So, what does better look like and how do we get there? That’s where Catalytic Thinking comes in.

Catalytic Thinking is a framework of questions designed to bring out the best in decision-making, planning, goal-setting, and more. The questions we’ve all been taught to ask can leave us feeling frustrated and stuck. Changing those questions will change your decisions – and your results!

In this webinar, we will apply the powerful questions of Catalytic Thinking to our boards, providing a different way to think about our board’s role and their effectiveness. Join PANO and Creating the Future for this unique learning opportunity that will help us transform our boards into an energized and engaged force for visionary community change.

Note: This program is set up as a “flipped classroom”. This means that all content will be provided in advance so that you will have time to absorb the material at your own pace and can join the live session (on May 1) prepared with questions, ideas for practical application, and items for discussion.

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 12:00-2:00 PM

Learn more and register.

• Sample Bylaws
• Sample Board Evaluation
• Sample Executive Director Evaluation Process Tool
• Sample Leadership Development and Succession Plan

Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn from the wisdom in the room through small group discussion and peer-to-peer sharing!

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 24, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Part 2 of 6-Part Interactive Web Series)

Learn more and register.

Can’t make the date? Register and you’ll receive a copy of the recording and materials after the live session.

Campus Compact is excited to announce a new partnership initiative with the launch of The Allstate Foundation Youth Action Board, funded by The Allstate Foundation and hosted by Campus Compact. The Youth Action Board will comprise thirty youth board members (aged 18 – 22) who will serve staggered, one- to two-year terms.

The Youth Action Board will achieve this mission by developing and participating in youth-led service initiatives, planning and launching national youth engagement efforts (including summits and days of service), advising The Allstate Foundation and its partners on pressing youth issues, and expanding Campus Compact’s commitment to centering student civic voices and providing opportunities for student leadership.

Now accepting applications! The first fifteen Youth Action Board members will be selected through a competitive application process this spring for the inaugural Board term, which will span from August 1, 2024, to August 1, 2025.

For their service, Youth Action Board members will receive leadership training and staff support from Campus Compact, $4,000 in stipends for each year of service, and opportunities to travel and present at national conferences.

To be eligible, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 22 during their time of service.

Applications are due May 31, 2024.

Learn more and apply.

The Borealis Philanthropy Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) supports U.S.-based groups led by people with disabilities, disabled people of color, disabled queer and trans folks, building a more liberatory world free from ableism.

The fund invites applications from organizations working to strengthen disability inclusion, rights, and justice. DIF grants will support organizations whose work is rooted in intersectional cross-movements, is collaborative, and aims to build a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities—from arts and culture, to policy and advocacy. Examples of this work include community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and/or policy work. Grants of $75,000 per year for two years will be awarded.

Organizations that meet the following criteria will be prioritized: organizations that are disability-led with priority toward Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), queer and gender non-conforming, and women disability-led organizations; work that engages other social movements and injustices for example the movement for Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, queer and trans liberation, etc.; work that brings other organizations, leaders, movements, and communities together to build power through relationships, coalitions, and opportunities for collaboration; work that drives narrative change in ways that dismantle ableism and attitudinal barriers in our policy, society, and culture; strategies that celebrate, create, and elevate uplifting the authentic representation of disabled people in the arts, media, literature, and other creative works; and work that moves practices of disability inclusion and disability justice forward.

To be eligible, applicant organizations must have an annual budget with committed revenue is less than $1 million, and must be U.S-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)(3) or be fiscally sponsored.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Borealis Philanthropy website.

Deadline: May 29, 2024

Founded in 1971, the Spencer Foundation is the only national foundation focused exclusively on supporting education research.

The foundation invites applications for its Large Research Grants on Education program, which will award grants of $125,000 to $500,000 over one to five years to support education research projects with the potential to contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.

The foundation supports rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education; it also seeks to support scholarship that develops new foundational knowledge that may have a lasting impact on educational discourse. The program supports proposals from multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives, both domestically and internationally, from scholars at various stages in their careers.

The program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. The foundation anticipates that proposals will span a wide range of topics and disciplines and innovatively address questions central to education, including education, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, and neuroscience.

The foundation welcomes methodological diversity in answering pressing questions and is open to projects that use a wide array of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, design-based research, participatory methods, and historical research. The foundation also is open to projects that incorporate data from multiple and varied sources, span a sufficient length of time as to achieve a depth of understanding, or work closely with practitioners or community members over the life of the project. In addition, the foundation welcomes proposals submitted by multidisciplinary and multigenerational teams that are positioned to both contribute to the project as well as contribute to the teaching and learning of fellow team members.

