Surprise-area groups that plan community events, functions or improvements to their neighborhood can reach out for some grant money through the city.

The Surprise City Council recently set aside $10,000 to support the grant program for fiscal year 2026 in an effort to increase community engagement.

A pre-application meeting that details the program and the application process is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, June 30 in the Council Overflow Room at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza.

To be considered, projects must meet the following criteria:

• Provide a public benefit.
• Results in a product that benefits a neighborhood or the larger Surprise community.
• Be feasible for completion by June 2026.
• Involve the benefiting neighborhood in project identification, planning and execution.
• Emphasize neighborhood self-help; be educational or community-building.
• Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations are ineligible.

Additionally, a minimum of five neighbors within the residential area must sign the application and support the idea. Neighborhoods that are governed by a homeowner association must have HOA approval, if required.

Interested communities should deliver the complete application by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 to City Hall, attention Deb Perry, or to deborah.perry@surpriseaz.gov.

Visit surpriseaz.gov/NGP, or contact Perry by email or by calling 623-222-1623.