Akron City Council Puts $150,000 in Residents' Hands with 2027 Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. Joan M. Williams
jwilliams@akronohio.gov or 330-375-2258


Akron City Council Puts $150,000 in Residents' Hands with 2027 Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program
Every ward will receive $15,000 to fund resident-led projects, from community gardens to youth literacy and neighborhood safety

AKRON, Ohio – October 6, 2026 – As federal resources shrink, Akron City Council is investing in the people who know their neighborhoods best. Today, Council announced the launch of the 2027 Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program (NPGP), putting
$150,000 directly into the hands of residents and neighborhood organizations to turn local ideas into lasting change.
" No one knows what a block needs better than the people who live on it. With federal support shrinking, we're doubling down on our neighbors and their ideas, and I can't wait to see what they bring forward." - Council President Margo Sommerville.
Every Ward. Every Neighborhood.

Each of Akron's 10 wards will receive $15,000, with individual grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. In 2024, Council increased the program's annual budget by $50,000, and this year's round continues that expanded commitment.
What Could Your Neighborhood Build?
NPGP funds a wide range of resident-driven projects, including but not limited to:

  • Vacant lot cleanups and transformations
  • Community gardens
  • Youth literacy and art programs
  • Neighborhood safety initiatives

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, block clubs and associations, faith-based organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDCs), and other neighborhood-based organizations. Awards will be made through a competitive process
based on project merit, applicant eligibility, and available funding.


How to Apply
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and online application will be available beginning October 7th at the 2027 Akron City Council Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program page on the Akron City Council website. Beginning October 14th, all
applications must be submitted online through Submittable at 2027 Akron City Council Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program | Akron City Council; paper applications will not be accepted.


Applicants who need help navigating the online process can call Council staff at 330-375-2256.
Key Dates
October 7, 2026: Notice of Funding Opportunity Issued
October 14, 2026: Application Period Opens
October 30, 2026, 12 Noon: Application Deadline