Eight local nonprofit organizations and groups that were awarded challenge grants in October 2018 have completed their projects.

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department awarded the challenge grants totaling $15,782 to nonprofit organizations and groups that completed beautification projects or upgrades on public properties. 

Reimbursement of the grant award costs was approved by Knoxville City Council on Tuesday, May 22. A final vote is scheduled on June 4. The awards are part of the Department’s 2019 Challenge Grant Program.

The Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department has been awarding challenge grants to nonprofit groups for more than 25 years.

Recipients of a challenge grant are reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of a single project, up to $2,500. The grants were available this year to 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 status community groups, homeowner associations, schools, Scout troops and other organizations.

This year’s awardees included the following nonprofit groups and organizations and their completed projects:

 Trees Knoxville: tree plantings at Victor Ashe Park;
 Ossoli Circle: shade garden at Historic Westwood House;
 Knoxville Botanical Garden: pollinator grove and signage;
 Christenberry Elementary PTA: paved pathway at Christenberry Ball Fields;
 North Hills Garden Club: five stone benches and tree labels on North Hills Boulevard;
 Vestal Community Organization: engraved marble caps for arch at Vestal Gateway Park;
 South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association: bike pump and bike stand at Sam Duff Park; and
 SEEED Inc: pollinator habitat at SEEED.

Previously, challenge grants have been used for projects such as playground equipment, water fountains, benches and landscaping. 

The deadline for the next round of challenge grant applications is May 30, 2019.  

Click here for more information about the Challenge Grant Program.

For more information about Parks and Recreation, visit: www.knoxvilletn.gov/recreation.