Las Vegas Neighborhood Partners Fund Board elects Liz Becker and Aaron Bautista as leaders

The Neighborhood Partners Fund Board Meeting held on June 9, 2025, in Las Vegas, focused on enhancing community engagement through funding opportunities for local neighborhood associations. The meeting began with introductions from new board members, emphasizing the diverse representation across various wards in the city.

A significant highlight was the presentation by Josque Kawazeta, a senior community program technician, who outlined the guidelines for the Neighborhood Partners Fund. This matching grant program allows neighborhood associations to apply for up to $5,000 annually to support projects aimed at improving community safety, education, and recreational initiatives. The program encourages volunteer involvement, requiring at least 25% of the matching funds to come from volunteer labor, which is valued at $33.49 per hour.

The application process for this competitive grant opened earlier in the year and closed in late April. Neighborhood Services conducted workshops to assist associations in navigating the application process, ensuring that all interested parties were informed through various channels, including social media and newsletters.

The board will review presentations from applicants during the meeting, with funding recommendations to be made at a subsequent meeting on June 24, 2025. These recommendations will then be forwarded to the mayor and city council for potential approval on July 16, 2025. Successful applicants will have until March 31, 2026, to complete their projects.

The meeting concluded with a call for community associations to present their proposals, starting with the Buffalo Coalition Neighborhood Association. This engagement reflects the city’s commitment to fostering community-driven initiatives and enhancing the quality of life for residents through collaborative efforts.