Neighborhood Grant Program
Guidelines & Eligibility Criteria Calendar Year 2026
Application Deadline for Fall Cycle (#1): Friday, October 10, 2025, by 5 p.m.
Funding
Thank you for your interest in the Neighborhood Grant Program. Please review the following guidelines and eligibility criteria to determine if your group qualifies. Funding requests will be considered twice per year as part of a competitive application process.
Total funding available for the entire program, Community Events and Neighborhood Grants, is $150,000.
There are 3 tiers of funding levels for neighborhood associations based on the number of households.
Neighborhood Associations must provide a write up of how they calculated the total number of households in their neighborhood group.
Neighborhood Grant
Tier Level # of Households Maximum Funding
Tier 1 Under 250 $1,500
Tier 2 251 – 499 $3,000
Tier 3 500 & Over $5,000
In addition, each neighborhood group may apply for funding specifically to host block parties. Block parties are often smaller events within a neighborhood group so residents that live within close proximity to each other may further develop their relationship and communication. Review Block Party guidelines on city website - https://www.sunnyvale.ca.gov/homes-streets-and-property/neighborhood-resources/block-party-permit.
Maximum funding per block party is $500 and applications must be signed by a neighborhood group leader listed in the annual registration form.
Block Party
Tier Level # Households Maximum # of Applications
Tier 1 Under 250 2
Tier 2 251 – 499 4
Tier 3 500 & Over 6
Funding priority is neighborhood grants and only if funding is still available will block party applications be considered.
NEW! This grant program will accept grant applications twice a year. The Fall cycle (#1) will allocate 80% of available funding. Applicants may submit applications for neighborhood activities for the entire 2026 calendar year. A second application cycle will be open in Spring 2026, March – mid-April, to accept additional applications and will allocate the remaining 20% of grant funds. One of the goals of the Spring application cycle is to provide a funding opportunity to neighborhood groups that may have missed the Fall cycle.
Program Mission
Grant funds are the City’s investment in strengthening neighborhood groups, improving the quality of life in local communities, and encouraging neighborhood groups or associations to become increasingly self-reliant.
The mission of the Neighborhood Grant Program is to:
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• Build community engagement in Sunnyvale;
• Help residents develop a sense of pride and ownership in their neighborhoods; and • Continue to develop collaborative partnerships between Sunnyvale’s neighborhoods and City Hall.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must be representatives of a neighborhood group and be registered as an active Neighborhood Association when the grant application is submitted.
Project and/or Event Eligibility
All proposed projects and/or events must:
• Focus on one or more of the following areas:
1. Increase communication among neighbors
2. Build bridges between cultural groups (i.e., ethnicity, age, socio-economic, etc.)
3. Improve the physical condition of the neighborhood
4. Enhance neighborhood pride and identity
• Be neighborhood-focused, initiated and supported by residents living in the neighborhood.
Occurring between January 1 and December 31, 2026
• Successful applicants must acknowledge City of Sunnyvale as a funder of the neighborhood project or event in all marketing and outreach materials, including but not limited to flyers, social media, posters, etc.
Projects and/or events that are not eligible include:
• Activities that are political in nature, including but not limited to, the support or opposition of a proposed initiative, ballot measure, policy position or candidate • Payment of outstanding debts
• Services which are primarily commercial, religious or political in nature • Permanent improvements to any non-City owned structure or property • In most cases, operating expenses such as ongoing salaries, utilities and rent expenses • Equipment purchase (i.e. speakers, tables, chairs, etc.) that will only be used 1-3 times per year for neighborhood events.
Creative ideas for neighborhood projects are encouraged! Projects could include (but are not limited to) youth programs, volunteer projects, seed money for neighborhood special events that encourage neighbors to get to know each other, or neighborhood association fundraising activities/events.
Special Event Permit Requirement
Neighborhood activities/events may require a special event permit if your event includes one or more of the following components:
• Open to the public
• Large attendance anticipated
• Community event, carnival, or festival
• Hosting carnival games, activities, or petting zoo
• Reserving 3+ Baylands picnic areas or Great Meadow Area • Closure of streets
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Applications are due at least eight weeks before the event date. Please submit a special event application independent of the Neighborhood Grant timeline and funding decision.
In-Kind Support from City of Sunnyvale
Neighborhood groups that receive funding and are required to apply for a special event permit will receive the following services as in-kind support:
• Insurance
• Garage and recycling service
• Special event application fee
• Limited marketing support through City’s Communications Division
Evaluation Guidelines
Grant applications will be evaluated on the criteria listed below:
• Is the project realistic within the given timeframe?
• Does the project focus on one or more of the following four areas?
1. Increase communication among neighbors
2. Build bridges between different cultural groups
3. Improve the physical condition of the neighborhood
4. Enhance neighborhood pride and identity
• Is the project well developed (clear project description, detailed project plan, adequate resources allocated, community need addressed)?
• Is the project an appropriate use of City funds?
• Will the project strengthen the neighborhood group and foster self-reliance? • How many residents will benefit from the project?
• Will the completed project have any negative impact on residents, businesses, the City or bordering neighborhoods?
• Is there adequate neighborhood support (resident participation, volunteer time, resources, etc.) for this project?
• Multiple projects, events or activities implemented throughout the year are encouraged
Application Process and Next Steps
To apply: Complete the Neighborhood Grant Program application and submit it by October 10, 2025, by 5 p.m.
Applications not submitted by this deadline or submitted incomplete will not be considered.
A Council subcommittee will review each application. The Council subcommittee may choose to contact the applicant for more information or clarification regarding the details of the application during the review period. Final funding decisions will be made by the full City Council. Grant applicants will be notified, in writing, of final funding decisions in Jan./Feb. 2026.
All grant awardees will be required to submit the following to the City of Sunnyvale within 30 days of the project or event conclusion and no later than December 31, 2026, whichever comes first:
1. A final report describing the project and use of funds
2. All original receipts/invoices for reimbursements
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3. Submit pictures of the activity/event and sample marketing materials (i.e., flyers, social media posts, posters, etc.) documenting acknowledgement of city funding.
Reimbursements: The Neighborhood Grant is reimbursable, meaning that any approved funds must first be spent by the grantee and receipts/invoices showing payment must be submitted to the City of Sunnyvale.
Upon review of eligible receipts/invoices, the City will reimburse the grantee. The reimbursement process takes approximately two to four weeks.
Questions and More Information
For questions or more information, please email: [email protected] or call 408-730-7599.
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