CONCORD, N.H. – After receiving a record number of applications, the ROC Association Directors awarded six resident-owned communities a total of more than $10,000 in grant funding to complete quality of life improvement projects by the end of the year. 
Kim Capen, ROC Association Director from the New England region, said he and the other Directors were stunned by the scope of need for grant funding. They felt compelled to fund an additional, unexpected grant after trying to narrow down so many worthy applicants.
“It was a huge response – there really is some compelling need out there,” Capen said. “Choosing the recipients has always been a difficult task but the overwhelming response made our job more difficult. We felt like we really took care of the ones that had the greatest need.”
The grant winners are:
- Colonial Estates Homeowners Association in Taunton, Mass. Colonial Estates residents will replace the deck boards on the main entrance ramp into their community center. The boards are sinking and lifting, making them a tripping hazard for residents and guests. The $3,000 project should be completed sometime this fall, $2,000 of which will come from the grant and the remaining will come from the operating funds.
- Triangle Court Cooperative in Brandon, Vt. Triangle Court Cooperative will use its money to fix potholes and drainage issues for the roads in the community. The $2,400 project should be completed by the end of August. The majority of the funding comes from the grant, while $400 is being used from the community’s Road Maintenance Budget.
- Country Court Community in Kalispell, Mont. Country Court residents will use the funding to bring the wiring in a shop in the ROC up to code. This will allow for separate electrical services for the water pump, the shop and the other homes. The community was awarded $2,000 and will be providing $149 from its Reserve Funds. The project should be completed by the end of August.
- Barrington Oaks Cooperative in Barrington, N.H. Barrington Oaks will be replacing its 20-year-old mailboxes, as well as installing a new roof, interior walls and ceiling, and lights. The community was awarded $2,000 for the project and expect to have it finished by mid-October.
- C&C Community in Billings, Mont. C&C Community will be installing fences and proper lighting at the entrances and mailbox area in order to increase neighborhood safety. The community was awarded $2,000 and will be providing $1,300 in funding. They expect to have the project completed by the beginning of November.
- Umpqua Ranch Cooperative in Idlelyd Park, Ore. Umpqua Ranch will be installing fences throughout the neighborhood in order to increase safety and improve the aesthetics of the ROC. The community was awarded $2,000 for the project and expect to complete it by December.
Each non-winning applicant received a $50 donation. The ROC Association Directors encouraged each Board of Directors – and all Boards for that matter – to celebrate the volunteer efforts.
In October 2010, the ROC leaders who attended the Community Leadership Institute in Louisville developed a community grants program idea that would both help a fellow ROC as well as engage new leadership in the resident corporation. The ROC USA® Board of Directors has included the grants in the budget since 2010.
The projects are meant to meet safety and health needs, as well as bring together neighbors to solidify the already growing feeling of camaraderie.
Applications for the Re-Branding Grant Program are still being accepted. This one-time grant is meant to help ROCs improve their reputation and brand image in their community at-large. These can include projects like changing the legal name of the cooperative, new signage, new letterhead and collateral materials, or a website redesign or new website (including ROC USA provided websites). Applications for the one-time grant are due on Aug. 30. Grants are available for up to $1,200, with a total of $10,000 available to give away.
Learn more about the program and how to apply here.