The Neighborhood Small Grants Program (NSGP) strengthens neighborhoods in the City of Knoxville by supporting a wide range of community-based initiatives through grants and technical assistance.
To see how neighborhoods in the City of Knoxville have used funding provided by the NSGP, check out the
Neighborhood Small Grants Program Showcase.
The program is aimed at
resident-controlled, resident-led, democratically run neighborhood groups such as:
neighborhood watch groups, neighborhood associations, neighborhood organizations, tenant associations, and homeowners associations.
The NSGP’s Primary goals are to:
A. Encourage neighborhood organizations to connect neighborhood residents with one another — and to engage the skills and knowledge of the residents.
B. Build neighborhood capacity to plan and implement neighborhood improvement strategies.
The NSGP’s Secondary goals are to:
C. Increase the number of residents and resident leaders (including youth) involved in responding constructively to neighborhood issues, problems, and opportunities.
D. Strengthen each neighborhood’s connection to other neighborhoods, existing community assets, and partnership opportunities.
A neighborhood’s project must meet both Primary goals and at least one Secondary Goal.
Applications are usually accepted during the month of July, however, the program is on hold until further notice.
In
August/September, members of a citizens evaluation committee, composed of current and former neighborhood leaders, conduct site visits to learn more about each applicant's proposed project.
In
October-November, recommendations are announced, grants go to City Council for approval, and contracts are signed for projects that will be carried out the following year.
In
December, the Office of Neighborhood Empowerment receives the funding to release to neighborhood groups/fiscal sponsors.
• Sample Grant Application
• Sample Close-Out Report
• Sample Volunteer Match Log
• Sample Expenditure Chart
For information about placemaking or project ideas for the NSGP, please check out
ONE's Placemaking Guide.
See the list of grant recipients since 2015
Other resources neighborhoods might benefit from are listed in our
Neighborhood Funders Guide.