The Neighborhood Enhancement Grant program is an initiative administered by the South East Chicago Commission (SECC) and sponsored by the Elizabeth Louise Smith fund, Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Hyde Park Bank (Wintrust). The SECC awards grants to neighborhood organizations that support beautification projects to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and allow us to work together as community partners for the improvement of all our areas.
The program is designed to enhance the physical attractiveness of the Hyde Park-South Kenwood, North Kenwood-Oakland, Woodlawn, and Washington Park communities. Since 1999, SECC has collectively granted more than $500,000 in beautification funds.
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NEG PROJECTS
The SECC provided grant assistance to neighborhood block groups, community organizations, school groups, park advisory councils and other organized groups with their beautification projects. Proposed projects were required to:
- Be highly visible from the street
- Be completed within a six-month time frame
- Physically enhance the neighborhood and build on the character and uniqueness of the community
- Strengthen civic pride and a strong sense of community
- Be sustainable