The second phase of Neighborhood Matching Grants will open for applications on June 20, bringing City investments into Asheville’s neighborhoods.
The Neighborhood Matching Grant program was created in 2021 with three main goals:
- Build neighborhood capacity and increase civic participation;
- Empower neighborhoods to self-determine improvement projects; and
- Create and strengthen partnerships between the City and community groups
The first phase, launched in October 2021, funded projects in 14 neighborhoods that ranged from community garden education, to block parties, to sidewalk repairs and fence beautification.
Applications for this year’s program will be accepted from June 20 to July 29, 2022. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds which they will then match through volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.
“This program brings people together,” says Kristina Israel, Community Engagement Manager with the City’s Communication and Public Engagement Department. “We’ve seen residents collaborating to dream up, design and create projects that solve problems and make their neighborhoods more livable. I encourage anyone who is interested to find out more and talk to their neighbors about the program.”
Any project that is submitted must meet the following criteria:
- Be achievable within 12 months on 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)