2010 Challenge Grants in Support of Housing Partnerships for Sustainable Communities

Downloadable Resources:
2010 NeighborWoods Grant RFP (username and password required)

Trainers:

Danielle Crumrine, Executive Director, Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest
In 2009, Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest received a $10,000 grant to plant trees on the site of four new affordable housing units and adjacent properties. Among the community members affected by this greening project were the residents of Sojourner House, a local facility that provides permanent, supportive housing to help rebuild families torn apart by addiction and poverty. This project brought together these families and other dedicated residents for a truly community-driven revitalization of the East Liberty neighborhood.

Joelle Teachey, Executive Director, TreesGreenville (Greenville, SC)
In 2009, Trees Greenville received a $10,000 NeighborWoods grant to plant 100 shade and street trees in the Freetown Community and 50 shade and street trees in the Brutontown Community. These efforts contributed to the continuing revitalization of these neighborhoods, where all homes are owner-occupied but tree canopy cover is low. The scope of the grant also included engaging homeowners and community residents through summer workshops at the Brutontown and Freetown Community Centers, teaching them about tree planting, care and maintenance. Youth from after-school programs at the Centers teamed up with community residents, Team Depot associates, Trees Greenville volunteers, GCRA staff, and members of the Brutontown Community Football team to plant trees around their streets and homes from October to December 2009. The revitalization project also came full circle for one associate of The Home Depot who was a Brutontown resident; by volunteering on this project, she will helped to beautify her community while also increasing her property value and decreasing her energy costs.

Webcast attendees will learn about:
* Available funding and affordable housing components
* Eligibility
* Application deadline and review process
* Reporting and grant agreements

About the Members Only Webcast Series
Members Only Webcasts are monthly sessions held at the lunch hour and made possible through support from The Home Depot Foundation and USDA Forest Service. The goals are to update members on current ACT activity, developing programs and partnerships, and future plans. Please plan to join the monthly call to stay connected to ACT, urban forestry, and your peers. Sessions are planned to last no more than one hour, with updates from ACT and at least one ACT member, followed by questions and answers.