Writing a GrantScholars 227 Spring 2011

West Side Neighborhood Project (WSNP)

Non-profit organizationGrassroots organization(run by the

community)Previously associated with

Binghamton UniversityFour Objectives

◦Promote student housing◦Promote landlord accountability◦Increasing home ownership◦Building Healthy Neighborhoods

The New York Main Street Grant

Administered by the Office of Community Renewal

The funds come from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC)

Provides funds for streetscape, target areas, or anchor sites.

Maximum of $500,000

Grant ProcessAddressing a problem Providing information of why a grant is

needed to fix this problemMultiple sections and sub-sections

◦ Proposal◦ Problem Statement◦ Objectives◦ Determine Administrator (overseer)◦ Plan of Operation◦ Budget◦ Long-term plans◦ Progress tracking

Our GrantTarget area and streetscapeAsking for $210,000Problem: Target area appears

rundown and not many flourishing businesses

Objectives: improve aesthetics Administrator: Broome County

Landlord AssociationTrack progress through taxes and

crime statistics

Target AreaFocused on an area of 3 blocks on Main

Street on the West Side of Binghamton.Home to multiple empty or abandoned

buildings as well as buildings in need of façade improvements.

The West Side is home to many off-campus Binghamton University students.

Goal is to improve this area for the good of the community as well as the students that live there.

Grant ResourcesDan McCormackCenter for Civic Engagement – Allison

AldenAlycia Harris and other WSNP

membersBinghamton City CouncilBroome County Landlord AssociationGIS(Geographic Information System)2010 Census Information2009 NY Main Street Grant example

Difficulties Encountered Understanding grant writing processExtrapolating information from

resourcesCoordinating with othersDetermining our main goalLeadershipDeadlines/TimeframeTaking initiativeCompetition from other applicants

Learning ExperiencesGrant writing processTime managementTaking initiativeContacting othersWorking in a group settingFiltering information for what is neededMaking connections between sourcesLearning to adapt along the way to

changes or challengesOrganization

Final Impact Compiled a majority of the necessary

informationHelped WSNP earn recognition throughout

BinghamtonThe grant will be submitted next year by

WSNP.“WSNP now has a living document that

can be used for future NYS Main Street Grants, as well as other funding opportunities for the betterment of the West Side of Binghamton.” – Alycia Harris (Cofounder of WSNP)

Thank You!