The City of Madison Planning Division’s Neighborhood Grant Program helps residents and groups that support neighborhoods to beautify gateways, create public gathering places, or build capacity and leadership skills.
Donor Name: City of Madison
State:
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/10/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The grant program provides funding but neighbors’ ideas, determination and pride are behind the most successful projects.
Community Enhancement or Neighborhood Leadership and Capacity Building Projects that:
- Engage new and diverse communities
- Create/build community
- Increase community and neighborhood impact on public decisions and community life
- Are ready to begin within 1-3 months from award
- Are free and open to the public
Funding Information
The Planning Division expects that the Common Council will award grants totaling approximately $25,000 in 2026.
Eligible Expenses
- Routine maintenance, on-going operating expenses (like salaries or publishing newsletters), replacement of existing items (unless it is a great enhancement over the existing).
- Playground equipment and other improvements on City owned or controlled lands that are elements of an ongoing City service or replacement cycle, and/or are typically part of another City agency’s budget
- Improvements to school-owned land and facilities, except where applicant proposes new and creative approaches.
- Direct social services like health clinics, food baskets, and emergency preparedness supplies.
- Direct grants, scholarships, or stipends to prepare grant applications.
- Facility rental, food, beverages, and entertainment like music and comedy (exception at staff discretion for capacity building projects where up to 50% of award can be used toward such expenses).
- Community gardening expenses (exception at staff discretion for capacity building projects).
Eligibility Criteria
Groups that serve a neighborhood or other defined geography such as:
- Small groups of 5 or more residents
- Neighborhood organizations and planning councils
- Non-profits and centers of worship
- Business associations and organizations engaged in community building and/or civic engagement activities
For more information, visit City of Madison.
