Aurora awarded $60,000 to community groups for projects like neighborhood cleanups and community gatherings through its Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program.

This year’s grant recipients will present programs like installing neighborhood little libraries, back-to-school neighborhood celebrations, neighborhood cleanups and landscaping initiatives, according to a news release.

The grants, $5,000 each, and are meant to help improve communities’ physical conditions and foster community pride and collaboration.

Aurora Community Engagement Coordinator Scott Campbell said the city received 14 applications this year for $65,000 and were able to give some money to all 14 applicants.

“This kind of community building is really a core concept to community engagement,” Campbell said. “Having a healthy relationship both between the community and the city but also between the community and other members of the community is a building block to having a healthy neighborhood, which has a ripple effect.”

Campbell has seen the grant program grow over the years and said he and his team are appreciative that the city council keeps approving the program funding.

One of his favorite projects of those awarded grants this year is a little free library going up in the Sterling Hills area.

The project was started by a kid who realized his community didn’t have a little free library, so he and his mom worked on the application together, presented to various groups and gathered community support.

“That one is one of the special ones that I’m looking forward to this year,” he said. “It’s got a personal touch and I’m excited to see it come through.”

To be eligible for a grant, projects must be within Aurora’s city limits, provide identifiable benefits to the neighborhood, have a specific timeline and involve at least three households in the neighborhood.

Before applying, residents need to discuss the project and any applicable city permits with a city community engagement coordinator.

While this year’s grant program application window has closed for the year, city officials encourage people to apply for other city grants, such as Know Your Neighbor Grant for block parties and clean-ups, a Printing Assistance Grant for posters and flyers about community activities and a Small Neighborhood Activity Grant for events like festivals and tournaments.