In support of Mayor Michael Rawlings comprehensive neighborhood and economic development initiative, the City of Dallas set out to develop a program that would cater to the needs and concerns of residents. The GrowSouth Neighborhood Challenge was created in 2012 to award grants to neighborhood groups that present a vision, a passion and a commitment to conduct community driven projects or programs that address specific neighborhood needs and help improve the quality of life. In collaboration with Planning and Urban Design Neighborhood Vitality, the Mayor s Office seeks to ignite neighborhood community creativity and resident empowerment in the southern sector. Up to a maximum of $10,000 is available per project in the GrowSouth geographical footprint defined by the Dallas city limits on the west, south, and east. The northern border is the Trinity River west of downtown and Interstate 30 east of downtown. 1
Eligibility One of the goals of the Neighborhood Challenge program is to promote residents coming together to address a need in their neighborhood. The following groups are eligible to receive funding: 1) neighborhood associations, 2) homeowner associations, 3) crime watch groups, 4) community garden groups, 5) schools, and parent teacher associations (PTAs), 6) organized youth groups (boy/girl scout troops, sports teams), and 7) a group of neighborhood members that come together to develop and submit an application. Ineligible The following individuals/organizations are encouraged to participate, but cannot submit an application as the lead organization: individual resident, religious organizations, fraternal organizations, businesses, business associations, universities, hospitals, non-local organizations, non-profit organizations where a majority of its members are outside of the target area, and elected officials. Allowable Use of Funding The purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment essential to the project/program. Community outreach/marketing materials (flyers, posters, etc.) directly related to the project/program. Food and beverages may be purchased, however the maximum request for this line item is based on the total budget: If budget is less than $5,000 up to $250 can be requested for food, beverages and catering expenses. If budget is more than $5,000 up to $500 can be requested for food beverages and catering expenses. Unallowable Use of Funding Travel expenses. Expenses incurred prior to the signing of the grant agreement. Financial commitments not related to the GrowSouth Neighborhood Challenge project/program. Types of Projects/Programs Neighborhood Challenge grants usually fall into one of the following categories: Ongoing Service an idea that includes continuous beneficial community activity that will carry on once implemented such as: clean-ups, painting and maintenance, beautification, block parties and murals. Construction improvement An idea that revolves around building and altering the look of an area such as: signage, dog parks, sign toppers, gazebos, and benches. Project/Program Grant Period The project/program must be completed by May 31, 2017. All funds must be expended by June 30, 2017. 2
Distribution of Grant Funds A bank account or fiscal sponsor (an organization who has fiduciary responsibility for managing grant funds) is required for disbursement of funds. A memorandum of understanding is required between the applicant and fiscal sponsor. Project expenses cannot be incurred until after the grant agreement is executed. It is anticipated that grant funds will be disbursed on a quarterly basis. All requests for grant disbursements must have original receipts and proof of payment. Submission Instructions Applications are due Monday, June 6, 2016 by 4:00 p.m. Late submissions or additional supplemental materials will not be accepted. Hand-written applications will not be accepted. Hand deliver or email one (1) single-sided, signed original to: City of Dallas -Planning and Urban Design Department 1500 Marilla Street 2DN Dallas, TX 75201 Attention: Neighborhood Vitality OR pnv@dallascityhall.com For additional information and questions, please contact Planning & Urban Design at pnv@dallascityhall.com or call 214-671-8900. 3
2016 Application Checklist Section 1 - Application Overview Section 2 - Project/Program Description Section 3 - Project/Program Timeline Section 4 - Budget Sheet Section 5 - Community Involvement Section 6 - Neighbor Participation Section 7 - Attachments Proposal Guidelines Section 1 - Application Overview (maximum 300 words) Describe a compelling need for the project in the community and use data to support the need (Data examples include: census, demographic and statistical). Is the project/program service related (art mural, community garden, neighborhood clean-up) or construction related (installing benches, constructing new signage for a gateway, design and development of a pocket park)? Does the project address a recreation, streetscape, public or open space need in the community? Section 2 - Project/Program