Invest in Neighborhoods Inc. Invest in Neighborhoods Inc. The purpose of NSP is to fund resident-controlled neighborhood projects and to improve the leadership capacity of Community Councils. NSP funds are available for projects that are planned, implemented, and evaluated by eligible Community Councils. Support for efforts to recruit, train, and increase the productivity of volunteers is also an important element of the Program. Enhancing the quality of life in each Cincinnati community is the goal of the Program.
Cincinnati City Council has determined that the following types of activities are in the best interest of the City and its citizens when carried out by Community Councils:
1.1 To strengthen, improve, and develop neighborhood organizations through organizational development activities such as those aimed at increasing Council membership, leadership training, seminar attendance, youth leadership development to cultivate new community leaders, as well as fund-raising projects or neighborhood events to benefit the community.
1.2 Communication projects such as specific or general activities that seek to inform, educate, and publicize the work of the Community Council, special activities or events, as well as community identification elements that aid in building a sense of community pride and cohesion.
1.3 Community improvement activities that focus on cleanup and beautification, recreation area development, conservation and rehabilitation of existing housing stock, capital improvements, and the acquisition of fixed assets.
1.4 Educational activities which seek to enhance existing programs or opportunities, inform residents of new community initiatives such as environment or development issues, or to create new programming that will fill an education void for youth, teenagers, adults, or senior citizens.
1.5 Community Services designed to aid law enforcement, develop or enhance recreation opportunities, stimulate economic or commercial development, or manage, study, or promote environmental issues.
1.6 Projects to Investigate problems or conditions in an effort to develop a comprehensive plan to improve or alter situations communities deem a priority.
1.7 Other projects or activities which will improve the quality of life and serve public needs that are consistent with the NSP Guidelines. Refer to Appendix B for a list of examples of projects previously undertaken by Program participants.
