Chandler’s Neighborhood Connection Support Program provides funding of up to $2,000 to registered neighborhoods within the city. This program empowers resident leaders, promotes resident participation, and improves the quality of life in Chandler neighborhoods. The program is designed to assist residents in strengthening and sustaining their neighborhood’s social network through education, celebration, and neighborhood enhancement.
Registered Neighborhoods may apply for support once every 12 months (may not be combined with any other Neighborhood Programs special awards; please contact staff for more information).
Before beginning the application process, please ensure that your neighborhood is currently registered.
- Applications are open from July - May, or until all annual funds have been awarded.
- Response time may take up to 15 business days.
- Applicant contact information provided on Neighborhood Support Program applications will be available to the public for the purpose of neighborhood residents working together to achieve their neighborhood goals.
- Providing false information on applications or failure to complete projects or events may result in the suspension of applying for a neighborhood assistance program for up to 12 months.
To be considered for an award, applicants must comply with each of the following requirements:
- Applicants must reside in the neighborhood for which the application is being submitted.
- The neighborhood must be a Registered Neighborhood with the City of Chandler Neighborhood Programs Division. Ensure your neighborhood is currently registered.
- At least one member of the registered neighborhood must have attended a Neighborhood Programs education class (such as Good Neighbor 101, HOA Academy, or a Golden Neighbors event), OR must have hosted a Golden Neighbors supply drive.
- Neighborhood leaders must notify the entire neighborhood upon approval of the project support. This may be done through social media, mail or a neighborhood meeting.
- A minimum of 10 residents must participate in the neighborhood project or event for which monies are awarded.
- The HOA must be an active participant in the City of Chandler Block Watch Program.
- The neighborhood must have hosted a G.A.I.N. event within the previous 12 months.
- See below for eligible projects and events.
- A complete application must be submitted. Incomplete applications will be denied.
- All vendors must be approved by Neighborhood Programs, as well as submit their W9 form, prior to commencing the project/event.
- HOA neighborhoods must submit a current W-9 and invoice to Neighborhood Programs staff prior to commencing the project.
- Traditional neighborhoods must coordinate project/event activities with Neighborhood Programs staff prior to commencing the project to ensure payment for services and vendor approval.
Project categories that are eligible under the Neighborhood Connection Support Program are as follows:
- Neighborhood Block Party/Celebration
- Movie Night
- Workshop/Educational Program
- Little Library
- Community Bench
- Plants for the Common Area
- Dumpsters for Neighborhood Clean-Up
- Community Shred-a-Thon
- Entry Signs
- Safety (Lighting, Block Watch Signs or Event, Speed Humps)
- Neighborhood Block Watch signs must be approved by the Chandler Police Department through a Crime Prevention Officer.
- Crime Prevention programs and activities are encouraged to increase resident knowledge of neighborhood crime deterrence and create an awareness of neighborhood safety.
- Additional ideas include self-defense classes, stranger danger, home security, etc.
- Funding may only be used for one event
- Only $200 may be used for G.A.I.N. Night
- The application will be reviewed for completeness, basic eligibility, and the overall impact the proposed project will have on the neighborhood and general community.
- Neighborhood Program staff may request a site visit.
- Staff will rate each application based on the following:
- Is there substantial community involvement in the project?
- To what extent will the project contribute to the long-term sustainability of the neighborhood and enhance the appearance and vitality of the neighborhood?
- To what extent will the general public be impacted by the enhanced visual appearance of the neighborhood resulting from the project? (E.g., a project involving improvements along an arterial road within the city limits will generally be considered to impact the general public to a greater extent than a project whose improvements are more localized.)
- Is there a need for grant funds in order for the project to be undertaken/completed or are other means of funding available?
- Neighborhood Programs staff will forward the application, together with their recommendation and rating of the application, to the Neighborhood Resources Director for final action.
- Neighborhood Programs staff will provide notice by email of the action taken by the Neighborhood Resources Director. Notice of approval will be deemed to constitute grant approval and the date of notice shall constitute the “award date.” If an application is denied, the applicant may reapply on or after the 31st day following the date that the notice of denial is transmitted.
- The award is payable to the vendor only upon completion of the project.
- The project must be completed within 12 months from the award date.
- Once the project/event is completed, a Project Completion report must be provided to the Neighborhood Programs office, sharing the successes of the project/event, including photographs and a description of the project/event, showing how it supported an increase in the neighborhood’s social network
If you have any questions regarding the application or process, please contact Neighborhood Programs at 480-782-4363. Thank you for your interest in the Neighborhood Connection Support Program and your desire to make a difference in your neighborhood.