James City County's "Good Neighbor Program" Offers $500 Matching Grants
Neighborhoods have until Sept. 15 to apply for funds to support sustainable projects
=Time is running out for James City County neighborhoods hoping to secure funding for community beautification and sustainability projects. The application window for the 2025–26 Good Neighbor Grant program closes at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
The Clean County Commission is offering matching grants of up to $500 to neighborhood associations and resident committees for projects that enhance shared spaces and environmental quality. Eligible initiatives include native plant gardens, erosion control measures, water conservation efforts, community composting, and trail or entryway improvements.
“This program helps residents take pride in their neighborhoods while promoting sustainable practices,” county officials noted. Past recipients have used the funding to create pollinator gardens, reduce stormwater runoff, and strengthen community gathering spaces.
Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match, which may include volunteer hours (valued at $26.09 per hour), in-kind donations, or cash support. Recipients are also required to conduct a neighborhood litter cleanup during the grant period, with cleanup supplies provided upon request.
Grant awards are reimbursable, with half of the funds provided upfront and the remainder released after the project’s completion and final report, due by April 30, 2026.
For more details, project ideas, or application materials, visit the James City County Clean County Commission website or call 757-259-5375. Applications can be submitted electronically to sustainabilitycoordinator@jamescitycountyva.gov or delivered to the Sustainability Coordinator at 107 Tewning Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
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