City announces Greening Neighborhoods grant

$10,000 grant program part of Forest Spokane initiative

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740

Monday, July 14, 2014 at 2:05 p.m.

The City of Spokane announced today the Greening Neighborhoods Grant Program, a $10,000 incentive offer that is part of the Forest Spokane initiative.

Neighborhoods that want to participate are being asked to identify locations suitable for planting trees, shrubs, grasses and other native perennials. Through this effort, neighborhoods will contribute directly to the Forest Spokane goal of planting 10,000 trees in two years all the while working together to beautify their neighborhoods.

Each neighborhood may apply for up to three grants at a maximum funding amount of $5,000 each. The grant program is open to all 27 Spokane neighborhoods.

Organizations such as churches, schools, community centers, nonprofits and others may apply for a Greening Neighborhoods Grant by working directly with their neighborhood councils. Signatures from the neighborhood council must be obtained for all applications to be considered for funding. Implementation of the project must include a neighborhood volunteering event.

Each project will be graded against three criteria:

  • Volunteerism: Creating a unique volunteering event that highlights neighborhood participation, project completion, and responsibility of ongoing maintenance.
  • Impact: The project with the greatest impact to the neighborhood community.
  • Green Infrastructure: The project that implements the most sustainable project design that includes a robust variety of trees and other native vegetation.

The winning project may receive up to an additional $5,000 in funding to be used for a second greening project within the neighborhood. Application will be accepted until August 29 via mail, email or fax to:

Alicia Powell
City of Spokane
Office of Neighborhood Services
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane WA 99201

Email: apowell@spokanecity.org
Fax: 509.625.6802