Can we use PRO Neighborhoods funds to buy large equipment, or to pay consultants or contractors?
Yes, if these are necessary expenses within a project that builds community relationships. If community members are very involved in the planning and implementation of a project, and the process itself helps them organize as a group, PRO Neighborhoods will consider granting funds for necessary expenses such as large equipment. For example, several groups have used money to buy equipment that was useful in the long term, but the purchase process was also used as an opportunity to bring community members together for workshops and discussions. However, if a group falls apart and the equipment is no longer available to the community, PRO Neighborhoods may request that it be returned to be used by another group.
