Lighthouse Communities, Inc. is announcing the Fall 2009 round of the Southtown Matching Fund (SMF), opening October 15 and closing November 2. The Southtown Matching Fund is a competitive grant pool that supports community organizing projects and activities in Southtown. It seeks to unite and build a stronger community through collaborations and partnerships between residents and community organizations. During the course of a project, the process of bringing people together and building relationships is as important as a completed project. Community building projects offer an opportunity for all segments of a neighborhood to participate in a project that will improve the quality of life; they foster and sustain positive change, while honoring the culture, traditions, values, and relationships in that community.  

Neighborhood-based groups, community organizations, and block clubs can apply for Southtown Matching Fund dollars to initiate, plan, organize and implement a project in partnership with Lighthouse Communities, Inc. The three priorities of the SMF are to increase neighborhood based leadership and involvement, reduce crime and increase public safety, and improve housing conditions The neighborhood or community matches the SMF award with contributions of volunteer labor, donated materials and professional services, or cash (2:1 match).  The boundaries of Southtown are Wealthy Street on the north, Fuller on the east, Dickenson on the south, and Buchanan and Division on the west. All projects must serve residents of this area.

The types of projects that get funded are projects improving race relations, social justice, and strengthening the understanding of multi-culturalism; projects emphasizing self-help, or community members doing something for themselves, in partnership with each other and with local organizations and local government; projects that involve neighbors in planning and implementation, thus creating civic engagement. Also, take a look at the list of fundable projects below.

Before submitting an application, it’s highly recommended that you contact Lighthouse Communities staff to discuss your idea. The deadline is November 2, 2009. This deadline is firm, although more rounds of funding will be available next year. For funding over $3,000, a group must be incorporated. You will be notified within 30 days whether or not your application was accepted or declined, but you may receive less than originally asked for.

Examples of Fundable Projects:

• Block Parties/Special Events
• Neighborhood clean-ups
• Public Safety Training
• Resident Training
• Board development and recruitment
• Youth outreach/training
• Resource Fairs/Festivals
• Drug Free Zone Campaign
• Neighborhood Surveys
• School Partnership Project
• Setting up or expanding a block club or multiblock club

Follow the link to the website with forms and more information about the Southtown Matching Fund. Contact Erica (Erica@lcgr.net) with any questions.