighting   To replace funding lost from other funding sources  Traffic lighting   Transportation improvements   Trophies and awards and associated cost  Water and sewer infrastructure   Zoning

Priority shall be given to neighborhoods that pursue a project within their Neighborhood Action Plan. The following list is suggestive, not exhaustive, of projects that may fall within the spirit of the program. Projects must be neighborhood specific.  Department director shall have final authority approving projects. 

The following project list is suggestive, not exhaustive, of projects that may fall within the spirit of the program. Projects must be neighborhood specific.

Character: “Placemaking” through the creation or enhancement of assets that are a source of pride and neighborhood identity.

• Beautification (landscaping, art, clean-ups)
• History (landmark restoration or other celebrations of the neighborhood’s past)
• Appreciation programs (Yard of the Month, Neighborhood Hero)
• Free Little Library Book Exchange Social Events that bring neighbors together (block party, youth event, holiday party, etc.)

Leadership: Training neighborhood leaders or teams, and developing skills, for neighborhood governance or action.

• Communication (directory, website, newsletter)
• Workshops or conferences (tuition support, cost of instructional materials)
• Teambuilding experiences and exercises

Safety: Equipping the neighborhood with knowledge or tools to prevent, prepare for, confront or respond to incidences of crime, danger or disaster.

• Educational programming on pedestrian and bicycle safety
• Community Emergency Response Team training & other disaster-preparedness exercises or resources
• Neighborhood Watch (Start-up funds to purchase vests, flash lights, etc.)

Environment: Protecting water & energy resources, and native plants & animals (Note: That only Florida-Friendly landscaping will be considered)

• Improving water quality in our watersheds (ditches, canals, retention ponds)
• Removing invasive species (Brazilian Peppers, Air Potato, etc.)
• Habitat enhancement for native animals.

Health: Increasing access to nutritious diets, physical or mental fitness opportunities, or health education.

• Community gardens
• Trails, stretching stations, playgrounds, equipment storage, meditation gardens
• Presentations from health professionals.

Please note: Eligible projects for gated communities would only include invasive species removal, or any projects that are outside of the gates (typically, landscaping and/or neighborhood sign replacements/repairs). 

The following project list is suggestive, not exhaustive, of projects that may fall within the spirit of the program. Projects must be neighborhood specific. Department director shall have final authority approving projects. 

Character: “Placemaking” through the creation or enhancement of assets that are a source of pride and neighborhood identity.

• Beautification (landscaping, art, clean-ups)
• History (landmark restoration or other celebrations of the neighborhood’s past)
• Appreciation programs (Yard of the Month, Neighborhood Hero)
• Free Little Library Book Exchange Social Events that bring neighbors together (block party, youth event, holiday party, etc.)

Leadership: Training neighborhood leaders or teams, and developing skills, for neighborhood governance or action.

• Communication (directory, website, newsletter)
• Workshops or conferences (tuition support, cost of instructional materials)
• Teambuilding experiences and exercises

Safety: Equipping the neighborhood with knowledge or tools to prevent, prepare for, confront or respond to incidences of crime, danger or disaster.

• Educational programming on pedestrian and bicycle safety
• Community Emergency Response Team training & other disaster-preparedness exercises or resources
• Neighborhood Watch (Start-up funds to purchase vests, flash lights, etc.)

Environment: Protecting water & energy resources, and native plants & animals (Note: That only Florida-Friendly landscaping will be considered)

• Improving water quality in our watersheds (ditches, canals, retention ponds)
• Removing invasive species (Brazilian Peppers, Air Potato, etc.)
• Habitat enhancement for native animals.

Health: Increasing access to nutritious diets, physical or mental fitness opportunities, or health education.

• Community gardens
• Trails, stretching stations, playgrounds, equipment storage, meditation gardens
• Presentations from health professionals.

Please note: Eligible projects for gated communities would only include invasive species removal, or any projects that are outside of the gates (typically, landscaping and/or neighborhood sign replacements/repairs). 

You can complete the grant application by visiting the following Neighborly Portal.

Applications are open for neighborhoods who have an adopted Neighborhood Action Plan. Neighborhood groups or associations, crime watch groups, or non-profit group partnered with a neighborhood and working towards its enhancement located within the following areas in Manatee County may qualify. Groups must be comprised of neighborhood residents and stakeholders, and the project or event must be held in the same neighborhood.  Groups are asked to register for Neighborhood Connections Magazine (www.mymanatee.org/ncm) and sign up to be a neighborhood contact (sign up to be a contact here).  Groups are asked to send a neighborhood representative to attend Manatee County’s Neighborhood Conference/Summit.

Homeowners associations and other resident-based groups located in Manatee County are eligible to apply. Any neighborhood group or association, crime watch groups, or non-profit group partnered with a neighborhood and working towards its enhancement located in Manatee County. Groups must be comprised of neighborhood residents and stakeholders, and the project or event must be held in the same neighborhood. Groups are asked to register for Neighborhood Connections Magazine and to sign up to be a community contact. Grants are awarded up to $10,000 in matching funds for an association in a single fiscal year. Groups that have applied in previous years are eligible to apply again, however priority is awarded to new projects. Please note: Each neighborhood can only apply and/or benefit from the grant once per fiscal year.

Please contact the Neighborhood Connections Division at 748-4501, x6929, or email neighborhoodconnections@mymanatee.org