All in all in 2023, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program had its biggest year ever, awarding 21 projects a total of $15,392. On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, we held an evening of story-sharing and celebration where the 2023 award recipients talked about their incredible community-building efforts and initiatives in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINI-GRANT PROGRAM: The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant award (up to $1,000) is for citizen-led projects that benefit Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhoods. The intention of the Neighborhood Mini-Grants program is to offer support to Cleveland Heights and University Heights groups who wish to build community by working together to start or sustain a neighborhood project or initiative. Since 2015, we are proud to have provided mini-grant funding to 95 projects for a total of $65,930 awarded.

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Any questions about the celebration OR the mini-grant program, please connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

Click here for more program info.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS, THE CEDARS LEGACY FUND FOR PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM.

There’s no time like the present to bring your dream neighborhood project to life.  The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant can offer up to $1,000 in funding for community-building efforts being made by citizen-led projects in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

Deadline to apply for Spring 2024 is Friday, March 15th.

LINK TO APPLICATION HERE

Learn more about the program here.

Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

Get ready for Year 3 of our conversation-based forum series that brings Heights residents together to talk about topics that matter to us all.

Voting to determine our 2024 topics took place from December 1, 2023 until January 5, 2024.  We were thrilled to see an increase of 229% in this phase of voting.  Thank you to everyone who filled out a ballot!

The Top 4 Topics are:

1. Looking at Severance Town Center as a Case Study: How Can Heights Residents Become Meaningfully Involved
2. Turning the Noble Neighborhood & Business District Into a Destination
3. Our Public Park
4. Active Transportation Planning: Living Less Car-Centric in the Heights

Stay tuned for more information about when each topic will be featured in the program.

WE BELIEVE “EVERYDAY RESIDENTS” HOLD IMMENSE POTENTIAL TO GENERATE CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITY!

If you are interested in becoming a Crowdsourced Conversations volunteer, please complete this form.

Any questions, kindly connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

More program info here.

YOU’RE INVITED TO CELEBRATE WITH US!

All in all in 2023, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program had its biggest year ever, awarding 21 projects a total of $15,392. Join us for an evening of story-sharing and celebration as this year’s award recipients talk about their incredible community-building efforts and initiatives in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

This event was hosted virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, February 6 starting at 6pm. View it here on YouTube.

ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINI-GRANT PROGRAM:

The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant award (up to $1,000) is for citizen-led projects that benefit Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhoods. The intention of the Neighborhood Mini-Grants program is to offer support to Cleveland Heights and University Heights groups who wish to build community by working together to start or sustain a neighborhood project or initiative. Since 2015, we are proud to have provided mini-grant funding to 95 projects for a total of $65,930 awarded. Check out past projects and learn more when you the Neighborhood Mini-Grants Projects 2023 End of Year report.

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Any questions about the celebration OR the mini-grant program, please connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS, THE CEDARS LEGACY FUND FOR PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5th IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!

In 2022, we discussed ways for residents to get more actively involved in Sustainability, Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, Community Safety, and Civic Engagement.  In 2023, we talked about Our Public Schools, Traveling Around Town, Building Community with Renters and Landlords, and Planning and Development in the Heights.

VOTE HERE

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to enjoy the HOP with us on September 23rd!  We’d appreciate hearing your feedback about our event.  Please take a few minutes to fill out a brief survey to let us know about your experience at the Heights Music Hop.  Click here to get started.

2023 Heights Music Hop – Presented by FutureHeights in Partnership with the City of Cleveland Heights

Celebrating 10 Years!
Saturday, September 23, 10am to 12pm – Noble Gardeners’ Market at Roanoke Noble Gardens

Saturday, September 23, 6pm to 10pm – Cedar Lee Business District

The Annual Heights Music Hop is a one of kind music festival combining great local music with local businesses in Cleveland Heights to support local shopping, businesses, and musicians while promoting the Heights as a great place to live, own a business or visit.

Volunteers Wanted!  If you are interested in the coolest volunteer gig this fall, fill out our 2023 Heights Music Hop Volunteer Form.

Questions about volunteering? Contact Brenda Bailey, bbailey@futureheights.org or call 216-320-1423

Learn more about the venues & the lineups here.

Thanks to everyone who attended our event on Thursday, November 2nd!

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How Crowdsourced Conversations flows:

Step One: The Survey!

• The purpose of our survey is to reach as many Heights stakeholders as possible in order to generate meaningful action-oriented small group discussion questions for our event on the topic.
• This survey iss live September 1-September 30, 2023.

Step Two:  The Data!

