I. What is the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program?
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program helps neighborhoods fund various improvement projects by providing a dollar for dollar match to locally raised funds from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000. The program gives neighborhood-based organizations an incentive to raise funds, build partnerships with businesses and cultivate the spirit of volunteerism and community support needed to complete a project. The program is designed to help neighborhood-based groups learn the art of planning, funding and completing a project towards the improvement of their own and the rest of the City of McAllen residents quality of life.
Proposed projects must:
- improve/beautify a city neighborhood through a physical improvement
- involve neighborhood residents
- have long-standing benefits
- be located in public right-of-way of City of McAllen collector or arterial roadways and
- have the necessary permits before starting the improvements
II. Who can participate in the program?
Your organization is eligible to participate in the program if it meets the following criteria:
- it is a neighborhood or homeowners association
- it represents a specific geographic area and not the entire city and
- it is located within the McAllen city limits
Individuals, community development corporations, educational institutions, political organizations, religious organizations, and social service organizations are not eligible to apply. Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are eligible to apply as long as the project is not on McAllen Independent School District property. Eligible organizations do not have to incorporate to take advantage of matching grants but will need to open a checking account under the organization’s name. Neighborhood or homeowner’s associations must have a minimum of 50 percent of the subdivision lots with occupied residences at the time of application.
III. How does the match work?
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program operates under a reimbursement system. The grant money represents a partnership between the City and an organization which must raise funds before any City reimbursements will be disbursed. The City will reimburse the organization 50% (from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000) of the total project expenditures. Projects can be done in several phases. There is no limit to the number of grants awarded to an organization in a fiscal year but no organization shall receive more than $5,000 in total reimbursements per fiscal year. Funding under this program will be available to an organization on a first-come first-serve basis until exhausted in the fiscal year. In-kind contributions are not allowed to meet the local match requirements.
IV. What type of projects can be funded and what are the basic requirements?
The program helps pay for physical improvements that provide tangible benefits to the community. The program will not pay for on-going operation or maintenance, such as upkeep of landscaping or repairs to monument signs. If applicable, the organization applying for the grant must identify how the organization will fund and maintain the project in the future. Projects already completed or underway are not eligible for grant funding.
All physical improvement projects on public right-of-way require a permit from the City of McAllen Engineering Department. If the project is located along state right-of-way, a permit from the Texas Department of Transportation will be required instead. Depending on the project, there may be additional requirements. Listed below are some eligible projects and the basic requirements for each. This list is intended only as a starting point and is not all-inclusive. It is your responsibility to check on all requirements for your particular project.
- Irrigation systems for approved landscaping projects
- Requires for the system to be an automatic drip irrigation system
- Landscaping esplanades on public property
- requires an automatic drip irrigation system
- irrigation system requires a plumbing permit and must be installed by a licensed irrigator
- Landscaping in public right-of-way, other than esplanades
- requires an automatic drip irrigation system
- irrigation system requires a plumbing permit and must be installed by a licensed irrigator
- Improvements to Existing neighborhood fences
- improvements include cleaning and staining existing wood boundary fences
- New boundary fences
- new wood fences are eligible for funding but must be stained
- decorative wrought iron or vinyl boundary fences are eligible for funding
- Demolition of unsightly structures
- a demolition permit may be required
- Improvements to City-owned parks
- requires approval by the City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department
- requires detailed plans of improvements
- installation of equipment must be done by approved contractor and inspection approved by the Parks & Recreation Department
- a building permit may be required
- Improvements to Association-owned parks
- requires permission in writing from the Association Board
- must be accessible to all residents of McAllen
- Community gardens
- requires permission from the property owner
- Neighborhood/subdivision identification signs (on private property or association-owned property)
- requires permission from property owner or Association Board
- sign permit required from the inspections department
- Neighborhood/subdivision identification signs (on public right-of-way or esplanade)
- requires a license agreement approved by the City Commission
- sign permit required from the inspections department
- Benches, planters or decorative lights in public right-of-way
- requires a license agreement approved by the City Commission
- requires the organization to have liability insurance for the life of the improvement
V. How do I apply?
An application must be filled-out with information about the organization and a project description.
Click the following links for the application in PDF or WORD format.
I. When may projects be started and what is the project completion date?
In order to take advantage of this program, a project may be started only after the application has been approved by the City Manager or his/her designee. A completed application with a minimum of three quotes from companies or contractors will be required for its approval. The project must be completed within one (1) year from date of approval signature. A time extension may be obtained if a request is submitted in writing at least one month prior to the deadline with an explanation of why more time is needed. Failure to complete the project or failure to obtain a time extension within one year of first approval would result in the loss of the matching grant and would be ineligible to apply again for one year.
VII. How will be projects be evaluated?
Eligible projects must have community support. Letters of support or petitions signed by the organization members will be accepted as proof of community support. Minutes of the meeting authorizing the president of the organization to submit a matching grant application is required.
VIII. What are the insurance requirements?
Proof of insurance is not required but recommended if the association members are doing part of the work.
IX. How are funds disbursed to grantees?
The organization’s grant application must be approved by the City Manager or his/her designee. An approved application serves as a notice to the organization to proceed with the project. Once the project is completed, the city’s neighborhood planner will conduct an inspection to verify the work. Once verification takes place the matching grant reimbursement to the organization will be processed. Reimbursements in full amount of the approved matching funds will be made within 30 calendar days of inspection and final approval. No reimbursements for eligible expenses will be made if such expenses occur before an application is approved by the City Manager or his/her designee.
X. Who do we contact for more information?
Please call the neighborhood planner at 681-1250.