North Barstow Business Improvement District Beautification Grant Application

The North Barstow Business Improvement District (BID) Beautification Grant supports projects that improve the look, feel, and overall experience of the district for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. Funding is available for visible, public-facing enhancements located within BID boundaries that help create a more welcoming, vibrant, and memorable North Barstow environment.

 Projects may be small or large in scope, but should result in a clear aesthetic or placemaking improvement that benefits the broader district. Projects may vary in scope and type. Fundable projects may include but are not limited to beautification projects such as: 

Examples of eligible projects include (but are not limited to):

• Murals and creative exterior installations

• Public art or artist-designed features

• Landscaping, planters, or streetscape greenery

• Public space improvements or placemaking elements

• Addition of public amenities such as seating, lighting, or wayfinding

*Facade or site maintenance and repairs like paint or upkeep will be considered but not prioritized.  Commercial Building Facade Loans are available for $5,000-$30,000 with zero percent interest for up to seven years If project includes business signage, that signage should be unique, interesting and visually appealing.

https://www.eauclairedevelopment.com/documents/Commercial-Building-Facade-Loan_no-form-3.pdf

The intent of the grant is to enhance aesthetics and the overall experience of visitors, businesses, and residents in the North Barstow BID. Funding is intended to help fund projects that, while they would bring worthwhile enhancements to the district, fall beyond the available budget or your business or organization to accomplish on your own.  

The North Barstow BID does not have any ownership of, or obligation to upkeep, the projects funded by this grant.  Applications that include public art installations should explain how future maintenance will be handled.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed by the North Barstow BID Board quarterly. Funding will remain available until the annual budget is exhausted; once funds are fully allocated, the application will close. In order to be considered for the first review, your grant application should be completed no later than Friday, January 16th, 2026.

Funding details:

• Total funding available (2026): $20,000

• Maximum per project: up to $10,000

• First-come, first-served until funds are depleted

• Projects must be completed in the calendar year of award (2026)

• Follow-up report required after project completion

• Previously approved funding decisions do not guarantee future availability or decisions.

Upload Required/Optional Documents Upload supplemental documentsPlease upload a single PDF if possible, or email materials to hello@downtowneauclaire.org

Required uploads:

• Itemized budget or financial plan

• Visuals of proposed improvements 

• For murals/public art: visual mock-up of the specific installation

• For projects on public property: proof of permit/permission + maintenance plan

• If applicant is not property owner: written permission statement

Optional uploads:

• Marketing plan

• Management plan

• Viability analysis

QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, please email them to: hello@downtowneauclaire.org

North Barstow BID will prioritize:

• Projects that will increase business sales, number of district visitors, or improve the overall experience of residents, businesses, customers, and visitors in the North Barstow District. 

• Matching or supplemental funding is not required, but projects that include additional funding sources may receive priority consideration

Request Ineligibility

• Incomplete and/or late applications

• Organizations that discriminate against individuals based on race, color, creed, gender, national origin or sexual orientation

• Political organizations

• Funds that would be used for staffing or administrative costs

• Events that are solely religious in nature or private to specific members or groups

Applicant Requirements

1. The applicant must clearly identify the downtown community impact including:  

• Impact to the Business Improvement District (BID)

• how the project will improve the experience of the North Barstow BID

• financial impact

• social impact

• details on how funds will be utilized

• overall program costs

2. The approved applicant will be required to acknowledge BID's sponsorship on all press releases, print, radio, online, social media or other marketing materials related to the project. A district logo will be provided for you.

3. The approved applicant will tag DECI ( @DowntownEauClaire) in social posts related to the project, and share marketing materials with the organization to help further promote the project. 

4. The approved applicant may be required to complete a post-project report describing if their goals were achieved and any barriers or challenges they faced. By doing so, the applicant will help our community understand how the BID supports outstanding downtown stakeholders.  Failure to complete the post-event report could result in the requestor being denied future funding requests.

Sponsorship Criteria Includes:

• Project's intended outcome aligns with and advances the BID's objectives

• Projects that support and enhance downtown businesses, arts, culture, sporting, and visitor experiences

• Sponsorship amounts will be guided by financial needs and anticipated impact to the district 

• The BID Board reserves the right to have final discretion on funding decisions

Grant Terms

1. The approved applicant will be required to acknowledge the North Barstow Business Improvement District sponsorship on all press releases, print, radio, online, social media or other marketing materials related to the project. A district logo will be provided for you.

2. The approved applicant will share project marketing with DECI staff (@DowntownEauClaire) to further the reach of project promotion.

3. The approved applicant will be required to complete a post-project report describing if their goals were achieved and any barriers or challenges they faced. By doing so, the applicant will help our community understand how the BID supports outstanding downtown stakeholders.  Failure to complete the post-event report could result in the requestor being denied future funding requests.

4. The approved applicant will agree that their project will not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, creed, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.