Press release from the City of Asheville:
The City of Asheville’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.
The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until the maximum of 14 projects are awarded.
Established in 2021 by Asheville City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 33 projects, resulting in $159,110 in city funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.
The city’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”
What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?
The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.
Physical improvement
Neighborhood identity
Community building events
Public safety
Marketing and branding
Organizational development and capacity building
Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)
Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations
A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.
“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.
The City will host a drop-in workshop for those interested in learning about the Neighborhood Matching Grant program on February 19, 4-6 p.m. at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center.
The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.
Find a copy of this press release on the City’s website.
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