City of Sand Springs announces Spirit Grant program

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces the creation of the Spirit Grant program, a competitive grant program intended to boost economic development in Sand Springs. Spirit Grants are designed to enhance local retail sales, tourism and strengthen community development and beautification in Sand Springs. There will be a Spirit Grant workshop later this month, with grant applications becoming available on the City of Sand Springs website (www.sandpspringsok.org) August 1.

"We're not giving money away, however this program comes close as long as we have strong projects to consider. These grants will be a strong incentive for local citizens, clubs and business to make a positive impact on our community in a short amount of time,"  stated Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director for the City of Sand Springs.

Grant applications may be submitted by individuals, businesses or groups to partially fund programs or projects designed to attract people to Sand Springs to shop, dine or recreate in the City of Sand Springs. Applications can also be submitted to enhance the outward appearance of buildings, businesses or other places in the greater Sand Springs community.

Applicants will need to commit to a 20% cash contribution in order to potentially receive an 80% Spirit Grant award from the City, which combined, will create the total grant award amount. Once the project has been completed, the applicant may submit original invoices for reimbursement from the City. Grant applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis and reviewed by city staff.

The program is looking for new events or projects and expansions of existing events or projects to primarily generate sales tax and tourism in our community. Community beautification and quality of life projects in Sand Springs are also eligible.  Projects should have a positive financial impact on the City. Ideally, projects should add value to the community in light of the cost of the grant.

"We're looking forward to seeing some great concepts and ideas from our citizens," stated Gerondale, who invites the public to attend a Spirit Grant workshop happening at 7 p.m. on July 30, at the Case Community Center. 

Successful grant applicants (upon written notice by the city) will have one year to complete the grant project and submit for reimbursement. Projects can be completed before the one year deadline, however projects not completed within the deadline risk reimbursement of funds.

Spirit Grant projects can range from as little as $500 to projects costing $5,000 or more. With that range in mind, the grant amount (80% of the total project which is reimbursable to applicants by the city) will range from $400 to a maximum of $4,000 for any single grant award. 

An applicant may receive more than one award per fiscal year, and may submit an application over multiple years.

Examples of types of Spirit Grant awards include:

• advertising and marketing expenses designed to attract and draw tourism to Sand Springs
• group advertising campaign to support local merchants that results in more local sales
• community cleanup efforts
• special event designed to increase tourism to Sand Springs
• exterior building facade upgrade (awning/painting/landscaping/lighting of business workplace to improve outward appearance)
• group project to provide new community facilities or improvements to existing
• public art (murals, statuary, etc.)
• historical interpretation or other displays relating to Sand Springs

Grant applications will be reviewed by the City. Successful grant applications will be graded on many factors, with a focus on each grant's potential to add value to the community.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.sandspringsok.org or contact the Spirit Grant Team at (918) 246-2504 or spiritgrant@sandspringsok.org