Renton – Investing In Our Neighborhoods

RENTON: The City of Renton announces its second round of grants for the 2008 Neighborhood Grant Program. The program is dedicated to stimulating community projects that build stronger neighborhoods, stimulate resident-driven solutions and build partnerships between the city and its neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Matching Grants for 2008

For more information contact:

• Norma McQuiller, Neighborhood Coordinator 425-430-6595
• Preeti Shridhar, Communications Director 425-430-6569

RENTON: The City of Renton announces its second round of grants for the 2008 Neighborhood Grant Program. The program is dedicated to stimulating community projects that build stronger neighborhoods, stimulate resident-driven solutions and build partnerships between the city and its neighborhoods. The grants are available to residents who have organized themselves to plan and implement projects for the purpose of improving their neighborhoods.

The Neighborhood Grant Program provides matching funds to organized neighborhood associations that draw membership from a commonly recognized geographic neighborhood in Renton or ad hoc groups of neighbors who form an organization to work on a specific project.

The total amount of grant funds available in this round of funding for neighborhood projects is $8,947. The amount of matching grant funds allocated to neighborhoods is based on a project’s worthiness as determined by Renton City Council upon the recommendation of an interdepartmental team of city staff. Grant projects are evaluated and selected based on several criteria including planning, neighborhood support, sweat equity, need, final project maintenance and benefit to the general public.

Grant projects can include physical improvements and/or newsletter projects.

Physical projects include those that build or enhance a feature of the neighborhood or benefit the general public. Examples of neighborhood improvement projects eligible for funds include:

• improvements and/or identity signage for neighborhood entries and gateways
• landscaping of traffic islands, streetscapes or portions of rights-of-way
• improvements to urban parks and public amenities (benches, sculptures, gardens)
• beautification of trails or play areas
• neighborhood clean-up
• community gardens
• projects that involve and/or benefit youth
• neighborhood events

Newsletters:
Neighborhood associations that are officially recognized by the city’s Neighborhood program are also eligible to apply for grants for the cost of producing and distributing newsletters. If applying for both a physical improvement project and a newsletter project, separate grant applications must be submitted.

Grant applications are due on Friday, October 10, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. (email or fax copies not accepted).

On Wednesday, September 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the city will host a Neighborhood Grant Workshop at Renton City Hall, 7th floor Council Conference Room (1055 South Grady Way). RSVP’s are not mandatory, but would be appreciated by Tuesday, September 16.

If you would like to receive a grant application or need additional information, please contact:

• Norma McQuiller, Neighborhood Coordinator, at 425-430-6595 or by email at nmcquiller@ci.renton.wa.us or
• Wendy Kirchner, Neighborhood Program Assistant, at 425-430-6594 or by email at wkirchner@ci.renton.wa.us.

The application is also available online at rentonwa.gov; click on Neighborhoods, then go to Neighborhood Grant Program.