GRANTS & LOANS

CLICK HERE for a Good Neighbor Grant Application

Good Neighbor Grants reimburse homeowners up to $750 for exterior improvements made to the street-facing portion of a property.  The homeowner is responsible for purchasing materials and/or paying a contractor with a minimum contribution of $250 paid by the property owner, who can then submit paid receipts to receive up to $750 in reimbursement for improvements beyond $250.    

The goal of the program is to encourage exterior improvements on the street-facing side of homes in Oshkosh neighborhoods to enhance curb appeal.  

Examples of projects include:

• Window/door improvement/replacement
• Step and railing replacement/porch repairs
• Exterior home/garage painting 
• Landscaping improvements (trimming of bushes and trees, new plants, removing dead tree stumps, new rock/mulch, borders)
• Garage and fence repairs (street facing)

Other site improvements may be considered. 

The use of local contractors is encouraged, but the work may be done by the owner

Good Neighbor Grant applications will be accepted April 20-May 20, 2026.  The grant period may close early if we reach capacity.  

*Priority is given to applicants who have not received a grant in the last 3 years.  

Approved projects must be:

• completed after you receive an approval letter.  Any projects done before the application process will be rejected. 
• located in a recognized neighborhood association and the project must comply with City ordinances. 
• completed and verified with photos & receipts submitted within five (5) months of the approval date. 

Good Neighbor Grant Process:

1. Submit the application, a full front view “before” photo of your house, including the project area to be addressed, and an estimated budget or contractor estimate.
2. Contact the Inspection Services Department at City Hall to acquire a permit, if applicable, for the project.  
3. If approved, you will be notified by email and someone from Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods will deliver a Good Neighbor Grant yard sign to display on your property while the project is underway. 
4. Complete the project within 5 months of approval and keep all receipts.  *Please keep non-project purchases separate whenever possible. 
5. Submit paid invoices and receipts, a full front facing “after” photo of the completed project, and a copy of the City of Oshkosh permit (if applicable).
6. Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods will issue a reimbursement payment up to $750 for the project.  
7. Grant recipients are responsible for scheduling a time to pick up reimbursement checks and yard signs to the Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods office at 135 Church Avenue when projects are complete and reimbursement has been issued. *Checks can be mailed and signs can be picked up by request. 

Project eligibility requirements and other things to know:

1. The property must be located in a City of Oshkosh recognized neighborhood association.
2. The project MUST comply with City of Oshkosh ordinances, including the securing of proper permits.
3. You may only apply once every three years.  If you received a grant in 2023, 2024, or 2025 you may not be eligible in 2026, even for a different property.
4. This is a first-come, first-serve program.  It is not a competitive grant.  We review applications as they are received and award the funds.  We do not wait until the end of the application period, review all applications and select the most worthy projects.  Please apply early for consideration.  
5. You are expected to do the project that you requested in the application.  If you need to make a revision, please contact our office for approval. You will need to send additional pictures and estimates for any changes.
6. Please do not send requests for your side or backyard.  The only way side or backyard projects will be eligible is if you are on a corner lot and your side or back yard faces a street.
7. We will only reimburse from paid receipts/invoices.  Reimbursements may take up to four weeks to be received.  Please plan accordingly.
8. The maximum grant amount is $750.  If you do a project worth less than $1,000, your reimbursement will be less than $750.  For example: