As the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) continues to celebrate 30 years of community enrichment, an exciting new community initiative is announced – the Neighborhood Pride Challenge (NPC)! NCCF is looking to inspire the residents of northern Chautauqua County to build pride for their neighborhoods through projects that transform landscapes, unite neighbors, and create a sense of belonging. Proposals submitted are required to be neighborhood-driven and should foster partnerships among a cross-section of community groups, encourage residents to take pride in their neighborhood, and strengthen neighbor-to-neighbor connections.
Ideal projects will build or enhance vibrant neighborhoods by engaging a cross-sector of community groups (such as schools, nonprofits, businesses, and others); creating welcoming spaces to play and gather; promoting volunteerism; preserving the uniqueness of neighborhoods; improving the appearance of neighborhoods; increasing interactions and breaking down barriers among neighborhood groups (for example churches, neighborhood watch groups, garden clubs, sports leagues, book clubs and many more).
Priscilla Koch, NCCF Board of Director and Think Tank member, encourages participation in the NPC. “The people who live, work and play in their neighborhoods are the ones who can best identify the true needs of their neighborhoods. We are so excited to be able to help encourage people to work together for the betterment of their communities. This type of project is really the essence of community pride and spirit.”
Each project is required to obtain a 1:1 match. The match could be in the form of volunteer hours, donated supplies, business sponsorships, proceeds from fundraisers, and direct cash donations. The NCCF will consider grant requests up to $10,000. The Neighborhood Pride Challenge applicants may be asked to meet with the NPC Committee to discuss their proposal.
NCCF has scheduled two informational sessions for November 16. These will be held at the Fredonia Technology Incubator, located at 214 Central Avenue in Dunkirk. The first session will begin at 9 a.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend to learn more about the Challenge and the application process. Reservations are not required but are appreciated. Contact Eileen Dunn at 716-366-4892 or edunn@nccfoundation.org for reservations or questions.
Copies of the NPC guidelines are available by contacting Eileen Dunn at 366-4892 or edunn@nccfoundation.org. Information is also available on the NCCF website http://www.nccfoundation.org/neighborhood-grant. Applicants are encouraged to contact the NCCF for help, guidance and ideas.
The NPO committee will accept grant submissions until 4 p.m. on February 17, 2017. Applications must be submitted electronically to Eileen Dunn at edunn@nccfoundation.org. NCCF will announce the Challenge winners in early spring of 2017.
The NCCF, celebrating 30 years of charitable leadership, is committed to improving the community through the promotion of local philanthropy, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership. Served by a small staff and governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, the organization has distributed over $12.2 million in the form of grants and scholarships within the community. Truly community in nature, the NCCF is an organization created by and for the people of northern Chautauqua County. For more information, visit www.nccfoundation.org.