LIVING UNITED
2011, ISSUE II
Neighborhood Partnership Grants Improve Neighborhoods
Almost $1.4 Million invested Since 2007 Building vibrant neighborhoods has long been a priority of United Way of Central Ohio’s work. Our two 10-year Bold Goals in the area of Home focus on creating safe neighborhoods where people live in safe and decent housing. And we believe that one of the best ways to accomplish these goals is to give engaged residents the tools they need to improve their neighborhoods. To this end, United Way launched a program in the mid-1990s that provided small grants to grassroots organizations that had the will to better their neighborhoods but lacked the funds to get things done. In 2007, this grant program merged with a similar effort by The Columbus Foundation to become the Neighborhood Partnership Grant program. The Columbus Foundation had partnered for many years with Bob Evans Farms and PNC, and these great corporate citizens have continued to sponsor the combined program. In 2008, the effort expanded again when Osteopathic Heritage Foundations joined as a sponsor. Over the years, 274 grassroots community organizations, civic associations, faith-based groups and area commissions have received grants that have helped them improve their neighborhoods by creating community gardens, organizing block watches, establishing public art projects and festivals, and promoting healthy living. In 2011, $219,000 in grants will be invested in 61 different projects. The grant amounts range from $400 to $10,000 and will help residents make the neighborhoods they call home safe and vibrant places to live. Over the last five years, the Neighborhood Partnership Grant program has supported more than 200 neighborhood improvement projects, investing almost $1.4 million in activities, programs and events that engage residents and advance the common good.
Neighborhood Partnership Grants in Action Plant Pride on Parsons is a great example of how much neighbors can accomplish with the help provided by a Neighborhood Partnership Grant. This is the second year in a row that this project has received a grant, and the results from last year were so impressive that they won a national Keep America Beautiful First Place Beautification Award. On May 15, 2010, the Plant Pride on Parsons Neighborhood Planning Committee, in partnership with Keep Columbus Beautiful and many co-sponsors, hosted a clean-up and beautification event that drew 239 volunteers who collected 3.5 tons of litter, removed graffiti from 12 locations and planted flowers in 31 large painted flower pots permanently placed along Parsons Avenue. This year, the third annual event was held on May 21, and was once again a great success. 133 volunteers came from all parts of the city to join volunteers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Chase, and participants from the eight neighborhoods along the Avenue.
CC Angels Double Dutch program began in 2007, when neighborhood residents on the Near East Side of Columbus realized that the local tradition of Double Dutch jump roping was being lost. This successful program has won three Neighborhood Partnership Grants since then. The program has dedicated volunteers who participate at every level: coaching, mentoring, transporting participants, preparing healthy snacks and organizing events. Its mission is to have a positive impact on the lives of young people by empowering them to realize their own unique value as individuals and as team members through the sport of competitive jump rope. United Way member agency, Central Community House supports the team by providing their facility for practice space and performances.