From the Orange County Media Relations Office
Orange County is filled with ideas and resources for your neighborhood’s next project. Whether you want to clean up an area, plant trees, keep your lake clean, apply for a grant, or learn about landscaping, the County has a number of programs and services to help. Clean and Attractive Neighborhoods are great places to live – they create pride, deter crime, and increase property values. Participating in a project is also a great way to get to know your neighbors and address your neighborhood’s specifics needs.
There are two types of funding available, neighborhood beautification and neighborhood crime prevention/safety. Neighborhood Pride Grants are used to beautify the neighborhood. Crime Prevention & Safety Grants are provided to help reduce existing neighborhood crime or the potential for neighborhood crime; or increase residents safety or home safety. These grants are open to neighborhood groups and property owner associations in Orange County.
Grant Application Submission
Applications are accepted year-round. However, applications received after the first Tuesday in June will be processed at the start of the next fiscal year, which is October 1.
Grant Workshops
Mini Grant & Sign Grant Workshops:
These grants are only available to neighborhoods that do not have a mandatory property association.
Landscape, Entranceway, and Capital Project Grants
These grants are only available to mandatory property associations.
NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS ADVISORY BOARD
A Grant Selection Committee comprised of County staff members review and score applications. Then, the Neighborhood Grants Advisory Board (NGAB), a seven-member citizen panel, oversees the grant programs from selection of winners to the completion of projects. The NGAB meets once a month to conduct its duties. Board members review applications and conduct site visits.
Sustainable Communities Grant
Orange County's Sustainable Communities Grant Program's intent is to provide funding to support and assist neighborhoods and organizations working on reducing pollution and carbon footprint. A sustainable community is one that is economically, environmentally and socially healthy and resilient. By working together, we enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.
Funding is available in the form of grants to help neighborhoods stay safe, healthy and connected. Grants are available for projects ranging from $500 - $5,000. Eligible projects can address issues such as lighting, watering, community gardens, electricity generation and pollution reduction. Events are also encouraged to help teach community members about energy efficiency, pollution reduction, and green and sustainable practices.
For additional information, contact Marthaly Irizarry at Marthaly.irizarry@ocfl.net or 407-836-2934.
