Neighborhood Investment Fund by the numbers | The Homepage

The kinds of aid applied for through the micro-grant program in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Data visualization by Michael Cooley for Hazelwood Initiative Inc.

By Managing Editor Juliet Martinez

The Neighborhood Investment Fund is a micro-grant program that Hazelwood Initiative Inc. offers at least once a year. Since launching in 2020, funding for this program has come out of the rent paid by Propel School. In 2024, the organization got a two-year, $50,000 grant that will make a second round possible for later this year.

At the May 12 Greater Hazelwood community meeting, Hazelwood Initiative Inc. Executive Director Sonya Tilghman said she hopes to increase staffing to be able to run the program three times a year. She also is looking for a source of matching funds so the program can help more people.

To be eligible for a Neighborhood Investment Fund grant, you must live in Greater Hazelwood and earn less than the area median income. Applicants who have never gotten a grant before get priority. Ms. Tilghman said most of the basic needs gift card applicants are seniors; the organization tries to make sure they get one no matter if they have applied before. But some repeat applicants leave their rent unpaid and count on getting the grant each year. This is why first-time applicants get priority.

The racial makeup of Neighborhood Investment Fund applicants from 2024 to April, 2026. Data visualization by Michael Cooley for Hazelwood Initiative Inc.

By the numbers

Hazelwood Initiative Inc. intern Michael Cooley compiled this data. It reflects the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) program from 2024 through April 17, 2026.

Total of grants given: $107,137

Grant recipients: 174

Averages

• Age: 52

• Years in Greater Hazelwood: 19

• Household income: $23,394

• Amount requested: $927

• Amount paid: $874

Grant purpose

• 81 rent (47%)

• 58 basic needs gift card (33%)

• 23 utility (13%)

• 10 mortgage (6%)

• 2 property tax (1%)

Gender breakdown

• 139 female (80%)

• 31 male (18%)

• 4 not reported (2%)

Racial makeup of household

• 89 Black/African American (51%)

• 15 Multiracial (9%)

• 20 White (11%)

• 3 Hispanic or Latinx (2%)

• 47 not reported (27%)

Renter or homeowner

• 135 renter (78%)

• 35 homeowner (20%)

• 4 not reported (2%)

Employment

• 105 unemployed (60%)

• 69 employed (40%)

Received NIF grant since 2021?

• 103 no (59%)

• 71 yes (41%)

Medicare or Medicaid?

• 137 yes (79%)

• 34 no (19%)

• 3 not reported (2%)

SNAP or LIHEAP?

• 126 yes (72%)

• 43 no (43%)

• 5 not reported (3%)

Section 8 voucher or senior high rise?

• 76 yes (44%)

• 92 no (54%)

• 6 not reported (3%)