Greenville Neighborhoods

Greenville Dreams is a coalition of neighborhood and community leaders organized to empower residents to improve their neighborhoods through leadership development while leveraging available resources. Working in partnership with the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, the United Way of Greenville County and the City of Greenville, Greenville Dreams focuses on facilitating positive community changes through resident-centered neighborhood development.

Greenville Dreams works directly with neighborhood association leaders to help build on the strengths and assets already present in their neighborhoods. Training and peer support are provided to Special Emphasis neighborhood leaders in the areas of problem-solving, successfully managing and leading a neighborhood association, planning and goal-setting, available community resources and effective communication skills.

Greenville Dreams meets on the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the United Way of Greenville County (105 Edinburgh Court). For more information, contact Monique Mattison at mmattison@greenvillesc.gov or 864-467-4574.

Grassroots Leadership Development program

Under the umbrella of Greenville Dreams, the Grassroots Leadership Development Program (GLDP) provides training to enhance the capability and capacity of community leaders as they strengthen and improve their neighborhoods. The program meets once a month for five months, typically from February through June.

Session topics include leadership style, creating a neighborhood "vision," advocacy and public policy at the community level, strategies to leverage volunteers and engage youth and best organizational practices for success.

Neighborhood Empowerment Grant

The Neighborhood Empowerment Grant program is made possible through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds awarded to the City of Greenville’s Community Development Division. The program is an effort to provide neighborhoods with an opportunity to build community engagement through collaboration and innovation. Eligible Neighborhood Associations seeking funds for community events and/or neighborhood-led projects are encouraged to apply.

If grant funds are awarded, the Community Development Division will use CDBG funds to reimburse Neighborhood Associations for approved project activities. Receipts are required for reimbursement.

GRANT PRIORITIES

Grant funding is currently unavailable (as of July 1, 2023). Please complete the Neighborhood Empowerment Project Sheet for further assistance with neighborhood project requests. Submit the project sheet to a Community Development staff member for review.

The Neighborhood Empowerment Grant program will fund two (2) priority areas. Neighborhood Associations may submit up to two (2) applications per funding year no to exceed $1,500 per neighborhood in one or both priority areas depending on funds available.

Project: This priority supports collaborative neighborhood projects that enhance neighborhoods. The maximum grant request is $1,000. Examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to: neighborhood gateway signs, neighborhood cleanups, community gardens, and neighborhood plantings.

Event: This priority supports neighborhood events that build neighborhood capacity and vitality. The maximum grant request is $500. Examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to: National Night Out events, leadership development, job fairs, and neighborhood dinners.

ELIGIBILITY

Only Community Development Block Grant – eligible neighborhoods may apply for funding. For questions about eligibility, contact Ashlee Tolbert, Community Development Coordinator, at 467-4568.

Application

Apply online now.