Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program

This FAQ includes questions asked during previous application cycles.

Q: Can I submit multiple applications?
A: Yes, but only one can be awarded.

Q: What are considered rental fees?
A: Rental fees refer to renting a park or facility for use.

Q: Can you provide an example of the 30% maximum for stipends/professional services?
A: An example would be hiring an professional artist to help with a public art element in your proposal. If the total budget for your entire proposal is $10,000, then the maximum the professional artist can be paid is $3,000 for their services. $3,000 is 30% of $10,000.

Q: What is the difference between Administration Fees and Fiscal Sponsorship Fees?
A: Administration Fees refer to the staff time or costs associated with the implementing entity. Fiscal Sponsorship Fees refer to administration fees incurred by a fiscal sponsor organization. The only time an application would include both fees in the mini-grant budget would be if the applicant is an organization utilizing a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor that charges fiscal sponsorship fees.

Q: Do organizations that have existed in Richmond for a longer period of time receive an advantage when their applications are evaluated?
A: No. It is not part of the scoring criteria.

Q: My organization is fiscally sponsored by Organization A, and I am applying for a mini-grant. Can Organization A and other organizations that are fiscally sponsored by Organization A submit applications and be awarded?
A: Yes. Each organization can submit their own application, even if they are fiscally sponsored by the same organization, and be awarded. The organization that is fiscally sponsoring other projects can also submit their own application and be awarded at the same time.

Q: My organization is currently implementing a Love Your Block Mini-Grant project. Am I be eligible to apply this cycle? Will I be able to be awarded two or more years in a row?
A: Organizations currently in contract for a Love Your Block Mini-Grant are not eligible to apply this cycle. FY 2022-2024 Love Your Block Mini-Grant recipients are not eligible to apply this cycle. FY 2021-2023 Love Your Block Mini-Grant recipients are eligible to apply this cycle.

Q: Will Love Your Block consider awarding more than the stated total of $80,000 across all applications?
A: No. No more than $80,000 in funds will be awarded.

Q: Is there a possibility that I can be awarded less than my grant request?
A: Yes, but only in one particular circumstance: if the remaining amount of funding to be awarded is less than the next highest scored application. Otherwise, all applications selected to receive a mini-grant will receive the full amount requested.

Q: What are examples of metrics that I can collect?
A: Check out the final report. There is a metrics form with required metrics. You can use these as the metrics you can collect (since it's required anyway!) or you can come up with your own that is specific to your project. For example, if you are applying to paint a mural with community volunteers, some metrics you could collect include: number of volunteers recruited, number of volunteer hours of service, and square footage of space painted. Please note, the final report template is subject to change.

Q: What kind of insurance will I have to get?
A: If you are awarded a mini-grant, you will have to maintain Type 5 insurance requirements as specified in this insurance document. The insurance must be maintained throughout the duration of the grant.

Q: Do I have to write in every single detail of what I propose to do, and have all of the coordination put together?
A: No. Some elements of your proposal may be generalized. If so, you should note that your proposal is generalized because details are contingent on X, Y, and/or Z. For example, you can identify an area that you and volunteers are proposing to landscape. You do not have to specify the plants or type of irrigation (if applicable) you are going to utilize. Instead, you can note that you will be consulting with City staff or other professionals to figure out these details if you are awarded the grant. Your budget can include a line item for "plants" and another line item for "irrigation" rather than specific types of plants or irrigation materials.

Q: Will you review my application and give me feedback before I submit it?
A: Yes. Love Your Block staff are offering office hours and e-mail support to help your application meet eligibility requirements specified in the guidelines. During the FY 2020-2022 Love Your Block Mini-Grant cycle, 100% of individuals who took advantage of office hours and submitted a grant application met the eligibility requirements and moved on to the next phase of review. It is highly recommended for interested applicants to take advantage of these office hours; however, it is not required and is not a part of the scoring criteria.

Staff will review applications on an as-available basis. If you submit an application early, we may review your application and make sure it is eligible and that all attachments have been provided. We will provide you with feedback and give you the option to revise your application. Any revisions must be made and submitted by the deadline, or they will not be accepted.

Q: If I am not selected for a Love Your Block Mini-Grant, can you tell me why?
A: All scores are final. There is no grievance process. No debriefs or meetings regarding scores will be provided.

Q: Do dumpster rentals or disposal fees count as professional services in my budget proposal?
A: For the purposes of the mini-grant, no, dumpster rentals or disposal fees do not count as professional services. Applicants are advised to reach out to Love Your Block staff to see if the City can provide trash pickup after the proposed event(s) to reduce applicant costs.

Q: We want to help multiple neighbors with their front yards, such as painting their front yard fences. We do not know which neighbors we will work with yet and so we do not have Letters of Permission. However, we will obtain them once the neighbors are identified and prior to starting the work. Are we still eligible to apply?
A: Yes, you are still eligible to apply. In your application, please outline the process you will use to identify or select neighbors who will receive assistance and state that you will obtain Letters of Permission from each property owner prior to beginning any work on their fence. The application portal will not let you proceed unless you attach a Letter of Permission. You may submit a template Letter of Permission that you will use so that you can proceed with submitting your application.

Q: We want to help neighbors who are elderly, low income, or have disabilities with their properties. What activities on their properties are eligible?
A: You may make exterior improvements to the property that are visible to the public. For example, you can help them paint or repair front yard fences and mow, landscape, and/or weed their front yards. You may not make exterior improvements that are not visible to the public. For example, you may not paint or repair their backyard fences and you may not mow, landscape, and/or weed their back yards. You may also not make any improvements to the interior of their property. If the neighbor has a fence that takes their front yard out of public view, then front yard activities are ineligible.

Q: Can I apply for a project that takes place in unincorporated areas like the unincorporated part of North Richmond or El Sobrante?
A: No. Due to the funding source of the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program, we are unfortunately unable to fund projects in these areas.

Q: Can I apply for a project that takes place at a public school within the City of Richmond?
A: Public school grounds are technically not accessible to the general public during school hours. However, if the project will make a physical improvement that is visible to the public, then the project would be eligible. For example, a gardening project at the front of school grounds may be eligible.