Bring Sustainability to Your Community

The Sustainable Neighborhood Solutions Program (SNS) is a suite of resources, funding, and knowledge development available to neighborhood-based community groups registered with the Neighborhood Group Leaders Association. The program removes common community barriers to facilitate neighborhood-scale sustainability and resilience through community empowered projects. Groups collectively identify their community's needs and opportunities to advance sustainability, and then implement those solutions.

Application and Funding Schedule

The 2022 application and funding schedule will be posted on this page in early 2022. 

This page offers an overview of the program. More information is available on the Sustainable Neighborhood Solutions Grant Details page. 

Please review the detailed guidelines carefully prior to submitting your application. Incomplete submissions will not be considered for funding. If you have any questions, please call 303-651-8637 or email Wayne Tomac.

See the SNS Grant Details page for:

• What is Neighborhood Sustainability and Resilience?
• 2021 Changes, Clarifications, and Future Planning

Who Can Apply

• All Neighborhood-Based Community Groups (NBCG) registered with the Neighborhood Group Leaders Association for the current calendar year and designated an "Active" group may apply for an SNS grant. Community Groups must also have registered by the March 31 deadline of that year to qualify for "Improvement Project" funding.
• A Homeowners Association may apply through the registered community group in their neighborhood. All criteria herein must be fulfilled.
• COVID affected communities with staff approval.

See the SNS Grant Details page for:

• Application Eligibility

Project Types & Funding Availability

Workshops & Activities are eligible for up to $500

• One-time event to educate or engage the community in collective action, possibly including outside speakers or educator
• Possible $500 additional holistic bonus*

Programs and Resources are eligible for up to $5,000

• Creation of an enduring product or outcome that encourages sustained impact in the community
• Possible $1,000 additional holistic bonus*

Improvement Projects are eligible for up to $7,000

• Substantial long-term sustainability improvements to the community
• Possible $3,000 additional holistic bonus*

*A holistic bonus requires justification that the project substantively improves multiple sustainability categories, not just an ancillary benefit. Eligibility for the bonus will be determined by the SNS committee and is reserved for exceptional projects.

See the SNS Grant Details page for:

• Funding Limitations & Project Type Descriptions

Project Criteria

All projects must demonstrate the following minimum criteria in order to be considered for funding:

• Inclusivity: All residents must be invited and welcomed to participate and/or benefit from the project. No population can be intentionally excluded.
• Participation: Demonstrate broad community involvement and/or support for the project.
• Contribution: The community must make a significant contribution to the project through volunteer labor/time, donated professional services, donated materials, or financial contributions. Although there is no defined minimum, the SNS committee may not fund projects with minimal contributions.  
• Neighborhood Sustainability Benefit: Create a public benefit that furthers one (or more) sustainability criteria within the neighborhood. See description on the SMS Grant Details page or learn more about each category on the Sustainability page.

See the SNS Grant Details page for:

• Community Contribution
• Neighborhood Sustainability Categories
• Projects That Don't Qualify for Funding

Funding Priorities

The SNS Committee will prioritize funding to projects that demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Replicability: The project can be replicated by other neighborhoods.
• Need: The project is unlikely to happen without SNS grant support.
• Holistic Sustainability Bonus: The project improves multiple sustainability categories in unique ways, supporting a holistic approach to sustainability. The application must clearly justify how each category is substantively improved.
• Creativity: The project is unique and establishes a new approach to improve neighborhood sustainability.
• Environmental Sustainability (2020-2021): The project specifically addresses an environmental purpose as defined by Boulder County (a portion of funding is restricted to this purpose).

Project Library and Ideas

The Sustainable Neighborhood Project Library currently includes project examples and suggestions. The library is continually updated with new projects, additional details, and resources. Visit the library for ideas and inspiration.

Additional resources include:

• Internet searches for “neighborhood sustainability projects” or “tactical urbanism”
• Discussions with other representatives of other neighborhoods

Recommended Application Steps

• Collaboratively discuss community needs and identify a priority project
• Designate a project manager (point of contact) and project team
• Develop a Project Plan, research, create a budget, and secure resources, prices/bids & other support materials
• Submit the application, budget, map, and all appropriate supporting documentation.
  • Supporting documentation may include: Project plan, RFP, Bid/Price comparison sheet (or other budget justifications), Letter of support from an affected property owner (if applicable), photos. The application link will take you to a separate website hosted by the Longmont Community Foundation to complete the application online. A hard copy application can be submitted if necessary.

Price Comparison Form

Evaluation Process

The SNS committee will evaluate all proposals to determine what projects receive funding, and the exact funding award for each project. This may be different than the requested amount.

The committee has five voting community members and three non-voting representatives from the City of Longmont and Longmont Community Foundation.

See the SNS Grant Details page for:

• SNS Grant Committee Overview

Payment Process

You will have three months from the date you are notified of the grant award to complete your project and request payment (extensions may be grant for extenuating circumstances or projects that naturally require more than three months).

All projects must submit a Payment Request form, Final Report, and appropriate supporting materials as soon as possible after project completion.

• Direct payment requests should include an open invoice from the proper vendor.
• Requests for reimbursement of projects expenses must be accompanied by acceptable proof that payment has already occurred, such as a dated receipt or dated invoice marked paid.

Upfront payments

In special cases, expense payments may be made before the project is completed. This requires prior approval as part of the application review process by the SNS committee and demonstration of neighborhood need. Individual residents are never expected to cover project costs.

To Begin

To get started, visit the Sustainable Neighborhood Solutions Grant Details page.