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Thank you all for your faith and partnership... We could not do it without you.

- David Allen


Southtown Matching Fund (SMF)

“We must believe that it is the darkest before the dawn of a beautiful new world.  We will see it when we believe it," Saul Alinsky.

In the quest for creating healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods, Lighthouse Communities has taken a step forward to work with residents and neighborhood-based groups in realizing their visions.  We have learned that it takes more than money and bricks to build a better neighborhood.  It is about bringing people together, talking about the issues that unite and separate us and doing something about it with our neighbors.  In coming together that we help build trust and increase leadership and become active drivers of change.

Our Neighborhood Services Department oversees a competitive grant pool known as the Southtown Matching Fund (SMF).  The SMF seeks to build the fabric of our community by bringing people, their ideas and skills together to improve their neighborhoods.  The SMF is a City of Grand Rapids CDBG funded grant program targeted to a geographic area in the southeast side of the city known as Southtown (link to map of area). 

Launched in May of 2008, the SMF represents a new model for community organizing that is based upon competitive participation, project impact, and capacity to address neighborhood issues and organize for change.  Lighthouse’s model of community organizing aims at bringing people, businesses and community groups together to expand social networks, build neighborhood-based leadership, promote youth development, and make our neighborhood more self-sustainable.

Neighborhood organizations and community members can apply for Southtown Matching Fund dollars to initiate, plan, organize and implement a proposal in partnership with Lighthouse Communities, Inc.  The neighborhood or community matches the SMF award with contributions of volunteer labor, donated materials and professional services, or cash.

The neighborhood or community matches the SMF award with contributions of volunteer labor, donated materials and professional services, or cash (2:1 match).

See the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page to download the SMF application form in PDF format.

Want to learn more about the SMF?  Read about the SMF Program Guidelines and Documentation Guidelines.


Funding:

For projects above $3,000, the applicant must be an incorporated entity.

  • First deadline for the applications is June 12, 2009.  Other funding rounds will be announced upon awarding first round applications.
  • Applications reviewed by an Oversight Committee and Lighthouse Communities staff.


Who Should Apply?

  • Neighborhood based groups or organizations/block clubs or groups of community members who want to do a project as a means of building a stronger community.
  • Community members whose community extends beyond a single neighborhood, e.g. racial, ethnic groups, gay-lesbian groups, members of a disability community.

All applicant groups must have an open membership and actively invite involvement from new members. Applicants must represent people who live or own businesses within the boundaries of Southtown.

Awards are NOT made to:

  • Individual persons or individual businesses.
  • Government agencies, political groups, universities, hospitals, newspapers, non-local organizations.
  • Applicants who have failed to complete their projects funded in the two preceding years.

To apply: Contact the SMF Project Coordinator at (616) 451-9140 or by email.


What Kinds of Projects are Funded?

To be considered for funding, a project must demonstrate it is building a stronger and healthier community. It must:

  • Provide a public benefit, resulting in a project or activity that benefits the Southtown neighborhood or improves race relations and social justice, strengthening understanding of multi-culturalism.
  • Emphasize self-help, i.e., neighbors/community members doing for themselves, in partnership with each other and with local organizations and local government.
  • Involve neighbors/members of the community in planning, facilitating, coordinating and implementing the project thus increasing civic engagement and creating leaders.
  • Address any activity that reduces property crime, gang activity, traffic and drug related incidents.
  • Reduce the number of housing code violations.
  • Implement programs that guide youth as they transition into adulthood; such as leadership development and academic achievement programs/activities
  • Implement programs/activities which involve creative writing, music, theater, media and visual arts
  • Implement programs//activities that support healthy-living within the community, as well as contribute to the overall state of physical, mental and social well being
  • Be one of the Project Types (listed below).


Matching Fund Awards cannot be used to:

  • Duplicate an existing public or private program
  • Replace funding lost from other sources or provides gap funding
  • Pay for an organization’s operating expenses that are not directly related to the awarded project
  • Purchase land or buildings
  • Pay for food, beverages, and/or catering services
  • Pay for transportation or out of City travel expenses
  • Pay for expenditures or financial commitments made before the organization is under contract with Lighthouse Communities
  • Pay for tickets to special events like the theatre, plays, movies, concerts, sports and other entertainment activities for youth or adults
  • Pay for giveaways during block club or neighborhood events
  • Pay for t-shirts


Type of projects

  • Projects that build leadership and residents capacity
  • Projects that improve public safety/prevent crime
  • Projects that improve the housing ands physical conditions of the neighborhood
  • Projects that increase youth development
  • Projects that implement creative and performing art programs
  • Projects that implement health and wellness

Examples of Fundable Projects Include:

  • 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


How Will Your Application be Reviewed?

Criteria used to rate project applications have been outlined in the SMF Scoring Criteria. Applications will be reviewed by an Oversight Committee and Lighthouse Communities Staff.

All SMF funded organizations and resident groups are required to attend the Leadership and Capacity Building Academy.  Visit our web calendar for a listing of trainings and workshops.  To sign up for a training or workshop or to request one, please contact Erica Hooser, Neighborhood Coordinator by phone at (616) 451-9140 or by email.

2009-2010 Awarded Grants:

Baxter Neighborhood Association: $25,000

The Edge Urban Fellowship: $9,000

Mars-Bros: $3400

Nina J’s Illustration: $2,500

Oakdale Neighbors: $7,500

Over the Hill Gang: $5,000

Restorers: $5,000

South East Community Association: $25,000

South Hill Neighborhood Association: $3,000

S.T.R.O.N.G.: $10,000

Urban Family Ministries: $7,650