The city of Aurora is breathing new life into its neighborhoods with the return of the Neighborhood Improvement Grants program. In a bid to bolster community ties and beautify local areas, the initiative is open to neighborhood groups, HOA's, and residents without a neighborhood organization. For the first time, nonprofits and businesses have been invited to throw their hats into the ring, on the condition that they partner with residents to bring their plans to fruition.
With a budget set at $60,000 for 2025, Aurora is keeping steady with its previous year's commitment, which saw nearly the same amount disseminated across 14 neighborhood organizations. Applicants can vie for a maximum of $5,000 to fund their proposed project. As detailed by the City of Aurora, these ventures could range from cleanup activities to the installation of community message boards, enhancing not just the aesthetics, but also the communicative fabric of the neighborhoods they serve.
Aurora residents keen to apply are required to attend one of the pre-application meetings. These sessions provide essential information about the grant opportunity and guide potential candidates through the application journey. The information sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center, a virtual session on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at noon, and another virtual gathering on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. Application forms will be out starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, and the closing date for submissions is set at 5 p.m. Friday, April 18.
