During the month of April, the Grassroots Grantmaking Committee, a body of residents across nine communities, conducted 40 face-to-face interviews with residents who applied for a grant through Love My Neighbor!

Committed, Fulfilling, Dedicated, Enthusiastic, Humbled, Inspired, Passionate, Motivated, Driven, Heartfelt are words that Grassroots Grantmaking Committee (GGC) use to describe the residents they interviewed for the Love My Neighbor! grant program. The Committee of 18 residents divided into four interview teams and interviewed resident teams about their projects during the month of April. In May, the Committee will meet twice to make decisions on which projects get funded and on June 6th, all applicants are invited to the Gathering, a celebration and sharing of the talents and gifts among residents across the nine communities of the grant program.

Wednesday, May 3^rd marked the beginning of the GGC’s process to make decisions on which resident projects to fund. The GGC evaluates projects based on residents’ application, interview, and the overall potential achievement of goals.  Projects must meet three goals: bring together and engage neighbors, build upon existing
community strengths, and have a positive impact on their neighborhoods.  However, the most important piece for the grant program is that residents—people that live or work in the neighborhood—are the chief supporters and drivers of the proposed project.  The GGC believes this piece is crucial because residents are the people who live in the community and are committed to the long-term improvement of the place.

Final decisions by the Committee will be made and shared with applicants on May 17^th 2017. All applicants who do not receive grants will be given specific feedback from the Committee and resources for additional funding. Click here for more information on the Love My Neighbor! Grant Program.