Program Summary Community Connections: Engage + Learn + Lead 2018 Application Hands-on Learning for Community Engagement COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS is a program for community groups who want to engage residents to improve their neighborhoods. The program provides community groups with money, learning, and coaching. LISC believes community engagement helps make neighborhoods better and healthier for everyone. Twelve groups in Philadelphia will be chosen to participate. The program starts April 28, 2018 and ends October 31, 2018. We asked community leaders how we could help them better engage their neighbors. They wanted money to support their efforts, individual support, and a chance to connect with people in other neighborhoods. Selected groups will get: MONEY: Groups will receive $2,000 to do a project that engages the community and meets a neighborhood need. LEARNING: Groups will attend three workshops to learn from other communities and take away tools and tips. COACHING: Groups will receive individual support to complete their project; up to 2 hours per month. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 30, 2018. LISC will notify selected groups by April 20, 2018. Who should apply? 1. Community groups in any Philadelphia neighborhood committed to engaging residents. 2. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is not required. Groups without tax exempt status, if selected, will need to have a 501(c)(3) organization act as fiscal sponsor. 3. Groups must choose two people to join the program. Both people should have experience working with neighborhood residents. 4. Groups must choose a neighborhood project that addresses a community need. Groups that can apply: Civic Associations Community Development Corporations, including Neighborhood Advisory Committees Community-based groups, including groups run by volunteers Friends Groups of Parks, Libraries, or Recreation Centers About Philadelphia LISC With residents and partners, Philadelphia LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across Philadelphia great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1980, Philadelphia LISC has invested more than $400 million to build or preserve more than 8,000 affordable homes and to develop more than 2 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space. For more information, visit www.lisc.org/philly. 1
Groups that cannot apply: Individual persons For-profit businesses Major institutions: government agencies, universities, hospitals Political groups Organizations outside the City of Philadelphia What is expected? If we select your group, your group will be expected to: Sign an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding or MOU) with LISC about program responsibilities Complete a survey before the program and another after the program ends Choose and complete a project that engages community between April and October. LISC will provide $2,000, which can be used for: Staff pay Food for events, meetings, and public gatherings Stipends or volunteer incentives 2 Supplies Equipment rentals (except bouncy houses) Professional services Fiscal sponsorship fees Send two people to attend three workshops on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (we will provide lunch): 1. April 28 2. June 23 3. September 15 Participate in individual coaching sessions, up to 2 hours per month Write a final report in October 2018 about project results and how you spent the funds. Must include at least 5 photographs and a brief explanation of what you did and what you learned. How will groups be selected? LISC and the City of Philadelphia s Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will review applications and select groups. DHCD staff shall approve the final selection of participants. We are looking for these qualities: Commitment to fulfill expectations and responsibilities of the program Willingness to learn and strengthen your group s community engagement Commitment to racial justice and supporting the leadership of residents of color Commitment to resident engagement and leadership A project that addresses a neighborhood need Interest in learning about new, innovative approaches A project that can be finished or in progress by September 15 Information Session Workshop Groups interested in applying are invited to attend an Information Session (optional): Deadline Tuesday, Feb. 27 6:00-7:00 p.m. In person: 718 Arch Street, Suite 500 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Conference call line: 1-844-845-5512, press 1 and then enter 97504#. Application must be received by Friday March 30, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. Selected groups will be notified by Friday, April 20, 2018.
Contact Call us if you have questions about program guidelines and application process. David Ferris, Assistant Program Officer at Philadelphia LISC dferris@lisc.org 215-923-1748 Timeline Wednesday, February 7 Tuesday, February 27, 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, 5 p.m. Friday, April 20 Saturday, April 28 Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Before June 1 Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept 15, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 Application posted Information Session at LISC, 718 Arch Street, Suite 500 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Application deadline Applicants notified if they are selected Program begins Peer Workshop 1 - Kick off and goals Each group gets $2,000 for their project Peer Workshop 2 Troubleshooting Peer Workshop 3 - Wrap up & reflections Program ends This pilot program is made possible with funding from: City of Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development, formerly known as the Office of Housing and Community Development Philadelphia Foundation LISC 3
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Community Connections: Engage + Learn + Lead 2018 Application By completing an application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood how groups are selected and expectations from selected groups. Submit this application one of two ways by Friday, March 30, 2018: 1. ONLINE: Complete the application using Google Forms at this link: bit.ly/communityconnectionsapp18 OR 2. PAPER: Deliver or mail a paper application to: Group Information David Ferris Community Connections Application Philadelphia LISC 718 Arch Street, Suite 500S Philadelphia, PA 19106 1. Group Name 2. Address 3. Neighborhood 4. Website, if available 5. Do you have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status? 6. If not, do you have a fiscal sponsor? Participant 1 7. Name 8. Mailing Address 9. Email 10. Telephone 11. Relationship to Group (ex. volunteer, member, coordinator) 12. Preferred method of contact (phone or email) Participant 2 13. Name 14. Mailing Address 15. Email 16. Telephone 17. Relationship to Group (ex. volunteer, member, coordinator) 18. Preferred method of contact 5
Community Connections: Engage + Learn + Lead 2018 Application (2 of 2) About Your Group 19. What is your group s purpose or mission? 20. How do you engage residents in your efforts? 21. Why does your group want to participate in this program? Project Idea Choose a community engagement project to work on during the program, between April and October. The project may change once you get started. Here are some examples of the types of projects your group might try. Feel free to propose projects outside of these examples! Conduct outreach to residents who are behind on their real estate taxes Clean and beautify a local park with your neighbors Help residents organize their blocks to make improvements and learn about resources Hire local artists to organize arts and culture activities that bring neighbors together Bring together residents and local police to increase public safety 22. What do you want to do? Describe the specific project that engages community that your group wants to work on. 23. Why do you want to do it? 24. Who will benefit? 25. Who will be involved? How will they be involved? (Ex. businesses, agencies, residents) 26. What difference do you hope to make in your neighborhood? If submitting a paper application, attach more pages as needed. 6