Building Community, One Block at a Time

Volunteer feedback has shown that a major barrier to hosting events is the expenses related to these events. In response, the City will provide up to $300 for Block Leaders with their Block Party Permit. This funding aligns with City Work Program as approved by the Cupertino City Council. You must have an approved Block Party Permit to apply.

Funding Requirements

This funding is for a Block Party that benefits your whole Block to fulfil your yearly community event requirement. Each Block is eligible for one grant each year. Co-leads cannot apply for multiple grants to be used for the same Block. 

To be eligible, the neighborhood must receive a fully approved Block Party Permit from the Cupertino Public Works Department and the applicant must be a current Block Leader. 

You can use the money to purchase things like food or rent things like tables and chairs. You cannot use the money for campaign activities, or personal or other uses in accordance with California State Code 8314.

Application Process

1. Submit a Block Party Permit application
2. Submit a Block Party Grant application
   1. As part of the application, describe how you will use the money, and how it will benefit the community
3. Within 30 days following the Block Party, you must submit an event summary, a purchase summary, and photos of the purchases in use at the Block Party. 

Funding Process 

Once a resident has received a Block Party permit from Public Works, their application (submitted online here) will be reviewed by the Block Leader Program Coordinator (Program Coordinator).  

If the application is approved, the Program Coordinator will create a grant number (FY-0X) and attach a PDF copy of the grant application to an email requesting that the resident confirms that the Block Party will be going forward. The Emergency Manager will be CC’d on this email. 

The Program Coordinator will then send an email to a Senior Office Assistant with PDFs of the grant application, the Program Coordinator’s approval, and the resident’s confirmation. The Senior Office Assistant will process this as an invoice to a temporary vendor.  

When the check (with grant number) is ready to be issued, Finance will alert the Program Coordinator who will coordinate a pickup with the Block Leader. Regular pick-up of checks will be Monday through Thursday. Block Leaders will only schedule a pickup on Fridays if absolutely necessary (Block Party is that weekend). Block Leaders cannot schedule a time to pick up a check on a date or time that City Hall is closed.  

If any funds are left over, the resident will issue a check to the City, with the grant number in the “memo” field. 

Consider making your purchases at local businesses.

Find local businesses at the links below.

Cupertino Businesses

Cupertino Chamber of Commerce Members