Promise Neighborhood Connections Grants
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, in partnership with
Neighborhood Connections, has implemented a grassroots grants program for the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood. The objective of this community engagement strategy is to catalyze the opportunities and connections among residents and grassroots groups to support and encourage pro-social development and academic success of neighborhood youth.
How the Program Works
Financial assistance is provided for community groups in the Central neighborhood that seek to become involved in creating and developing positive opportunities for youth, particularly as it relates to education, health, safety, and community stability. Grants are up to $3000. Groups do not need to be 501(c)3 charitable organizations. There are two deadlines left: January 17th, 2012; and May 15th, 2012.
Who is Eligible?
Groups do not need to be a 501(c)3 charitable organization to apply. All community led groups in the Central neighborhood are eligible to apply for funding. Community members are defined as “everyday people” – residents, congregants of religious organizations, student parent organizations, merchant associations, and similar types of groups.
How are decisions made?
All decisions are made by a resident-led Grant Making Committee.
Goals
Acts of Promise has five goals. When you apply for funding from Acts of Promise, a group will be asked to think about how the project will advance one or more of these goals.
- To encourage community members (youth, parents, grassroots groups, faith based organizations) to become involved in creating and developing positive opportunities for youth in the Central neighborhood, particularly as it relates to education, health, safety and community stability. · To help youth organize to create positive change in Central, particularly as it relates to education, health, safety and community stability.
- To support positive relationships between youth and other community members based on equality and the valuing of everyone’s contributions.
- To find and cultivate talent and leadership in the neighborhoods (youth and adults) that will become involved in creating a stronger neighborhood.
- To build positive connections between youth, adults, and grassroots groups in the Central neighborhood.
To Apply, complete the application and send it to:
Promise Neighborhood Connections
c/o Neighborhood Connections,
1422 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
To order copies of the Promise Neighborhood Connections application, please call Cynthia at 216.615.7582.
Application Timeline
Promise Neighborhood Connections Application Process
1. Attend a grantseeker orientation. We host these meetings before each grant cycle to assist grantseekers in preparing their applications and to answer questions. Each session will cover how to apply and what to expect after submitting an application.
2. Download and complete a grant application. Submit it, along with five copies, (and five copies of supplemental/support materials) to:
Promise Neighborhood Connections
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
3. After the application is submitted, it goes to Grantmaking Committee members, who review each application and determine which applicants to interview. Because of the volume of applicants, they can only interview the groups that meet the basic criteria.
4. Interviews are conducted at convenient locations in the Central neighborhood. Up to four individuals may attend the meeting. Groups will have time to amplify on the ideas presented in their application, and will answer questions from the committee.
5. Groups will be notified approximately 6 weeks after submitting their application whether they received funding.
6. Groups chosen to receive funding will be required to attend an orientation session providing assistance with the project’s implementation.
7. Within a month after grant activities are completed, grant recipients will be expected to report on their work by doing one of these:
- Attend a Learning Exchange with other grant recipients to talk about your project
- Participate in a “You Talk, We Type” discussion with at least three other members of your group and an Acts of Promise representative
Neighborhood Connections staff is here to support your work as a Grant Making Committee. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.
Tom O’Brien, Program Director
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44115
Lisa-Jean Sylvia
Greater University Circle Community Organizer