Stakeholders to make Sustainability Grants in Fall 2009

For 2009, The Stakeholders Foundation has decided to make grants for sustainable communities initiatives. The strength of our community depends upon participation by all residents in the Capital Region’s economic, social, political and cultural arenas. Therefore, The Stakeholders Foundation seeks to advance the ideals of a welcoming environment, open access and civic engagement—with all of its privileges and responsibilities—in every area of community life. The Capital Region aspires to be a clean, green, healthy and sustainable community. A healthy environment is good for the quality of life in our community and it is good for business.

This overall goal offers room for all to play a part. People can plant saplings to expand the city's tree canopy, install insulation and new windows to lower their energy bill, manage a community garden, steward our stream valleys, work to keep a neighborhood free of trash, or advocate an expanded network of bike paths. For all, however, making the Capital Region clean, green, healthy and sustainable means paying attention to how the people of this region interact with their surroundings, the natural and the built environment, now and for generations to come. With increased attention to our natural resources and to our individual choices and behaviors, the Capital Region can achieve its environmental aspirations.

Environment grants focus on:

Advancing a Cleaner, Greener Capital Region;
Promoting community recycling, anti-litter, and neighborhood greening programs;
Encouraging neighborhood level efforts to meet sustainability goals;
Promoting broad use of green spaces;
Increasing residents' and businesses' involvement in their communities and nurturing resident leadership;
Improving communication among neighbors;
Making communities more racially and economically diverse;
Improving neighborhood housing markets while preserving affordable housing;
Strengthening the Capital Region’s network of community development organizations.

Pre applications are due by April 15, 2009.