Grant awarded to the Mount Clare Community Council and mural by Arts and Parks

Clean, vibrant, beautiful streets and public spaces are central to a community that people want to live in. Research shows that living near blight and uncared for public spaces negatively impacts mental health while public art, community gardens, and other projects that make our neighborhood streets and public spaces safer, more accessible, and more beautiful benefit the whole community. The Vision Plan identifies a number of projects which increase the vibrancy of streets and public spaces and increase positive programming and activities in our public spaces. Some of these projects have been funded through our Neighborhood Grants program!

Through grant funding, the Southwest Partnership is able to provide grants, usually up to $5,000 to community members for capital projects that 

  • Increase the vibrancy of streets and public spaces
  • Improve the quality of life for current residents
  • Reduce or prevent blight
  • Increase and encourage community engagement and use of public spaces

Past projects funded have included murals and other public art, improved lighting in public spaces, neighborhood signs, and improvements at community parks and gardens. Neighborhood associations, block groups, and other community groups in the Southwest Partnership area are eligible to apply, and the grant program funds capital projects that will make a lasting, physical change to the neighborhoods.

Applications for the Neighborhood Grant Program are currently closed–we expect them to reopen in Spring 2021. Check back here for more information! 

In the meantime, check out some of the completed projects that have been funded in the past for more information, take a look at our master list of funded projects, and review the Spring 2020 application materials for an idea on how to apply. For more information please contact Elizabeth Weber at elizabeth@swpbal.org