We are pleased to announced that eight projects were awarded Fall 2023 Neighborhood Mini-Grants for a total of award allocation of $4,892.  All in all in 2023, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program had its biggest year ever, awarding 21 projects a total of $15,392. 

Here’s a bit more information about each awarded project:

• PROJECT: “Explore and Connect” by Lake Erie Ink; AWARD: $1,000. This 3-day program will take place during Spring Break 2024. Here, students from Noble and Oxford will learn more about their neighborhood by conducting interviews with Heights leaders.  Students will then write about their experiences and have their work on display around the neighborhood. Funds will support the program facilitation and supplies.

• PROJECT: “Noble Pride – A Thoughtful Makeover” by Noble Elementary PTA; AWARD: $1,000. PTA members will collaborate with students, school staff, and neighbors to give the exterior of the elementary school a makeover. They believe that the perception of safety is tied to a sense of cleanliness and care for a space – and how that can have a ripple effect out into the surrounding neighborhood. PTA members view this project as a reflection of neighborhood pride while encouraging respect, humility, and compassion for all stakeholders. Funds will support paying an artist to work with the group to create some public art, hosting a celebration, and purchasing materials to help with the neighborhood cleanup aspect of the project.

• PROJECT: “Heights Halloween Festival” by Dobama Theatre; AWARD: $750. This annual event is a beloved tradition that seems to be growing every year and allows for Dobama Theatre to develop connections with youth and families in the community.  Funds will support the inclusion of festival artists and performers.

• PROJECT: “Noble Pride – A Thoughtful Makeover” by Noble Elementary PTA; AWARD: $1,000. PTA members will collaborate with students, school staff, and neighbors to give the exterior of the elementary school a makeover. They believe that the perception of safety is tied to a sense of cleanliness and care for a space – and how that can have a ripple effect out into the surrounding neighborhood. PTA members view this project as a reflection of neighborhood pride while encouraging respect, humility, and compassion for all stakeholders. Grant dollars will support paying an artist to work with the group to create some public art, hosting a celebration, and purchasing materials to help with the neighborhood cleanup aspect of the project.

• PROJECT: “Lantern Festival” by Coventry PEACE Inc.; AWARD: $500. This popular event, coming up on Saturday, December 9, has seen steady growth over the last few years and is expected to draw even more this year. Their programming includes lantern making (a family-friendly activity) as well as a community-participation parade through Coventry Village.  Grant funds will support the inclusion of artists and performers at the Festival.

• PROJECT: “Coventry Village Holiday Festival” by Coventry Special Improvement District; AWARD: $500. This annual December holiday event, scheduled this year for Saturday, December 9, draws attention to the business district and supports the local economy.  For this year’s festivities, event organizers are working to engage even more with the merchants, especially restaurants that are typically closed in the evening when the festival occurs.  Funds support the purchase of materials needed to execute the event.

• PROJECT: “The Heights Community Land Trust” by Boulevard Neighbors; AWARD: $350. ​A Community Land Trust is a model for perpetually affordable home ownership in which a nonprofit owns and manages the land, individuals own the homes on the land, and the land is managed by a board of directors including the homeowners, other community members and people with expertise. The homes are bought at an affordable price, with a deed restriction requiring that they sell it at an affordable price, albeit with some equity, which allows the owner to build equity while ensuring that the property remains perpetually affordable. Boulevard Neighbors’ goal is to start a pilot project with a single property by the summer of 2024, with the potential to expand to additional properties if this pilot project is deemed successful.  Funds will support the group’s creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• PROJECT: “Cain Park Beautification, 2024 Phase” by Friends of Cain Park; AWARD: $250. This popular event, coming up on Saturday, December 9, has seen steady growth over the last few years and is expected to draw even more this year. Their programming includes lantern making (a family-friendly activity) as well as a community-participation parade through Coventry Village.  Grant funds will support the inclusion of artists and performers at the Festival.

Learn more about our program  here. 

Any questions, Sarah has answers – contact her at swolf@futureheights.org.