NECN 2011 Small Grants Program for Neighborhood Projects & Graffiti Clean-up

Have you been thinking about doing a project to enhance your neighborhood and wondered where to get funding to make your good idea a reality? Consider applying for a grant through NECN!

In partnership with the City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) is offering $23,794 in small grant funds and $6,650 in graffiti abatement funds to neighborhood, business and community-based groups. NECN will offer $1,000-$4,000 per project within the Neighborhood Small Grant program and up to $2,500 per graffiti abatement project.

The goal of these two grant programs is to provide opportunities for building community in the Gulch and increasing and sustaining involvement in our neighborhood association(SGNA), district coalition(NECN) and the community at-large. Preference will be given to proposals submitted on behalf of or in direct partnership with one or more of the following:

·         Neighborhood Associations  

·         Organizations - predominantly led by people from historically under-engaged communities          including communities of color, immigrants and refugees, youth, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities

·         Business Associations or individual businesses   

Past projects funded by NECN include community orchards, tours of African American murals, afterschool programs, community outreach projects, website design, murals, graffiti clean-up and multicultural festivals.

 New this year, NECN is funding community economic development projects ranging from collaborative branding of the neighborhood through neighborhood and business association partnerships, to paying youth as they learn about community engagement and outreach.

  NECN will also offer two separate trainings to help neighborhood volunteers and community members create strong proposals: Basic Orientation and a hands-on, interactive Small Grant Workshop.

Basic Orientation.   September 21, 2011 6-8pm

This informational session will answer questions about the application, the committee review process, what funds can be used for and NECN’s unique priorities. The session will also include a brief overview of basic grant writing tips. RSVP to Imani at 503-823-4264 or imani@necoalition.org.

 Small Grant Workshop.  October 6, 2011  7-8:30pm

This workshop is meant to give grant applicants a chance to receive direct feedback on how to make their proposals stronger. Draft proposal in hand, participants will pair up and review one another’s drafts. Partners will give each other feedback about what works and what might need revision. RSVP to Katy at 503-823-4135 or katy@necoalition.org.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 1 by 5:00PM.

To download the grant application, visit: www.necoalition.org

For more information about NECN’s Neighborhood Small Grant and Graffiti Abatement Grant Programs, contact Imani Muhammad, Community Initiatives Coordinator at 503-823-4264 or imani@necoalition.org or Katy Asher, Neighborhoods Program Coordinator, 503-823-4135, katy@necoalition.org.