Quick Links:  NSP home | Guidelines | Proposal Packet | Reporting & Documentation

FY26
Amount: $9,666 per Council

NOTE: Changed Expenditure Deadline and Final Report Deadline
Expenditures deadline:  Nov 15, 2026
Final reports due in Dec 15, 2026

Important Reminder  
     Final Reports FY25 MUST be submitted by Dec 15, 2025 in order to be eligible to receive funding for the next fiscal year
     AND your Final Report MUST be approved before you can apply for the next fiscal year

for FY26 Guidelines: NSP Guidelines
for FY26 Proposal Packets: NSP Proposal Packet

Additional Reporting and Documentation

FY26 NSP Submission Deadlines & Review Committee Meeting Schedule

Proposals should be emailed to [email protected] by 4 pm the day of the submission deadline. If there are technical issues, please reach out to Invest in Neighborhoods PRIOR to the deadline. 

Proposals:  Directions and Forms

NSP FY26 Training
Tues Feb 17, 6pm

Wed Feb 25, 6 pm

Thurs Feb 26, 12-2

Sign up here! 

** you might not be able to get the check in hand that day if the City has not sent the $$ to Invest, however, you can still submit and sign contract;  the signed contract date is the execution date – all spending made from that day can be reimbursed when you receive the NSP funds

FY26 NSP Review Committee Members:

please note:  Councils on the Review Committee are required to participate in Review Committee meetings and review Formal Amendments as they come in.  If your Council does not participate, you forfeit the following years’ NSP. Designate a ‘back-up’ to attend if the NSP Manager is unable to

FY26 NSP Interim Report: 

Online Form (preferred): NSP Interim Report  Online Form

If you are having problems with the online form, you can download the word doc: Neighborhood Support Program Interim Report Form 
then email to [email protected]

About NSP

Click here for Invest in Neighborhoods’ analysis of the Impact of NSP  presented to Budget & Finance Committee 5-2019

The City’s Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) provides annual funding to Community Councils for neighborhood projects and activities. The NSP proposal process is normally open annually beginning in the month of March through June.

What Can Funds Be Used For?

Each approved NSP proposal includes activities/projects designed for successful outcomes that positively impact the neighborhood or community overall. The Cincinnati City Council has determined that the following types of activities are in the best interest of the City and its citizens when carried out by Community Councils:

• Neighborhood Leadership Activities
• Communications
• Neighborhood Improvement Activities
• Educational Activities
• Neighborhood Development & Services
• Problem-Solving Projects
• Other projects or activities improving the quality of life/serve public needs that are consistent with the NSP Guidelines.

Examples of Successful NSP projects include:
• Community Events
• Membership drives
• Newsletters
• Beautification and clean-up activities
• Summer employment or cultural activities for neighborhood youth
• Networking and training workshops for community leaders

Who is Eligible?
The Neighborhood Support Program is an annual process open to the City’s recognized Community Councils

To be eligible: 

• NSP-funded community councils must operate in an open and democratic matter and must be in compliance with the City of Cincinnati Ordinance #220-1989
• All NSP matters must be discussed and voted on in meetings open to all residents of the neighborhood, regardless of membership status
• The Community Council must allow full membership and voting rights to any resident 18 years or older; however, non-residents cannot vote or hold office unless Community Council By-Laws or regulations stipulate that “at least once per year, any group of at least five residents may require a special vote at which only residents may vote to determine whether persons other than residents shall have or continue to have voting privileges or be eligible to hold office.”
• Community Councils may not bar from membership or otherwise discriminate against persons based on ethnicity, race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, or type of housing.

Active Community Councils 
In addition to being recognized as an Eligible Community Council, to receive NSP funding, Community Councils must annually be determined to an Active Community Council under the following criteria:

o Minimum of 3 Board members
o Current Certificate of Continuing Existence with the State of Oho
o Must have Commercial/General Liability and Director’s & Officers Liability
o Bylaws must be in compliance with City of Cincinnati ORD 220-1989 and State of Ohio ORC 1702

Annual review process for Active status:
The following documentation must be submitted for verification by July 31 each year:

o Current Board list
o Current Certificate of Continuing Existence
o Proof of Insurance
o Current approved bylaws

NSP Guidelines and processes
Community Councils must adhere to the NSP Guidelines and processes
NSP Guidelines (NSP Guidelines)

The City of Cincinnati currently contracts with a 3rd party agency, Invest  in Neighborhoods (IIN), to administer the Neighborhood Support Fund. 
Contact:  [email protected]