The second deadline for the Downtown Challenge Fund, which funds transformation ideas for the urban core of Macon, is September 15, 2016, at noon. In conjunction with the approaching deadline, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia announces the latest series of community information sessions to assist potential applications with the grant process.

The Downtown Challenge is a three-year, $3 million grant program funding community-driven ideas to transform Downtown Macon, also known as the city’s urban core that stretches from the central business district to surrounding neighborhoods.

The Downtown Challenge is administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and was made possible by the Peyton Anderson Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; each provided $1.5 million in support.

Over $3.4 million in Downtown Challenge grant applications were received on March 15, the inaugural deadline. Sixty-eight applications were reviewed and scored according to the funding priorities of the Macon Action Plan, a five-year strategic plan designed to improve Macon’s urban core and respond to four community needs and opportunities detailed in the plan:

• Economic Development – Diversify the local economy to ensure that downtown is competitive and attractive for new business, support Macon’s institutions as economic anchors for growth, send a clear message that Macon is open for business, and support startups and attract job-creating businesses.
• Experience – Program downtown’s social life, build the local audience, keep the urban core clean and safe, and transform Macon’s sidewalks and public spaces as the center stage for community life.
• Living – Encourage more households to locate downtown, update regulations and codes to encourage investment, and strengthen surrounding neighborhoods to offer the best of both worlds (Downtown and Intown living).
• Connectivity – Cultivate and improve multimodal transportation options, enhance safety and manage Downtown Macon’s parking system in a comprehensive manner.

In early June, the 22 grant recipients were announced and are now in the implementation process. Funded ideas included “Preservation Pop-Up Speakeasies” in historic building stock, the East to West Art Walk connecting the downtown business district to Mill Hill and the Macon Soul Cycles bike share program.

The three-year grant program will continue to fund creative, transformational projects for Macon’s downtown area—bounded by Interstate 75, Emery Highway, Seventh Street and Little Richard Penniman Boulevard (click on the map above).

A broad-based, competitive grant program, the Downtown Challenge funds the best ideas – small and large – from individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities who will lead the development and implementation of their projects. Individual applicants are encouraged to partner with a sponsoring organization.

The September 15 deadline is part of five more grant cycles, with deadlines that alternate in March and September. A series of public information sessions offering guidance on applying to the Downtown Challenge will take place in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The sessions are free to attend, with no advanced reservation required, and hosted by Alex Leahy, Community Foundation of Central Georgia program officer. The open sessions take place on the following dates, with additional dates added soon:

• Tuesdays, August 16, 23 and 30 and September 6, 8-9 am, at the Creek 100.9 FM radio station lobby (upstairs – 533 Cherry Street)
• Thursday, August 11, 10-11 am, at the Family Investment Center (905 Main Street)
• Friday, August 26, 10-11 am, at the Shurling Library (1769 Shurling Drive)
• Wednesday, August 31, 12-1:30 pm, at Francar’s Buffalo Wings – Bowden Golf Course (3111 Millerfield Road)
• Wednesday, August 31, 5:30-6:30 pm, at Just Tap’d (488 First Street)

Other dates will be announced via the Downtown Challenge e-newsletter, which you can receive through downtownchallengemacon.org.

For more information about the Downtown Challenge Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and to apply, visit downtownchallengemacon.org.

About the Community Foundation of Central Georgia
The Community Foundation of Central Georgia was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than $67 million in grants. As a local center for philanthropy, the foundation works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and nonprofit organizations to carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues.  Our donors make possible the foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Central Georgia. To learn more, visit cfcga.org.

About the Peyton Anderson Foundation
The Peyton Anderson Foundation, formed in 1989 to handle the broad distribution of the estate of Peyton Tooke Anderson Jr., is committed to improving lives and enhancing the communities of Middle Georgia. The foundation initiates projects to meet needs in the community, responds to requests from charitable organizations and provides college scholarships to promising students with financial need. To learn more, visit peytonanderson.org.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.