During the 2017 budget process, Councilmember Jensen requested that funding be made available to all Topeka neighborhoods to help support neighborhood events, beautification projects and other improvement projects to the neighborhoods.  As a result, $25,000 was included in the approved 2017 budget for this purpose.

Staff began work on development of the program this fall and the draft was presented to the Interim City Manager for review.  Upon City Manager approval, the draft program was presented to Councilmember Jensen.

Due to Topeka's long history of supporting it's neighborhoods through grant programs, a framework within which to develop the new program already existed.  Using the framework of the Empowerment Grant program, staff also researched programs across the country that intend to bring the same benefits to their neighborhoods.  The Neighborhood Partnership Program in Austin, Texas was identified with some elements that staff strongly favored for Topeka.  These include a 'sweat equity' requirement on the part of the neighborhoods applying for funds and the ability of neighborhoods to apply for grant match funds for other grant programs they may be applying for.  Both elements seemed a good fit for our community. 

Staff envisions a grant program that would be open to all Topeka neighborhoods and would allow applications for events, beautification or improvement projects and grant matches.  In order for projects to be eligible, no other City funding source can be available for the project such as Empowerment or SORT funding.  A component of 'sweat equity' will be required as part of the application and will vary by application depending upon the project; however, a personal investment on the part of the neighborhood residents must be included in the application. 

Consideration has been given to splitting the available funding into three categories; events, beautification and grant matches.  However, until we complete one or two cycles of the new program in order to get a real feel for what neighborhoods are requesting, we do not want to lock ourselves into a 'split' between the three categories that may not be the best match for what Topeka neighborhoods need.  This may be a provision implemented in the future, but we will need a few application cycles to be able to tell if it is necessary.  A selection committee comprised of neighborhood representatives and staff will make selections of projects and projects must be completed within one year of being funded.