Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund

Posted by on July 02, 2012

Cities of Service Announces Impact Volunteering Fund
Deadline: August 31, 2012

Cities of Service, a bipartisan coalition of United States mayors committed to injecting the leadership of local elected executives into the service movement, has launched the Impact Volunteering Fund to help more cities use “impact volunteering” to tackle pressing local challenges. The $2 million initiative is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Cities of Service model focuses on “impact volunteering” — volunteer strategies that target community needs, use best practices, and set clear outcomes and measures to gauge progress and heighten the focus on impact and outcomes. The model seeks to equip mayors with the tools to engage citizens as resources and assets in addressing both existing and emerging priorities, rather than solely as service users and clients.

Any mayor whose city is a member of the Cities of Service coalition is eligible to apply on behalf of the city and its partners. Initiatives can address any issues in the Cities of Service priority areas, which include education and youth, health, neighborhood revitalization, preparedness and safety, sustainability, and veterans.

Cities will be selected based on a number of criteria, including the quality of the initiative plan, the quality of the implementation plan, impact potential, how resources are leveraged, demonstrated partnerships, and the commitment of executive leadership.

The fund will make grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, with larger amounts reserved for cities with multiple initiatives.

The first round of grants will be awarded in October 2012; a second round will be made a year later.

We ask that all interested cities submit their Intent to Apply by August 17, 2012. The full application is due August 31, 2012.

Visit the Cities of Service Web site for the complete request for proposals and application materials.

http://www.citiesofservice.org/resources/volunteer/