UCD and Neighborhood Associations Give Out $20,000 in Small Business and Non-Profit Grants

Logo for the University City Community Group Fund
Mar 01, 2021 3 years ago

In coordination with the five neighborhood associations that serve on our Board of Directors, University City District launched a $15,000 fund to provide financial assistance to local businesses and organizations through 15 $1,000 grants. We worked with representatives from the Garden Court Community Association, the Walnut Hill Community Association, the Spruce Hill Community Association, the Powelton Village Civic Association, and Cedar Park Neighbors to select up to three brick-and-mortar businesses or non-profits operating within each neighborhood to receive $1,000 grants to help alleviate losses tied to COVID-19. Working with the neighborhood associations allowed us to put grant decisions into their hands so they could determine the best allocation of the funds to businesses and non-profits in their coverage areas, outlined below. 

After launching, UCD and an anonymous local donor raised the fund's amount to $20,000, allowing for each neighborhood association to select an additional small business or non-profit to support, bringing the total to 20 businesses funded, or four per neighborhood. We received over 120 applications for the funds, and after careful consideration, the grantees have been selected by committees from the neighborhood associations, and are listed below by neighborhood. 

"I am delighted and so very appreciative of this grant from the Garden Court Community Association and the UCD. The fact that community organizations are even thinking of, let alone organizing for, small businesses such as ours is enormously gratifying."

Barbara Scott, Owner, Fresh on 47th Catering

The UCD Community Group Fund was made possible thanks to a generous donation from neighbors Barry Grossbach and Mike Hardy, and further contributions from University City District and an anonymous donor.

UCD Community Group Fund Grantees

Cedar Park Neighbors:

  • Amari’s Restaurant 
  • Indie-Life Media 
  • Spinning Chairs Barber Shop 
  • The Green Tambourine Music Studio 

 

Garden Court:

  • Best Laundromat of Pine Street 
  • Fresh on 47th Catering 
  • Solomon Fruit & Produce Truck 
  • Education Garden Learning Center 

 

Powelton Village:

  • A Part of Me Women's Clothing 
  • Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast 
  • El Taco 
  • La Pearl Beauty Emporium 

 

Spruce Hill:

  • Alif Brew and Mini Mart 
  • Hadramout Restaurant
  • Philly Cuts Barbershop
  • Saias Cleaners 

 

Walnut Hill:

  • Authentic Ethnic Cuisine
  • Creative Repute, LLC 
  • Hakim's Bookstore & Gift Shop 
  • West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance/ Paul Robeson House Museum