City of San José
Home MenuPopular Searches
68℉For More Information
Please contact Adriana.Vargas@sanjoseca.gov.Beautify SJ Grant Program
APPLY IN FOUR EASY STEPS
| Steps | Process | Process Description |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Review Funding Opportunity Requirements |
Potential applicants that are new will use WebGrants to search for the funding opportunity. Applicants currently on the Eligible Service Provider list for Cycle 7 will need to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP), that will be submitted via Microsoft Forms. Be sure to print and read through the updated General Information and Requirements (GIR) document with Addendum for funding requirements, information and application process. |
| Step 2 | Complete and submit your proposal & RFP by Thursday, November 13, 2025 by 4 p.m. PST |
Potential applicants will need to register on WebGrants. Potential applicants will review the application on WebGrants and complete all required fields. Before submitting, applicants are encouraged to review application for errors before submitting. If you need technical assistance with WebGrants registration or submitting your proposal, please contact Adriana Vargas at Adriana.Vargas@sanjoseca.gov. |
| Step 3 | Internal review process of your grant proposal |
The BeautifySJ Grant Program administrative team will screen all submitted proposals for completion and eligibility. An evaluation process will be completed for proposals before determining if and what award amount(s) will be made. |
| Step 4 | Receive notification of award status |
After completion of the review process, final award recommendations are made with the available funding and BeautifySJ project priorities in mind. Applicants will be notified whether they have been awarded a grant. |
LEARN MORE AT A WORKSHOP
Pre-Proposal Workshop (Online)
- Date and Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 6 - 8 p.m.
- Recording
About the program
The BeautifySJ Grant Program provides funds (from $300 up to $5,000) for neighborhood clean-up efforts, beautification projects and neighborhood engagement opportunities in San José.
Proposals will only be accepted online via WebGrants and Microsoft Forms for groups currently on the Eligible Service Provider list for Cycle 7. To register for a WebGrants user ID and to access the application, please go to: grants.sanjoseca.gov.
Cycle 8 is now released. Applications must be submitted via WebGrants no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Cycle 8 term begins April 1, 2026, and ends March 31, 2027. View the updated Notice of Funding Opportunity with Addendum. The original Notice of Funding Opportunity can be viewed here.
ENTRY CRITERIA
New Applicants
Eligible groups must:
- Be residents of or live within the City of San José.
- Operate free of charge.
Applicants must meet all entry criteria at the time of submitting their proposals. Applications must be submitted through WebGrants.
Current Eligible Providers
Current eligible providers listed on the Eligible Service Provider List for Cycle 7 must submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) through Microsoft Forms.
| Eligible Group | Eligible Group Description | Eligible Project |
|---|---|---|
|
Neighborhood Associations Eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant funding |
An established formal group of residents living within the same neighborhood, working to improve the neighborhood. This does not include business owners, District Leadership Groups or people who work in the area that do not live in the neighborhood. |
|
|
Emerging Neighborhood Eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant funding |
A group of volunteers, that aren’t an established Neighborhood Association yet, who are working to improve the neighborhood they live in. This does not include businesses or people who work in the area that do not live in the neighborhood |
|
|
Property Owner/Tenant Association Eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant funding. |
A group that works closely with the tenants of the properties by including them in meetings and project planning working to improve the neighborhood. Qualifying grants will fund items and activities that build community cohesion; it will NOT fund items that are the owner’s responsibility, such as physical improvements. |
|
|
District Leadership Groups Eligible to receive up to $2,500 in grant funding. |
An established formal group of Neighborhood Association leaders living within a Council District in the City of San José. District Leadership Group's goal is to support individual residents, emerging groups, and neighborhood associations by providing capacity building activities to strengthen neighborhood engagement, civic participation, and leadership within our neighborhoods. |
|
|
Community Partner Groups Eligible to receive up to $1,500 in grant funding. |
A community group or partner that operates to improve neighborhoods and involves residents living in the neighborhood where projects is being proposed. Such groups include, but are not limited to, non-profit agencies, churches, schools, Adopt-a-Park, Adopt-a-Trail, and Adopt-a-Street, or “Friends of a Park” type groups. |
|
What types of projects can be proposed?
There are three types of categories for projects that can be proposed. Please see the Project Activity Description & Key Details for more information, such as required approved permissions, permitting, and contact details.
| Category 1: Beautification Projects | |
|---|---|
|
ADOPT-A-PARK Neighborhood groups that are ready for a one-year commitment are encouraged to Adopt-A-Park, to help with picking up litter, removing graffiti, removing weeds, and trimming bushes. |
LANDSCAPING / GARDENING Landscaping & gardening projects in public spaces, trails and City parks. |
|
NEIGHBORHOOD PLANTING PROJECTS Neighborhood planting projects such as gardening spots in open spaces, streets and Infront of schoolyard, aimed at improving the look and feel of neighborhood surroundings. |
NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP Dumpster Days, Litter Pick-Ups, Graffiti Abatement |
|
PLANTING Planting of trees and/or any other type of planting. |
**All beautification projects must be on public property** |
| CATEGORY 2: NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE & NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANZATION BUILDING EVENTS OR PROJECTS |
|
|---|---|
|
Neighborhood-Led Events |
National Night Out, Cultural Festivals, Community Building Events, public safety activities, neighborhood celebrations, community projects, etc. |
| Neighborhood Organization Support |
Newsletters, PO Boxes, United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County Membership Fees, special events insurance, association web pages/domains. |
| One-Day Volunteer Event at a Park |
Your neighborhood group can work with Parks Division Volunteer Management Unit to choose a project based on the number of participants and the work that is needed. |
| CATEGORY 3: NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT & CAPACITY BUILDING EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES |
|
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Group Outreach & Communication |
Connecting neighborhood leaders to City Council and City of San José staff. Communicating and sharing resources, including funding opportunities. Conducting outreach to identify neighborhood leaders, in Equity Priority Communities to establish new emerging groups. Communicate and coordinate BeautifySJ funded projects that enable multiple groups to better utilize resources. Conducting outreach to community members to foster greater engagement in joining or establishing neighborhood groups where there are no groups. |
| Capacity Building |
Regular engagement meetings with emerging groups and neighborhood associations to provide coaching on how to develop Bylaws, meeting agendas, and grant proposals. Provide neighborhood groups with “How to Guides” for Beautification projects. Support residents, emerging groups and associations by providing language interpretation services. |
BeautifySJ Grant Program Media Toolkit
| Resources | Description |
|---|---|
| Flyer |
These flyers are to provide information about the BeautifySJ Grant Program. |
| General Information and Requirements | |
| Project Activity Description & Key Details (Ineligible Grant Expense List) |