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.

The award of a program grant is conditioned upon the review, unconditional approval, and, if applicable, permitting of the project by all municipal departments and divisions and private sector entities having jurisdiction over the project. For example, a public art project must be reviewed and approved by the public art commission, a transportation improvement project must be reviewed and approved by the department of public works, and a transit-related project requires an agreement between the association and citilink.

April 28, 2025 - Mayor Sharon Tucker announced that 35 city neighborhoods have been awarded improvement grants to help make them more safe, attractive and enjoyable for residents.

“The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program exemplifies how we’re working together to make a positive difference in Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Tucker. “It’s imperative that neighborhoods have the opportunity to try new things and add a special sense of place with projects that are unique and build up individuals and families. I’m always encouraged when I get to spend time in neighborhoods and interact with residents to find innovative ways to enhance the quality of life in our community.”

Community Development’s Neighborhoods Department awarded more than $166,000 in grants up to $5,000 to complete projects in one of four areas: placemaking, transit improvements, landscaping, and neighborhood identification or branding. Routine maintenance projects are not eligible for funding. Neighborhood leaders must demonstrate that they have gotten input from residents when selecting a project.

Examples of funded projects include installing new playground equipment, benches, historic markers, painted crosswalks, street trees, branded signage, speed limit signs and landscaping. In the Hamlets of Woodland Ridge West, where today’s news conference was held, improvements will be made to the neighborhood pond to improve access and safety. Contractors and neighborhood volunteers will install native plants and two rock outcroppings to stabilize the pond’s shoreline erosion. This project represents a partnership with the Purdue Environmental Resource Center, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Native Plant Society to improve the health of the pond and enhance the wildlife within and around it.

“This is the eighth year for the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program and neighborhood leaders continue to report what a positive impact it has on their communities,” said Dan Baisden, neighborhoods department director. “They tell us that it increases pride in their neighborhoods and encourages residents to become more involved in their associations.”

Each proposal was evaluated and scored based on grant criteria and available funding. The list below is the initial grant recipients, along with a short description of their proposed projects, which still require all necessary permits and approvals:

District 1

• Arlington Park Association (NE) - $5,000- Adding new playground equipment to community playgrounds
• Lakes of Buckingham Co-Owners Association (NE) - $5,000- New community trees
• Maplewood Community Association (NE) - $5,000- Adding seating and improving landscape at community park and entrance
• The Association of Chandler’s Landing (NE) - $5,000- Landscape upgrades at community entrance
• Windswept Community Association (NE) - $5,000- Removal of old playground and site preparation/ tree trimming for new playground at community park space

District 2

• Concordia Gardens Community Association (NW) - $5,000- New playground equipment at community park
• North Pointe Woods Community Association (NW) - $5,000- Guardrail and retaining wall repair
• Wallen Chase Association (NW) - $5,000- New trees along community pond sidewalk
• Woodland Lake Association (NW) - $5,000- Landscape upgrades at community entrance
• Wyndemere Community Association (NE) - $5,000- New mailboxes for all residents

District 3

• Crestwood (NW) - $5,000- New painted crosswalks for pedestrian safety
• Lincoln Village (NW) - $5,000- Landscape and playground equipment upgrade at community park
• Oak Glen (NW) - $5,000- Landscaping improvements to entrance and community pond area, new benches
• Saddle Brook Community Association (NW) - $3,900- New community message board at entrance
• Wheatridge (NW) - $4,739 Installation of a shared community shed for HOA resources

District 4

• Aboite Lake Estates Association (SW)- $5,000- Repair signposts and install newly branded signage throughout
• Brierwood Hills (SW) - $5,000- Landscaping/ hardscaping at community entrance and bench reconstruction
• Hamlets of Woodland Ridge East (SW) - $5,000- New entrance sign and branded street signs throughout the community
• Hamlets West of Woodland Ridge (SW) - $4,000- Installation of hardscape and native landscape to community pond
• Rock Creek Community Association (SW) - $5,000- Community retention pond improvements
• Saratoga Park Community Association (SW) - $5,000- Demolition and installation of community entrance signage
• Winterset Square Condominiums (SW) - $4,500- Removal of two dying trees and planting of two new trees at community entrance

District 5

• Broad River Neighborhood Association (SW) - $5,000- Planting 100 street trees throughout the neighborhood
• East Central Neighborhood Association (SE) - $4,986- New fencing and gates to be installed for community garden/ food pantry
• Fairfield Neighborhood Association (SW) - $4,630- Installing waste bins and dog waste stations throughout neighborhood
• Harrison Hill Neighborhood Association (SW) - $4,970- New painted crosswalks for pedestrian safety and installation of dog waste disposal station
• Historic Fairmont (SW) - $5,000- Installation of two lighted dog waste disposal stations and two artist-designed, painted crosswalks
• Historic South Wayne (SW) - $1,465 New painted crosswalks for pedestrian safety
• Memorial Park Neighborhood Association (SE) - $5,000- Installation of speed limit signs, crosswalk, LED lighting, and an outdoor bulletin

District 6

• Eastside Neighborhood (SE) - $5,000- New mural, signage, and landscaping
• Harvester Neighborhood Association (SE) - $5,000- Historic Marker and new water fountain for McCormick Park
• Lafayette Place Improvement Association (SE) - $4,987- Update landscaping and painting at their park’s gazebo and adding a bench and waste bin to a bus stop
• Larez (SE) - $3,500- Purchase and installation of branded neighborhood marker signs
• Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood Association (SE) - $5,000- Installation of two Buddy Benches and a Funnel Ball game into neighborhood pocket parks
• Tamera Place (SE) - $5,000- New community entrance signage and landscaping

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.