RUTH MOTT FOUNDATION BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS

Description of Initiative:
Through 2009, the Ruth Mott Foundation will continue to invest in the community by funding Beautification grants that invest in people through programs and activities that encourage them to enjoy downtown Flint, neighborhoods, parks, and other outdoor areas. The Foundation will fund planning and physical changes to enliven those areas and create the kinds of places where people want to be. In addition, they will nurture community partners so they have the capacity to carry out the important work of creating and sustaining these changes over the long term.

The Ruth Mott Foundation will grant at least $5.4 million for beautification projects in the Flint area. The grants will be focused on specific areas to maximize the visual impact. These focus areas have community members already actively working together in them and offer the opportunity for stabilization of the neighborhoods. The areas include: Downtown Flint, Carriage Town, Grand Traverse, and Mott Park neighborhoods. Public spaces will also be part of the focus area including the Flint River and Flint River Trail; Whaley, Kearsley, and Max Brandon Parks; corridors from Downtown to the Flint Cultural Center along Court Street, Longway Boulevard and Kearsley Street; the Third Avenue Corridor, and select Keep Genesee County Beautiful gateway sites.

Background Information:
The Ruth Mott Foundation is committed to improving community vitality through it grantmaking and public programs in Flint and Genesee County. Their areas of focus include arts and culture, beautification, health promotion and special initiatives. To further its mission, the Foundation also operates public programs at Applewood that support these interests and demonstrate environmental stewardship.

For Additional Information Contact:
Ruth Mott Foundation
(810) 233-0170
www.ruthmottfoundation.org