Neighborhood Enhancement Grant
The Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program is an initiative sponsored by the University of Chicago and administered by the South East Chicago Commission (SECC). The SECC awards grants of up to $10,000 to neighborhood organizations to support beautification projects that enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and allows us to work together as community partners for the improvement of all our areas.
The program is designed to enhance the physical attractiveness of the Hyde Park-South Kenwood, North Kenwood-Oakland, Woodlawn, and Washington Park communities. Since 1999, we have granted nearly $500,000 in beautification funds.
The SECC and University will provide grant assistance to neighborhood block groups, community organizations, school groups, park advisory councils and other organized groups with their beautification projects. Proposed projects must:
• Be highly visible from the street
• Be completed within a six-month time frame
• Physically enhance the neighborhood and build on the character and uniqueness of the community
• Strengthen civic pride and a strong sense of community
• Be sustainable
Program Summary:
Target Area: The target area includes the Oakland, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and Washington Park community areas.
Level of Funding: A total of $50,000 is available for the program. While the maximum level of grant assistance per organization is $10,000, we encourage smaller grant requests to apply. Preference will be given to proposals that include matching grants from other sources. All funds must be available by the commencement of the project.
Eligible Projects: Some examples of projects that will be considered for funding are highlighted below. Please note that these are simply examples. This list does not preclude organizations from generating other ideas. Proposals for enhancement of private residential property, including private property maintained by homeowners associations, are not eligible. Creativity is strongly recommended:
• Landscaping
• Fencing
• Public art displays, murals
• Lighting
Recent projects include the creation of a reading garden at a Hyde Park school, the installation of picnic tables and planter boxes at a service organization in Oakland, and refurbished concrete planters for a garden in Woodlawn. For more information on award winners from the previous year, CLICK HERE.
