Once again, the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization is offering Community Cohesion Block Grants for neighborhood residents helping to improve our community this summer. In the past, these grants have been used to purchase plantings and gardening materials for public areas, neighborhood trash pick-up projects, and similar projects that get neighbors up and out and working together to improve our neighborhood. See how creative you can be! Here are the details:

Who's eligible to apply: St. Anthony West residents who are part of a current block club recognized by the Minneapolis Police Department Second Precinct.

Grants: A maximum of five grants of up to $200 each will be awarded in 2008. One grant per block club. Grants are provided on a reimbursement basis only for projects located outdoors in the St. Anthony West neighborhood. After your project is approved and completed, original receipts must be provided (not with application) to STAWNO in order to verify and process your grant. No food, beverage or entertainment types of expenses are eligible. Grants are for supplies and products only, for projects in public areas or that are readily accessible to the public; no reimbursement for labor. If you are approved for a grant, original receipts must be submitted by Aug. 1, 2008, and projects must be completed this summer.

Deadline: Apply by June 15, 2008 (must be postmarked or delivered to STAWNO office by this date). Your project does not have to be completed by this time; just let us know what you've got in mind. Do not send receipts at this time.

The Deciders: Grants will be awarded at the discretion of the St. Anthony West Board of Directors, and they are not responsible for lost or misdirected mail.