Thousands of dollars in grants are available to help communities and programs in the city of Orlando.
- Orlando's Mayor's Matching Grant program
- 19 non-profits and organizations won grants for community projects
- See the 19 projects that won matching grants
“We had all this dead space. It was time to put it to use," said Jean Gertenbach. "[Ages] five to 85, basically, we’ve got people out here gardening."
Gertenbach lives in Orange County's Mai Kai condominiums, off of Conway Road. Mai Kai is one of 19 organizations, non-profits or programs awarded money from Orlando. They used the $3,000 to construct a community garden.
Tuesday, Gertenbach walked around the large flower boxes, pausing with her friend and neighbor, Michelle, to admire the blooms and vegetables.
"I was so excited. I think I called Michelle immediately and said we got it," she said, stooping down to pick up some dead leaves. “Usually my husband comes down and takes care of the garden.”
The city requires that winners match the money with labor or their own funds.
“They see a need in the community and they bring a proposal to the city of how they want to address that need," said Julie Tindall, Orlando's Community Outreach Coordinator. “It’s wonderful seed money for small, grassroots organizations that really want to make a difference in our community.”
Elsewhere in Orlando, Bernie "Leroy" Bickley marvels at work done on a wall which surrounds his community of Rosemont. The city awarded the neighborhood $4,000 to resurface and paint several walls, as well as beautify an entrance sign with fresh paint and flowers.
“The walls were deteriorated, cracked, dirty and weeds overgrown," Bickley said. “I think that the community will really benefit from this. 'Course we spent $5,100 on painting the walls. But, it’s helped the community to look a lot better.”
“We met people who had been living here, had never met their neighbors. And it was really cool to see that happen," said Gertenbach. “It brings the people together. That’s what this is all about. We’re already thinking about our next project.”
The Mayor’s Matching Grant program takes place twice a year. The 19 projects awarded in January are starting now and have a year to complete them.
The city just closed out the next round of grants. Those awards will be announced July 1. Information on how to apply for the next round of grants is available on the City of Orlando website.