The East Tennessee Foundation, with the support of the City of Knoxville and in partnership with the City of Knoxville Community Development Department, announces the recipients of the 2011 Neighborhoods Small Grants Program (NSGP). Sixteen low-to-moderate income neighborhoods located in Knoxville are being awarded with grants totaling $29,770 to support projects which aid in strengthening their communities.
The 2011 recipients are resident-run neighborhood organizations and crime watch groups that have developed and executed their own solutions and responses to neighborhood issues, opportunities and problems. Funded projects will result in stronger neighborhoods and increase the capacity of neighborhood organizations to implement successful projects, as neighborhood residents work together for common purposes.
Grants from the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program have been awarded to benefit the following neighborhood organizations: Beaumont Community Organization; Cold Springs Neighborhood Watch; Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch; Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association; Fourth and Gill Neighborhood Organization; Green Hills Residents Association; Highland Neighbors Association; Lyons View Community Group; Mechanicsville Community Association; Mechanicsville Neighborhood Watch Association; Old North Knoxville, Inc.; Parkridge Community Organization; Pond Gap Neighborhood Association; South Knoxville Neighborhood & Business Coalition; Town Hall East, Inc., and Vestal Community Organization. Projects supported range from creating community gardens and community parks to organizing annual community celebrations and National Night Out activities.
For further grant recipient information, please see provided list below.
The Neighborhoods Small Grants Program, managed through East Tennessee Foundation, was founded in 1991 from a challenge grant from the Charles StewartMott Foundation. Since its establishment, the program has awarded over $489,000 to local neighborhoods. The program is made possible with funding support from Knoxville City Council.
East Tennessee Foundation, established in 1986, is a regional community foundation serving 25 counties in East Tennessee.
Here is a complete list of the award winners and their projects:
1. Beaumont Community Organization
$2,500
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Beaumont Community Organization will host a community fair to bring neighborhood residents together for a day of family activities, music, and food.
2. Cold Springs Neighborhood Watch
$1,770
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Cold Spring Neighborhood Watch residents will prepare a community flower garden to bring neighborhood residents together and beautify a once-blighted area.
3. Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch
$3,000
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch will support the Odd Fellows Scholars Program, which is designed to elevate the academic, social, and technical skills of young people residing in the Walter P. Taylor Homes area.
4. Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association
$600
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association will print and mail newsletters, organize a neighborhood block party, and design a sign to advertise the party.
5. Fourth and Gill Neighborhood Organization $2,000
The Communications Committee will continue production of the newsletter, flyers and posters announcing neighborhood events.
6. Green Hills Residents Association
$2,000
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Green Hills Residents Association will promote healthy lifestyles among residents, as well as landscape and enhance the grassy areas outside Green Hills Learning Center.
7. Highland Neighbors Association
$1,000
Fiscal Sponsor: Legacy Parks Foundation
Highland Neighbors Association will complete an additional phase of Highland Park, to make park access safer for pedestrians.
8. Lyons View Community Group
$2,500
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Lyons View Community Group will continue its improvements to their community center, as a neighborhood gathering place.
9. Mechanicsville Community Association
$2,000
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Mechanicsville's annual Homecoming Festival will bring community members together, build neighborhood pride, and promote educational achievements and community history.
10. Mechanicsville Neighborhood Watch Association
$1,200
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Mechanicsville Neighborhood Watch Association will install neighborhood watch signs, neighborhood signs, and window decals as well as mount public trash bins.
11. Old North Knoxville, Inc.
$2,000
Neighborhood visibility will be improved by installing neighborhood banner signs at identified entrances to the neighborhood.
12. Parkridge Community Organization
$2,000
The First Annual Parkridge Food Festival will highlight neighborhood food, gardening and music.
13. Pond Gap Neighborhood Association
$500
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Pond Gap Neighborhood Association's Neighborhood Night Out event will bring residents and local businesses together with members of the police and fire departments and other public officials.
14. South Knoxville Neighborhood & Business Coalition
$2,000
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
South Knoxville Neighborhood & Business Coalition will create a Welcome Packet for new residential owners and renters in single family homes.
15. Town Hall East, Inc.
$2,500
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Town Hall East, Inc. will begin the third phase of developing a neighborhood pocket park.
16. Vestal Community Organization
$2,200
Fiscal Sponsor: East Tennessee Community Design Center
Vestal Community Organization will publish a neighborhood newsletter, organize National Night Out activities, and design reusable yard signs announcing neighborhood meetings.
Total Funding Awarded:
$29,770