City of College Station

Below are the guidelines and application. Also, below is a link to the new vendor packet this is required for all grant applications.

• Grant Program Overview
• Grant Program Application
• New Vendor Packet

Gateway Grant funds can be used for gateway or identification signage, landscaping and beautification projects.

There is only one grant cycle per year.

The grant program will remain a matching funds program where neighborhoods are reimbursed up to 50 percent of the total project costs.

Neighborhoods that receive funding for gateway projects are not eligible to receive additional funding for the next five years.

Gateway Grant funds cannot be used for maintenance or upkeep of previous projects completed by the neighborhoods.

Once awarded funding, neighborhoods will have one calendar year to complete projects.

Registered neighborhood associations, homeowner associations and residents of a neighborhood planning area can use funds.

Neighborhood plan implementation items identified by residents are allowed to receive neighborhood grant funds.

Neighborhoods can continue to apply for grants for neighborhood projects, one-time projects, application fees for planning projects, community building projects, and other small projects. However, preference will be given to neighborhood plan identified projects.

For neighborhood plan identified items, the number of items selected for completion will depend on available grant funds.

The timeframe for completion of neighborhood plan improvement items will be one calendar year.

Neighborhood and homeowner associations that are registered with the City of College Station’s Neighborhood Partnership Program will be given priority status in selection of grant projects.

Non-registered associations are eligible for funds for neighborhood and community-building projects, but not for physical projects such as gateway signage.

Neighborhoods with recently completed neighborhood plans are also eligible for funding from both grant categories and are also given priority status when applications are evaluated.

These are projects intended to strengthen the quality of life and integrity of a neighborhood. Some examples are one-time events such as a neighborhood cleanup, a National Night Out party, a community garden, or hosting a training session or workshop. These projects are intended to bring the community together.

The program provides 50 percent matching funds to assist neighborhood/homeowner associations with qualifying and eligible projects. The program operates on a reimbursement basis. Groups cannot begin their projects before receiving official notification from the city that their grant application has been approved. Upon completion of the approved project, invoices are turned in to the city and the group will receive the grant funds.

Registered with the city’s Neighborhood Partnership Program/Neighborhood Planning Area
(20 points)

Neighborhood participation and involvement
(20 Points)

Community benefit
(20 Points)

Matching donations and volunteer hours contributed toward the event
(20 Points)

Project consistency with established program goals
(20 Points)

• Political campaigning
  
  
• Alcohol purchases
  
  
• Association business expenses or trips
  
  
• Persons or an individual business
  
  
• Religious organizations
  
  
• Maintenance and upkeep of existing neighborhood projects

Advantages of the Neighborhood Partnership Program:

• Database maintained of all registered associations. Information is available to city departments, community agencies, developers and other neighborhood partners in order to encouraged communication regarding projects, events and programs.
  
  
• Neighborhood representatives are notified of development projects and public hearings that pertain to land or projects in the vicinity of their neighborhood.
  
  
• Monthly Neighborhood Seminar Suppers that provide a forum for education on local and regional topics and networking between neighborhood leaders.
  
  
• Start-up support for residents establishing or revitalizing associations.
  
  
• Emails sent to neighborhood representatives  with valuable information about city events, meetings and programs -- especially those relevant to your neighborhoods.
  
  
  

Boundaries: The neighborhood association boundaries shall be established by the association membership. The boundaries may not overlap the boundaries of another formally registered association.

The following may be considered when establishing boundaries:

• Patterns of development and placement of property lines;
• Natural physical boundaries such as landforms and water bodies;
• Man-made boundaries such as major thoroughfares and street connection patterns; &
• Existing established affiliations based on population distribution and cultural factors.

Neighborhood Association Membership: Neighborhood association membership must be open to all residents and property owners residing within the neighborhood boundaries. Race, color, creed, sex, age, heritage, national origin, or income level shall not limit participation or membership. Neighborhood Associations dues and membership fees should be collected on a voluntary basis and payment of dues should not be a contingency to the privilege of voting and participation.

Homeowner Association Membership: Membership guidelines outlined in the deed restrictions should be followed. Race, color, creed, sex, age, heritage, national origin, or income level should not limit participation or membership. Assessment fees should be collected as established by deed. HOA's should consider involving non-property owner neighbors in their social and civic events.

Bylaws: Each association must adopt written bylaws. Bylaws must include a description of the organization, procedures for democratic voting and elections, and the process for the adoption and amendment of bylaws. A copy of the bylaws must be provided to Neighborhood Services.

Meetings: Associations should establish a meeting schedule. Quarterly meetings are encouraged with the minimum requirement of one general neighborhood meeting per year. Meetings and records should be open to all residents in the neighborhood. The time, place, and purpose of the meeting must be well publicized throughout the neighborhood prior to the meeting.

Officers and Representatives: Associations must have an election or agreed-upon selection process for officers and representatives. The Neighborhood Services Office should be informed of any updates or amendments to the neighborhood association's bylaws, boundaries, representatives and officers.