Every day, individuals and organizations across the Capital City are putting their heads together to create meaningful change in our community. With the right resources and support, these efforts can be a fundamental means of transforming lives. To help support some of the many groups making a difference, I Am Trenton has announced the deserving grantees for this round of their Old Trenton Neighborhood grant program.
In collaboration with Isles, the I Am Trenton Community Foundation has announced the Spring 2023 Old Trenton Neighborhood Grant awards. The grants, totaling $48,500, will be utilized for eight arts, culture, beautification, and business development projects. These projects all fall within the Old Trenton neighborhood, defined as the region bordered by Perry Street, State Street, Route 1, and N. Broad Street. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has designated the communities supported through this funding, which provides funding for resident-driven initiatives through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program.
“We are so proud to help these creative thinkers put their projects to work engaging neighbors and enhancing Old Trenton’s beauty, safety, and vibrancy,” said Marilyn Rivera, Co-President of I Am Trenton Community Foundation. I Am Trenton Co-President Michelle Ruess added, “We thank everyone who applied, and we can’t wait to see your great ideas at work in our community!”
Recipients for this round of funding include:
- Puerto Rican Community Center: Enhance multicultural areas in each classroom to provide children access to materials from different cultures around the world, offering children more significant insights into the culture and where they came from
- Trenton Puerto Rican Community & Friends: Host events that bridge the Puerto Rican experience from La Isla to the streets of the Old Trenton Neighborhood, where many of the first families who arrived from Puerto Rico have forged their homes and lives.
- Trenton City Girlz: Form a Girl Scouts troop to help empower and encourage youth within the Old Trenton Neighborhood.
- Grown Vegan Apothecary & DIY Bar: Host community activities to advance wellness, self-care resources, and neighborhood engagement.
- Egun Omode Performing Arts Collective: Provide classes in West African dance, drums, and sekere percussion classes to advance knowledge of West African and Caribbean cultures.
- Bentrice Jusu: Create a “Potential Project Pop Out experience” featuring a short documentary of the artist’s work; create a multi-media project reflecting on the impact of violence; engage visitors to recognize and act on their “Potential”; and sell memorabilia.
- The Block Trenton: Engage neighborhood residents and collect oral histories to share life stories through organized affinity spaces. The group also intends to host a community meal.
- Greater Mt. Zion AME Church: Preserve the history of one of the first African Methodist Episcopal churches organized in 1816 and share the story with residents, students, and city visitors.
I Am Trenton, and Isles plans to offer another round of OTN grants in August 2023. The New Jersey Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program funds the grant program. It builds on priorities of the 2007 Old Trenton Neighborhood plan and the 2016 Creek to Canal Creative District plan (available at www.creektocanalcreative.org). These grants are limited to projects physically located inside or serving residents of the Old Trenton neighborhood. In addition, funded projects must focus on either Business Development or Community Investment.
I Am Trenton has enriched the Capital City since its founding in 2007. They believe that each individual can contribute to and improve the community, whether they live, work, or play in Trenton. I Am Trenton seeks to promote civic pride and engagement by offering meaningful support to businesses, organizations, and individuals changing lives throughout Trenton. I Am Trenton continues to believe that Trenton is a city abundant with opportunity and seeks to spread wealth throughout the community, whether philanthropically or otherwise. If you’d like to read more about this noble mission, please visit the IAT website: Our Mission – IAT.
If your organization missed this round of grants, do not worry! You can keep an eye on IAT’s website for information regarding the next round of grants here: OTN Grants – IAT. The funds from these grants will undoubtedly change lives, and we can’t wait to see what amazing things will be done with this opportunity!
