The Neighborhood STAR Program provides grants for physical improvement, also known as capital improvement, projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods.
Donor Name: City of Saint Paul
State: Minnesota
City: Saint Paul
Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants
Deadline: 03/13/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
State and local legislation was enacted in 1993 to allocate revenue from the city’s half-cent sales tax to the Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program. Administered by the City’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), Neighborhood STAR provides reimbursement grants of $5,000 or more for capital improvement projects which strengthen the vitality of city’s neighborhoods. Public, private, non-profit, or for-profit entities located in or doing business in Saint Paul may apply for STAR funds.
Funding Information
- Grant requests up to $50,000 do not require matching funds.
- Grant requests greater than $50,000 require a 1:1 match (for example, a grant request of $55,000 would require a match of $55,000).
Eligible STAR-Funded Projects and Activities
Eligible activities include:
- Renovation, rehabilitation andor construction of commercial, residential, or industrial property. Residential improvements include only private or nonprofit housing projects; home renovations for individuals are not eligible for STAR funds.
- Most fixed interior and exterior improvements to commercial or residential structures including walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, windows, doors, entrances, electrical, plumbing.
- HVAC, energy and security improvements, handicap accessibility, and building code corrections.
- Minor public improvements (major public improvements should be referred to the city’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process).
- Beautification of public or private open space, including trees and shrubs, rain gardens, benches, play equipment, bicycle parking, and lighting that are site-specific and have a life expectancy of 7+ years. Creative placemaking / place-keeping capital improvement activities, including public art and creative public infrastructure improvements, especially those that contribute to cultural diversity.
- Non-profit neighborhood organizations providing a funding program to local businesses, homeowners, or condominium/townhome owners for capital improvement activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Public, non-profit, and for-profit entities located in or doing business within the City of Saint Paul
- City departments and quasi-governmental entities are an eligible applicant when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group.
- Churches and religious organizations are eligible to apply when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group and only with respect to a project that:
- is non- sectarian and whose primary effect neither advances nor inhibits religion;
- will make capital improvements for functions not associated with church sponsored or religious type activities; and
- is open and available to the public at large on a regular basis.
For more information, visit City of Saint Paul.
