Neighborhood Based Associations

are organizations comprised of the residents in a specifically defined area recognized as a Township neighborhood. Membership may include all homeowners and renters within the geographical boundaries of the neighborhood. The associations typically have elected officers, by-laws or other governing documents, meets regularly, establishes and collects membership dues, and sponsors community projects such as neighborhood clean ups or beautification, festivals, and other community-wide events. These neighborhood associations address broad based issues in the neighborhood and work to improve the conditions in the neighborhood as a whole.

A neighborhood based association is eligible to apply for a Neighborhood Enhancement Grant when all of the following apply to the organization:

➢ Is established and has been active at least 6 months prior to application;

➢ Is created and managed by residents of the neighborhood;

➢ Is open for membership to everyone in the neighborhood;

➢ At least 75% of association members live in the neighborhood;

➢ Has duly elected board officers and established by-laws or governing documents;

➢ Holds regular meetings and maintains records and board minutes; and

➢ Has a mission to improve and accomplish identified neighborhood goals and objectives.

Other Township Based Organizations

for example (but not limited to) gardening clubs, athletic associations, and civic groups are eligible for Neighborhood Enhancement Grants when all of the following apply:

•  Is established and has been active at least 6 months prior to application;
•  At least 75% of the group members or participants live in the neighborhood;
•  Has duly elected board officers and established by-laws or governing documents;
•  The proposed project promotes the greater good of the neighborhood

Business Associations

are organized groups of businesses/business owners within a specific geographical area such as a neighborhood or business corridor that collaborates with other stakeholders to address economic development concerns and/or improve the economic vitality of the community. A business association with a mission of contributing to the improvement in the quality of life in and around Township neighborhoods is eligible to apply when all of the following apply:

➢ Is established and has been active at least 6 months prior to application;

➢ Has duly elected board officers and established by-laws or governing documents;

➢ Holds regular meetings and maintains records and board minutes; and

➢ At least 75% of association members operate businesses within the identified neighborhood or business corridor; and

➢ The proposed project addresses economic development needs of the neighborhood or business corridor and clearly benefits the area.

Ineligible Organizations

Groups that are not eligible to apply include schools, county-wide organizations, individuals or individual business owners, religious institutions and organizations, political groups, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations that are not resident-based. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, creed, or disability are also ineligible.

Eligible Projects

Request for funds should be based on costs associated with implementation of a single project as opposed to support for operational expenses such as salaries, rent, utility bills, HOA/property management services or ongoing operational expenses. Eligible projects are those that:

• Provide a public, neighborhood benefit;
• Make improvements and/or repairs to existing facilities;
• Develop aesthetic improvements such as landscaping, entrance signage, or lighting; and
• Involve neighborhood residents in project identification, planning, and implementation
• Provide a minimum of 10% matching funds by the eligible organization.

Applicants may request funding for multiple projects meeting the above eligibility requirements. Applicants may not request funding for the same project in consecutive years, unless otherwise granted by the CIC. The continued administering of the Program by the Township CIC is based on funding availability. Gateway signage and landscaping projects will be eligible to receive a maximum of $5,000 in grant funds.
 
 

Process and Timeline

The Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program is offered once a year.

The 2023 application deadline is: June 14, 2023
 
 Link to Application Located in Top Right Corner of This Web Page.

The Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program involves a two-tiered approval process. Review, approval and notification may take up to 60 days.

Phase I – Initial Review

After receiving the applications, Community Improvement Corporation Grant Review Committee will:

• Verify organization and project eligibility;
• Ensure organization is willing and able to provide required 10% matching funds;
• Review applications for clarity and completeness and follow up with applicants if necessary; and
• Present the applications to the CIC Board of Directors for formal review

Phase II – Formal Review and Selection

• The CIC Board of Directors will evaluate applications based on selection criteria below and determine approval or denial
• Staff will notify applicants of results
• Approved grantees attend orientation and sign contracts
• Organizations begin project activity (only after award letter is signed by CIC Director)

Meeting(s) With the CIC To Further The Neighborhood Impact

If the project is approved for funding by the Springfield Township Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), a meeting will be scheduled to coordinate project details with the CIC. Further goals for the neighborhood will be discussed and additional projects may be added for further neighborhood improvements.

Disbursement of Funds

Funds are available after the signed award letter is received by the applicant. All contractors and project budgets must be approved by the CIC. Any vendors/contractors completing projects for the organization must contract directly with the organization, not the CIC or the Township. Vendors must submit invoices to the organization for payment, and upon approval of the organization, will submit the invoice to the CIC for payment for no more than 90% of the invoice. Organizations must have a recent W-9 form on file with the CIC to receive payment, as required by the IRS. Organizations must submit original invoices and/or receipts for expenditures to the Community Improvement Corporation for processing. Checks will be made payable directly to the vendor or the organization in the case of reimbursements at the completion of the project and after a final inspection by a representative of the CIC, unless an exception is granted. Please allow at least 10 business days for processing fund requests.  The CIC is contracting solely with the grantee organization. Therefore, any issues or discrepancies that may result from the hiring of contractors or private vendors must be resolved by the grantee. The CIC is not legally permitted to pay sales tax, so the grantee is responsible for this amount in any invoice. 
 
All invoices to be paid through the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant must be received by Springfield Township no later than December 22, 2023.