How 32 years of neighborhood grants have shaped Tempe

March 19, 2026

Tempe is more colorful, shaded and connected, thanks to the vision and collaboration of our residents and $6.3 million invested in the neighborhood grant program by the City of Tempe.

Since 1994, the City of Tempe Maryanne Corder Neighborhood Grant Program has brought together community members to apply for funds to accomplish improvements they'd love to see in their neighborhoods, like tree planting, art, sustainable landscaping, park improvements and adaptive streets initiatives. The grant program has truly made a huge difference in communities throughout the city. Results for the program can be seen practically everywhere in Tempe and include:

• $6.3 million in total awards
• 782 completed projects
• 1,200 trees!
• 70 community art installations
• 68 park enhancements
• Nearly 200,000 happier neighbors

Named after community activist and long-time city employee Maryanne Corder, the neighborhood grant program uses city capital improvement funds to support grassroots improvement projects. Every year, Tempe Neighborhood Associations and Homeowner Associations apply for the funds. Selected associations receive up to $20,000 to fund their projects.

Tempe has completed 782 neighborhood improvement projects through the grant program, with many more to come. Next month, representatives will review the newest applications and empower neighborhoods with another round of grant funding.

"One important thing to note about these grants is that they are community-driven, and it's really an amazing thing to see. Neighborhoods come together to brainstorm ideas, design plans and see them to fruition through careful planning that involves the entire community. They improve their public spaces in all sorts of creative ways," Mayor Corey Woods said. "Every year, my fellow city councilmembers and I are proud to vote to fund these projects. They empower our residents to make Tempe a better place for all."

Take a look at some of the impacts the neighborhood grants have made over the last 32 years.

Many of Tempe's tree-lined streets are thanks to the work of neighbors. Since 1994, 252 grant projects have planted trees in neighborhoods throughout Tempe, providing shade, cooling and greenery that benefits the entire community. Precise records for the number of trees planted by each project began in 2004, so the number of actual trees planted is predicted to be much higher.

Tree planting projects must follow sustainable and practical guidelines for ensuring smart placement with maximum community benefit. Tempe's arborist and Urban Forestry Administrator Richard Atkins works closely with neighbors on all tree plantings to ensure correct placement, appropriate desert-adapted species selection, water efficiency and more.