VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS TOOLBOX

Curriculum & Grant Opportunity

United Way of Central Ohio and the Macy’s Foundation are pleased to announce a unique opportunity for capacity building at the neighborhood level through a new program, the Vibrant Neighborhoods Toolbox Curriculum and Grant. Each selected organization will complete a focused curriculum intended to improve the skill sets of neighborhood organizations and increase resident involvement. Upon completion of the curriculum, the participating organization will receive a $1,500 mini-grant to implement a project in alignment with the curriculum. This opportunity will include approximately a dozen neighborhood groups.

In October 2008, eight classes on four topics will be delivered over a four week schedule. A representative from the participating organization must take each of the eight classes. An individual can take as many of the eight classes as they would like, but multiple participants are encouraged. Each organization can send up to 3 people per class.

The classes include:

   1. Communication & Public Relations
   2. Community Engagement & Involvement
   3. Leadership Development
   4. Public Policy, Legislation & Advocacy

Each participating organization will receive a $1,500 mini-grant to implement a project that relates to the completed curriculum. Examples of projects include communication (newsletter, website, survey, public meeting, etc.), membership recruitment and/or retention projects, or community engagement activities. The projects are intended to be executed in the beginning of 2009 and completed by late spring/early summer. Each participating organization will then share best practices/lessons learned from their grant implementation with other participating organizations.

• Applicants DO NOT need to be a 501c3 non-profit but will need to partner with one to receive funds.
• Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years.
• Organizations can be civic associations, neighborhood groups, resident councils, block watch groups, area commissions, grass-roots groups, etc., within Franklin County.
• Annual operating revenue below $50,000 (exceptions could be made).
• Applications are due September 5th, 2008.
• Selection of participants occurs on September 19th, 2008.
• Courses begin the week of October 20th, 2008.
• Courses end the week of November 17th, 2008.
• Mini grants are awarded in December, implementation begins January 2009.