Irving highlights neighborhood association growth and $75,000 grant program

Irving — At the March 26 work session the city’s communications and neighborhood services staff described recent growth in neighborhood association activity and the administration of a neighborhood grant program funded at $75,000 in the adopted budget.

April Riley introduced Bethany Cells, the city’s community outreach coordinator, who said the neighborhood services program focuses on association development, leader training and small capital or event grants. "One of our priorities for our strategic plan is to develop our neighborhood association leaders," Cells said, and she highlighted matching grants that supported projects ranging from neighborhood beautification to community events.

Staff said the grant program is a reimbursement model (recipients submit receipts and final reports) and that the FY budget allowed the office to distribute funding to 37 associations, an increase in both funding per award (up to $2,500) and the total number served. Staff also outlined upcoming workshops and outreach plans designed to recruit and retain associations and encourage sustained volunteer leadership.

Next steps

City staff will continue neighborhood outreach, host grant workshops in June and return with program metrics as the fiscal year progresses. Residents interested in forming or registering an association are directed to city resources for guidance and training.