By Staff
November 6, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of years ago the people at the Parks and Recreation learned about an approach to community organizing they thought could benefit the people of the city.
Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development Services
Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development Services heard Jim Diers speaking at an event and thought his approach made a lot of sense.
Diers was brought in – spoke to several groups and was taken on by the Parks and Recreation people to advise and consult.
Jim Diers
The Parks and Recreation people didn’t buy into everything Diers suggested but they did take to the idea of working with neighbourhood groups and providing funds to develop neighbourhood initiatives.
The program is working and is being used again in 2018.
The program – Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund, is now accepting applications – the deadline for submissions is Feb. 26, 2018.
Designed to inspire residents to lead neighbourhood and community projects, the Fund provides up to $5,000 to support projects led by local groups, like the group of students from Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School who painted a beautiful 700 square-foot mural in Norton Park, which was unveiled on Oct. 24, 2017.
An information session will be held on Nov. 22, 2017, from 7 to 9 p.m., in room 247 of Burlington City Hall, 426 Brant St. Anyone interested in applying for funds is encouraged to attend the presentation, speak with staff and network with other grant applicants or past recipients.
This bunch decided the ball park next to their school needed an upgrade – they took their ideas to city hall and were awarded a matching grant.
How the Fund works
The Community Matching Fund program provides up to $5,000 in city funding to support neighbourhood and community group-led projects in Burlington. Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding from the city. The neighbourhood or community group will match this funding with an equal contribution made up of any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.
The city has funded 14 community projects.
