Neighborhood Matching Grants Last updated or reviewed on September 7, 2023 What are Neighborhood Matching Grants? The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program (NMG) helps Asheville’s neighborhood-based organizations fund various improvement projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000. The program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and create projects for the benefit of their communities. The City of Asheville’s goal is to: Build neighborhood capacity and increase civic participation Empower neighborhoods to self-determine improvement projects Create and strengthen partnerships between the City and community groups Who can apply? Eligible recipients of NMG funds must meet the following requirements: Must represent a specific geographic location within Asheville city limits Completed or in the process of completing their “Neighborhood Registration Form” Are a neighborhood-based organization (Neighborhood Associations, Homeowners Associations, Neighborhood Coalition, and Resident Organizations in Tax Credit Funded Communities) What types of projects can be funded? Asheville’s Neighborhood Matching Grants program aims to fund projects or programs that produce shared benefits with the goal of improving the neighborhood’s quality of life. Any project that is submitted must meet the following criteria: Be achievable within 12 months on contract execution Occur within Asheville’s city limits Provide a public benefit and be accessible to all members of the community Be planned, organized and implemented by community members Must provide a dollar-for-dollar match At least 50% of the match must be matched in volunteer hours Cash, in-kind donation of goods or services can be used to make up the other 50% match Neighborhoods are encouraged to submit creative project ideas. There are a variety of projects that can be supported with NMG including: landscaping, murals. community art, cultural festivals, traffic calming, public safety, marketing and branding, organizational development and more. See the complete list of project applications from 2021 – 2023 on the Program Dashboard. How can your neighborhood apply? Applications are closed for the 2023 funding cycle. In 2024, Neighborhood Matching Grants will move to a rolling application and awards cycle. Applications will reopen on January 1, 2024. You can apply for a Neighborhood Matching Grant by following these steps: Confirm your neighborhood’s eligibility. Review the NMG Program Policies. Select your neighborhood’s project. Submit a completed application. Register as a Vendor with the City of Asheville. Have questions? Check out this FAQ Document. Workshop Presentation Interested in applying? Be sure to watch the pre-recorded Application Webinar (click on video above). Here is a link to the presentation slides: NMG Program Basics and Eligible Activities Contact Information Meredith Friedheim Neighborhood Services Specialist 828-712-3027