Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
During the budget development for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 we heard clear feedback as part of both the internal and external engagements that new City investments in neighborhoods were very important. In response to that need, City Council passed a budget that included $150,000 from available fund balance (for a total of$200,000) to launch a neighborhood grant program.
What are Neighborhood Matching Grants?
The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program (NMG) helps Asheville’s neighborhood-based organizations fund various improvement projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000 dollars. The program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and create projects for the benefit of their communities.
The City of Asheville’s goal is to:
Build neighborhood capacity and and increase civic participation
Empower neighborhoods to self-determine improvement projects
Create and strengthen partnerships between the City and community groups
Who Can Apply?
Eligible recipients of NMG funds must meet the following requirements: Must represent a specific geographic location within Asheville city limits, completed or in the process of completing their “Plan on a Page,” and are a neighbor-based organization (Neighborhood Associations, Homeowners Associations, Neighborhood Coalition, and Resident Organizations in Tax Credit Funded Communities).
What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?
Asheville’s Neighborhood Matching Grants program aims to fund projects or programs that produce shared benefits with the goal of improving the neighborhood’s quality of life. Any project that is submitted must meet the following criteria:
Be achievable within 12 months of contract execution
Occur within Asheville’s city limits
Provide a public benefit and be accessible to all members of the community
Be planned, organized and implemented by community members
Must provide a dollar-for-dollar match (Cash, Volunteer hours, In-Kind Donation of Goods or Services)
Neighborhoods are encouraged to submit creative project ideas. There are a variety of projects that can be supported with NMG including: Landscaping, Murals, Community Art, Cultural Festivals, Traffic Calming, Public Safety, Marketing and Branding, Organizational Development, and more.
How Can Your Neighborhood Apply?
You can apply for a Neighborhood Matching Grant in five easy steps:
Confirm Your Neighborhood’s Eligibility
Review the NMG Program Materials
Select your neighborhood’s project
Begin Application
Submit the completed application
Timeline
| Application Open Date: | October 1 |
| Applicant Workshop: | October 1 6-7pm |
| Application Close Date: | October 31 |
| Panel Review: | Early November |
Contact Information
Jeremy Lett, Neighborhood Services Specialist