In March 2017, the Cuyahoga Land Bank awarded its first-ever round of community grants. The Community Collaborations Grant program builds upon and creates new partnerships with local non-profits and other faith-based organizations that advance both the missions of the Cuyahoga Land Bank and the collaborations organizations. A call for grant submissions for property-based projects that restore abandoned properties to productive use while helping to rebuild lives went out to local non-profits and churches in January.
After an extensive screening process, the Cuyahoga Land Bank awarded grants of real property and financial matching grants for property renovation to 11 applicant organizations. “This is a pilot program in which we are making the jump from being reactive to proactive in supporting the housing needs of special population groups,” says Gus Frangos, President and General Counsel for the Cuyahoga Land Bank.
“The Community Collaborations Grant program was created in direct response to a recent Cuyahoga County Housing Survey that underscored the need for positive housing options for at-risk groups and special populations, including refugees, veterans and those in recovery,” says Frangos. “While we are committed to our core mission of reducing blight and demolishing and renovating vacant and abandoned houses, these grants allow us to team up with social service agencies to help with challenging housing issues in our community.”
Find out more information about Cuyahoga Land Bank community collaborations and partnerships.