NENA is pleased to offer again its Curb Appeal Matching Grants for homeowners, renters, and residential property owners in the four Nokomis East neighborhoods of Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park, and Wenonah. Visit http://nokomiseast.org/curb-appeal-matching-grants/ for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: NENA will not reimburse items purchased prior to a rebate application being submitted and approved.

Grant Amounts: Eligible participants can apply for up to $500 in matching grant funds. This is a one-to-one matching grant and a reimbursement project.

Restrictions:
- All projects must be visible from the sidewalk. Exterior projects only.
- Applicants must include before and after project photos.
- The matching grants are only available for existing properties, not new construction.
- Businesses and commercial property owners are not eligible to participate (funding source restriction).
- An individual property may receive only one NENA grant within a 36-month period.

Examples of eligible improvements may include, but are not limited to:
- Painting and trim work (paint, supplies, scraping, etc.) are eligible.
- Exterior lighting (sconces, yard lights, porch lights, etc.) is eligible.
- Masonry work and tuck-pointing are eligible.
- Restoration of historically appropriate exterior finishes, details, and materials are eligible.
- Hardscaping (retaining walls, steps, driveway, sidewalk, pathway, etc.) is eligible.
- Labor and permit costs are eligible.
- City permits are eligible. The applicant is responsible for determining permitting needs.

Examples of INeligible improvements may include, but are not limited to:
- Fencing is not eligible.
- Landscaping (plants, trees, flowers, gardening, sod, etc.) is not eligible.
- Bars on windows are not eligible.
- Homeowner, tenant, property owner labor costs are not eligible.

Eligibility: The property must be located in the Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park, or Wenonah neighborhoods. Nokomis East homeowners and property owners of multi-family properties are eligible to participate in the project. NENA staff may support renters to work with their landlord to apply. Rebates are only available for existing properties, not new construction. Businesses and commercial property owners are not eligible to participate (funding source restriction).

An individual property may receive one NENA grant within a 36-month period. (NENA Grants/Loans include Curb Appeal, Home Security, Staying Place Grants, Home Loan, etc.). Subsequent applications cannot cover the same or similar projects funded in previous applications.

Selection Process: This is a first-come, first-served project. The grant program process re-opened on April 1, 2021.

Application Process: In the application process, eligible participants must submit a project budget and cost estimates, and submit “before” photos.

Once NENA reviews and approve an application, NENA will email a Participant Contract and project work may begin.

PLEASE NOTE: NENA will not reimburse any expenses incurred prior to the contract start date.

The participant will have up to 120 days from the contract to complete the project. If the project is not completed within the timeframe, the contract is voided and no reimbursement will be issued. The applicant in this situation may reapply after 12 months from the date the initial contract is voided.

Reimbursement Payment Process: Participants are required to submit itemized receipts for all work and purchases, proof of payment, and submit “after” photos. NENA staff will determine if the expenses are eligible for reimbursement based upon funding source restrictions, contract requirements, and the dates of service and purchases.

NENA will not increase the reimbursement if the total cost of the project exceeds the requested amount in the contract. NENA staff may also determine the property owner did not match 50% of the total cost of the project and may reduce the amount of the reimbursement.

Questions? Please contact NENA at nena@nokomiseast.org or ‪(612) 293-9375‬.