Neighborhood cleanups, water-wise landscape initiatives and community gatherings are among the projects awarded grant funding from the city’s 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program.
The city awarded $60,000 in grant funds to 15 groups across the city. These competitive grants of up to $5,000 support projects that enhance a neighborhood's physical condition, foster community pride and identity, improve neighborhood communication, and introduce new assets that encourage gathering and positive experiences.
The awarded neighborhood groups and their projects for 2026 are:
• Aurora Wellness Community (multilingual interpretation services, survey tools, volunteer coordination and outreach materials)
• Chambers Ridge Townhouse Community (community dog station, message board and little free library)
• Cherry Hollow Neighborhood (park landscaping improvements)
• Clinton Street Neighbors (block parties and neighborhood events, and community improvement days)
• Eastridge Civic Association (Eastridge Dumpster Day for disposal of bulky waste)
• Fieldstone in Tallyn's Reach (lighting, mulch, shrubs and more improvements to the community entryway signage)
• Gardening For the Youth Center (flower beds, youth-led garden, youth-designed mural, and community gathering space)
• Kirkegaard Acres Neighborhood Association (community cleanup day)
• Meadowood Neighborhood Association (two Dump Days where neighbors can dispose of bulky waste)
• Montview Community Garden (garden beds, pathway improvements, community message board, programming, and garden tools and supplies)
• Morris Heights Improvement Association (two large-trash pickup events, repairs to neighborhood sign, little free library, community mailers, neighborhood cookbook, and event support)
• Path2Light (award ceremony/talent show for local youth with family friendly activities)
• Sorrel Ranch Condos (water-wise vegetation conversion and covered pavilion for community gathering opportunities)
• Quincy Hill Town Homes (water-wise landscaping conversion and bulky waste cleanup event)
• Woodgate South HOA (water-wise parkette, including vegetation, bench and sitting boulders)
The longstanding Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program is an important part of the city’s “Together, We Keep Aurora Beautiful” initiative. Neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, businesses and residents (where a neighborhood organization may not exist) were encouraged to apply. Awarded groups have until October 2026 to use the grant funds and complete their projects.
Although the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program is now closed for the year, residents are encouraged to apply for one or more neighborhood mini grants, including a Know Your Neighbor Grant for a block party or clean-up events, a Printing Assistance Grant to provide posters and flyers for community activities, and a Small Neighborhood Activity Grant for events like festivals or tournaments.
Mini-grant applications are available at AuroraGov.org/NeighborhoodGrants. For questions, email [email protected].