Mayor's Matching Grant for Neighborhood Organizations

Mayor’s Matching Grant for Neighborhood Organizations

The Mayor’s Matching Grant provides neighborhood organizations with financial resources to implement enhancement projects the organization would not normally be able to fund. Proposed grant projects must address neighborhood needs, enhance the quality of life in a City neighborhood, benefit the entire neighborhood and allow all residents the opportunity to participate. 

Grant funds are available bi-annually with awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. These funds are matched dollar for dollar by the organization using a combination of cash, in-kind contributions and volunteer labor. The Mayor’s Matching Grant program is managed by the Office of Community Affairs. The grant application, including the guidelines, is available at orlando.gov/grants.  

Eligibility

Mayor’s Matching Grants are available to City of Orlando neighborhoods, homeowner, condominium and resident organizations. Both mandatory and voluntary neighborhood organizations are eligible to apply.

To qualify, projects must address neighborhood needs or improve the quality of life in one of these three categories:
1. physical improvements
2. public safety
3. educational or cultural initiatives.

Neighborhood organizations are encouraged to partner with local businesses, schools, religious institutions, non-profit organizations and other community resources in the planning and implementation of projects.  

How would a Mayor's Matching Grant Benefit your Organization?

Your organization may have several ideas about how to make a difference in your neighborhood or help its residents. The main reasons that keep organizations from implementing these ideas is funding. The Mayor’s Matching Grants program is designed to provide organizations with the financial resources to make these ideas a reality. Organizations that apply and manage a grant quickly learn how to partner with local businesses, community based organizations and neighbors to make their neighborhood a better place. Organizations that have received a grant found that these projects help involve more neighbors and members, provide the organization and neighbors with a sense of accomplishment and pride and made a positive impact in their neighborhood.

Examples of Grant Projects

Below are some projects organizations have done over the years. We hope one of these projects will motivate you and your organization to apply for a Mayor’s Matching Grant. Grant funds may only be spent for a public benefit project and may not be used on private property.

1. Physical Improvements

All projects in this category need to be done to public spaces such as City right-ofway or parks, or to property owned by the neighborhood organization.

• Entranceway or Neighborhood Identification Signs: either new construction or the renovation of existing signs.
• Landscaping: includes installing and enhancing landscaping at the neighborhood entrance, in common areas owned by the neighborhood organization such as parks, around playgrounds, etc.
• Playgrounds: new construction, renovation or enhancing an existing playground.
• Lakeshore Re-Vegetation: planting along our cities lakeshores with appropriate water plants to help with water quality and attract fish and birds along our city’s lakeshores.
• Landscape Drainage Project: using plants and other materials to reduce or eliminate soil erosion.
• Pool Enhancements: enhancing pool decks and landscaping, adding shade structures, etc., to pools owned by the neighborhood organizations.

2. Public Safety

• Emergency Preparedness Training: organizations create a response team to work with the Orlando Fire Department and the Orlando Emergency Operations Center to learn about resources their neighborhood can access in the event of disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, flooding, etc.
• House Addresses: painting houses addresses on the driveway ribbon with reflective paint to make it easier for emergency responders to find a home in the neighborhood.
• First Aid Training: workshops sponsored by the neighborhood organization to train neighbors and residents in First Aid such as CPR, basic first aid, heat illnesses and other health related topics.
• Lighting Enhancements in Common Areas: improved security lighting by adding or changing the lighting fixtures located in common areas owned by the neighborhood organizations.

 3. Educational or Cultural

• Senior Citizen Programs: a wide range of educational and social activities including computer skills, intergenerational workshops and activities for youth and senior citizens to workshops on quality of life and health topics.
• After-school or Summer Youth Programs: providing a variety of activities such as academic tutoring, reading and literacy programs, conducting neighborhood cleanups and beautification projects, drug prevention programming, fun teen activities, movie nights, dances, sports teams, job interviewing skills, life skills, etc. for neighborhood youth.
• Arts and Craft Programs: involving art, crafts and music appreciation, etc. for all ages PARENTING CLASSES: providing engaging workshops for parents featuring best practices for raising children.
• Parenting Classes: providing engaging workshops for parents featuring best practices for raising children. 

Have an Idea for a Grant, But Not Sure How to Make it Happen?

Our Neighborhood Relations team is ready and able to assist your organization with figuring out how to use the Mayor’s Matching Grant program. We can help you identify projects that fit the grant guidelines, help identify project partners and assist with creating your project budget. Call our Neighborhood Relations team at 407.246.2169 or reach out to your Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator.

Questions about the Mayor's Matching Grant Application or Process?

The first place to go is online at orlando.gov/grants. If you are unable to find the answer to your questions, please contact the Mayor’s Matching Grant Coordinator, with the Office of Community Affairs at 407.246.3275