MILWAUKEE– Milwaukee city leaders are rolling out a new grant program aimed at strengthening communities and reducing violence.
The Good Neighbor Grant Fund was announced Wednesday by Alderman Mark Chambers and Scott Spiker, along with Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Executive Director of Safe and Sound, Bridget Whitaker. The $400,000 initiative is supported by the Common Council’s Council Led Transformation Fund.
The grants are designed to empower block clubs, neighborhood associations, and resident- led groups to create projects that build safety, unity, and stronger connections across Milwaukee.
Alderman Mark Chambers expressed his excitement of the grant and explained how important it is to the community.
“​I ​saw ​firsthand ​the ​importance ​and ​the ​power ​of ​neighbors ​coming ​together,” Chambers said. “​Whether ​it’s ​a ​block ​party, ​a ​cleanup, ​or ​just ​simply ​watching ​out ​for ​each ​other, ​those ​moments ​build ​pride, ​safety, ​and ​belongings. ​And ​that ​spirit ​is ​exactly ​why ​this ​program ​we’re ​talking ​about ​today ​was ​created.”
Alderman Chambers also explains how this grant will be measured in it’s success.
“The ​results ​we ​see ​for ​itself ​far ​is ​the ​investments ​because ​safe ​and ​sound. ​They ​have ​their ​proven ​track ​record ​of ​just ​engaging ​and ​also ​their ​record ​keeping ​just ​to ​make ​sure ​that ​the ​residents ​are ​doing ​what ​they’re ​supposed ​to ​do, ​and ​make ​sure ​they’re, ​you ​know, ​doing ​the ​check ​balances ​while they’re ​hosting  ​in ​order ​for, ​to ​get ​funds.”
Executive Director of Safe and Sound, Bridget Whitaker also released the date of when these applications will be available.
“Applications ​will ​officially ​open ​on ​October ​1st. ​ ​You’ll ​be ​able ​to ​apply ​directly ​online ​at ​our ​website ​at, ​www.safesound.org, ​or ​write ​in ​person ​at ​our ​Safe ​and ​Sound ​location ​located ​at ​4422 ​West ​Leon ​Terrace.”
Safe & Sound, Inc. will help oversee the program. City leaders say the goal is to put resources directly in the hands of residents who know their neighborhoods best.
Applications, eligibility details, and instructions on how to apply are now available.
