Ohio City Small Grant Program

The Small Grant Program is currently closed.

Our Small Grant Program supports resident-led initiatives that aim to build community and engage new people across the neighborhood. Through this program, we establish welcoming and inclusive spaces, create more opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other, and ensure an equal opportunity for all residents to access resources to bring their new ideas to life. 

How it works: 

COVID-19  Rapid Response Community Grants: To aid residents of Ohio City, we have temporarily adjusted our Small Grant Program to support residents in need and residents with solution-oriented ideas during the COVID-19 pandemic for the month of May.

Grants are available in amounts up to $250 that are innovative and supportive of providing resources to those most in need, encourage at-home activity, and promote resident interaction while maintaining physical/social distance.

 

Deadlines: New dates are being decided on, and the Small Grants Program will return in June.

Groups of three or more Ohio City residents can apply for the Small Grant Program and receive $250 to support their project, initiative, or event idea. Eligible projects must take place in the Ohio City neighborhood and be open to all to participate. Preference will be given to new ideas and diverse teams that can demonstrate creative ways to engage residents across the neighborhood and outside of your immediate peer circle. 

Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis in both the Spring and Fall seasons. The grant making committee will review all current applications and award funding to projects at three points throughout each season:

Applications for projects taking place at any time of the year may be submitted during either cycle, as long as grant funds are used within one year of the award date. Submit your completed application to Whitnye Long Jones at wlongjones@ohiocity.org

Download the grant application here. Questions? Contact Whitnye at wlongjones@ohiocity.org

Goals of the OCI Small Grants Program:

OCI Strategic Plan: “Evolve from ‘outreach’ to ‘engagement’”.

  1. Support resident-led projects and activities that build community and address neighborhood issues.
  2. Encourage new and/or stronger relationships between residents of Ohio City.
  3. Empower residents to take responsibility for building connections and addressing community needs.

Values

The intention of this program is to build community and a stronger neighborhood. We believe this is accomplished through creating opportunities for inclusive interactions. In order to accomplish this goal, we will support activities and events that encourage diversity and inclusion. We hope Ohio City residents will reach outside of their comfort zone, block clubs, blocks, neighbors, and friends to create new connections. 

Equity: OCI wants to create equal opportunity for all Ohio City residents to access resources within the neighborhood. We intend for this process to build awareness of available opportunities and intentionally make these resources available to more residents.

Create welcoming, inclusive spaces: By supporting activities that foster authentic relationships among neighbors and activate public spaces, OCI is hoping to strengthen the fabric of our neighborhood and create more opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other.