Neighbor Up Action Grants

The Neighbor Up Action Grants aim to empower grassroots residents in Cleveland and East Cleveland by providing funding for community-driven projects. Applicants must attend a workshop to receive a code necessary for application submission. The grants focus on initiatives that foster arts, culture, and community engagement, particularly those that promote connections across diverse groups. Importantly, the program encourages collaboration, requiring groups of at least three individuals to apply, thereby enhancing community bonds.

Note: It is now mandatory that you attend a Neighbor Up Action Grant Workshop (either online or in person) to learn how to complete the application.
These sessions provide an excellent overview on the purpose of the grants, decision-making criteria by the Grant Making Committee, tips on completing your proposal, and more. Once you attend one of these sessions (either online or in person) you will be given a code to use to apply for funding. You cannot apply without the code.
Neighbor Up Action Grants are meant to be accessible to grassroots residents in Cleveland and East Cleveland; you do not need a grant writer or consultant to work on your application. Just follow the steps below.
You and at least two other people who aren’t related have an idea for a project or program that would make a positive difference for people in your Cleveland or East Cleveland neighborhood. Agree on the purpose and intentions of your project together.
Individuals may not apply on their own; it’s all about ‘Neighboring Up’ to take action.
Proposals accepted this round need to address one of these issues:

• Arts & Culture

Includes initiatives that gather people together to focus on literature, theater, music, dance, ballet, painting, sculpture, photography, motion pictures, architecture, archaeology, history, natural history, or the natural sciences. Arts & Culture includes funding for pocket parks and urban farms (natural sciences).
Neighboring
Initiatives connect residents of a single geographic area across lines of difference to build more trusting, caring communities. These include front porch nights, neighborhood clean ups, block parties, food/toy giveaways at the holidays, building understanding across lines of difference.
Seniors/Intergenerational
These projects must involve mainly people 55 and older. They can be initiatives that are led by seniors or that serve seniors. These can be initiatives that are fully focused on seniors, or they could be intergenerational activities that build relationships between seniors and other age groups.

Eligibility

Neighbor Up Action Grants are meant to be accessible to grassroots residents in Cleveland and East Cleveland

Ineligibility

Individuals are not eligible.