The Area Four Neighborhood Coalition has set aside $5,000 to assist Area 4 individuals and community groups in holding Area 4 block parties, community celebrations, and community events that can help build, unify, and celebrate our neighborhood. Up to $250 is available for each block party and up to $400 is available for each neighborhood celebration or event. Grants can be used for such expenses as food, outreach materials, postage, entertainment, prizes, printing, etc. Money is not available to reimburse organizations and groups for employee salaries or employee stipends. If the event has an admission cost, the grant request must clearly indicate how the grant will be used to make the event more accessible to Area Four residents who otherwise might not be able to attend.
Requests for assistance must be made in writing (e-mail preferred) to Gerald Bergman, the volunteer grant coordinator and must describe the event, the approximate date, who is invited, outreach strategy, a 25% donation match, and a contact person. Individuals and community groups are urged to utilize additional community resources such as the $500 police grants which are available by contacting Holly Levins, the Cambridge Police Neighborhood Coordinator, at (617) 349-6009, and by utilizing donations from neighborhood restaurants, retail stores, and grocery stores.
Grants are made as reimbursements for expenses, so all original receipts must be submitted by a single designated event representative. After completion of the event, the contact person will need to send receipts, copies of outreach materials, and an estimate of the number of Area Four participants to the grant coordinator. It may take several weeks for the reimbursement process to be completed because grant funds are being carefully monitored and administered by the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House and the City of Cambridge. The Area Four Neighborhood Coalition urges event volunteers to submit photos to the Area Four Neighborhood Coalition website, and to provide event participants information about Area Four Neighborhood Coalition activities and meetings.
For more information contact: Gerald Bergman, volunteer grant coordinator, 82 Elm Street, (02139), telephone: 617-354-2648, e-mail: poka1@comcast.net. Please call or e-mail to discuss the proposed grant prior to written submission. Please utilize e-mail for quickest responses, especially during times when the volunteer will be away from Cambridge.
