Qualified neighborhood organizations are eligible for up to $1,000 annually and must provide a match (cash or in-kind) equal to the grant amount requested. Applications are accepted twice a year, with due dates of April 15 and October 15. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible during each fiscal year, since funding is limited.

Projects will be evaluated and selected by a committee of City of Rockville staff based on the following criteria:

• Community involvement
• Tangible neighborhood benefit
• Project readiness
• Neighborhood match

Projects must address one or more of the following objectives: neighborhood outreach and organizing, neighborhood preservation, neighborhood crime prevention, neighborhood planning, social events aimed at fostering a sense of community pride, or acquisition of technology or supplies that directly support an existing community program or address a specific community need.

In fall 2011, the City of Rockville awarded five organizations with a ROC-N Matching Grant.

• Legacy at Lincoln Park received a grant for a community garden and springtime block party.
• The Register of Wills Charity Fund received a grant for winter essentials that were distributed to the homeless.
• Ashleigh Woods received a grant toward restoring and preserving the land as well as a community picnic.
• Fallsgrove received a grant for a neighborhood Halloween parade.
• Rockshire received a grant toward an annual community Halloween party.

For more information please contact Orlando Heyliger at 240-314-8343.