DURHAM, N.C. – Four Durham neighborhood groups will soon embark on improvement projects thanks to funds received through a new City of Durham grant program.

The City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Department has awarded four grants through its new Neighborhood Matching Grants Program, which provides grants up to $2,500 to neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, community watch groups, and resident groups for projects that benefit a neighborhood’s quality of life. Neighborhoods match City funds through volunteer labor, professional services, material donations, and/or cash.

Of the 13 neighborhood groups that applied during the first application session held earlier this summer, four neighborhoods won grants for the following projects:

• Albright Community Association Open Space Re-Design Project: $2,500 grant to implement an open space design, including a picnic area and shade structures, at this community’s central gathering location. This project will increase participation in community activities and the community match for this grant is $2,514.

• Friends of Cherry Grove Park in Old East Durham: $2,500 grant to plan and restore Cherry Grove Park, the only playground in Old East Durham. This project will create a welcoming space for families and children to spend time and play, and help neighbors take ownership of this community asset. The community match for this grant is $3,240.

• Hillside Park Neighborhood Association Neighbors’ Keepers: $1,200 grant for a series of events to build relationships between Hillside Park, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Cornwallis Housing Community, and the Durham Police Department. The community match for this grant is $9,039.

• Southside Neighborhood Association’s Front Porch: $2,500 to construct a front porch on the existing Southside Community Center to enhance a sense of community and provide additional space for meetings, education, training, and events. The community match for this grant is $3,363.

These winning projects were selected by a committee of City employees from multiple departments including Police, Parks and Recreation, General Services, Community Development, and Neighborhood Improvement Services. Projects were evaluated based on need, project planning, neighborhood participation and support, neighborhood benefit, budget, and community partnerships. As part of the application process, neighborhoods pledged to match the City’s total investment of $8,700 with more than $20,000 in volunteer hours, in-kind donations and services, and cash donations.

Neighborhood groups interested in this program can visit the department’s Web page for more information, including how to apply for the next round of funding to be offered in early 2017. For additional information about this grant program, contact a member of the department’s Community Engagement team at (919) 560-1647 or by email.