Funding for Neighborhoods

Community Connections Program

neighborhood funding image

Description and available funds

Community Connections Program (CCP) funds are intended to stimulate grassroots community efforts and encourage groups to come together to make Hampton’s neighborhoods better. The goals of the CCP are to improve communication and partnerships within a community, involve new members in activities, and enhance the quality of life.

CCP is considered “seed funding;” meant to support the project or event initially, in hopes it will generate resources of its own for future continuation and success. The maximum grant amount is $4,000 per project. 

Organizations may only have one active CCP project at any time. CCP requests are limited to one per year, per organization. Grants for events covering multiple sites may be sponsored by separate organizations but each sponsoring organization must submit a request.

Eligible strategies and projects: 

Groups that apply for funding must demonstrate how their project brings people together to make their neighborhoods better places to live by using the skills and interests of those who live, work, play, and or do business in the neighborhood. Groups are encouraged to think creatively about what will work in their communities and with whom they might partner to accomplish their work. Examples of eligible projects include:  

  • Projects that advance Public Safety and increase the feeling of safety in the neighborhood such as fire safety education, disaster preparedness programs, night out events, police-youth athletic leagues, and neighborhood watch outreach, etc.
  • Projects that support Organizational Development to improve the workings of existing neighborhood organizations such as board training and development, membership recruitment, and outreach tools (brochures, newsletters, resident directories).
  • Projects that support Recreational, Educational, & Cultural Initiatives, may include inter-generational tutoring programs, senior citizen educational programs, neighborhood music or arts events, parades, fairs, cleanups, and community-based outdoor or recreational activities.

There are many possible strategies to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. We encourage project submissions that reflect new thinking as well as those that use established best practices to advance the Hampton Neighborhood Initiative principles. We are interested in investing in both proven strategies and new ideas.

Before you begin your application, please check the following items:

  • Scope (overview, geographic influence, outcomes)
  • Timeline (season, conflicting events/ holidays)
  • Budget (total cost, outside resources, % to match)
  • Location, and
  • Outreach (involve, create a team, internal and external promotions)
    • Your Neighborhood Commissioners
    • Residents/ Business Owners within Geographic Influence
    • Partnering Organizations
    • All Appropriate Stakeholders

Completing this checklist, maintaining minutes, flyers, emails, and any other     forms of documentation ensures a much smoother review process. 

Applications and policy:

Places and Spaces Program

Description and Available Funds 

The purpose of the Places and Spaces Program (PSG) is to support the work of neighborhood groups to implement collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Funds are reserved for strategic neighborhood priorities as identified through an inclusive neighborhood planning process. 

Eligible applicants are registered neighborhood organizations, as previously defined, located in or serving neighborhoods within the City and who have submitted an Intent to Apply form.

Neighborhood Organizations may apply for a maximum of $100,000 in grant funds per project. All other funding levels will be established and defined in the Neighborhood Development Fund Procedures.  

  • Open Project Limit: Organizations may only have one active individual PSG project approved and open at any time. The only exception to the project limit is when an organization is involved in a collaborative project. An organization may have one individual, and one collaborative project approved and open at a time. 
  • Collaborative Projects: Organizations participating in collaborative projects may apply for a separate grant that is collaborative. Collaborative projects involve more than one neighborhood organization and must address common priorities between both organizations. Project leaders of both organizations must be identified in the application. The maximum amount for a collaborative project is $100,000 and must follow all practices and procedures of the Neighborhood Resources Committee and the Neighborhood Commission. 
  • Pre-Approval Funding: While project planning and inquiry may and should take place before the project is approved, any purchases, site-work, or project implementation cannot be funded until after the project is approved by the required bodies including the Neighborhood Resources Committee, the Executive Committee, and/or the Neighborhood Commission. Any costs incurred prior to approval cannot be funded by grant funds. These costs are a responsibility of the organization or authorized individual.

Organizations may only have one active PSG project at any time. PSG requests are limited to one per year, per organization. Grants for events covering multiple sites may be sponsored by separate organizations but must submit one grant submission per organization.

Eligible Projects

PSG funds are available to support collaborative projects that involve physical improvements on public property. Funds are reserved for strategic neighborhood priorities as identified through an inclusive planning process.  Grant funds cannot be used for routine maintenance and upkeep of facilities. However, improvements and upgrades to existing facilities are eligible. 

The Neighborhood Commission will assess projects to ensure that they:  

  • Are consistent with the goals and principles of the Hampton Neighborhood Initiative;   
  • Benefit an entire neighborhood or community located in the city; 
  • Represent one of the neighborhood’s highest priorities as identified through an inclusive planning process.

Examples of eligible projects include:  

  • Neighborhood Entryway Improvements — Projects that provide a clear sense of place and community pride such as beautification projects, decorative signage, landscaping, lighting, etc.  
  • Safety and Prevention — Projects that enhance residents’ sense of safety, include street lighting improvements, traffic calming measures, and crosswalk improvements. 
  • Community Enhancements — Projects that improve aesthetic quality and increase opportunities for community building, i.e., neighborhood parks, playgrounds, walking/biking trails, and community gardens. 
  • Recreational, Educational & Cultural Initiatives — Projects may include outdoor or recreational improvements, school park improvements, or public art projects.  
  • Beautifications, Minor Neighborhood Improvement — Projects that quickly and easily improve the neighborhood’s physical appearance, from landscaping, banners, signage, plantings, seating areas, and park enhancements.

Before you begin your application, please check the following items:

  • Scope (overview, geographic influence, outcomes)
  • Timeline (season, conflicting events/ holidays)
  • Budget (total cost, outside resources, % to match)
  • Location, and
  • Outreach (involve, create a team, internal and external promotions)
    • Your Neighborhood Commissioners
    • Residents/ Business Owners within Geographic Influence
    • Partnering Organizations
    • All Appropriate Stakeholders

Completing this checklist, maintaining minutes, flyers, emails, and any other     forms of documentation ensures a much smoother review process. 

Applications and policy:

Additional Information

Apply for a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) here.

Learn more about the   education programs provided by Housing and Neighborhood Services here please consult this page - https://hampton.gov/3435/Education

For questions, please contact the Housing and Neighborhood Services Division at neighborhood@hampton.gov. Or call 757-727-6140 (Fax: 757-728-2449).