Planning & Development - Community Betterment Program
The Community Betterment Program
The Community Betterment Program is a program sponsored and funded by the City
of Duluth. The program’s main objective is to provide funds for projects that
will enhance the entire City. Designed to encourage community involvement
through grant funds, the program will build pride; create enduring
neighborhood-based organizations; and encourage alliances among residents, local
businesses, schools and government. The program’s maximum grant is $1,000 per
project and the project must be completed within (6) six months. No applicant
may receive more than $1,500 per calendar year.
The Applicant:
Funds are available through the Community Betterment Program to eligible
neighborhood-based organizations. A neighborhood-based organization is a group
(or individual) whose purpose is to improve the quality of life within the
Duluth City Limits. Eligible groups must actively seek the involvement of local
residents and/or businesses. If the project is to be on private property, the
property owner must also provide written permission and it should be attached to
your application. If the project is to be on public property, the group must
actively seek involvement of surrounding local residents and businesses and any
applicable City agencies. For example, if the project is located on park
property, the Parks & Recreation Department must be notified and provide their
permission.
Eligible Projects:
Public projects receive priority funding over private property projects. Example
projects include (but are not limited to) neighborhood public art or murals,
community trees and/or gardens, building renovations or upgrades, new park
playground equipment or other park enhancements, environmental enhancements,
traffic safety improvements and youth projects.
The Application Process:
All applications must be preceded by a letter of intent - this letter will
trigger site visits and certain City staff assistance. Throughout the year,
several opportunities to apply are available.
Letters of Intent
February 1, April 1,
June 1 and September 1
Application Deadlines (three weeks later)
February 22, April 22
June 22 and September 22
Applications may be mailed or delivered, but they must be received by 5 p.m.
on the deadline day to be considered for an award during that cycle. However, as
this program is City-funded, the dates are flexible based on special
circumstances. Please call if you have questions regarding this.
Please submit the original application and (2) two photocopies to:
City of Duluth
Community Betterment Program
Attn: Sherri Hancel
3578 W. Lawrenceville St.
Duluth, GA 30096
Neighborhood Match:
Every City dollar requested must be matched with a requester’s contribution of
not less than 25% cash. For example, if the project is for $1,000, ($500 to be
matched by the City), a minimum of $250 must be provided by the requester in
cash. Volunteer labor, donated professional services, materials, etc,. may
qualify for the remaining $250. The best way to identify match items is to first
look over a list of all the resources needed to complete the project and then
decide which items can best be donated.
Basic Match Requirements:
- Proposed match must be expended during the construction life of the project - neither prior to the award nor after the project contract has ended.
- Assistance from City staff or funds from elsewhere in the City may not be counted as a match.
- Time spent preparing forms (letter of intent, application, etc) cannot be counted as a match.
- Time spent fundraising, soliciting donors, or researching qualified professionals cannot be counted as a match.
- All volunteer construction labor is valued at $10.00 per hour.
- Professional services, if necessary for the project, are valued at the “reasonable & customary rate,” usually provided by the contractor and validated by the Director of Planning & Development.
- All matches must not only be pledged, but secured. Secured means that the donor has detailed the contribution and signed the secured match form attached to the application.
- Professional services or skilled labor donated cannot also receive compensation from the grant money.
Important Funding Guidelines:
- No more than 50% of the City’s financial share may be approved up-front. Any remaining funds may be disbursed as necessary upon recommendation of the City appointed project coordinator.
- All funds from the City will be processed directly to the contractor or building supply company, upon recommendation of the CBP project coordinator, rather than to an individual. This is to ensure proper audit and accountability purposes. (Unless the HOA can produce receipts and then the funding can be processed to the HOA.)
- All funding requests for services and materials that are not donated must be accompanied by (3) three written bids from reputable contractors or companies. After researching the three offers, the applicant should make a recommendation and explain their choice.
- Applicant will remain completely responsible for labor, liability, risk, responsibility and insurance, (if necessary).
- Proof of successful coordination (and permission if necessary) with local or adjacent property owners must be attached to your application.
- Funds will be rescinded if project is not started within 90 days of date funds are approved. However, special circumstances could exist giving extension to this time frame.
Important Funding Guidelines continued:
- Upon approval of funds, the applicant is responsible to apply for and receive all necessary permits, inspections, etc., through the City of Duluth or Gwinnett County Planning & Development Department. As permits, inspections, etc., are approved, copies should be forwarded to your CBP project coordinator.
- All receipts for services or materials paid for must be submitted upon completion of the project.
Award Decisions:
All award decisions will be made by the Community Betterment Program Committee
and are final.
Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws and ordinances:
When planning your project, each group must make a good faith effort to ensure
they are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. Also,
all projects must comply with all City ordinances, as well as all State and
Federal laws.
The CBP Commission meets on an as needed basis, typically once in the
Spring and once in the Fall, at Duluth City Hall. The meetings begin at 6:00
p.m. (or as needed) and are open to the public. The Commission considers
applications for funding from the City for small community projects. Members of
this board are the Chairman of the Planning Commission, Chairman of the Zoning
Board of Appeals, members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and the
Preservation District Review Board. The fifth member is a "Citizen at large"
member who is a resident of the City and volunteers time to serve the City.
| Brad Hench, Chair, PC member |
| Arthur Salus, ZBA Chair |
| vacant |
| Greg Lock, "at large member" |
| Alana Moss, ZBA member |
To apply for funding, please complete the Letter of Intent and Application
and submit to the Department. Should you have any questions, you may call
770-497-5316.
Click on the link to print print or download the documents to file an
application. You may also stop by City Hall, 3rd Floor, Planning Department, and
pick up a packet containing all the required information.
"Before" and "After" photos of the Village of Albion Farm are provided (click on the blue links) as examples of projects that have been approved and completed within the community in recent years.