• Once the survey closes, we will generate a report to share the results.  This report will be housed on the FutureHeights website and will be shared with community partners, elected officials, and more.
• We will also use the survey results to generate small group discussion questions for our Crowdsourced Conversations event on the topic.

Step Three: The Conversation!

• All Heights residents/stakeholders are encouraged to participate in our Crowdsourced Conversations forum.
• While there will be brief opening remarks by guest speakers, this forum series emphasizes the small group discussions that are action-oriented and strengths-based.
• This event will take place Thursday, November 2nd from 7pm-8:30pm at the Lee Road Library, Meeting Room A. RSVP here.
  • This event is free to attend and will be in-person only.
  • Each attendee should register separately.
  • If you are returning CC’23 participant, you will be reunited with your group members so you can continue building your connections with them.

Step Four: The Follow-up! 

• After our forum night, all event participants will have the opportunity to stay connected to the other members of their small group discussion and will receive electronic copies of the survey report and any other resources utilized during the event.
• All event participants will also be able to help us co-create a Resource Page on the forum topic that will live on the FutureHeights website.

This forum series will be an opportunity to connect with other Heights residents about topics that impact us in a variety of overlapping ways. We hope you can join us for all four conversations! Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

THANK YOU!

This forum series is being planned in partnership with FutureHeights Community & Civic Engagement Committee, Reaching Heights, CH-UH Libraries, Home Repair Resource Center, City of Cleveland Heights Racial Justice Task Force, Racial Inequity Repair Committee of Forest Hill Church, Cleveland Heights Green Team, representatives of Cleveland Heights City Council, and more.  Thank you for the joy, wisdom, and enthusiasm you bring to the table!

MORE FORUM DETAILS HERE.

The Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Series (NLWS) program invites applicants from Cleveland Heights residents/business owners.  Additionally, for the first time since the program began in 2015, we will also have a few spots for University Heights residents/business owners as well.

Please note: SPACE IN THE PROGRAM IS LIMITED and as of January 2, 2024, this year’s cohort is full!  Interested residents should continue to submit their applications all the way up until the January 12 deadline to be placed on the waitlist, in case a spot opens up.

More program details here.

We are thrilled to welcome Brenda Bailey and Kasia Bufford to the FutureHeights staff!

Brenda Bailey
Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator

Brenda moved to Cleveland Heights in 2020 and quickly adopted the catchphrase “and I can walk there from my house!” She loves the accessibility and diversity of this city, and embraces its shop local philosophy. Brenda comes to FutureHeights with a background in higher education and publishing and a commitment to civic engagement. A lifelong volunteer herself, she looks forward to building a volunteer base to support FutureHeights programming and the Heights community. If you would like to explore volunteer opportunities, please click here. Contact Brenda at bbailey@futureheights.org.

Kasia Bufford
Heights Music Hop Manager

Kasia is a Cleveland Heights native and resident who possesses a strong passion for music, urban planning, and community development. Currently serving as the Heights Music Hop Manager at FutureHeights, she skillfully combines her background in Youth Development and Non-profit Administration with her love for music to create inclusive spaces that empower young talents and foster connections among diverse communities. Beyond her community work, Kasia is also an accomplished musician, driven by her belief in the unifying and transformative power of music. Dedicated to cultivating vibrant and harmonious environments where every voice is celebrated, she strives to leave a lasting impact on the community she holds dear. Contact Kasia at kbufford@futureheights.org.

Join the Heights Observer staff for one, two, or all three workshops!

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS: The Heights Observer is a hyper-local newspaper that shares community news and events in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.  While the Observer has an editorial and technical staff, all of the content comes from residents like yourself!  These workshops aim to help de-mystify the process of joining the ranks of citizen journalist and bringing your voice into the process.

WORKSHOP #1: How to Write for the Heights Observer – Sept. 12, 7-8:15 pm

• • What we will and won’t publish
  • Asking the right questions
  • Writing made easier
  • News v. opinion
  • Hitting the right length
  • How to submit your article for publication
  • Q&A

WORKSHOP #2: How to Take Better Photos with your Phone (for the Observer and anything else) – Sept. 19, 7-8:15 pm

• What are the elements of a good Observer photo
• Phone photo basics

• • Resolution
  • Composition
  • Lighting
• Q&A

WORKSHOP #3: Understanding How the Observer Works – Oct. 3. 7-8:15 pm

• News v Opinion: How we decide
• Article length: Why it’s limited and how to deal with it
• Why some contributions don’t get published
• Public figures vs. private figures and the different treatment they receive
• Election policy
• Q&A

Register for one, two, or all three of these workshops here.

Advanced registration is required in order for you to receive the Zoom link.  Questions, please reach out to Bob at brosenbaum@heightsobserver.org.