Since 2022, the Community Relations Innovation Small Grant Program has been supporting community-based, innovative approaches to fulfilling the Community Relation Committee’s (CRC) Purpose, Mission and Vision.

For the 2025 grant cycle, the following groups have been awarded grants:

Accessibility UA / Tri-Village Lions Club
A grant of $3,500 will be provided to support the efforts of a new initiative, Accessibility UA. The proposal scored highly with judges for identifying and proposing a proactive approach that would begin working to address a gap in Upper Arlington’s aspirations for being a welcoming community for all – recognizing and supporting the needs of individuals with various disabilities. The approach mapped out by Accessibility UA aligns strongly with Community Relations goals for increasing the sense of belonging and inclusion for all UA community members, as well as increasing residents’ knowledge and understanding of the needs of disabled residents and their families. The program will begin by undertaking an assessment of existing conditions and working with disabled residents and their families to identify existing barriers, needs and gaps in knowledge regarding disability inclusion. From this data, the Accessibility UA team will develop accessibility protocols that can be used by community organizations and local businesses to make changes that will allow for the full participation of disabled people and their families in community life.

Equal UA Porch Parties
Equal UA will receive a grant of $4,500 in support of its Porch Parties Program. The inaugural Porch Parties in 2024 exceeded all hopes and expectations, with more than 70 households registering to host an event for their neighbors – more than double the original goal. The program successfully addresses the Community Relations Committee’s goals for increasing the sense of belonging and inclusion for all members of the Upper Arlington community. For 2025, Equal hopes to support at least 100 porch parties across the community, further expanding opportunities for bringing together neighbors who might not typically spend time with one another and helping to build stronger neighborhood connections.

UA Culture & Artisans Fair
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will receive a grant of $3,000 in support of this event, now in its third year. The judges felt that the UA Culture and Artisans Fair is such a good fit for the grant program and CRC goals that it merits another year of financial support, in particular because the event received much smaller support in year one. The grant will enable the St. Mark’s planning team to continue building on the success of their 2024 event, in support of refugee and immigrant populations in Central Ohio, while providing an opportunity for the UA community to welcome, learn from and build positive connections with the participating artisans and other visitors who attend this event. Since the goals and potential outcomes from the Fair align with the goals and purpose of the CRC, the Fair again be included and promoted as part of the CRC UA Welcome Series.

Learn more about the Community Relations Innovation Small Grant Program.