1 Create a ZoomGrants™ account (below) or log in to your existing account (above) 2 Select a Program to apply for, then click the Apply button to get started 3 Answer the questions and/or fill in the fields in each tab 4 If necessary, upload any requested documents 5 Submit your application and wait for a decision 6 If you are selected to receive funding, you might be required to submit invoices or reports through your application
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The authorizing legislation states that revenues may be used to pay all or a portion of the capital expenses for expansion and remodeling of the Saint Paul RiverCenter Complex. The remainder of the funds must be spent for capital projects to further residential, cultural, commercial and economic development in both Downtown Saint Paul and Saint Paul neighborhoods. In 1994, the City Council established the Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program, which includes the Neighborhood STAR and Cultural STAR Programs, to distribute the remaining sales tax proceeds. The Neighborhood STAR Program awards grants for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul Neighborhoods, and is funded with 50 percent of the City's half-cent sales tax proceeds. For 2024, the Neighborhood STAR Program will be a grants-only program.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD STAR PROGRAM OFFERS grants for capital improvement activities. Non-profit, for-profit and public entities are invited to apply for grant assistance over $5,000. A minimum $1 for $1 match of non-city funds is required for all STAR proposals over $50,000. Neighborhood STAR Guidelines are available on the city’s website: www.stpaul.gov/star or from STAR staff.
A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION for these public dollars will demonstrate a sound public purpose amd have a commitment of human and financial resources. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED to include neighborhood partners & business organizations in the development of your proposed activity.
APPLICATIONS are due by: 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable application fee of $75.00 for requests between $5,000 and $25,000, or $125.00 for STAR proposals over $25,000 needs to be submitted prior to an application's consideration for STAR funding. Please issue a check payable to the City of Saint Paul and mail to the Department of Planning & Economic Development, Neighborhood STAR Program, 1300 City Hall Annex, 25 W. Fourth Street, St. Paul, MN 55102-1622.
Program/Application related questions should be directed to the city's STAR staff: Erin Lewis 651-266-6634 or Nancy Vang: (651) 266-6474. You may also refer to the FAQ on the City's NSTAR webpage at:
For Technical Assistance please contact ZoomGrants by email at Questions@ZoomGrants.com or by phone at (866) 323-5404 x2, between 9am - 6pm CST.
By entering your initials here you certify this submission truthfully and accurately represents your application and is hereby submitted for review. Submission of this application does not, in any way, guarantee that your application will yield a favorable result.
Submission of this application also
indicates your agreement to the
terms
of using ZoomGrants™.
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This Pre-Application section must be submitted and Approved by the Administrator (not ZoomGrants) before you can fill out the rest of the application. Click the Submit Pre-Application button at the top or bottom of this tab to submit this section to be reviewed.
Application Questions
(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
Every question needs to be answered for the form to be successfully submitted. Responses will automatically be saved when you move on to the next question. If the question doesn't apply to your project/program, please type in N/A where indicated. All narrative question responses are limited to 5,000 characters or fewer, including spaces and punctuation. Please remove any special formatting such as bullet points, bolding, etc. in your responses.
If you require translation services for the application process, please contact Erin Lewis (651-266-6634) or Nancy Vang (651-266-6474) or via email at ci-stpaul_PED-NeighborhoodSTAR@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Minnesota Data Privacy Act/Tennessen Notice:
The City is asking you to provide various financial, business and personal information in this application. The information you provide is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (“Act”) which regulates the collection, creation, storage, maintenances, and dissemination of your information. You are not required to provide this information, but if you fail to provide the requested information you will not be eligible for a grant under this program. The information you provide will be accessible to City employees and contractors who need it for the administration and management of the program as well as to others as allowed by the Act and other statutory or judicial authority. The information requested under Section VII relating to race, ethnicity and gender is entirely voluntary and is being collected for reporting purposes. Failure to provide this information will not affect your eligibility for financing under this program.
Request Information
1. STAR Grant Request Amount
Please enter a dollar amount only.
2. What ward and district is your project located in? Please refer to the City's ward and district look up map: https://direc.to/iHXm
3. Address/location of site for which you are requesting funds:
4. Provide a description of the project for which you are seeking funds. Please be specific (i.e., update building facade with 3 new windows and new doors; install a new walkway and signage on the front of the building).
5. Please provide an estimated timeline and associated activities for your project. Please note that STAR funds may be used only after approval of funding by the Mayor and City Council.
For example:
July-August: Parking lot demolition
September-October: New asphalt and parking lot striping
October-November: New signage installed
6. For public or private open-space improvement projects, please describe the approximate location(s) of the improvements and how those improvements will be maintained for 7+ years. If assessments to business or homeowner property will be required for this improvement, please describe your approach to those property-owners. If your proposal is not an open-space improvement project, please type "N/A".
