Ten of Asheville’s neighborhoods have been approved for matching grants of up to $5,000 to fund self-directed projects.
In 2021, the City of Asheville launched the Neighborhood Matching Grants program to support three main goals:
- Build neighborhood capacity and increase civic participation;
- Empower neighborhoods to self-determine improvement projects; and
- Create and strengthen partnerships between the City and community groups
For round two of the grant program, the City received sixteen applications for projects that ranged from neighborhood capacity building and community celebrations to environmental conservation and infrastructure improvements. Of those proposals, ten were selected by a panel of City staff for funding. They are:
| Neighborhood | Project Name |
|
Shiloh |
Shiloh Fun Day |
|
Oakhurst |
Mountainside Park Invasive Species Control |
|
East End/Valley Street |
EEVS Community Heritage Festival |
|
WECAN |
WECAN / NCDOT ROW Beautification 2022-2023 |
|
Montford |
Kudzu removal on the Reed Creek Greenway |
|
Kenilworth Forest |
Kenilworth Forest Neighborhood Upper Park Phase 1 |
|
Southside United |
Building Community In Historic Southside |
|
South French Broad |
Aston Park Disc Golf Course |
|
Kenilworth Residents’ Association |
Gibson Creek Restoration & Upkeep |
|
Beaverdam Valley |
BVNA Community Informatics Project |
Projects were selected based on criteria that included neighborhood need, project sustainability, resident participation and collaboration with community-based organizations.
“The City is proud to partner with neighborhoods on this grant program,” said Kristina Israel, Community Engagement Manager. “We heard from last year’s grant recipients that their projects brought neighbors together in new and positive ways. I’m excited to see the impact that this next round of funding will have in the community.”
Applications for the 2023 grant cycle will be announced next spring. For more information about the Neighborhood Matching Grants program, visit the City’s website.