Description (maximum 2 pages) What is the goal of the project/program? Describe in detail the project/program. How will you define and measure success? Who will benefit from the project/program? How does the project/program improve the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood? Who are the team leaders and what are their qualifications? What is the role of each team leader? Section 3 Project/Program Timeline Identify the key project/program activities, the responsible party and the completion date. Section 4 - Budget Sheet What is the itemized plan for how grant funds will be used? Equipment, supplies, materials and community outreach tools (i.e. flyers) are ONLY for items purchased and required to execute the project/program. Section 5 - Community Involvement (maximum 2 pages) How will community members participate in the project/program design? Describe how community members and volunteers will play an important role in the project/program? Describe the volunteer recruitment and management process? How will the project/program promote or build community engagement? 4
How does the project/program promote youth and/or senior engagement? How does the idea have a positive environmental impact (i.e: Going Green or recycling) Section 6 - Neighborhood Participation List the names, affiliation, home address or organization for each person participating in the project/program. Section 7 - Attachments Current organizational Fiscal Year / Calendar Year budget. Site photos, map, and plan diagram/designs (Art projects require a preliminary drawing). Memorandum of Understanding between the fiscal sponsor and applicant (if applicable). Letter from property owner(s) or authorizing City Department approving the project on their property (if applicable). Copy of GrowSouth Boot Camp certificate dated October 24, 2015 (if applicable) Five (5) additional points will be given to participants who participated in the GrowSouth Boot Camp on October 24, 2015. 5
Section 1 - Application Overview Group Name: Type of Organization or Group: Project Name: Group s Legal Address: Group Leader: Lead Email: Lead Phone: Project Council District: Neighborhood Association (NA) Homeowner Association (HOA) School Crime Watch (CW) Other: Is group a registered HOA/NA with the City / Planning & Urban Design? Yes No Alternate Contact Person Name: Alternate Email: Alternate Phone: 1 (Griggs) 2 (Medrano) 3 (Thomas) 4 (Arnold) 5 (Callahan) 6 (Alonzo) 7 (Young) 8 (Wilson) Project Overview: (300 words or less) Type of Project or Program: Service Construction Improvement Target Area Address: TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: $ 6
Section 2 Project / Program Description What is the goal of the project/program? Describe in detail the project/program. How will you define and measure success? Who will benefit from the project/program? How will the project/program improve the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood? Who are the team leaders and their qualifications? What is the role of each team leader? 7
Section 3 - Project / Program Timeline Identify the key project/program activities, the responsible party and the completion date. Step or Activity Responsible Party Completion Date Checkpoint (All steps must be listed in a chronological order) (Who will DO the activity) (Month/Day/Year) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 8
Section 4 Budget Sheet What is the itemized plan for how grant funds will be used? Equipment, supplies, materials and community outreach tools (i.e. flyers) are ONLY for items purchased and required to execute the project/program. Description of Project Budget Items Requested Grant Amount Grant Request Project costs NOT being requested Community Volunteer Value In-kind Donations Materials, Supplies & Professional Services Funding Source Totals Cash Contributions Total Budget for the Project $ 9
Section 5 - Community Involvement How will community members participate in the project/program design? Describe how community members and volunteers will play an important role in the project/program? Describe the volunteer recruitment and management process? How will the project/program promote or build community engagement? How does the project/program promote youth and/or senior engagement? How does the idea have a positive environmental impact (i.e: Going Green or recycling) 10
Section 6 - Neighborhood Participation List all names, affiliation, home address or organization for each person participating in the project/program. Additional copies of this form can be attached. Name Home Address or Organization 11
Section 7 - Attachments Current organizational Fiscal Year / Calendar Year budget Site photos, map, plan diagram/designs, Art projects require a preliminary drawing Memo of Understanding between the fiscal sponsor and applicant (if applicable) Letter from property owner(s) or authorizing City Department approving the project on their property (if applicable) Copy of GrowSouth Boot Camp certificate dated October 24, 2015 (if applicable) 12