Mini-grants for neighborhoods available

Today the city starts taking applications for mini grants up to $2,000 for neighborhood projects.

The application period for the BUILD/KC grants lasts until 5 p.m on June 28. The city press release says projects chosen will be those that foster partnerships, provide a public benefit to the community and can be completed by April 30, 2014.

Also, all grants require a matching contribution of volunteer labor, donated materials and/or in kind services.

More information and grant applications are at www.kcmo.org/neigh or at the Neighborhood Services Division on the fourth floor of City Hall, 414 E. 12^th St.

Some examples of eligible projects are community gardens, neighborhood cleanups, art programs and youth development programs.

To be eligible, groups must meet these criteria:

• Must represent a geographic area, such as a neighborhood or 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
• Must have submitted an annual registered neighborhood summary report from the previous year.

For more information on the program, contact Tiffany Drummer, neighborhood services division at 816-513-3210.