Application Guidelines

PRO Neighborhoods has a two-part application process. Groups interested in applying will now be asked to submit a pre-application as the first step in the process. The purpose of this step is to ensure all applicants are eligible for funding and that the projects best meet our priorities. Upon review of pre-applications, qualifying groups will be asked to submit a full application.

Pre-applications may be submitted in person, by mail, e-mail, or fax. Pre-applications should arrive by the appropriate deadline to:

If you submit a pre-application by e-mail or fax, we recommend that you call to make sure we have received it. Submitting a pre-application or full application is not a guarantee of funding.

If you prefer, you can meet with a PRO Neighborhoods’ staff person and work on the pre-application together.

• Groups that rely on the skills and experiences of community members to address a community issue or concern.
• Groups that perceive community members as leaders and contributors rather than as service recipients.
• Groups that actively bring people together across lines of race, age, class, religion, culture, ability, gender, sexual identity, and socio-economic status.
• Projects that provide opportunities to develop leadership within the group or community.
• Projects that will increase a group’s skills and access to resources necessary to accomplish its goals.
• Projects that build relationships, networks, and alliances across the community and across issues.
• Groups that contribute volunteer time, donated materials, and funds as a portion of the project budget.
• Projects that include cash and in-kind donations as a part of the budget.

Below are the criteria that determine a group’s qualification for PRO Neighborhoods’ grants program, with some notes on how the criteria will be measured.

Measures:

• We have a list of names and addresses of at least five neighbors committed to leading the project.
• PRO staff member has met the five people.
• Each person can speak about the project in detail.
• Our group has thought through and defined specific and significant roles for each person and can communicate those to a PRO staff member.

2. At least five people from different households in your group live in an area of the county that you define as a neighborhood. In the city, that could mean a group of people that live within two miles of each other. In rural areas, this could mean a town, village, or district, including the Tohono O’odham and Yaqui reservations.

Measures:

• We have named the geographic boundaries of our neighborhood.
• At least five committed neighbors live within these boundaries.

3. The people who benefit from the project are involved in the leadership and implementation of the project.

Measures:

• The people we wish to serve, help, or include through the project are represented among the five or more committed leaders.
• The people we wish to serve, help, or include have helped develop the project and have significant roles in carrying out the project.

4. Your group is located in Pima County, Arizona.

Measure:

• Our neighborhood geographic boundaries are within Pima County.

5. Any previously funded project by your group has been completed. If your group is currently receiving funds from a PRO Neighborhoods grant, you may not apply for a grant until the current PRO Neighborhoods funding has been spent and the project completed.

Comment:

• If you are not certain whether a previously funded project was completed, please check with a PRO staff member by calling (520) 882-5885 or by e-mail at: info@proneighborhoods.org