We’re proud to announce funding for 120 resident-led projects
Our Grant Making Committee of 23 residents from Cleveland and East Cleveland has approved $288,672 in grants to support 120 different projects in Cleveland and East Cleveland.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the county’s public funder for arts and culture, will co-fund 44 of the resident-led arts and culture projects.
Highlights of the grants
Bus Stop Moves – Collinwood was awarded $3,690 for Bus Stop Moves. Residents will have the opportunity to exercise at local bus stops while waiting for the bus. Each stop will have a different theme with different exercises.
Riverside Park Community Outreach Committee was awarded $2,000 for Reaching for the Stars: Science Discovery in our Community and Beyond, which will offer activities in Kamm’s Corners for community youth that focus on science, nature, and the environment.
Put Your Best Food Forward was awarded $780 for Back to Fatherhood. The goal of this project in Old Brooklyn is to help fathers who were once incarcerated rebuild healthy relationships with their children through events such as a dinner and trip to the zoo.
Fulton West Block Club was awarded $4,950 for City Repair @ Newark Creek Court in Clark-Fulton. Neighbors will come together to paint a river mural on the Newark Court alleyway. This project is part of a series of projects neighbors have done to revitalize the alleys in the neighborhood. Recently, Cleveland City Council passed legislation to allow street painting in certain circumstances based on the work of the Fulton West Block Club neighbors.
Artist Michael Mishaga with the design for the river mural. Photo by Janet Century Photography.
“The power is with the people,” said Tom O’Brien, program director of Neighborhood Connections. “These projects demonstrate that neighbors can work together to address issues in their own neighborhoods,” he said. Since 2003, Neighborhood Connections has awarded more than 2,375 grants totaling more than $7.78 million to support resident-led grassroots projects in neighborhoods.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture invested $75,000 in Neighborhood Connections in 2016 to support additional community-based arts and culture activities organized by and for Cuyahoga County residents. Through this partnership with Neighborhood Connections, CAC has co-funded 222 resident-led arts and culture projects in Cleveland and East Cleveland since 2013.
“Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is proud to support projects that help connect Cuyahoga County residents to arts and culture,” said Karen Gahl-Mills, CEO and executive director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. “Our partnership with Neighborhood Connections leverages public funds to bring additional vibrant programs and events to Cleveland neighborhoods.”
Project list
For a complete list of Neighborhood Connections grants awarded, click here.
About the grants
Neighborhood Connections’ grant program offers grants of up to $5,000 twice a year in May and November to groups of residents in Cleveland and East Cleveland who organize projects to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Groups are encouraged to work with partners, and to propose creative solutions to challenges in their community. The next deadline to apply for a grant from Neighborhood Connections is August 12, 2016. Find out more information here.
