On Friday, July 31, Brooklyn Community Foundation and the Crown Heights Advisory Council announced a request for proposals (RFP) from nonprofits, residents, and community groups for projects addressing top neighborhoods concerns, such as housing rights, cross-cultural relationships, youth opportunities and community policing.
As part of the Foundation's Neighborhood Strength initiative-- a project that emerged from its Brooklyn Insights, which surveyed over 1,000 people-- the new core program strategy will focus on Youth, Neighborhoods, and Nonprofits through a resident-led grantmaking model to support Brooklyn's under-served neighborhoods, starting in its new home of Crown Heights and informed by the experience of local stakeholders.
"We moved our headquarters here last year to be part of a vibrant community with a strong civic infrastructure, where residents have built dynamic local institutions and a rich cultural legacy," said Brooklyn Community Foundation President Cecilia Clarke.
"Today, Crown Heights is confronting dramatic changes—led by rapid development and gentrification—while continuing to wrestle with issues around poverty, race, and criminal justice. We want to help build the community's enduring strength and empower residents to direct resources where they're needed most right now."
The Crown Heights Advisory Council members include Rabbi Eli Cohen (Crown Heights Central JCC), Amy Ellenbogen (Crown Heights Mediation Center), Ashley Harris (resident & youth leader), Jason Scott Jones (resident), Donna Mossinan (Crown Heights Tenant Union), Regine Roumain (Haiti Cultural Exchange), Hanne Tierney (Five Myles Gallery), and Keith White (resident).
"Brooklyn Community Foundation has stepped in to make their resources available to organizations and individuals in Crown Heights who focus on keeping the community inclusive, help old-time residents avoid being priced-out of their homes, and rally young people around these issues," said Hanne Tierney, director of FiveMyles Gallery, "With the help of these grants, they can have real impact on this changing community and influence its future."
"There are so many people in Crown Heights dreaming about and imagining ways to make our neighborhood a better and safer place. This grant is an opportunity for residents and local organizations to make those dreams a reality," said Amy Ellenbogen, director of the Crown Height Medication Center.
A New Grantmaking Model
- Grants will be made in two categories: nonprofits and unincorporated groups can apply for grants between $10,000 ? $25,000; residents can apply for grants between $5,000 ? $10,000.
- Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, September 23, 2015, and will be vetted by the Council in partnership with Foundation staff. Grants will be announced this November.
- Priority consideration for funding will be given to organizations and residents that work with directly affected communities and those that have historically resided in Crown Heights (such as the African American, Caribbean, and Chasidic communities). Applying organizations and residents should have at least 2-3 years' experience working in Crown Heights.
If you are a Crown Heights resident and would like more information on how to apply for a grant, go here.
