Promise Neighborhoods planning guide

Posted by on October 5, 2009

Groups publish Promise Neighborhoods planning guide

The Alliance for Children and Families and United Neighborhood Centers of America have published a planning guide to prepare for implementation of a new federal funding stream, Promise Neighborhoods, an Obama administration initiative to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone nonprofit model in 20 cities across the country.

Assuming funding is approved by Congress, the administration is expected to consider applications after October 1st, the beginning of the federal fiscal year.

The paper provides an introduction and technical information for community leaders intended to seek Promise Neighborhoods funding. Utilizing information obtained from local leaders in communities across the country, the document shares details regarding
— Identifying a Neighborhood: Determining and researching relevant characteristics for potential neighborhoods;
— Politics of Implementation: Managing regional and local coalitions to galvanize support and ensure successful rollout;
— Programmatic Strategy: Identifying services to be provided within the chosen community;
— Organization and Leadership Strategy: Important criteria for identifying executive directors and management teams; and
— Funding: Identifying appropriate revenue streams from various sectors.

The paper represents initial guidance that will be revised in subsequent updates.

To download the guide, click here.

http://www.alliance1.org/Public_Policy/Neighborhoods/pn_planning_guide.pdf

To join the email list for updates, send an email with “Promise Neighborhoods Email List” on the subject line to plester@unca.org.

Meanwhile, Harlem Children’s Zone and PolicyLink are hosting a two-day conference on lessons learned and best practices for organizations interested in replicating the HCZ model. The event will be held November 9-10 in New York City. More information is available here.

http://www.hcz.org/conference2009