Project Description
The Neighborhood Improvement Grant is designed to energize and improve the City’s neighborhoods by inviting eligible Associations to apply for a grant in the maximum amount of $5,000 to fund a Project located in the Association’s neighborhood. To see previous years' grant projects, please check out the 2024 Grant Page.
Program Guidelines
Neighborhoods can select if they would like to have their Grant funds paid directly by the City to contractors and vendors contracted to provide labor and materials for a grant-funded neighborhood project (each, a “Project”) or if they would like to pay for the grant project costs and then receive reimbursement from the City upon showing proof of payment for services and goods.
Neighborhood Engagement – A submitted application (each, an “Application”) must include appropriate evidence of neighborhood engagement in selecting and supporting a Project.
Allocation of Grant Awards – Applications submitted by Associations not previously awarded grant funding for a Project will receive additional consideration in order to expand the reach of the Program. However, previous grant recipients are also encouraged to submit new Applications.
Location of Neighborhoods – Only Associations whose neighborhoods are located entirely within the City of Fort Wayne may submit Applications unless the Neighborhood Grants Manager waives the location requirement upon request of an Association.
Application Scores – Completion of each Section of the Application is required. Because of the considerable demand for grant funds, a comprehensive response to each Section is necessary. The maximum available points for the response to each Section have been adjusted to encourage the preparation and submission of a comprehensive and original Application.
Project Examples
Improvement above made by Maplewood Community(2023) in the new Sheldon Park.
- Placemaking – park improvements/enhancements, playground equipment, vacant lot adoption/clean up, dog park equipment, benches, water fountains, pergolas/pavilions, and basketball court improvements.
Transit Oriented Improvements – traffic calming, transit stop beautification/benches, waste/recycling receptacles at transit stops, speed limit signage, and path and/or trail improvements.
The improvement above was made by Harvester Neighborhood (2023) to add crosswalks in their neighborhood from Adams Elementary to McCormick Park
Landscaping – community gardens, butterfly gardens, tree planting, native plants, rain gardens, hanging flower baskets, and decorative planters.
Neighborhood Identification/Branding –murals, decorative signal cabinets, birdhouses, neighborhood communication kiosks, outdoor lighting, historic district signage and plaques, beautification microgrants, house number signs, and neighborhood history/landmark signage.
Applicant Resources
Video walking through the Engage platform:
2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Application
Grantee Payment and Reimbursement Resources
(relevant after you have been selected for the grant program)
Direct Payment to Vendors that were approved in the Executed Grant Agreement
Neighborhood project manager please alert Grant administrator of the project phase/ vendor completion, OR that a deposit is required
1. Confirm the invoice is addressed to: the City of Fort Wayne, 200 East Berry St. Suite 320, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, c/o Neighborhood Improvement Grant Administrator,
2. and the invoice does not contain sales tax. Grant administrator can send the vendor the City’s Tax exemption form upon request.
3. Take photos of the completed work
4. Send the photos of the completed work and the invoice to the Grant Administrator
5. All vendors must submit a W-9 to the City, if the vendor is a current City vendor, this step can be waived.
6. Once the w-9 has been received/verified, the payment will be processed, please allow 2 weeks for the payment to get to the vendor via mail.
Reimbursement Process for items that were listed and approved in the Executed Grant Agreement
1. Neighborhood please alert Grant administrator of the project phase/completion.
2. Complete a reimbursement invoice form (see below)
3. Provide proof of purchase for the items from the approved vendor that was listed in the Executed grant agreement. Include photos of the items if possible (photos will be required at the end of the project.)
4. All neighborhoods seeking reimbursement must submit a W-9 to the City, or if the neighborhood has received a grant in the past and has a W9 on file with the City, the neighborhood can verify their information is the same, instead of submitting a new W9.
5. Once all documents (proof of payment, invoice for reimbursement, and W9 have been received/verified, the payment will be processed, please allow 2 weeks for the payment to get to the location listed on your W9 form via mail.
Grantee Forms
Forms on Payment and Reimbursement
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Invoice Template for Reimbursement ProjectsPDF (87.86 KB)
This form needs to be included with all requests for reimbursement to outline the costs that the neighborhood incurred and the amount that they request to be reimbursed based on their grant. This form needs to be compiled with proof of expenditure, such as reciepts, copies of checks, bill statements, etc, including photos of the completed project.
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W9 FormPDF (87.86 KB)
This form needs to be supplied for all Contractors and for all neighborhoods/ people that are asking to be reimbursed.
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Example W9 FormPDF (300.81 KB)
This document underscores some key elements of the application, such as parts that are optional, parts that are mandatory and elements that are often overlooked or misinterpreted.