7. For sub-loan/sub-grant programs, please attach program guidelines at the end of this application. Guidelines must include: the number of homes, businesses, or organizations to be assisted; how program participants will be selected; if the program will be coordinated with other city programs; terms or conditions required of borrowers/grantees; loan underwriting criteria (if applicable), and current balances, if any, of previous STAR funds awarded. Please provide any additional relevant information about your program here. If your proposal is not a sub-loan/sub-grant program, please type "N/A".
Public Purpose
8. Please explain how your proposal will maintain or increase Saint Paul’s tax base (i.e. property taxes and/or sales taxes).
9. Please provide the number of and salary of new permanent full-time and part-time jobs that will be created and retained over the next five years as a result of this project. Retained jobs are only those jobs that would be lost without STAR funding:
10. Will your proposal revitalize a currently vacant storefront? If yes, please include any relevant details about the space you will be revitalizing.
11. Please describe how your project advances climate action, sustainability, and/or resilience as set forth in the Saint Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan.
12. Please describe how your project contributes to, celebrates, or strengthens cultural diversity in St. Paul
13. Please describe how your project contributes to equity, defined as ensuring that opportunities in education, employment, housing, health, and safety are equitably distributed; that all residents have timely and relevant access to services, resources, support, and opportunity, and that race, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, ethnicity, national origin, disability status, age, or zip code should neither determine nor deny or limit any person the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Community Need
14. Describe how your project fills a need in the neighborhood or addresses a neighborhood goal (i.e., how does your project fit into the Small Area Plan for your neighborhood?).
15. Describe how your proposal includes community input in its development (i.e., collaboration or support from your district council or neighborhood group).
Capacity
16. Please describe your organization and the capacity for your organization to carry out the project proposed in your application.
17. Who will be the designated project manager? Please describe their background, skills, and experience in managing similar projects.
Budget
18. The Neighborhood STAR program is designed to provide funding for worthwhile but underfunded capital projects that could not be accomplished but for these additional funds. Please describe your need for STAR funds.
19. What is the total cost of your project? If the total cost of your project is greater than your STAR grant request, please list additional sources of funding you will use to accomplish your project.
20. Please list any City or HRA funds you have received in the last five years (including STAR), or that you are currently seeking for this project.
VI. Voluntary Applicant Questions. This information will be used for reporting purposes only and will not be used to make funding decisions. It helps the City know we are reaching all populations. If you prefer not to respond to these questions, please type N/A in the response section.
21. Does the person who owns, controls, or leads at least 51% of the business or organization identify themselves as a member of any of the following groups? Select all that apply.
22. If you selected "Other" for question 21, please specify. If not applicable or you prefer not to disclose, please type N/A in the response.
23. How does the same primary owner or operations manager identify racially or ethnically? Select all that apply.
24. If you selected "Other" for question 23, please specify. If not applicable or you prefer not to disclose, please type N/A in the response.
25. Is your business or organization at least 51% owned by one or more women (or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more women) and is the management and daily business/organization operations controlled by one or more women who own it?
26. Is your business or organization at least 51% owned by one or more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) persons (or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more BIPOC persons) and is the management and daily business/organization operations controlled by one or more BIPOC persons who own it?
27. Is your business CERT certified?
28. How long have you owned/operated this business?
29. Is your business or organization a small business or organization as defined as businesses or organizations with under $1 million in gross sales/generated revenue or fewer than 20 full time employees (MN Statute 645.445).
9a. If yes, how many full-time equivalent (FTE) employees do you have? (An FTE is an employee that works at least 32 hours per week. Please do not include contractors or volunteers).
30. What type of business or organization do you have?
31. If you answered "Other" for question 30, please specify or type in N/A if you prefer not to disclose this information.
32. How did you hear about the opportunity to apply for STAR Funds?
33. If you answered "Other" for question 32, please specify or type in N/A if you prefer not to disclose this information.
34. NAICS code. Type "N/A" if unknown.
Budget
(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
Budget Forms: Please list all sources and uses of funds, including STAR funds, for the entire project. Attach all contractor estimates and supplemental materials when applicable. Up to a total of 20% of STAR funds may be used for Acquisition and/or Direct Project Costs (soft costs), or a combination of the two. Please be sure that the total amount of your sources and uses match before submitting your proposal!
Sources
Please list all secured and pending sources (project income) for your project. Please use the budget narrative section to itemize specific sources of funds. For example, if you indicate $20,000 of private funding, please note in the budget narrative where that funding is coming from, i.e., $10,000 Foundation grant, $10,000 bank loan. Definitions: 1. Other City Funding: Additional funding from the City of St. Paul, i.e., CDBG, TIF, CIB, HRA 2. Other Government Funds: State, county, or federal funds 3. Private Funding: private grants, loans, donations, or personal contributions 4. Sweat Equity: Volunteer labor that improves the value of a property, valued at $15 per hour 5. Matching Funds: Dollar for dollar contributions of additional non-city funding as required by STAR guidelines for projects over $50,000. Up to 30% of a required match may be indirect contributions including in-kind goods and services, volunteer labor, and/or sweat equity.
