PHOTO: Santa Rita Market received the Keep Victoria Beautiful Business Beautification Award for May. KVB officials plan to help even more property owners beautify their spaces with a new grant program.
Keep Victoria Beautiful is partnering with private donors to launch its new beautification grant program, which will lend a helping hand to organizations that want to help spruce up their community by beautifying their own properties.
“If anyone has an idea for a beautification project on their property, we want to show them that it’s possible and that we can help them,” said Community Appearance Manager Christy Youker.
Which properties are eligible?
Local businesses, apartments, nonprofits, neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, schools and other community organizations are eligible. Single-family homes are not eligible.
How to apply
Property owners can apply at www.victoriatx.gov/kvb. Potential projects include, but are not limited to:
- Theme, cultural or educational gardens
- Landscaping using drought-tolerant, freeze-resistant native plants
- Removal and prevention of graffiti and litter
- Other exterior improvements, such as painting or installing planters
KVB will prioritize projects under $500 in order to serve a greater number of property owners, but higher-cost projects will be considered. If the cost of the project is greater than $300, the applicant must provide a 50% match if accepted.
Funding will be provided as a reimbursement once the project is completed. Applicants must commit to maintaining their projects for at least three years.
How it’s funded
Initial funding for the program is provided through grants from the Victoria Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and H-E-B’s Community Investment Program. Keep Victoria Beautiful will continue to seek out private grants and donations for the program.
KVB is exploring the idea of implementing paid memberships (separate from its volunteer database), which would allow community members to donate to KVB’s initiatives through membership fees. This program will likely begin sometime next year.
To donate to the grant program or other KVB initiatives, contact Youker at 361-485-3230 or cyouker@victoriatx.gov
Stay connected
To learn more about KVB, follow Keep Victoria Beautiful on Facebook.