The North End Small Grant Program is offered by the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) in order to help recipients connect people, promote neighborhood pride, encourage community involvement, and support volunteerism. In this way the grant funds are used to provide a public benefit to the whole North End community.
Focused on collaboration and civic engagement, the North End Small Grant Program is closely tied to NECIC’s North End monthly Neighbor Up Night, where residents come together to collaborate toward solutions for neighborhood issues. During Neighbor Up Night, grant applicants present their ideas and are able to receive feedback, generate interest, and sometimes even recruit volunteers.
All grant proposals must meet three specific criteria: the project must promote a public benefit for the North End; the project must address at least one recommendation or topic in NECIC’s Community Economic Development Plan; and each project must be proposed by either three North End residents or two non-profit organizations in the North End or that serve the North End. Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $250 to help successful applicants fund their projects.
Several community members have successfully utilized Small Grant monies to fund various events and projects over the last several years. “Art with Dad,” the annual Brooks-Holmes Basketball Tournament, and the Grace Episcopal Church Trunk-or-Treat are just a few of the events that have been funded. More recently, North End resident Priscilla Coffee received a Small Grant to help her put together a Family and Friends Day last summer at Johns Park, where community members enjoyed food, games, music, and – most of all – togetherness. Brenda Morris used her Small Grant to help her facilitate a Porch Party that brought together community members for fun and fellowship.
Those interested can make contributions to NECIC which they are then able to use for many purposes, including their Small Grant program. Visit www.necic-ohio.org to learn more.
