Deadline nearing for neighborhood mini-grants

Community gardens are one use for neighborhood mini-grants from the city, but the deadline is approaching fast.

The city will begin accepting applications for the FY2013-14 reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program on Wednesday, May 1.

According to the city, the reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program will award grants of up to $2,000 to successful applicants whose neighborhood projects foster partnerships, provide a public benefit to the community and can be completed by April 30, 2014. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution of volunteer labor, donated materials and/or in-kind services.

The application period will open May 1, 2013 and close June 28, 2013 at 5 p.m. Grant applications and complete program information and criteria can be accessed at www.kcmo.org/neigh or at the Neighborhood Services Division on the fourth floor of City Hall, 414 E. 12th St.

Details

To be eligible for a grant, registered neighborhood organizations must meet the below criteria:

  • Must represent a geographic area, such as a neighborhood or a cluster of neighborhoods
  • Must demonstrate broad-based community support for and participation in proposed project
  • Must perform the project within the geographic area in which applying
  • Must demonstrate proof of partnership (formal letter of support)
  • Must have active, identifiable leadership recognized and elected by its members
  • Must demonstrate fiscal accountability and have an established process to manage grant funds that includes a current checking account in the name of the organization
  • Must be a not-for-profit neighborhood organization in good standing and incorporated in the state of Missouri
  • Must have the capacity to complete the proposed project by April 30, 2014

Examples of projects eligible for this grant include, but are not limited to, neighborhood cleanups, community gardens, community art programs and youth development programs.

Technical assistance will be available during the application period to help organizations understand the program and navigate the application requirements. The City will review all applications and select viable projects based on selection criteria.

Organizations will receive grant funds on a reimbursement basis, for eligible expenses incurred, based on neighborhood matching contributions. To earn the matching grant, the neighborhood group must make a contribution – donated labor, professional services, etc. – that is assigned a fair value ($15 per hour). For each $1 of donated time, labor or materials, the neighborhood group earns $1 of matching grant funds up to $2,000.

For more information about the reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, please contact Tiffany Drummer, Neighborhood Services Division, at 816-513-3210.

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