Local nonprofit accepting applications for Seed Money Award
Black Mountain Beautification Committee offers up to $2,500 for community projects
Jessica Klarp
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
January 25, 2024
The Open Oven is one of four local businesses and organizations to receive a Seed Money Award from the Black Mountain Beautification Committee in 2023. The application period for this year’s grant will remain open through March 15. Photo courtesy of BMBC
It is hard to quantify the influence the Black Mountain Beautification Committee has on the little town it serves. From container boxes and green spaces to holiday decorations and litter sweeps, the more than 90 volunteers are committed to fulfilling the mission of the organization which is to improve the aesthetics of our already beautiful surroundings.
The non-profit understands the challenges that some face to keep the outside of their spaces as beautiful as the inside, and that is where the BMBC Seed Money Award comes in. Every January the Seed Money committee fans out around town to make sure everyone who is eligible knows about the funds available through this award. The application phase for this year’s grant will remain open through Friday, March 14.
The award was created to be given to local business, church or organization that submit plans for a project best exemplifying BMBC’s mission. The focus of the work must be a garden related improvement plan that involves plant material or hardscape. The project must be within the town limits, visible to the public and add an extra bit of beauty to the town. Funds for this project come from proceeds raised at the annual Black Mountain Garden Sale.
“Many beautiful landscape projects around town have come about because of the Beautification Seed Money Award,” Seed Money Award Chair Jean Chamberlain said. “Past recipients of the award have been creative and enthusiastic about making their landscapes more beautiful and appealing to the community. They have been greatly appreciative of receiving free money to make important improvements to their properties, as well as being able to add an extra bit of beauty to our beloved town.”
The amount of money awarded will not exceed $2,500.00. These funds are generally divided among several projects. Past recipients have executed projects large and small through the grant.
Black Mountain Primary School replaced the broken down cinder block borders on the sensory garden, the rock garden and the herb garden located on the school grounds, which are visible to the school personnel, parents and students, as well as the community. Open Oven Cafe improved the landscape at the front of their restaurant with plants and flowers that thrive in the shade around the sign, planter boxes and trellises. The Old Depot Association enhanced eight garden areas with a variety of plants, shrubs and perennials. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts used its funds to create beautiful mosaic pots in their pottery studio. They placed the pots on the front steps on State Street and filled them with seasonal flowers and plants.
Applications may be found at blackmountainbeautification.org, in Town Hall, the Black Mountain Visitor Center (Chamber of Commerce) and at the Black Mountain Library. For more information, please contact Jean Chamberlain at 614-203-9241.