• Alley Transformation Project - Residents from the Burnham Park neighborhood improved the safety of their alley for the children who live and play there. The group accomplished this by installing speed limit signs, lighting on garages, and murals with a scenic theme on several of the garage doors. This project ensured that the alleys where children play are not only safe, but serve as an aesthetically beautiful place where residents are able to consistently gather together.

• Bumblebee Haven Community Garden - Residents from the Historic Mitchell Street neighborhood established Bumblebee Haven Community Garden's presence within their community through the creation of a beautiful sign that captures their vision for the space. To create neighborhood awareness, this former vacant city lot now has beautiful signage to help make the space a neighborhood destination.

Click here to watch a video about the Community Connections Small Grants Program.

1. If applying as an individual, you must live in or around the neighborhood where the project will take place and find a partner (company or non-profit) to support your project. If applying as a group, three unrelated youth who live in or around the neighborhood can apply for projects to benefit and take place in their neighborhood.

2. All grant requested events and activities must benefit and take place in or around the neighborhood where youth residents reside.

3. Applicants must secure MATCHING SUPPORT equal to or greater than the amount requested from the small grants program. For example, if you request $350.00, you should demonstrate $350.00 in matching funds and/or in-kind services. Matching support can be money, other grants, volunteer work, or donated goods or services such as food, event space, tools, or equipment.

4. If funds are requested to cover the cost of contractors, the cost of the contractors cannot exceed 50% of the grant requested from Community Connections.

5. Applicants are prohibited from buying tools or equipment using the Community Connections Small Grant funds. For questions regarding acceptable purchases please email info@ccsmallgrants.org.

6. Payment will be disbursed in two ways to youth resident's groups:
a. A group checking account in the group's name.
b. The check can be made directly to a designated individual within the group who is 18 or older.

7. Applicants can only take the lead and/or be the point of contact for one project per year.

8. All in-person events must follow the COVID-19 safety precautions as mandated by the state and/or municipalities. This includes the number of individuals gathering in-person and wearing masks.

Prior to grant submission

1. Attend virtual application assistance session where you can:
a. Receive feedback on your project idea.
b. Ask any questions you'd like to apply for the project.

Submission

For youth residents, you will be required to answer a short survey and send a video presenting your project for consideration. Please send your video to info@ccsmallgrants.org after answering these questions, CLICK HERE to answer.
a. Contact information of team lead to include first and last name, address, email and phone number.
b. First and last name of all team members to include first and last name, address, email and phone number.
c. Neighborhood
d. Project budget
e. Matching support
f. Who or what entity will the check be disbursed to if funded?

Please keep in mind that all grants submitted by young people should be youth led. The video should also be good quality and answer the following questions. Questions do not have to be answered in order. Creativity is encouraged as long as all of the questions are answered.
  1. Please describe your project.
  2. Who will benefit from your project?
  3. Where will your project take place?
  4. What inspired you to want to do this project?
  5. How will you know your project is successful?
  6. List one tangible S.M.A.R.T. goal you wish to accomplish with your project? Please list one skill for each person.
      • Specific
      • Measurable
      • Achievable
      • Relevant
      • Time bound

After grant submission

1. After submission, all qualified applicants will receive an email regarding the status of the grant application. This includes requesting an interview if required by the review committee. Please check your email frequently throughout the grant process as this is how grant related information is communicated.

2. Track and document all project expenses. This includes keeping track of original receipts and invoices. Submitted receipts can only reflect items purchased for the funded project.

3. Where appropriate, take before and after pictures of the project.

4. Turn in your final report 30 days after project completion or by the final report deadline, whichever comes first. All group members or the individual and community partner must complete and sign off on the final report. Failure to submit your final report on time will disqualify all group members from applying for a grant for one year. The final report will ask the following questions:

5. All grantees will be required to attend a final grantee celebration (virtual) to share your project success. Each project will be required to make a 5-7 minute presentation. Presentation criteria is as follows:

    a. Discussion of how the project idea came about

    b. Explanation of the project

    c. Completed final report questionnaire

    d. Please share numbers in the project information portion of the final report form:

    e. Describe how the community is better as a result of your project

    f. Share how you have personally developed as a result of conducting a community project

    g. Share a skill learned through the grant or project process

    h. Share noteworthy successes that you are specifically excited about

    i. Share any challenges you faced and what you would do differently if funded for the same project

    j. A visual component is required for each final presentation (PowerPoint, poster board, etc.)