Grand Rapids Reporter

The City is once again partnering with community members on projects that bring neighbors together to learn, build relationships and celebrate our community.

Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) proposals and ideas for projects taking place between March and August 2024 will be accepted through the end of this month. The Fund awards contracts ranging from $500 to $5,000 for Grand Rapids resident-led projects that are community focused, inclusive, promote a deeper sense of belonging among neighbors and 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, the City has helped fund 245 resident-lead projects totaling more than $500,000. Talent lives here, and this investment has made a positive impact in the lives of so many of our neighbors.

The NMF project liaison 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.

Community members or organizations can get additional information about the program by emailing nmf@grcity.us or visiting grandrapidsmi.gov/nmf.

Original source can be found here.