Beautification

The Beautification committee plans events to improve the look of the neighborhood. The committee also accepts nominations for and selects Yard of the Month awards. This award recognizes residents who go above and beyond to improve the look of their yards.

NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT RESOURCES:
This list provides links to local foundations and organizations that fund projects benefiting neighborhoods. EOB is using this list as a resource to plan future projects. In addition, we hope that it can serve as a starting point for EOB committees or groups seeking funding for neighborhood improvement projects. If you know of additional groups or organizations you feel should be included, or are interesting in pursuing one of the following opportunities, please let us know by sending an email to beautification@estatesofbrentwood.org.

• Austin Parks Foundation provides Neighborhood Park Grants that fund “community-driven initiatives that enhance public parks and green space owned and managed by the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.” Grant amounts range from $300 to $5000. 100% match with cash, labor, or in-kind services/goods required. Three annual deadlines: Jan. 30, May 30, Sept. 30.
  http://www.austinparks.org/park-grants-program.html
• Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) provides Neighborhood Beautification Grants to fund “community-driven initiatives that beautify the neighborhood, enhance public spaces in the community and/or restores the natural ecology of an area.” Grant amounts range from $500 to $2500. 100% match with in-kind donations or volunteer hours required. The application deadline for 2010 was July 9.
  http://www.keepaustinbeautiful.org
• Tree Folk’s NeighborWoods Program, sponsored by Austin Energy, combats an area’s heat island effect by providing free 5-gallon trees to shade pavement and streets in a neighborhood. Participants receiving trees must agree to plant and water them until established. Individuals as well as groups may request an assessment of their area or yard’s need for trees.
  http://treefolks.org/neighborwoods/
  Summary of all Tree Folk’s programs: http://treefolks.org/programs/

City of Austin Programs:

• Austin Community Trees (ACT) is part of the City’s Urban Heat Island Initiative and focuses on reducing the urban heat island effect by planting trees on private property near streets and sidewalks. To be eligible, a neighborhood association must have an adopted neighborhood plan.
  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/planning/neighborhood/trees.htm
• Large Trees for City Streetscapes provides 5-inch caliper trees to shade City right of ways and sidewalks in commercial areas and public spaces. Provides approximately 200 trees per year.
  Urban Forest Grant Program promotes conservation and improvements projects that benefit Austin’s urban forest. Projects funded can relate to “tree planting, education, public service announcements, award programs, disease control, inventorying, and other related efforts.” Grant maximums vary depending on project category.
  http://www.austintexas.gov/coolspaces
• The City’s Neighborhood Partnering Program assists neighborhood groups “in developing, resourcing, and executing small- to medium-sized improvement projects in the City’s right of way or on City-owned property.”
  http://www.austintexas.gov/department/neighborhood-partnering-program
  It has two subprograms:
  
  
  
  • Neighborhood Cost Share Program (NCSP) provides for City cost sharing of neighborhood improvement projects such as sidewalk and curb repairs, pocket parks, playgrounds or tree planting. Applicants must match a minimum 25% of the project’s cost either through cash, in-kind services, or volunteer labor.
  
  
  • Grant Assistance Program (GAP) provides City matching funds to “enable applicants to meet cost sharing or matching requirements for external grant opportunities.” Applicants are expected to provide a portion of local cost sharing/matching requirements.
  
  
  

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