City Of Grand Rapids: City Opens Next Round Of Match Fund Entries

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

December 01, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City is once again partnering with its residents on projects that bring neighbors together to learn, build relationships and celebrate our community.

Beginning today and throughout December, the City will be accepting Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) proposals and ideas for projects taking place between March 1 and August 31, 2022. It will award contracts ranging from $500 to $5,000 for collaborative and diverse resident-led community projects that focus on COVID-19 resident resiliency and recovery, equity and engagement opportunities, and projects that increase the overall quality of life in neighborhoods.

Grand Rapids residents and community-based organizations are encouraged to apply HERE through December 31. NMF projects must be led by a Grand Rapids resident who is from the community that will be impacted by the project.

“Since the program began in 2017, we have helped fund 145 resident-lead projects totaling over $500,000,” Stacy Stout, director of equity and engagement, said. “Talent lives here, and this investment has made a positive impact in the lives of so many of our neighbors.”

The NMF project coordinator and Office of Equity and Engagement (OEE) team will review submitted applications for completeness and alignment to the stated NMF objectives. Following this review, the approved project ideas will be evaluated by a diverse community led team for recommendation and final approval.

Approved project ideas will move forward to the contracting process by having each project leader meet one on one with the NMF coordinator and/or team to create shared understanding on project scope, outline the expectations and outcomes, discuss strategies for intentional and inclusive project outreach and brainstorm how the event or opportunity can be designed to foster relationship-building among residents.

The City will host a December 6 virtual information session for residents and community groups wanting to learn more about the Neighborhood Match Fund. The 6 p.m. hour-long session will be streamed on the City of Grand Rapids Equity and Engagement’s Facebook page. Residents or organizations can get additional information about the program by emailing nmf@grcity.us or visiting grandrapidsmi.gov/nmf.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed here are the author’s own.