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.

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.