Our Mission
For 160 years, SUNY Oswego has been focused on excellence in higher education and on being a positive force in the community and region. This continues today in many ways. The mission of SUNY Oswego's Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA) is to promote the restoration, beautification and preservation of healthy, vibrant neighborhoods in Oswego, NY. The ORA accomplishes this by partnering directly with critical masses of neighbors, who work with us as teams to leverage investment in targeted residential areas. We strategically grow housing and neighborhood value, and expanding ever outward from these anchor points. We succeed when neighborhoods reach the positive tipping point --- and blocks naturally retain and attract neighbors with choices where they can live, becoming Neighborhoods of Choice. Contact us.
GRANTS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS
The Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA), in partnership with the Shineman Foundation, Pathfinder Bank, Novelis and other strategic partners, has begun a strategic, multiyear program for revitalizing the City of Oswego's neighborhoods. This program is guided by a market-based revitalization plan funded by the Shineman Foundation. Currently, Neighborhood Pride Grants and Renaissance Block Challenge grants are available to homeowners in 4 city areas targeted for revitalization. In addition, Paint Oswego grants and resources are available property owners in the city regardless of location. See options below that may be available to you. Start a renaissance in your neighborhood.
Grants for Homes & Properties
The RENAISSANCE BLOCK CHALLENGE GRANT provides matching grants to property owners who apply in clusters of 5 or more properties on a block!
Grants for
Painting Homes
The PAINT OSWEGO program provides resources and grants to property owners who are interested in painting their property in beautiful historic color schemes
Grants for your whole neighborhood
The NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE GRANTS provide funds to improve your street, parks, playgrounds or improve properties in a coordinated way to beautify your neighborhood!
BUILD MOMENTUM! FAST TRACK GRANTS FOR BLOCKS THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE RENAISSANCE BLOCK CHALLENGE
The ORA has grants and programs to allow Neighborhoods that have previously completed the Renaissance Block Challenge. The goal is to build momentum. SEE HOW TO APPLY.
Amazing Results of 2023's Renaissance Blocks - Over 5.6 Million Invested in Oswego Neighborhoods
In the Summer and Fall of 2023, over 181 Oswego homeowners and landlords applied for, and completed, the Renaissance Block Challenge Grants, Pride Grants and Paint Oswego Grants to begin the revitalization of their neighborhoods. Twenty-three (23) separate city blocks participated in the Renaissance Block Challenge. In each neighborhood, residents gathered together 5 (or more) houses to participate, each receiving a matching grant award for the first $1000 in expenses towards exterior home improvements, landscaping, street improvements, and more. Remarkably, $583,204 was invested in homes and neighborhoods through the program. To date, over $5.6 M of private investment has been leveraged into Oswego's Renaissance Block neighborhoods. Want a renaissance in your neighborhood? Find out how here. See the amazing results of the Renaissance Blocks in our online gallery here.
