Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:
Buncombe County Recreation Services has opened the 2018-2019 cycle of Community Recreation Grants. The grants focus on supplemental funding for qualified organizations within Buncombe County to promote recreational, fitness, and health and wellness initiatives as well as community-based activities and capital improvements that increase recreational opportunities for the communities served. Grants may range in amounts from $500 – $6,000, depending on the amount of funding available and the number of qualifying applicants.
Eligible entities include Buncombe County non-profits focused on recreational, fitness, and health and wellness activities. These funds are intended to be a leveraging tool that promote partnerships between the County and area non-profits and are not a donation, funding stream, or sponsorship opportunity. Programs applying for funding should assist Buncombe County Recreation Services in achieving its mission and are required to provide clear timelines and explanations regarding funding requests. The objective of the grants is to extend the reach of the County in its recreation focus areas; grant applicants are required to articulate the estimated impact the grants will have on the community.
The mission of Buncombe County Recreation Services is to improve the quality of life within our community by providing high quality recreational facilities, opportunities for social interaction, and programming, which encourages health and wellness through active lifestyles.
During the 2017-2018 funding cycle, the Swannanoa Community Council received a $6,000 community recreation grant that helped provide money to design and construct a new Pavilion to serve as a permanent performance venue/stage in the Grovemont Park. The park has a long history of hosting successful community events such as the Book Jam, Groovin’ on Grovemont Concert Series, Cinema on the Square (outdoor movie series) and other programming. With this grant, the Swannanoa Community Council was able to leverage additional funding through other grants and private donations to leverage a $40,000+ total project budget.
George Scott, Treasurer for the Swannanoa Community Council, said, “The Buncombe County Park & Recreation grant funding provided the financial “spark” that inspired significant other grant funding and individual contributions from the community resulting in the creation of the Grovemont Park Performance Pavilion, a structure that will serve the Swannanoa Valley for generations!”
The grant application deadline is Friday, October 19, 2018. Late applications will be rejected. The Community Recreation Grant Committee will review the applications during October/November with all organizations being notified via e-mail no later than Friday, November 16, 2018.
The complete rules and regulations and the grant application, can be viewed at buncomberecreation.org.
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