Resident-Led Grantmaking Grassroots Grantmakers Webinar September 6 th, 2012

90 Minutes Use your dialogue box to share questions or comments; I will weave them into the conversation. If you get disconnected or need to step away, you can reconnect using the same process that brought you here originally. The recording of today’s webinar will be posted on the Grassroots Grantmakers’ website. Feel free to share! Call Protocol & Logistics

What We’ll Do Today Provide an overview of resident-led grantmaking Highlight a variety of resident-led grantmaking approaches Share “from your peers” insights on lessons learned Expand the dialogue on resident-led grantmaking

What is Resident-Led Grantmaking? One of four decision-making models used by funders for grassroots grantmaking: 1. Staff make funding decisions 2. Boards or traditional distribution committees make funding decisions 3. A committee that includes staff, local experts, donors, and neighborhood residents reviews and recommends grants 4. A committee of residents from the beneficiary neighborhood(s) review proposals, make funding decisions, and provide program guidance.

Which model is the best?  Each decision making model can work well, depending on the local context and program goals.  Each decision making model has it’s drawbacks – but smart planning can overcome those.  Resident-led grantmaking is especially interesting because:  It is in sync with grassroots grantmakings’ resident- centered values and philosophy;  It opens up new possibilities for community connections and accountability;  It is proving to be a strong leadership development mechanism for the residents involved.

Cleveland Gathering  May 2012: 40 community grantmakers representing 8 different foundations gathered in Cleveland to discuss their resident-led grantmaking programs.

Meet Our Panelists Lee Kay Grantee Coach and Consultant Neighborhood Connections Talia Rivera Director Connectivity & Learning Boston Rising Dawn Wilson Skillman Foundation/ Good Neighborhoods Panelist/Change Maker Maslah Farah Executive Director Neighborhood Unity Foundation

A program affiliated with The Cleveland Foundation First grants made in 2003 A response to resident voice Grants given in the cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland Put funding in the community at the neighborhood level Grant making committee = 24 to 28 members from the funded communities

Recruiting & Selecting Residents of the cities Diversity that reflects the cities’ Nominated to serve on the committee Interviewed by incumbent GMC members Open minded Good communication Appreciation for grassroots works Willing & able to commit to the team and process Neighborly

Training is ongoing New members are led through review of the application and given some direction before actual participation Each member is given a handbook “Training” done at the beginning of each round – Reminder about values & purpose of the program – Be curious, ask questions, listen, be open Review issues and decide on strategies and policies Liaisons staff and support the teams Very “OJT”

What we have learned Challenges – Finding available residents Must always be recruiting How much is too much? Ask & be flexible Site visits/events Recruit interviews Additional training

Best lessons - Resident-led grant making is empowering and it works Resident committees are diligent and trustworthy and great stewards of resources – Information sharing – Conflicts of interest What we have learned

Mr. Maslah Farah Executive Director, NUF September 6 th, 2012

 At NUF, we believe that resident led community transformation is the only sustainable option for permanent community change.

 The Jacob Family Foundation (JFF) recognized the need to rethink the model for sustainable community change.  The New JFF Model

 Board of Directors elected by the residents.  The Board of Directors are residents of the neighborhood.  Community projects powered by resident volunteers.

 Growing Endowment  $800,000  Mini-Grant awardees  $ 500,000  Power In Caring

 Founded by residents.  Goal: To counter the unpleasant image residents have of the 4 th District.  Residents realized the need for a new positive image of their community.  Honoring residents who make a difference.

 Collects cans from around the community.  Saves the money, penny by penny.  Uses the money to buy school supplies.  Also, Ms. Fountain provides meals to the elderly of the community.

 “Resident led community transformation is tested in times of adversity.”

WHAT IS THE GROVE HALL The Trust is founded on two of Boston Rising’s core beliefs: 1. Communities know what they need to improve their outcomes 2. Sustainable impact comes from shared risk and responsibility The Grove Hall Trust is a resident-led neighborhood foundation that puts choice and control for investing grant dollars directly in the hands of Grove Hall residents and community leaders who serve as Trustees.

HOW IT WORKS The Trust is a fund established by Boston Rising, through an initial $250,000 endowment, to be matched at ten percent by the Grove Hall community. Boston Rising solicited Trustee applications from the community, and selected nine Grove Hall residents to serve as trustees for a month term.

MAJOR MILESTONES Since October of 2011, Boston Rising has provided facilitative leadership to the Trustees, leading them through an organizational identity and development process where a mission, values and why statements were created. Held 8 board meetings; over 24 working group meetings and 2 Quarterly Community and Capacity Building Advances Voted to a become a Charitable Trust that is a Public Charity Began the incorporation process Developed a website Finalized and distributed the grant application and guidelines Held 3 meetings introducing the grant application & guidelines to the community Collected 12 applications and will make its first round of grants in October

PROBING QUESTIONS Can the Grove Hall Trust raise $25,000 from the community? Should we require grantees to have a fiscal agent?

W E B E G I N W I T H R E S I D E N T S