The City of Upper Arlington is opening its coffers once again to promote diversity and inclusion through its annual Community Relations Innovation Small Grant Program. Local organizations with a mind to either spark a new initiative or polish up an existing one can now throw their hats in the ring for a cool $1,000 to $5,000. If this sounds like something up your alley, mark your calendars—the city started taking applications for the 2026 grant cycle.
This isn't just free money for the taking. To successfully pry open the city's wallet, applicants will need to convince the powers that be that their project will increase either the knowledge, understanding, or appreciation of diversity within Upper Arlington and Central Ohio. Here's where the city wants to see some action: getting more interactions from folks who don't live in UA or giving a boost to the sense of belonging for all citizens, with a keen eye on those who aren't from the majority or lack connections. According to the City of Upper Arlington's announcement, last year's winners were about as diverse as it gets—from the UA Culture & Artisans Fair to Neighbors Night Out events.
The deadline isn't going to wait around forever. You've got until December 12 to get your paper in order and submit an application. If your organization makes the cut, the winners will be unveiled like some big reveal at the Community Relations Committee Meeting on January 22, 2026. It could be a great way to start the New Year, right?
For anyone feeling a little gun-shy or just plain unsure about the whole grant dance, the city's got your back. They're considering a virtual info session to break down the program specifics, application hoops, and field any curveball questions you've got. Emma Speight, the Community Affairs Director, is the go-to person if you want to get in on that. Shoot her an email by November 12 at [email protected], and she'll make sure to get you up to speed. As for more details on who to contact and what's required for a successful application, check out the City of Upper Arlington's website, where they spell it all out for you.