Item Description
Amount Secured
Amount Pending
Total
Total USD$ 0.00
Total USD$ 0.00
Total USD$ 0.00
Uses
Please list all uses (project expenses) for this project. Definitions: 1. Acquisition: The purchase of a property or an existing building 2. Commerical/Residential - Renovation/Rehab: Improvements to an existing building or site 3. Commerical/Residential - New Construction: Additions, building a new structure or site 4. Public Improvements: Minor streetscape improvements, playground equipment, park benches, signs or lighting to improve spaces used by the public. 5. Private Open Space Improvements: Playground or community garden on private property 6. Direct Project Costs: Soft costs related to the project. STAR funds may be used for architect, engineering, legal and loan fees, project management, permits, and licenses. Non-STAR funds must be used for any general salary, administration, marking, or operating expenditures included in the project.
Item Description
Amount of STAR Funds to be used
Amount of non-STAR funds to be used used
Total
Total USD$ 0.00
Total USD$ 0.00
Total USD$ 0.00
Budget Narrative (Discuss the items and amounts you entered above.)
Please use this section to include: 1. Additional information or explanation about budget sources, including an itemized list of additional sources of funds. 2. Additional information or explanation about budget uses. 3. If a match is required (projects over $50,000), which sources and amounts will be used for matching funds? 4. A list, if applicable, of Direct Project Costs and how much of STAR and non-STAR funding will be used for those costs. 5. Any additional information you would like to share about your program budget
Tables
(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
Additional information may be requested by city staff during the review of your proposal. If you are unable to provide any of the required requested documents, please upload a note explaining why you are unable to provide the required document. Submitting a blank document with no explanation or "will submit upon request" will not be accepted and your application will be considered incomplete.
Minnesota Data Privacy Act/Tennessen Notice:
The City is asking you to provide various financial, business and personal information in this application. The information you provide is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (“Act”) which regulates the collection, creation, storage, maintenances, and dissemination of your information. You are not required to provide this information, but if you fail to provide the requested information you will not be eligible for a grant under this program. The information you provide will be accessible to City employees and contractors who need it for the administration and management of the program as well as to others as allowed by the Act and other statutory or judicial authority.
The City is asking you to provide various business and personal information in this form in order to monitor the success of the Neighborhood STAR program. The information you provide is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act ("Act") which regulates the collection, creation, storage, maintenances, and dissemination of your information. You are not required to provide this information and failure to provide this information will not affect your eligibility for STAR funding. The information you provide which is deemed to be private will be accessible to City employees and contractors who need it for the administration and management of business support, as well as to others as allowed by the Act and other statutory or judicial authority. The information you provide which is deemed to be public, including photos, may be shared publicly in places such as annual report, on our website, or in press releases or other public formats.
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Final Report Totals
Answers must be entered on the individual Final Report tabs.
If you recently edited an answer, then Refresh Page to see updated answers here. 1. Business/Organization Name: -Text questions are not calculated-
2. Name and job title of the person completing this report: -Text questions are not calculated-
3. Business/Organization email: -Text questions are not calculated-
4. Business/Organization phone: -Text questions are not calculated-
5. Business/Organization address: -Text questions are not calculated-
6. What is the address of your STAR project location? -Text questions are not calculated-
7. Describe the project you completed with STAR funds: -Text questions are not calculated-
8. After executing your STAR contract, how long did it take to complete your STAR project?
0-3 months
3-6 months
6-12 months
12-24 months
more than 2 years
9. What was the overall total project cost? (Estimate is ok) -Text questions are not calculated-
10. Please list the sources and amounts of funding that supported this project: -Text questions are not calculated-
11. Were all of the STAR funds spent? Why or why not? -Text questions are not calculated-
12. Property Value Use the Ramsey County Property Tax and Value Lookup tool to assist with answering this question: https://beacon.schneidercorp.com/application.aspx?app=RamseyCountyMN&PageType=Search
Totals
Goal
%
Remaining
Value of property prior to improvements
Year of Assessment
Value of property after improvements (estimate)
Year of Assessment
TOTAL
13. Please check the Public Purpose priorities supported by your project.
Project contributes to St. Paul's tax base (retail or property tax)
Project created or retained jobs
Project revitalized a vacant storefront
Project advanced climate action, sustainability, or resilience goals
Project contributes to, celebrates, or strengthens cultural diversity in St. Paul
Project advances equity
14. FTE Jobs retained/created
Totals
Goal
%
Remaining
Number of FTE jobs retained
Number of FTE jobs created
TOTAL
15. Describe any additional outcomes from this project. For example, how has this project helped your business, organization, or neighborhood? -Text questions are not calculated-
16. For sub-grant/sub-loan recipients, please share any other outcomes of your program that you’d like to highlight. -Text questions are not calculated-
17. What feedback do you have about working with the City and the Neighborhood STAR program? What went well, and what could we improve? -Text questions are not calculated-
18. Would you like your business/project to be featured in PED’s social media or newsletter? -Text questions are not calculated-
19. Anything else you’d like to share? -Text questions are not calculated-
