Change often starts on the grassroots level, which could mean a handful of neighbors uniting for a common goal. That's exactly the kind of situation the not-for-profit Citizens Committee is looking to support.According to Lixian Hantover, a resources coordinator for the organization, the Citizens Committee offers a number of different grants aimed at helping independent citizens improve their communities and schools. They have worked with residents in the Far Rockaway and Crown Heights areas of Queens and Brooklyn, respectively, but their funding is available all over the city.
In addition, the grants are not necessarily targeted at groups with long-term mission statements. Some recipients have very specified goals - for example, cleaning up a vacant lot full of used syringes - and local churches can accept the grants on their neighbors' behalf.
"It may be the only project they ever do, but we hope they continue working on other projects," Hantover said.
Past successes include community gardens started in East New York and Jamaica to address a lack of green space and activities for youth, and funding the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance's clean-up of beaches that had become illegal dumping grounds.
Meanwhile, along with the annual Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your Neighborhood awards aimed at beautification projects, the Citizens Committee also offers Dress Up Your School and New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods awards contests, both of which are semi-annual.
On average, the group gives away 150 grants per year, funded by corporations and foundations. But Hantover said there is no set amount of grants the Citizens Committee gives away.
"We will find the money to fund as many groups as qualify for the grants," she said.
Regarding popular misconceptions, she said many people assume there is an overwhelming amount of work involved in the application process.
"They think they must be an established not-for-profit [to apply]," said Hantover, who has been with the organization for six months. "Really, the emphasis is you and your neighbors seeing a problem in your neighborhood and bringing the community together for it. Something as simple as that is what we'd fund."
For more information on the Citizens Committee, and for awards contest deadlines, call (212) 989-0909 - Phil Guie
