Turn a $4,000 Project Into
$600 Out of Pocket.

1. Start with your immediate neighbors. You only need 5 households minimum (3 in some districts). Knock on doors with a simple pitch: "The city will match up to $2,500 for exterior improvements — painting, landscaping, porch repair. No income or credit requirements. Want in?"
2. Spread the word. Post in your neighborhood Facebook group or Nextdoor. Make a simple flyer with the dollar amount and your contact info.
3. Pick a Team Captain. Single point of contact with Invest DSM. Submits the Team Application, coordinates timelines, collects documentation. Administrative role only — captains don't handle money.
4. Hold a planning meeting. Each household lists what they want to do and gets rough cost estimates. Set a shared timeline. Consider doing the same project (everyone paints) to negotiate a group contractor rate.
5. Apply early. First-come, first-served until funds run out. Deadline: last business day of each month. Email to BCGrant@dmgov.org.
6. Document everything. Before photos from the street BEFORE any work starts. Progress photos. After photos from the same angles. Keep all receipts — photograph them immediately since paper fades.

Pro Tips

• Group rate: Multiple households need painting? Get one contractor to quote the whole block — you'll get a better rate.
• DIY is allowed unless it requires a licensed contractor. DIY painting + landscaping = biggest visual impact, lowest cost.
• 10+ households = more money. 5-9 get $1,000/each. 10+ get $2,500/each. Recruit hard.
• Income-qualified = 75% match. Up to $3,333/household. Check with Invest DSM about qualification thresholds.

• Steel Entry Door ($2,000–$2,500): ~188% ROI at resale. Single highest-ROI home improvement.
• Garage Door Replacement ($4,000–$4,500): ~194% ROI. Massive curb appeal impact.
• Exterior Paint ($2,500–$7,000): ~100%+ ROI. Best bang-for-buck on a $2,500 grant. DIY-friendly.
• Landscaping ($500–$3,000 DIY): 100-150% ROI. Mulch, shrubs, flowers, mailbox, house numbers, lights.
• Fiber-Cement Siding ($8,000–$17,000): ~113% ROI. Premium upgrade, requires contractor.
• New Front Porch ($2,000–$5,000): ~70-85% ROI. Needs permit but transforms your home.

• Jan–Feb (Planning): Form your team, get contractor quotes (they're less busy), order materials early.
• Mar–Apr (Prep): Cool-season flowers in early April. Power wash exteriors above 50°F. Iowa's last frost: late April to early May.
• May–Jun (Launch): Submit Block Challenge applications early. Warm-season plants after mid-May. Ideal painting weather begins.
• Jul–Sep (Build): Prime window for painting, siding, porch work, fencing. Complete projects and submit reimbursement paperwork.
• Oct–Dec (Wrap-Up): Plant spring bulbs in October. File for tax credits. Apply for MidAmerican rebates within 90 days of purchase.

1. Starting work before approval. Most common, most costly. Costs incurred before your signed grant agreement are NOT eligible. Wait for written approval.
2. Not getting enough quotes. Many programs require three bids. Get them upfront.
3. Choosing interior-only improvements. Block Challenge = exterior only. Homeowner Renovation requires at least one exterior component.
4. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Must be licensed. Using unlicensed = voided reimbursement.
5. Hiring family as contractor. Arm's-length relationship required.
6. Missing the deadline. Funds run out. Apply early — don't wait until September.
7. Skipping permits. Siding, roofing, windows, fencing over 4 feet need permits. No permit = no reimbursement + possible fines.
8. Poor photo documentation. Blurry photos, missing before shots, incomplete receipts = delays or denial.
9. Team too small or spread out. Need 5-19 households within visible distance of each other's front doors.
10. No clear team captain. Designate one person as point of contact from day one.