ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Eligible projects 

We encourage potential applicants to develop projects that will best meet the needs and wants of their community. We have left the parameters of what constitutes an ‘eligible’ project broad in order to be as responsive as possible to resident-defined priorities. As such, projects simply need to impact the community in one of the following ways: 

• Positively impacts the neighborhood
• Brings the community together 
• Enhances the physical environment 

Geographical boundaries for grant eligibility

Projects that take place in West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, or Austin are geographically eligible for this program. See maps below for defined neighborhood boundaries. If your project takes place within a few blocks of any of these boundaries, but has the potential to impact people in the focus area, please contact us as your project may still be eligible. 

 

West Pullman

 

 

Greater Grand Crossing 

 

 

 

Austin

Participation requirements 

• Your group must submit a complete project application, including a project budget and timeline. 
• Your project must take place in the West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, or Austin neighborhoods. 
• Your project must affect the physical or social aspects of a group and/or area within the neighborhood. 
• Your project must engage at least five people/households. 
• Your core planning group must be composed of at least three people.
• Your project allows for a visit date from Habitat Chicago (e.g. event day, work day, block club meeting). 
• Your project plans for and follows legal requirements, if relevant (e.g. permits). 
• Your project cannot primarily benefit the business of any core planning group member. 
• Your project application must request funds only for activities taking place in the future (we cannot award retroactive funding).
• Your project must adhere to the latest public health guidance.

Application review criteria

We award grants on a first come, first served basis to project applications that meet a certain rating threshold, until all funds are exhausted. Applications are scored according to the following criteria: 

• Detail and thoroughness of the application responses
• Detail and clarity of the project application's budget
• Strength of the project group’s plan for on-time and on-budget completion 
• Extent to which the project positively impacts the neighborhood
• Extent to which the project connects the community
• Extent to which the project enhances the physical environment

 
If your project is not approved for funding, we will work with you to improve your chances of approval if you choose to resubmit with adjustments. 

Get started

If your project is eligible for a Neighborhood Grant, take the next step by reading through our Application Instructions page, where you'll find an instructional video, resources, and helpful tips for filling out your application. If you are a new applicant, we highly recommend you attend one of our virtual information sessions. Find and register for an upcoming session on our events page. 

Interest list

If you'd like to stay updated on the Neighborhood Grants Initiative, sign up for our program’s Interest List. Once you’re signed up, we will send you periodic application tips and reminders, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Interest List

Questions?

You can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you still have questions after reviewing our FAQs, or if you would like to talk with us about your project idea and application, please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.

Email: neighborhoods@habitatchicago.org
Phone: (312)-563-0296 x313