East Tennessee Foundation (ETF), the City of Knoxville Community Development Department, Knoxville Major Bill Haslam, and Knoxville City Council are pleased to announce that funding is available through the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program (NSGP) to support projects in 2009. Low- to moderate-income neighborhoods and crime watch groups located in Knoxville are encouraged to apply for grants ranging from $500.00 to $3,000.00. The application deadline is Monday, March 16, 2009 (postmark date).

Organizations eligible for funding must be community-based groups run by residents who develop and execute their own solutions to neighborhood issues and problems. The Neighborhoods Small Grants Program, managed through East Tennessee Foundation, strives to strengthen Knoxville's low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, by supporting a wide range of community-based initiatives through grants and technical assistance.

Proposals which will be given the highest consideration are those which propose projects that will strengthen the capacity of the neighborhood to build social capital, that is, the ability of neighborhood residents to work together for common purposes. The 2009 NSGP will support projects occurring between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010.

At least one representative from each neighborhood organization or crime watch group that is interested in applying for a grant is required to attend a Pre-Application Workshop at Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine Street, Knoxville, TN 37917, on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 5:30 � 7:00 p.m. Neighborhood organizations may determine their eligibility to apply for funding and register with the City of Knoxville�s Office of Neighborhoods by attending the workshop or by contacting David Massey, Neighborhood Coordinator, at 865-215-3232 or by e-mail at [email protected].

NSGP was founded in 1991 from a challenge grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Since its establishment, the program has awarded over $500,000 to local neighborhoods. The program is made possible with funding support from the City of Knoxville's Community Development Department.

The application and guidelines are available online at www.easttennesseefoundation.org. To request a copy or for information, contact Jan Elston, Senior Program Officer for East Tennessee Foundation, at 865-524-1223 or [email protected].