An intent to apply is due May 22, 2024, at 12 noon CT, and upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, due June 18, 2024, at 12 noon CT.

To be eligible, principal investigators (PIs) and co-PIs must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field or have obtained appropriate experience in an education research-related profession. Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization or public/governmental institution that is willing to serve as the administering organization.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Spencer Foundation website.

Deadline: May 22, 2024 at 12 noon CT (Intent to Apply)

Service Term: July 15, 2024 – July 14, 2025

The goal of this VISTA project is to encourage local, BIPOC, low-income, and first-generation high school students and community college students to enroll into colleges and universities in Greater Philadelphia and to connect them to key resources and opportunities, including internships and jobs, to ensure they remain in the region after graduation. The Campus Philly Access Coordinator will play a pivotal role in ensuring this goal is met.

Learn more and apply here

Street Knowledge is coming to 19133 with free classes for adults. We focus on spreading the joy of learning and making learning easily available, accessible, discoverable, and inclusive so that everyone can learn something new in their neighborhood.

To register, visit our website at:
https://streetknowledge.us/

Please call (215) 948-2529 if you need help with registration.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 4:00 PM –  5:00 PM

Register.

This is a one-stop-shop for students to get informed about everything that will be on their ballot this year.

Be prepared before you head to the polls and see the roles you’ll likely find on your ballot at every level of government.

Check out our election center.

Our community of practice model gathers stakeholders from campuses in cohorts by state, athletic conference, or campus type (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs )) to convene regularly to share ideas, resources, and best practices for advancing nonpartisan democratic engagement on their individual campuses and across their cohort of campuses. ALL IN staff provide additional coaching, convening, and resources to these cohorts above and beyond what is provided for all participating campuses. Our approach with communities of practice is institutional in nature, goes beyond any one election cycle, and is resource-intensive.

Learn more.

To explore volunteer opportunities, we invite you to connect with our Program Partner, Global Citizen, which uses their volunteer portal to link volunteers with opportunities in the community. Our Program Partners Directory is another way to learn about all the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) partners whose initiatives serve our most vulnerable citizens and might provide an opportunity to become a volunteer.

So, what does better look like and how do we get there? That’s where Catalytic Thinking comes into play.

Catalytic Thinking is a framework of questions designed to bring out the best in decision-making, planning, goal-setting, and more. The questions we’ve all been taught to ask can leave us feeling frustrated and stuck, like nothing we do will ever make a difference. Changing those questions will change your decisions – and your results!

In this webinar, we will apply the powerful questions of Catalytic Thinking to our boards, providing a different way to think about our board’s role and their effectiveness. The reason boards are often NOT forces for change is that they’ve been taught to focus on reactive, internal minutiae instead of community change. If you’re ready to move beyond all that, this webinar is for you! Join PANO and Creating the Future for this unique learning opportunity that will help us transform our boards into an energized and engaged force for visionary community change.

Date and Time: May 1, 2024, 12:00-2:00 PM

Note: This program is set up as a “flipped classroom”. This means that all content will be provided in advance so that you will have time to absorb the material at your own pace and can join the live session (on May 1) prepared with questions, ideas for practical application, and items for discussion.

Register.

Can’t make the date? All registrants will receive a copy of the content in advance as well as the recorded conversation from May 1.

Gateway projects this year will run from June 4-7, and will be held in person at the Workshop School campus in West Philly. We are asking reviewers to sign up for three-hour time slots ranging from 2 hours to 3 hours and 45 minutes depending on the day. As in years past, we will provide all reviewers with detailed instructions about the review process ahead of time.

For a brief summary of the Gateway Project and the critical role that outside reviewers play in the process, click here. If you are available and interested in signing up, reach out to Matthew Riggan, Co-Founder & Executive Director, at  matthew.riggan@workshopschool.org for a sign up link. As always, we are deeply grateful for your support and partnership!

