2024 application opens Friday, April 5

Save the date! The 2024 Neighborhood STAR grant application will open on Friday, April 5.

Online applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 15 at 4 p.m.

Sign up for email updates or watch this website for more information on this year’s program. The 2024 guidelines and information on application workshops will be available in March.

Saint Paul Grants Over $2.3 Million in Capital Funding to 41 Neighborhood Businesses and Organizations

In 2023, more than $2.3 million in grant funding was invested into 41 local capital improvement projects thanks to the City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood STAR program.

Read the press release

Overview

The Neighborhood STAR program awards funding for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods.

Projects must be neighborhood-based, designed in partnership with community stakeholders, and clearly address problems, needs and opportunities in Saint Paul. Proposals can be a project or program that results in capital improvements in Saint Paul. Innovative proposals are encouraged, and these proposals may be generated by neighborhood and civic leaders, organizations, and businesses.​

Neighborhood STAR is funded by Saint Paul's half-cent sales tax.

2024 Application Information

Timeline

  • Guidelines and application questions published: Friday, March 1, 2024
  • Application period begins: Friday, April 5
  • Virtual applicant workshop: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
  • Application deadline: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 4 p.m.
  • Applicant interviews: June 5-19, 2024 (specific dates and times to be determined)
  • Anticipated project dates: September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2026 (timing contingent on approval of funding by City Council)

Pre-proposal workshop

A virtual applicant workshop will be held via Teams on Wednesday, April 10 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

To join on your computer or mobile device:

To call-in (audio only)

  • Dial (612) 315-7905
  • When prompted, enter the conference ID: 408 513 349#

Application details

The 2024 Neighborhood STAR application will be available on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Applications will only be accepted online through ZoomGrants. For reference only, applicants can view a PDF version of the application questions in English, Spanish, Hmong/Hmoob, Somali, or Karen.

It is STRONGLY suggested you submit your proposal ahead of the deadline to avoid technical issues. The web portal is frequently overloaded on the last day of the application period, which may result in applicants being unable to submit their proposal in time. Late applications are not accepted.

An application fee of $75 is required for proposals requesting $25,000 or less, and a $125.00 fee is required for each application requesting more than $25,000. All fees are non-refundable.

A check should be made payable to the order of the City of Saint Paul and mailed to:

   Attn: Erin Lewis, Neighborhood STAR Program 
   City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development Department
   25 W 4th Street, Suite 1300
   Saint Paul, MN 55102

Please indicate in the memo line that the check is for the NSTAR application fee.

Highlights for 2024

  • Neighborhood STAR remains a grants-only program.
  • Grant requests up to $50,000 do not require matching funds.
  • Grant requests greater than $50,000 require a 1:1 match (for example, a grant request of $55,000 would require a match of $55,000).

Guidelines

The Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program provides grants for physical (capital) improvement projects within Saint Paul neighborhoods.

Eligible applicants include any public, private, non-profit or for-profit entity located in or doing business in Saint Paul. Eligible activities are permanently affixed, physical (bricks and mortar) enhancements that strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul.

Improvements may include commercial and housing rehabilitation, parks, streetscape projects, and economic development activities. STAR-funded capital improvements should have an expected life of seven or more years, and not be deferred maintenance activities.

The guidelines are available in English, Spanish, Hmong/Hmoob, and Somali.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Neighborhood STAR team has put together a list of common questions and answers.

Board

The Neighborhood STAR Board reviews proposals, conducts tours and interviews with applicants, and recommends applications to the Mayor and City Council for approval.

The board is made up of 21 members appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. City residency is required and Minnesota State Law requires three representatives to be appointed from each City Council Ward.

Information for Awardees

Before you start your projects, please review the information for Neighborhood STAR recipients and connect with your assigned project manager.

Last Edited: March 15, 2024