GAITHERSBURG, MD -- The City of Gaithersburg is now accepting applications for funding under the Frederick J. Felton Neighborhood Matching Grant program. The program provides an incentive for neighborhood organizations to improve their communities by awarding dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $5,000. In the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget, $60,000 is allocated for this purpose.

Neighborhood groups and associations have used these funds for such things as sidewalk enhancement, lighting upgrades, signage, fence replacement, parking lot enhancements, and recreational amenities.

Enhancements were made to this program to better address the needs of communities located in Equity Emphasis Areas (EEA) as defined by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board. These areas were designated based on income levels and minority population sizes gathered from tract-level Census data. Through the new Equity Enhancement subprogram, neighborhood associations located in an EEA are eligible to apply for an up to 75% match for one-time qualifying repair/maintenance projects, and are eligible for increased grants (up to 75%) through the standard grant program as well. 

Application forms are available here. All applications must be submitted electronically. The deadline to apply is May 26.

For more information on the program, please contact Cindy Hines, Assistant to the City Manager, at [email protected].