1 Create a ZoomGrants™ account (below) or log in to your existing account (above) 2 Select a Program to apply for, then click the Apply button to get started 3 Answer the questions and/or fill in the fields in each tab 4 If necessary, upload any requested documents 5 Submit your application and wait for a decision 6 If you are selected to receive funding, you might be required to submit invoices or reports through your application
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The City of Plano has developed the Neighborhood Vitality and Beautification Grant Program to support the city’s strategic goal of “vibrant and renewing neighborhoods”. This program provides matching grants to neighborhood groups interested in building strong relationships around a community-driven beautification project. All projects must: • support neighborhood goals • be highly visible from the public realm • have a community benefit • result in an enhancement of the neighborhood appearance • be within the City of Plano limits The program is a matching grant that requires a 50% match from the neighborhood. The match requirement can be met with cash, in-kind donations, and volunteer hours (restrictions apply). Please review the guidelines for more information.
Neighborhood group must: • be registered with the Neighborhood Services Department • contact staff to ensure eligibility for group and project idea • be organized, active and have support from the community • submit a completed application with all required documents by the deadline, in order to be considered
All neighborhood groups should acknowledge reimbursement grants under this program will not exceed 50% of the total project cost. In addition, the City of Plano will not fund the following: • Grants to individuals • Maintenance or on-going • Projects not providing a public benefit • Applications requesting funding for salaries or operating expenses • Applications for events, social/cultural education programs or public art • Projects that conflict with existing city ordinances, or current/planned Community Investment Program • Projects that may result in a public safety hazard • Applications promoting special interests
By entering your initials here you certify this submission truthfully and accurately represents your application and is hereby submitted for review. Submission of this application does not, in any way, guarantee that your application will yield a favorable result.
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All neighborhood groups must ensure their group is registered with the Neighborhood Services Department and contact program coordinator, at 972-208-8150, to ensure their project is eligible for the program. To register online, please use the online form.
Program Eligibility
1. Has your neighborhood group registered with the Neighborhood Services Department and therefore, eligible to apply?
2. Has your group contacted the Program Coordinator to ensure the proposed project is eligible for this program?
3. Choose the appropriate neighborhood group type.
Project Scale
4. Choose grant option.
Requirements/Guidelines
5. Has your group thoroughly reviewed the 2018-2019 Neighborhood Vitality and Beautification Grant Program Guidelines? The 2018-2019 Program Guidelines may be found under the Resource Documents tab.
6. If your group's project involves screening wall repairs, landscaping, lighting, entryway signage and/or street sign toppers, have you reviewed the Additional Improvement Guidelines document? The Additional Improvement Guidelines can be found under the "Resource Documents" tab. Please review and ensure you understand additional requirements for your project type.
7. Has your neighborhood group previously applied for the Neighborhood Vitality and Beautification Grant Program?
8. Has your neighborhood researched property ownership for the project location and/or element (ie. screening wall for repairs, property ownership for landscaping entryways)? For screening wall and entryway signs, please confirm ownership of wall by contacting Public Works Dept.
If landscaping improvements are on city-owned property, please ensure there is a Landscape Maintenance Agreement on file with the Parks Dept.
9. Please indicate the appropriate grant cycle for this application.
This Pre-Application section must be submitted and Approved by the Administrator (not ZoomGrants) before you can fill out the rest of the application. Click the Submit Pre-Application button at the top or bottom of this tab to submit this section to be reviewed.
Your Pre-Application must be submitted AND approved before continuing.
Application Questions
(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
Fiscal Sponsor Information
1. A Fiscal Sponsor can be used for groups that are not 501(c) or 528 and are wanting to apply for a Large Scale Initiative grant ($2,001-$10,000 match). Will your group be using a Fiscal Sponsor for this application?
2. Fiscal Sponsor Contact Name:
3. Fiscal Sponsor Contact Address:
4. Fiscal Sponsor Contact Email:
5. Fiscal Sponsor Contact Phone Number:
Project Description
6. Provide the nearest address or cross streets to ALL project locations.: Please note below if proposed work is located on the city's right-of-way and be aware a Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Agreement with the Parks Department is REQUIRED.
7. Brief Description of Project: Please provide specific project information. If the submitted project is part of a larger project, please explain phases and describe the overall project, as well.
8. Choose all project types included in the proposal. Choose all that apply.
9. Does your project include the use of volunteers as part of the neighborhood match? Eligible volunteer work includes planting or cleaning/prepping the project location. Current volunteer rate is $25.15/hr. Please remember to take photographs of volunteer work being performed. These pictures will be requested for the Reimbursement.
Project Timeline and Implementation Plan
10. Project Schedule: List approximate Start and End Dates.
11. Implementation Plan: List significant steps for project completion.
Project Impact (Selection Criteria)
12. Goal 1: Community Benefit This project will provide a community benefit by improving health, safety and/or appearance of the neighborhood. Please describe.
13. Goal 2: Neighborhood Participation This project is supported by the community and broad participation was successful. Please describe how this project will help build stronger relationships between neighbors and how well it is supported.
14. Goal 3: Neighborhood Impact/Need This project addresses an identified need and will result in a benefit for the community. Please describe your community's need and the positive impact of your project on the neighborhood.
15. Goal 4: Feasibility This project is well-planned, cost-effective and ready to implement. Please describe the feasibility of your project.
Your Pre-Application must be submitted AND approved before continuing.
Project Budget Tables
(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
**USE REFRESH PAGE BUTTON IN SYSTEM TO CALCULATE TOTALS** Use the grey Refresh Page button, in the top right-hand area, to reload the page with the calculated totals. Please ensure your costs are as accurate as possible. Approved budgets will be final, therefore, Reimbursement will be based on the approved budget/line items. IF APPLICABLE, use the Volunteer Value table below. This total will be used in the Proposed Project Budget table. If the project does not include volunteers, skip ahead to the Project Budget table at the bottom of the page.
**USE REFRESH PAGE BUTTON IN SYSTEM TO CALCULATE TOTALS** Use the grey Refresh Page button, in the top right-hand area, to reload the page with the calculated totals. Current volunteer rate is $25.15/hr. Please remember to take photographs of volunteer work being performed. These pictures will be requested for the Reimbursement Request. IF APPLICABLE, Total Line at the bottom is the total Volunteer Value to be used in Project Budget table below.
**USE REFRESH PAGE BUTTON IN SYSTEM TO CALCULATE TOTALS** Use the grey Refresh Page button, in the top right-hand area, to reload the page with the calculated totals.
Please indicate FINAL and TOTAL costs of project after completion. **USE REFRESH PAGE BUTTON IN SYSTEM TO CALCULATE TOTALS** Use the grey Refresh Page button, in the top right-hand area, to reload the page with the calculated totals.
Your Pre-Application must be submitted AND approved before continuing.
To verify organization is properly organized, provide the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. CRIME WATCH APPLICANTS ONLY: Provide the name, address, and email for the Coordinator. Provide a brief overview of Crime Watch group & activities.
If applying for Large Scale Initiative ($2,001-$10,000), provide documentation indicating the organization is a 501(c) or 528 organization. (Most common document is a tax return.)
To confirm the group is ready to implement, please provide the latest bank statement(s), indicating funds are available. (First page of statement will suffice.)
For adequate review, please provide bids or cost estimates for the proposed project. Please ensure bids have a cost per line item. For items over $3,000, please submit the required minimum of two bids.
For applicants working within the City's right-of-way, please provide documentation indicating the required Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Agreement is filed with the Parks Department.
Submit Final Report information and Reimbursement Request within thirty (30) days following the completion of the project to return to receive reimbursement.