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<br /> <br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Approval of Neighborhood Matching Grants for Fiscal Year 2012 <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: April 9, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 2C <br />Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Cindy Clarke <br />www.eugene-or.gov/neighborhoods Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5272 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />The City Council is asked to approve the fiscal year 2012 Neighborhood Matching Grants proposals <br />recommended for funding by the Neighborhood Matching Grants Department Advisory Committee. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />On June 12, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution 4632, adopting guidelines for a Neighborhood <br />Matching Grants program. Grant-funded projects may include, but are not limited to: <br /> <br /> <br />Physical improvement projects that involve recreation or public safety facilities, natural resource <br />features, public art and spaces, or community gardens. Projects that improve universal <br />accessibility are also encouraged. <br /> <br /> <br />Public school partnership projects that benefit school children and the immediate neighborhood. <br /> <br /> <br />Neighborhood-based events and celebrations. <br /> <br /> <br />Capacity-building initiatives that serve to create, diversify, or increase participation in a <br />neighborhood-based organization or promote an understanding of issues important to <br />neighborhood residents. <br /> <br />All neighborhood-based groups are eligible for funding, including neighborhood associations, business <br />associations, school site councils and ad hoc neighborhood groups formed to work on specific projects. <br />Community involvement and building relationships are key components of the program and are <br />encouraged by requiring that the project budget includes a match amount equal to, or greater than, the <br />grant request. <br /> <br />To date, more than $490,000 in matching grants has funded 89 projects community-wide. When the <br />“match” portion of all projects is considered, the combined value exceeds $1 million. The benefits of the <br />program go beyond the financial investment. As one applicant eloquently stated: “When community <br />members work together in any capacity, they strengthen relationships. When people work together on <br />enhancing a public space, they not only enhance relationships, but build a community legacy that benefits <br />everyone.” <br /> <br />Although council no longer allocates dedicated funding for matching grants, Neighborhood Services has <br />so far maintained the program by shifting resources from other areas. <br /> <br /> <br /> S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120409\S1204092C.doc <br /> <br /> <br />