Nonprofit: North Salina Community Development

Founded in 2010, North Salina Community Development brings residents, businesses, and community partners together to strengthen Salina’s North Town District. Through volunteer service and neighborhood investment, the organization works to create a safer, more welcoming community and build pride among those who call it home.

In 2017, North Salina Community Development was a recipient of the Foundation’s Dane G. Hansen Strategic Initiative grant.  The $150,000 investment supported a collaborative neighborhood improvement project involving 21 organizations. Improved sidewalks, front porch repairs, welcoming banners, and Little Libraries helped transform the North Ninth Street corridor, while partnerships with the City and Westar brought street improvements and better lighting.

The project’s ripple effects reached beyond those improvements. Residents began sprucing up their own properties, businesses contributed materials and services, and volunteers strengthened connections with neighbors. The successful sidewalk partnership also prompted the City to extend cost sharing to other residential sidewalk repairs, demonstrating how one neighborhood investment could inspire broader change.

That momentum continues to be seen with painted mailboxes, neighborhood clean-up and tire disposal events. North Salina volunteers also partnered with the City to collect more than 1,000 surveys needed to secure a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for improvements to Stimmel Community Garden. Through continued collaboration and neighborhood pride, North Salina Community Development is making its mark in the lives of the people who call North Town home.