How to Apply for an Action Grant
We believe that those most impacted by inequity and injustice are in the best position to develop solutions.
Neighbor Up Action Grants are meant to be accessible to grassroots groups led by residents in Cleveland and East Cleveland; you do not need a grant writer or consultant to work on your application. Please follow the steps below!
To get started, you and at least two other people (who aren’t related) share an idea for a project or program that would make a positive difference for people in your Cleveland or East Cleveland neighborhood. Agree on the purpose and intentions of your project together.
Individuals may not apply on their own; it’s all about ‘Neighboring Up’ to take action.
Applications for Round 45 are due on Monday, February 9th at 11:59pm.
Proposals accepted this round need to address one of these issues:
Arts & Culture – Includes initiatives that gather people together to focus on literature, theater, music, dance, ballet, painting, sculpture, photography, motion pictures, architecture, archaeology, history, natural history, or the natural sciences. Arts & Culture includes funding for pocket parks and urban farms (natural sciences).
Neighboring – Initiatives connect residents of a single geographic area across lines of difference to build more trusting, caring communities. These include front porch nights, neighborhood clean ups, block parties, food/toy giveaways at the holidays, building understanding across lines of difference.
Seniors/Intergenerational – These projects must involve mainly people 55 and older. They can be initiatives that are led by seniors or that serve seniors. These can be initiatives that are fully focused on seniors, or they could be intergenerational activities that build relationships between seniors and other age groups.
Important Dates:
Grant Application Opens: Monday, December 15th, 2025
Online Grantseeker Workshop Goes Live: Monday, December 15th, 2025
In Person Grantseeker Workshop: Monday, January 12th, 6pm to 8pm, Neighborhood Connections Office
In Person Grantseeker Workshop: Wednesday, January 21st, 6pm to 8pm, Neighborhood Connections Office
In Person Grantseeker Workshop: Thursday, January 29th, 6pm to 8pm, Neighborhood Connections Office
One on one Grantseeker Assistance: Week of February 2nd (more information to come)
Grant Proposal Deadline: Monday, February 9th, 11:59PM
Application Instructions:
Step 1
Decide on a name for your project, and what neighborhood you will start with/focus on. Decide which individual will serve as the point of contact for the grant.
Step 2
Choose a focus area that best describe your project.
- Arts & Culture. These initiatives focus on literature, theater, music, dance, ballet, painting, sculpture, photography, motion pictures, architecture, archaeology, history, natural history, or the natural sciences.
- Neighboring. These initiatives connect residents of a single geographic area across lines of difference to build more trusting, caring communities.
- Senior/Intergenerational. These initiatives must involve mainly people 55 and older. They can be initiatives that are led by seniors or that serve seniors. These can be initiatives that are fully focused on seniors, or they could be intergenerational activities that build relationships between seniors and other age groups.
Step 3
Decide on a fiscal sponsor for your grant. The fiscal sponsor must be a nonprofit under section 501c3 of the US tax code.
Step 4
Develop a budget that includes a grant request of $500-$5,000, along with matching funds in volunteer time, in-kind donations or other funds raised. You can use this sample budget template.
Step 5
Review the application questions and formulate responses. You can download them here or view them inside the grants interface.
Step 6
Ask your partners to provide letters of support.
Step 7
Complete your application and submit it by the deadline.
Log into our Grants Interface, creating an account for yourself if it’s your first time. You will need the code provided from the Grantseeker Workshop to access the grant application.
