As part of its efforts to foster strong and healthy neighborhoods, is City of Renton is offering the Neighborhood Grant Program for 2010.

The grants are available to groups of residents who have organized themselves to plan and implement projects for their neighborhoods. The grants stimulate community projects that help build stronger neighborhoods and strengthen partnerships between the city and its neighborhoods.

“This is a great opportunity for neighbors to work together to support each other and improve their community,” said Mayor Denis Law.

Eligible organizations include organized neighborhood associations that draw membership from commonly recognized geographic neighborhoods in Renton, or ad hoc groups of neighbors who form an organization to work on a specific project.

Eligible projects include physical improvements that build or enhance a feature of the neighborhood or benefit the general public. Projects to produce and distribute newsletters and create Web sites are also eligible for neighborhood grants.

The typical grant is $3,000 to $5,000 per project, although the actual amount is based on a project’s merit and is determined by the Renton City Council, based on the recommendation of a staff-level interdepartmental team. A workshop for those interested in the program will be held Feb. 8, 2010, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Renton City Hall.

Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 12. Awards will be announced in early May. For more information, contact Norma McQuiller, Neighborhood Program coordinator, at 425-430-6595 or nmcquiller@rentonwa.gov or Wendy Kirchner, Neighborhood Program Assistant, at 425-430-6594 or wkirchner@rentonwa.gov.