What is the Lowell Neighborhood Innovation Grant Program?

Lowell’s residents and neighborhoods are some of the city’s greatest assets. The Lowell Neighborhood Innovation Grant Program, administered by the Department of Planning and Development, provides small-scale funds of up to $1,500 per project to help resident and community leaders improve the quality of life in the places where they live and work. The program is intended to support community-driven, grassroots projects and to foster a strong sense of community by building collaborations between and among different organizations across the city. The rationale for the program is that neighborhoods whose residents are actively involved in shaping the city’s future are most likely to attract other residents and investments. The Neighborhood Innovation Grant Program is funded by the City of Lowell through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which aims to improve the quality of life in low-to-moderate income communities.

Neighborhood groups and other community stakeholders are encouraged to think creatively in determining the types of projects that best address their unique assets and needs. To ensure that CDBG eligibility requirements are met and key City of Lowell priorities are fulfilled, however, a set of selection criteria has been established. Projects could include (but are not limited to): community gardening initiatives, playground enhancements, community festivals, crime watch campaigns, and neighborhood newsletters. Projects that improve or enhance public facilities will be prioritized.

Who is Eligible?

-All projects must provide physical, environmental, aesthetic, economic, educational, and/or social benefit to one or more of Lowell’s CDBG eligible neighborhoods, in which at least 51% of the households are considered low or moderate income. Projects that provide a public service to individuals must document how they will benefit households earning less than or equal to 80% of the area median income ($91,700). Please see the CDBG eligible areas map for details. 

-All projects must benefit and be accessible to the general public.

-All projects must involve collaborations of 2 or more groups within Lowell (501(c)(3) status not required) and a minimum of 10 community participants.

-All projects must be able to be completed within the designated program timeline.

How Do I Apply?

Please review the program guidelines and application checklist to determine whether this program is right for you.

Initial 1-page letters of interest (LOI) must be submitted by all groups and are due by December 15th, 2011 at 5 PM. LOIs should outline the proposed project, identify its location and project partners, and summarize how it will meet the stated eligibility requirements. LOIs should be emailed to Allegra Williams, Neighborhood Planner, awilliams@lowellma.gov.

What is the Program Timeline?

Letters of Interest Due                                                                 December 15th, 2011

Invitation to Submit a Full Application                                       January 1st, 2012

Applications Due                                                                          January 31st, 2012

Selections Made                                                                           March 1st, 2012

Funding Awarded                                                                         April 1st, 2012

Public Service Projects and Evaluations Completed           June 30th, 2012

Public Facility Projects and Evaluations Completed            April 30th, 2013



2012 AWARD RECIPIENTS


Informational Flyers

English

Spanish (Español)

Portuguese (Português)

Khmer


Resources

Groups seeking project partners may find the Merrimack Valley Hub to be a useful networking resource. MVHUB is a directory of community services within the Merrimack Valley. Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact Allegra Williams, Neighborhood Planner, to discuss their potential project ideas.


Primary Contact:

Allegra Williams
Neighborhood Planner
Department of Planning and Development
Phone: (978) 674-1473