The grant program is currently closed for 2025. See you in 2026!!
Every year, The Pasadena Project will dedicate a portion of its resources to support a high-impact initiative chosen by our board—a theme or focus that reflects the evolving needs and dreams of Pasadena.
Once the annual grant purpose is announced, neighborhoods, civic groups, and community leaders are invited to apply. Applications will include a set of in-depth questions designed to reflect our mission and values: transparency, collaboration, and grassroots action. Applicants may be asked to provide photos, stories, or examples that demonstrate true community engagement.
A volunteer-led Grant Subcommittee—composed of local leaders, business owners, and residents—will review submissions blindly using a numerical scoring system. The top-scoring applicant will receive the grant funding, with clear expectations for transparency, including proof of spending, receipts (as allowable by law), and public updates on progress.
This program is designed to be our signature effort—our way of putting real resources into the hands of real people doing good work.
The Grant Program’s Core Values
1. Community Involvement
We believe the strongest ideas come from collective effort.
- How has your community come together in support of this project so far? (Include examples or photo evidence if possible.)
- How will this project strengthen long-term relationships within your neighborhood or across Pasadena?
2. Transparency
We believe in openness, honesty, and shared responsibility.
- How will you track and report the use of grant funds throughout the project?
- What systems or people will help ensure decisions and spending are communicated clearly within your group?
3. Sustainability & Impact
We invest in projects that make a lasting difference.
- What makes this project important not just for today, but for years to come?
- How will you maintain or grow this project’s impact after the grant funding is used?
4. Creativity & Initiative
We support bold ideas and people who take action.
- What inspired this project, and how does it reflect your community’s unique character or challenges?
- Tell us about a time your neighborhood made something happen on its own—what did you learn?
5. Inclusion & Accessibility
We want every resident to feel welcomed, seen, and valued.
- How does your project include voices that are often left out—especially the underrepresented or underserved?
- How will your project remain open and accessible to all members of your neighborhood?
Each question will be scored by our Grant Subcommittee on a consistent scale, with blind evaluation to remove bias and promote fairness. The highest scoring application will be awarded the grant—with expectations for transparency and follow-up reporting.
GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE
The Pasadena Project Grant Subcommittee is a rotating team of local volunteers—leaders, business owners, and residents—selected each year to review and score all eligible grant applications.
What the Subcommittee Does:
- Reviews all applications
- Scores each of the 10 questions based on alignment with TPP’s five core values
- Uses a 1–10 scale per question (10 = excellent alignment; 1 = low alignment)
- Participates in a scoring alignment session where individual scores are discussed and, when appropriate, revised based on peer insight
Scoring & Alignment Process
Why debate makes us better.
After each subcommittee member scores the applications independently, they come together in small group sessions to review and align scores. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Scores Submitted
Each member submits their scores privately based on their interpretation of the answers. - Debate & Alignment
If scores vary significantly (e.g., a 5 vs. an 8), members engage in open discussion.- One member may have caught a compelling detail the other missed.
- The goal is to learn from one another’s perspectives and reach consensus on a fair, unified score.
- Scores can be adjusted if a member feels persuaded by the discussion.
- Final Score Tally
Once aligned, final scores are recorded. The applicant with the highest total score will be awarded the grant, pending review of eligibility and financial accountability.
Why This Matters
This process ensures that no one person’s bias, oversight, or personal preference determines the outcome. It’s designed to reward thoughtful applications that truly reflect community values, and to model the kind of open, honest dialogue we want to see everywhere in Pasadena.