How to Donate
The Allentown Village Initiative is a 501(c3) organization. Your tax deductible donation can be made online or mailed:
The Allentown Village Initiative
c/o Martha Ploshay
106 South Main Street
Allentown, New Jersey 08501
c/o Martha Ploshay
106 South Main Street
Allentown, New Jersey 08501
Where Your Donation Goes
How will my donation to The Allentown Village Initiative be used?
Revitalization is a process of continuous improvement that takes time. Your money will not be used arbitrarily. The Allentown Village Initiative utilizes the successful protocol developed by the National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Main Street NJ - the State Coordinating Program of the National Main Street Center, Inc. Our downtown revitalization efforts will utilize Four-Point Approach™ due to their track record of comprehensive results.
Revitalization is a process of continuous improvement that takes time. Your money will not be used arbitrarily. The Allentown Village Initiative utilizes the successful protocol developed by the National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Main Street NJ - the State Coordinating Program of the National Main Street Center, Inc. Our downtown revitalization efforts will utilize Four-Point Approach™ due to their track record of comprehensive results.
Category # 1. Building a Strong, Volunteer Organization
Among the expenditures in this category are filing fees to become a non-profit corporation, scholarships to the Downtown Revitalization & Management institute to attend workshops on such topics as fund-raising, and managing the organization. Other expenditures may include copying costs, direct mail contacts with out-of-town property owners, etc.
Among the expenditures in this category are filing fees to become a non-profit corporation, scholarships to the Downtown Revitalization & Management institute to attend workshops on such topics as fund-raising, and managing the organization. Other expenditures may include copying costs, direct mail contacts with out-of-town property owners, etc.
Category # 2. Promotion of our Historic Downtown & Events
Among the expenditures in this category are scholarships for our businesses to the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute to attend workshops on such topics as digital marketing, ongoing costs for the The Allentown Village Initiative website, blog and community calendar, historical interpretive signs, brochures, audio tours, etc.
Among the expenditures in this category are scholarships for our businesses to the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute to attend workshops on such topics as digital marketing, ongoing costs for the The Allentown Village Initiative website, blog and community calendar, historical interpretive signs, brochures, audio tours, etc.
Category # 3. Design
Among the expenditures in this category are hiring professionals to augment the work of volunteers as needed, scholarships to attend the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute's workshops on such topics as planning to attract more “feet on the street”,or techniques and funding for historic building restoration.
Among the expenditures in this category are hiring professionals to augment the work of volunteers as needed, scholarships to attend the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute's workshops on such topics as planning to attract more “feet on the street”,or techniques and funding for historic building restoration.
Category # 4. Economic Restructuring
Among the expenditures in this category are scholarships for our businesspeople to attend the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute's workshops on topics that will sharpen their competitiveness and business recruitment.
Among the expenditures in this category are scholarships for our businesspeople to attend the Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute's workshops on topics that will sharpen their competitiveness and business recruitment.
Among Our Favorite Project Ideas Are:
- Restoration of the Old Burying Ground along Lakeview Drive near the parking area behind Main Street downtown (project completed 2020)
- Planting of year-round ground cover in the stone base of the Allentown Entry signs
- Natural-looking wildflower planting along the interstate-exit and entrances to Allentown
- Upgraded seasonal decorations - Life size figures
- A grant program to assist property owners to historically restore their buildings
- Continue to assist the Borough to enhance the downtown street scape
- Assist in upgrading all websites that promote Allentown businesses, community events, which provide links to grant applications to enhance the main streets or promote community pride
- Adding historical interpretive signs
- Elimination of extraneous state, county and municipal signage and replacement of all faded or damaged signs
- Better signage delineating parking areas for the downtown
- More cultural and arts events catering to the community
- Graphic Identity System/Branding
- Beautifying the entrance areas to the historic district
- Offering to help the businesses create beautiful/interesting window displays
- Surveying residents to find out what kind of businesses they want in town
- Encouraging a Borough-wide forestry plan