Neighborhoods Dept. Article

BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS & ENGAGING CITIZENS

Building Neighborhoods and Engaging Citizens

The Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement (DNCE) focuses on three areas:

1. Engaging Citizens 2. Advancing People 3. Building Neighborhoods

DNCE is now located within the Lett’s Community Center 1220 West Kalamazoo St Lansing, MI 48915.

Register with the City of Lansing as a Civic Organization

Civic organizations are primarily place-based organizations that serve a smaller defined area of the City of Lansing. Organizations, while representing unique interests and participating in various social activities, generally focus their efforts on a specific portion of the community but also represent a broad range of stakeholders. The organization must be registered as a non-profit entity with the State of Michigan, or, if not registered, organized as an entity or association with a written Charter or Articles of Organization (or bylaws) that state its purpose; subject to review by the Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement. Decisions about the eligibility of an organization are at the prevue of the City of Lansing’s Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement with the advisement of the Neighborhood Advisory Board. Civic Registration forms can be picked up from the Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement or located online at https://www.lansingmi.gov/387/ Building-Neighborhoods. Organizations must be registered to apply for neighborhood grants and programs.

The Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB)

The Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) is made up of a group of individuals from each ward that provide support and guidance to neighborhoods and other organizations regarding the possibility of receiving a grant. The Neighborhood Grant is a tool to help groups obtain funding for many types of projects, events, and functions that will enhance their area, and bring people together in a positive setting. The creativity is endless in how the funds are spent as long as they follow the simple guidelines within the application. At the end of their project a “Final Report” is due reporting what the funds were spent on, information on the event, how many people attended, and the impact it had on the neighborhood. This report is mandatory from each participating group so we can track how the funds are spent and whether the project was beneficial.

Learn About Neighborhood Grants and How to Apply

The Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement provides the staff support and administrative oversight for the Neighborhood Grant Program. Funding decisions for the Neighborhood Grants are made through the citizen Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Board. The board reviews all applications and through several rounds of deliberation presents a funding recommendation to the Mayor. The DNCE administers the entire process of applications and funds accounting. All projects must directly impact a Lansing Neighborhood. There are two Neighborhood Grants available. A mini grant for $200 and a larger grant for up to $5,000. Registered Civic Organizations can apply for one mini grant, but can apply for multiple larger grants while listing the priority of each application. Check out this Podcast to learn the process to submit your neighborhood grant project: https:// youtu.be/8P_TSMjCmdg.

Neighborhood Programs for Residents and Organizations

DNCE offers Civic Organizations an opportunity to apply for unique neighborhood programs. Lansing Neighborhoods in Bloom is a citywide project to beautify our neighborhoods. Kits will be awarded on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. Kits include flowers that will cover 24 square feet and two bags of colored mulch.

Walking Wednesday is a walk through your neighborhood with neighbors, City officials, City Council members, Lansing Police Officers, and anyone else who may be interested in the assets of your neighborhood, and the areas of improvement or interest. These events are filmed by City TV in the summer and episodes air on Xfinity Channel 16 in the Fall. Please contact the Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement for additional information. Check out this Southwest Lansing Episode filmed in 2020 https://youtu.be/Wv4eizpvPSQ.

BWL Tree Planting Program is a partnership between the City of Lansing and Board of Water and Light that supplies trees to neighborhoods that wish to add more greenery to their scenery. The trees provided are selected and planted by contractors working with BWL and will not grow to damage existing power lines.

Neighborhood Bulk Trash Cleanups are provided in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Planning and paid for by CDBG funding. These events provide bulk trash cleanup to neighborhoods in CDBG eligible areas. Civic organizations must apply to host a cleanup and are responsible for volunteer recruitment, event promotion and coordination with DNCE for day of participation.

Spring Cleanup: Small-Scale Neighborhood Cleanups: this is a new program designed to supply residents with supplies to complete a small neighborhood cleanup. Bags, gloves and additional resources are provided in the spring just after the snow thaws and melts. This can be a solo project or a small group of neighbors looking to get out and help beautify the city.

Applications for all Neighborhood Grants and Programs open in October and close early February.

The link to apply for all programs will be located at https://www.lansingmi.gov/387/Building-Neighborhoods.

Once the applications are available, the webpage will be updated to include links to all applications.