Chandler’s Neighborhood Initiative Community Engagement (NICE) Assistance Program provides funding of up to $1,200 to registered neighborhoods within the city. The NICE Program empowers resident leaders, promotes resident participation, and improves the quality of life in Chandler neighborhoods. The program is designed to assist in strengthening and sustaining the social network of the Chandler community through education and neighborhood enhancement.
Registered Neighborhoods may apply for assistance more than one time as long as at least 12 months have elapsed from the last award. The number of awards is subject to available program funding. Assistance is intended to spur small grassroots community efforts and help improve the quality of life of each neighborhood through resident involvement. It is an opportunity for residents to learn the value of community and how neighborhood partnerships can be effectively invested to support strong and stable neighborhoods.
Please only begin the application process if your neighborhood has completed a new registration as of June 20, 2024.
- Applications are open from July 2024 - May 15, 2025, or until all FY 24/25 funds have been awarded.
- Response time may take up to 15 business days.
- Applicant and supporter contact information provided on all applications will be available to the public for the purpose of working with other neighborhood leaders to achieve the same goal.
- Providing false information on any application may result in the suspension of applying for a neighborhood assistance program for up to 12 months.
Under the Neighborhood Initiative Community Engagement Grant (NICE) Assistance Program, the city may provide assistance not to exceed $1,200 for a neighborhood to implement eligible projects or activities.
If the awarded neighborhood is an HOA, a W-9 and invoice must be submitted to Neighbhorood Programs staff prior to commencing the project.
Traditional neighborhoods must coordinate project activities with Neighborhood Programs’ staff prior to commencing the project to ensure payment for services and vendor approval.
To be considered for an award, applicants must comply with each of the following requirements:
- Neighborhood leaders must reside in the neighborhood for which the application is being submitted.
- The neighborhood represented by the neighborhood leader must be a Registered Neighborhood with the City of Chandler Neighborhood Programs Division.
- At least one member of the registered neighborhood must have attended a Neighborhood Programs education class (such as Good Neighbor 101, HOA Academy, or a Golden Neighbors event), OR must have hosted a Golden Neighbors supply drive, AND the neighborhood must have hosted a G.A.I.N. event within the previous 12 months. Please contact Neighborhood Programs staff for more details.
- The project for which an award is sought must fall within the eligible project categories identified below.
- Neighborhoods applying for the NICE assistance program may not hold an active HOA Matching award or Neighborhood Enhancement award.
- A completed application must be submitted. Incomplete applications will delay the review period and may be denied.
Five project categories are eligible under the Neighborhood Initiative Community Engagement Assistance Program. There must be a minimum of 10 participating neighborhood residents for an award. The categories are:
- Neighborhood Education and/or Community Building Activity
- Neighborhood Clean-Up (e.g., roll-off dumpster, water, trash bags)
- G.A.I.N. Event (Only up to $200 may be used for a G.A.I.N. event)
- Neighborhood Block Watch signs (must be approved by the Chandler Police Department through the Crime Prevention Officer)
- Crime Prevention programs and activities are encouraged to increase resident knowledge of neighborhood crime deterrence and create an awareness of neighborhood safety. Project examples include self-defense classes, stranger danger, home security, etc.
The award is payable to the vendor for the benefit of the neighborhood group only upon completion of the project. The project must be completed within 12 months from the award date. For a Neighborhood Education project, a copy of the sign-in sheet must be submitted to the city prior to payment to the vendor. The 12-month period is a maximum “time” period; many projects can and should be completed in a shorter time frame. Please note all vendors must be pre-approved prior to remitting payment.
If you have any questions regarding the application or process, please contact Neighborhood Programs at 480-782-4363. Thank you for your interest in the Neighborhood Initiative Community Engagement Assistance Program and your desire to make a difference in your neighborhood and the community.