Strengthening Communities Initiative
Register to attend the April 15, 2010 "Charting a Course: Developing an Effective Nonprofit Board", one in a series of Strengthening Communities Initiative trainings for nonprofit organizations.
- Download a copy of the RFP Packet (137 KB pdf).
- Download the Power Point (201 KB pdf) from the February 2010 information sessions.
- Review Application Process information.
The Northland Foundation’s Strengthening Communities Initiative: Building Nonprofit Capacity to Advance Economic Recovery (SCI) is a two-year project designed to increase the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of nonprofit partners to address broad economic recovery issues. Eligible organizations will provide programs or services that assist low-income people of all ages in gaining greater economic security. Examples include, but are not limited to, helping people to:
- secure and retain employment
- earn higher wages and obtain better-quality jobs
- gain greater access to State and Federal benefits and tax credits
- access educational support, job training, and job coaching
- improve financial literacy and asset development
- access affordable housing
- prevent and mitigate foreclosure
- access basic needs
- access various supports to help overcome barriers to employment
such as transportation, child care, etc. - receive support or assistance to start a business
Overview of Approach
Nonprofit applicants will be selected by an independent panel to participate in one of two cohorts, or rounds. Participants will be supported through training, targeted one-on-one technical assistance, and eligibility to apply for competitive financial awards. Financial awards can not be used for direct services or operating expenses but must be directed toward organizational capacity building.
Applications to participate in the first round, or cohort, of the initiative are due by March 15, 2010 with notification of selection scheduled for mid-May 2010. Applications for the second cohort are tentatively scheduled to be due August 13, 2010 with notification in mid-October 2010.
Specifically, nonprofit organizations will receive assistance with capacity-building activities across five critical areas.
- Organizational Development
- Program Development
- Collaboration and Community Engagement
- Leadership Development
- Evaluation of Effectiveness
Capacity-building activities are intended to increase an organization's sustainability and
effectiveness, enhance its ability to provide social services, and create collaborations to better
serve those in need. It is anticipated that approximately 45 nonprofits serving within the northeastern
Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Lake, Koochiching, Itasca, and St. Louis may participate. The Initiative’s overall budget is $1.1 million.
Funding Sources and Contact Information
The majority of initiative funding is provided through an $879,903 grant award from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services under a new program, the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. This program was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Northland Foundation was one of 35 organizations in the nation to receive a SCF Nonprofit Capacity Building grant.
Watch this site for additional information as it becomes available. If you have immediate questions, please contact Erik Torch, Grant Program Manager.
