Basic Philosophy

San Jose Beautiful provides matching grant support to nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, schools and other community organizations who wish to help foster community pride in San Jose through beautification or landscaping.

Grant Range

Grants generally range from $100-$2000. However, on a project-by-project basis, some grants may be funded at a higher level. Funding is to be matched by volunteer efforts and/or matching cash donations.

Grant Limitation

Projects must be within the city limits of San Jose. Please be advised that Federal and State Constitutions restrict the City's ability to award grants for the improvement of church property and religious schools.

Application Procedures

Applications for grants can be made by contacting the Office of San Jose Beautiful at 408-277-5208.

The Grant Review Committee holds two meetings a year. Call 408-277-5208 for upcoming deadlines.

Areas of Interest

Primary areas of interest are highly visible sites to be enjoyed by the public, which include:

• Theme, cultural or educational gardens
• Plants and materials
• Life Lab projects that teach science, nutrition and horticulture
• Public art pieces which reflect a theme consistent with the San Jose Beautiful Basic Philosophy above

Matching Grant Information

As an incentive to foster a greater sense of pride in the community and to re-establish the colorful, fruitful heritage of San Jose, " The Garden City", San Jose Beautiful provides grant awards for beautification projects that:

• Are highly visible to the general public
• Provide educational enrichment opportunities for residents and visitors
• Are reflective of the specific theme, such as cultural heritage gardens, rose gardens and Victorian gardens
• Promote and preserve the cultural heritage of our community
• Promote tree planting and preservation
• Promote stewardship of the environment
• Enlist community participation
• Secure long-term maintenance assurances

Examples of beautification projects eligible for funding include:

• Landscaping projects, including plants, trees, containers, walkways, benches, tables, fountains, decorative structures and irrigation systems
• Life Lab projects that teach science, nutrition and the benefits of horticulture through active participation and curriculum

Applicants with ineligible projects will be required to make a presentation to the Grants Review Committee.

Approval is given by the San Jose Beautiful Steering Committee at its regular meeting of the third Wednesday of the month.

Examples of ineligible projects include:

• Requests from individual property owners on their own behalf
• Tree removal
• Play equipment
• Overhead costs (office supplies, phone bills, it etc.)

Grant Award Guidelines

1. Generally, grants are awarded in amounts of $2,000 for the purchase of materials, rather than in labor.
2. Projects that have demonstrated commitment from the applicants and the surrounding community are given preference.
3. Volunteer labor, cash or material contributions from outside sources must equal or exceed grant award. Manual labor is to be valued at $8.00 an hour. Skilled trade labor may be valued at prevailing cost rate.
4. Applicants are fully responsible for completing beautification projects. Applicants who fail to start their project within ninety (90) days of receipt of the grant award or who fail to complete their project within ninety (90) days of their estimated completion date maybe required to return the grant award with interest.
5. Where appropriate, applicants for landscaping projects are strongly advised to obtain assistance from design professionals before submitting their application.
6. Applicants whose beautification projects fit the basic criteria for grant award will be invited to make a brief presentation within approximately two weeks of the application deadline. Funding recommendations are then forwarded to the San Jose Beautiful Steering Committee for decision at their next regular meeting.

Forms Required Following Grant Award

Agreement - (with CONDITIONS ADDENDUM where applicable) must be signed and returned before grant award can be funded.

GRANT REPORTING FORM, A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS FORM, copies of all purchase receipts made with grant funds, labeled "AFTER" photographs must be submitted within three weeks after beautification project completion. These reports must summarize the total value of the project, including volunteer contributions and San Jose Beautiful grant award.

Standard Conditions

1. Grant applicant agrees to acknowledge funding to San Jose Beautiful in any and all press releases and public announcements regarding beautification projects.
2. Grant applicant agrees to post a visible sign provided by San Jose Beautiful, acknowledging funding by San Jose Beautiful. The sign must be maintained by grant applicant.
3. Grant applicant agrees to maintain, or have maintained, that beautification project for minimum of three years after the completion date of the project.

Application Instructions

• Fill in all blanks completely.
• You must provide a tax identification number for your organization.
• All attachments must be clearly labeled with organization, project, date and location. All photographs must be so labeled.
• All blueprints and site maps must show north direction. Streets and structures must be shown and labeled.
• All documents must fit in a letter sized folder.
• Return completed applications either online or by mail to: