Overview

Helping Hands is a non-matching grant with the intent to deter code enforcement citations from occurring by encouraging community building, neighborhood pride, educating residents on common code enforcement citations, and providing financial support through grants. Applicants are eligible to receive grants between $1,000 and $10,000 to conduct projects focusing on neighborhood improvements. Total project cost is not to exceed $10,000. Neighborhoods and residents in low- and moderate-income areas throughout unincorporated Sarasota County are eligible to apply. Applicants may not receive funding in two consecutive grant cycles.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Property located in unincorporated Sarasota County.
  • Property must be within an area where the majority of the population (51% or above) is within the low-to-moderate income threshold; as determined by County GIS/HUD maps. Neighborhood boundaries are to be determined by Neighborhood Services staff.
  • Applications for tenant and/or commonly owned property require a property owner co-applicant and signatory. Applicants of commonly owned property must provide proof in writing reflecting support by all property owners for the project being proposed.
  • Projects must be visible from the public right-of-way.
  • Vacant lots are eligible for this grant.
  • County Right of Ways may be eligible subject to Right of Way Permits.

Ineligibility
  • Properties with active Code Enforcement Actions including but not limited to courtesy notices, notices of violation, outstanding liens, or abatements.
  • Properties listed for sale.
  • County-owned properties. 

Eligible Projects

Funding is to be used to purchase services or materials needed to complete eligible projects meeting the criteria described below. Projects must be visible from the public right-of-way. Applicants may apply for a minimum funding request of $1,000 with the total funding request and project cost not to exceed $10,000.

This grant funds projects on residential and commonly owned property, and County Right of Ways with appropriate Right of Way permit. If you are a tenant who is applying, property owners must be co-applicants and co-signers to the agreement if the project is awarded.

Please consult the Neighborhood Services Team about your project’s eligibility.

Project Criteria: 

NOTE: The following projects are applicable to residential and commonly owned properties:

  1. Surface preparation and repainting building exteriors to correct areas showing signs of deterioration or disrepair.
  2. Culvert repair or replacement, ditch maintenance to meet County specifications (County maintained ditches are ineligible).
  3. Pressure cleaning.
  4. Removal of outdoor storage.
  5. Replace or repair exterior doors (garage, entryway, screen door).
  6. Roof repair.
  7. Repairs to front yard walkways and driveways.
  8. Replace or repair damaged awnings or shutters.
  9. Replacement of broken windows.
  10. Addition, repair or replacement of fencing.
  11. Safety repairs of front porch or stoop, including ADA compliance.
  12. Covering or removal of graffiti not on County property.
  13. Removal of derelict vessels (cars, boats, etc.), furniture, and other front yard debris.
  14. One-time mowing event to meet code compliance standards.
  15. Removal of nuisance invasives or dead trees, and/or pruning of overgrown landscaping. Removed vegetation may be replaced with native species.

NOTE: The following projects are only applicable to commonly owned properties:

  1. Repainting of crosswalks on Private Roads (County maintained roads are not eligible).
  2. Adding appropriate street furniture: bike racks, planters, benches, and outdoor tables for neighborhood use.
  3. Community educational and historical signage.
  4. Painting of community walls and other shared assets.

*Other projects of similar nature as approved by the Director of Planning & Development Services.

Helping Hands- Community QuickLearn 

Those interested in applying must attend a Helping Hands Community QuickLearn session to learn about eligibility requirements. This session is designed to equip applicants on how to proactively deter common code enforcement citations while using Helping Hands as a resource. Proof of an applicant’s attendance at the session will be verified upon submission of all applications. Please note, completing an application and attending the mandatory Community QuickLearn session does not guarantee approval of grant funds.

Vendors must meet the Vendor Guidelines listed above. The County will disburse funds on behalf of the applicant throughout the life of the project. All vendors will be paid at the end of each phase. Once the project is deemed complete by the applicant and vendor, staff will verify project completion through site visits, photographs, and signed statements by the applicant and vendor through the submission of a final report.  

Schedule

October 10,2025 - Virtual @ 3:00 pm

October 20, 2025 - Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library @ 11:00 am

October 22, 2025 - Gulf Gate Library @ 1:00 pm

October 23, 2025 - Elsie Quirk Library  @ 1:00pm

November 10, 2025 - Gulf Gate Library @ 11:00 am

December 8, 2025 - Elsie Quirk Library  @ 4:30 pm

December 10, 2025 - Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library @ 1:30 pm

Register here for an upcoming Community QuickLearn session. 

Helping Hands Grant Process

Step 1: Attend a Helping Hands Community QuickLearn session.

Step 2: Submit a completed application with all required documents (Documents Library below).

Step 3: After Neighbor Services has confirmed eligibility, staff will conduct a site visit to take pre-project photos and obtain signatures on the grant agreement. When the grant agreement is signed by all parties, staff will initiate a Purchase Order (PO). Once Neighborhood Services staff provides you with your PO, the project may commence.

Step 4: Project completion and submission of final report for project close out.

Step 5: Neighborhood Services staff will schedule a site visit to review project completion and take updated photos.