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Community Connections Fund

About the Opportunity

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Are you looking to create an impact in your community with a new project or offering? The Community Connections Grant Fund is seeking creative proposals that strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places or services. 501c3 Non-profit Organizations, municipalities and schools can apply for funding that will positively impact and connect the community to opportunities.  

Placemaking

The aim of the Community Connections Fund is to strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places and services. The Community Connections Fund is seeking programs or projects that create a “good sense of place” and contribute to Lewis County placemaking efforts.

What is Placemaking?
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Fast Facts

  • Communities Served: Lewis County 
  • Eligible: 501c3 non-profit organizations, municipalities and schools  
  • Focus areas: The program or project must strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places.
  • Grant Awards: Two $30,000 Awards OR one $60,000 Award 
  • Applications Open: April 1, 2024
  • Application Deadline: June 13, 2024
  • Grants Determined: July 2024 | Following Community Economic Development Program Committee review and Lewis County Development Corporation Board Approval
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Inspiration Board

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Event Enhancement

New/Enhanced Programs

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Community Beautification

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Enhancing Underutilized Spaces

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    According to the “Project for Public Spaces,” placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community.

    Get Placemaking Inspiration Here

    Eligibility & Criteria

    for 2024

    "What Makes a Great Place" Matrix

    Eligible Projects

    • Applicants must be a 501c3 non-profit organization, municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. 
    • Applicants must demonstrate a need for a program or project that creates a “good sense of place” and contributes to Lewis County placemaking efforts. 
    • The program or project must contribute to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:” 
      • Access & Linkages - Access and linkages projects would look to create an accessible and well-connected public space, considering visual appeal, pedestrian safety, inclusivity, and transportation options. 
      • Comfort & Image - Comfort and Image projects would look to create or enhance a comfortable and visually appealing public space, considering first impressions, seating options, cleanliness, safety, and opportunities for engaging experiences. 
      • Uses & Activities - Uses and activities projects would look to create a vibrant and dynamic public space, considering user engagement, diversity, group interactions, variety in activities, and effective space management. 
      • Sociability - Sociability projects would look to create or enhance opportunities for in-person interaction and collaboration including creation of sociable and welcoming public space, considering friendliness, group interactions, community engagement, positive social dynamics, inclusivity, and community care.  
    • The program or project must strengthen ties within the community, develop relationships, and spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places.  
    • Program or project must demonstrate a new, creative approach to connecting the greater community; cannot fund existing projecting or operations. 
    • Applicants must demonstrate sustainability of the project or project in future years given this is a one-time grant. 
    • Funding cannot be rewarded for retroactive projects or projects that have already started.

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Applicant must be a non-profit organization (501c3), municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. 
    • Project or program contributes to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:”: Access & Linkages, Comfort & Image, Uses & Activities, and/or Sociability.  
    • Applicant clearly demonstrates a new, creative approach that will enhance the quality of life for the benefit of the greater community (cannot fund existing projecting or operations). 
    • Applicant should demonstrate a plan to engage with the community and a clear need for their project or program. 
    • Applicant demonstrates how their proposal strengthens ties within the community. 
    • Applicant demonstrates how their proposal aims to further develop community relationships by demonstrating any collaborations or partnerships that will positively impact the residents, businesses and organizations in the community. 
    • Applicant demonstrates how their proposal spurs economic growth and development with the addition of their program or project. 
    • Applicant clearly defines a timeline for completion of the program or project. Project must be completed within 1 year.
    • Project must demonstrate feasibility and sustainability.
    Apply Now!

    Timeline

    for 2024

    April 1

    Applications Open

    June 13

    Application Deadline

    June - July

    Committee Review & Board Approval

    July 12

    Award Recipients Notified

    Apply Now!

    Funding Disclaimer

    community economic development program

    Building Business Funds are made available through the Community Economic Development Program.

    Questions? Let's Connect