Olympia approves funding for Recognized Neighborhood Associations community projects

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Olympia City Council has approved a $23,000 fund to help the community-driven projects of the Recognized Neighborhood Associations (RNA).

Under the Neighborhood Matching Grant program, the city provides small grants to be matched to support projects that enhance Olympia's neighborhoods.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, Community Plan and Development Associate Planner Lydia Moorehead explained that the program is a matching grant in which neighborhoods must match the amount awarded with either cash, materials, or volunteer time.

This year, the grant review teams have recommended funding seven applications, which will use the entire budget of $23,000. The recommended applications are expected to engage approximately 1,500 volunteer hours and leverage about $80,000 in projects and improvements in Olympia neighborhoods. RNA

"This year's applications include a variety of projects, like festivals, managing green areas, and developing some new community spaces," Moorehead said, adding that the recommendation also included funding administrative costs which help neighborhood associations function.

The grant review team recommended the following requests:

  • Bigelow is requesting $196 funding from the city to revive seven fruit trees within Bigelow House Museum grounds
  • Eastside requests $1,500 for Harvest Festival and reusable items for family-focused events.
  • Olympia Northeast Neighborhood Alliance (ONNA) requests $8,000 for Bethel and San Francisco community space.
  • Northeast (NENA) requests $4,670 for Joy Avenue trail maintenance, watering, and administrative expenses.
  • Council of Neighborhood Associations (CAN) requests $755 for administrative expenses, including Zoom subscription, website hosting, and PO box.
  • Northwest (NWONA), with a $5,000 request to the city for volunteer park cleanup, summer fun fest, and communication
  • East Bay requests $2,879 for the pilot website for Recognized Neighborhood Associations.

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