Our Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship is not just an offer – it’s a torch being passed to the next generation of educators who are as passionate and committed to racial justice and educational excellence as we are. This is more than a fellowship; it’s a promise of support, empowerment, and financial backing that includes:

• An annual grant of up to $5,000 for four years to fuel your educational pursuit
• A substantial stipend of up to $20,000 at the beginning of your fifth year of teaching to launch your career with strength and stability
• A suite of academic support and professional coaching designed to fortify your teaching skills

Your role as an educator will extend beyond the classroom walls, becoming an emblem of hope and a catalyst for change. Will you answer the call to join a fellowship of peers who share your commitment to progress and who are paving paths for generations to come? Apply for the Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship. Don’t miss this watershed moment to align your passion with purpose.

Application deadline: May 20, 2024

Learn more and apply.

Despite these challenges Community Education Professionals (CEPs) continue to facilitate impactful, transformative community and civic engagement courses, initiatives, programs, projects, and partnerships. We bear witness to the transformative impact of these efforts on students, faculty, administrators, communities, and community members. We stay committed to the work and are seeking continuous improvement and impact.

Join us in North Carolina at Elon University on June 13, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for reflection, networking, and facilitated conversations to help encourage and support community engagement professionals who do this work every day.

Learn more and register.

Made for Philly Girls and youth who identify with female development and seek sisterhood, Girls Circle helps them bloom into their best selves. Grab a spot fast, as space is limited.

Virtual Series 1, Dates and Times: April 21 – May 25, 2024, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 PM-7 PM

Registration Deadline April 28, 2024.

Girls Circle is a gender-responsive program that has effectively reduced delinquency rates for girls nationwide. The program equips teenage girls ages 12-19 with the necessary skills to maximize their talents, academic interests, and career goals and promote healthy relationships. By integrating relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training, Girls Circle offers structured support groups to foster positive connections, build personal and collective strengths, and promote competence. Girls Circle is the first gender-responsive program in the country to demonstrate effectiveness in reducing delinquency for girls.

Girls Circle officers:

• Small group workshops foster connection, trust, and vulnerability
• Led by professional facilitators focused on growth and empowerment
• Interactive lessons on self-esteem, leadership, healthy relationships, and more
• Safe space for open sharing and support between peers

To qualify for the incentives, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a 12-14 year old youth who identifies with female development
• Be a student in a Philadelphia School (Public, Charter, Private, Parochial, or Homeschool)
• Complete the intake questionnaire and pre and post-program survey

Register.

In a year where inflation reached 6.41%, the economic landscape has left nearly half of Americans feeling “very stressed” about inflation and financial resources.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that those with limited financial resources bear the brunt of these challenges. Low-income families allocate a higher percentage of their income to necessities like food, housing, and transportation, making them especially vulnerable to price hikes.

By recognizing these disparities and the unique struggles of vulnerable communities, we can take meaningful steps towards reducing economic inequalities. Community Action initiatives are leading the charge in addressing these issues and championing equity.

Moreover, this summit aims to create a deeper understanding of systemic problems underlying economic disparities. By delving into these root causes, we can develop more effective strategies for long-term change.

By participating in this summit, you’ll gain valuable insights from success stories and best practices, empowering you to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the solution and drive positive change in our communities. This is a hybrid event! Participation may be in-person or virtual!

Date and Time: Thursday, May 16, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Virtual or In-Person)

Location: Harrisburg University, 326 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Learn more and register.

Potential projects include:

1. Community partnership development.
2. Program information management.
3. Fundraising coordination.
4. Business model design and implementation.

Apply by May 31, 2024.

Click here to apply.

6th-12th Grade teachers will earn up to $4300 and gain new pedagogical knowledge that connects science literacy and social justice.

Click here for more info about the program, to learn about PRISE, and email Dorianna at destes@sju.edu to with questions.

Click here to learn more and apply to the program.

Participants will engage in hands-on USTRIVE teacher-led STEM workshops and connect with fellow educators!

Hear from Alberto J. Rodriguez, Distinguished professor of Education at the University of Houston share the keynote, titled: Identity starts with “I” but who am I? Making your sciences teaching more culturally inclusive and socially relevant.

Understanding STEM Teaching Through Integrated Contexts in Everyday Life (USTRIVE) means teaching your students lessons grounded in relevant social and scientific problems facing them in their own community. It means helping them master the skills and concepts necessary to become effective social change agents. Join our USTRIVE team for our free conference to learn more about connecting STEM with Social and Environmental Issues.

Date and Time: May 4, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location: Arcadia University, Glenside, PA

Email Dorianna at destes@sju.edu with questions and/or click here to learn more about our program.