Community Improvement Grants

The City of Santa Rosa's Community Advisory Board (CAB) is excited to announce the 2020 Community Improvement Grant Neighborfest Program! Neighborhood groups, including neighborhood associations, homeowners associations, and less formal groups, may apply for funding to hold a Neighborfest event and to implement a project or activity during their Neighborfest event. Neighborhood partners such as nonprofits, service clubs, community organizations, and schools may also apply to hold a Neighborfest event within the Santa Rosa city limits. Apply Today!

What is the Community Improvement Grant Program?

The CAB connects city government to residents so the public can have a voice in decisions that impact their lives and build a stronger community. In 2018, CAB Members came together to develop a five-year strategic plan, which includes strategic the strategic priorities of building connected and empowered neighborhoods, and forming strong, trusting relationships with community leaders. One of the way in which they achieve these goals is by implementing the Community Improvement Grant (CIG) Program in partnership with the City's Neighborfest Program.

woman speaking to a group of teenagers in Vote t-shirts next to neighborhood map
2 women and one girl with trash picker uppers

What is a Neighborfest?

A Neighborfest is a locally organized gathering, also known as a block party, that offers neighbors the chance to come together, have fun, and build stronger, more connected communities. Neighborfest aims to strengthen social cohesion or connectedness, resilience, and to prepare neighborhoods for disasters. Research has shown that the more connected neighbors are to each other, the stronger their resilience is after an emergency. Check out this news clip from the Neighborfest Pilot Program:

2020 Community Improvement Grant - Neighborfest Program Information


For the 2020 Community Improvement Grant - Neighborfest Program, the CAB will work with staff from the City of Santa Rosa and several community partners to offer one (1) Neighborfest event in each of the seven (7) City Council Districts. Due to the limited number of events that can be conducted, this year’s CIG Program is considered competitive and eligibility of an application does not guarantee funding. The CAB is the final decision-making body in selecting grant awards.

Forms


Application


2020 Community Improvement Grant-Neighborfest Program Application

Final Report and Reimbursement Forms


If you have completed your Neighborfest event, please use the links below to access the forms you will need for your final report and reimbursement:

Appeals


If you applied for a Community Improvement Grant and were not awarded, you can appeal the decision to the CAB. For information on how to submit an appeal, please email Danielle Garduño, Community Engagement Coordinator.

2017-18 Community Improvement Grant Awards

Project Name Group/Organization Amount Funded
African American Youth Summit The Black Community Forum $2,345.00
Binkley Garden Improvement Project Seedlings Garden Group $4,500.00
Growing Our Community Garden Project Piner-Olivet Union School District $4,992.00
MLK Juneteenth Community Festival MLK Juneteenth Festival Committee $2,500.00
Robin Hood Lane Street Tree Planting and Community Building Event Robin Hood Lane Neighbors $3,190.00
Sam Jones Memorial Garden - incomplete Catholic Charities Supportive Housing $649.39
Tool Acquisition Program Santa Rosa Tool Library $3,500.00
Unshackled Legacy Showcases $4,814.99
Youth Connecting Positively  North Bay Council Alternatives $4,992.00

2016-17 Community Improvement Grant Awards

Project Name Group/Organization Amount Funded
Audio/Visual Lending Library Community Action Partnership $868.00
Creating a Safe & Secure Community for Seniors Valle Vista Senior Mobile Home HOA $1,000.00
Sanitation Station - incomplete Homeless Action $1,000.00
Homeless Talk Santa Rosa Together $1,000.00
MLK Juneteenth Festival MLK Juneteenth Planning Committee $1,000.00
Orchard Street Mural Greater Cherry Street Neighborhood $1,000.00
Painted Crosswalk A Judy Kennedy $675.53
Painted Crosswalk B Karen Macken $811.69
Roseland Cup 2016 Roseland Cup Organizing Committee $1,000.00
Sam Jones Garden - incomplete Your ALI $1,000.00
Sheltered Welcome Area - incomplete First United Methodist Church $1,000.00
South Davis Park Kids Campout - incomplete Corby-Olive Action Committee $814.00
Submit a Project Idea Program Latino Service Providers $1,000.00
Tool Acquisition Program Santa Rosa Tool Library $1,000.00