Batesville, IN — Batesville residents will soon add pizazz to basketball courts at Liberty Park if the Project Park Pizazz crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $25,000 by April 9, 2023.
If successful, the project led by the Batesville Mayor’s Youth Council will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) My Community, My Vision (MCMV) program.
“My Community, My Vision encourages youth to have a direct say in the development of their communities, engaging them in the planning process and connecting them to local leaders,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Project Park Pizazz is a prime example of how imagination – and a little paint – can increase pride in our communities and bring citizens together around a common vision.”
Funds from the campaign will be used to revamp a series of basketball courts. By adding paint, these courts will be turned into ground murals, creating a more welcoming and inviting space for the community.
“The Batesville Mayor’s Youth Council is a group of 27 students ranging from 7th to 12th grade with one collective goal in mind: we are all driven to make a noticeable difference in our community and make our small town of Batesville, Indiana a place where everyone wants to live,” said Bill Giltz, youth council advisor. “We aim to improve the safety and usability of the courts by resurfacing the pavement and also to improve the overall appeal of the courts by incorporating more color. We are asking you to donate to this major undertaking and join us in making Liberty Park a more exciting place to be.”
My Community, My Vision (MCMV) is a youth-driven placemaking partnership between the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and Patronicity.
In collaboration with the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Youth Council Networks, cohorts of youth council students participate in a semester-long program focused on asset-based community development, stakeholder engagement, and placemaking.
Student youth council teams, alongside their foundation or local unit of government sponsor, will utilize CreatINg Places funds.
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, and projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds.
The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities.
Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity.
IHCDA will provide matching grant funds of up to $50,000 per project.
(Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority press release)
