Strong Neighborhood- Nonprofit Partnerships: Ingredients for Success Grassroots Grantmakers Topical Conference Call June 19, 2007

Call Logistics Use *6 to mute and unmute Use “mute” rather than “hold” so we do not hear your “on-hold” music instead of our conversation Introduce yourself by first name when you begin to speak so we can find you on our registration list Freely use the smiley faces and the message boxes to communicate with us while others are speaking Do not hesitate to share your perspective or wisdom – we are all learners and teachers Check the Grassroots Grantmakers website for notes and a recorded version of the call in about 10 days. If the only tool you have is a hammer, then the whole world looks like a nail. - Mark Twain

Creating a Neighborhood/Nonprofit Partnership: A Case Study The Community Financial Capacity Builders Initiative  To build upon the assets of the families within our targeted zip codes by recruiting and training neighborhood residents to serve as Financial Capacity Builders. Their role will be to serve as trusted advocates, mentors, and coaches for families in their neighborhoods. Margaret Oser, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives ACCESS—Alamo City Coalition for Economic Self-Sufficiency  To develop strategic partnerships with and between community groups, financial institutions, faith- based institutions, non-profits, city/county/community service providers, and the corporate business community. This year- round asset-building model will serve to create, link and leverage asset-building opportunities for working families earning at or below 200% of poverty.

The Plan Contract with 3 Neighborhood Centers  Hire Community Organizers to recruit neighborhood residents  Neighborhood residents trained to build on trust relationships with neighbors to coach, mentor and support families with strengthening their finances Implementation Hired 3 people with varying degrees of community organizing backgrounds – novices to experienced Hired overall coordinator/trainer for all 3 Centers to train organizers and residents in Promotora-based model of community engagement Began recruitment of neighborhood residents

What We Have Encountered Neighborhood Centers more comfortable with social-service model of engagement  Some of the organizers more comfortable with IAF model of organizing  Conflict between social-service model and IAF model and asset-based community building model intended Despite good intentions by all, still struggling with deficit-based mind-set by Centers and organizers causing conflict with residents

The opportunity for continued learning Continued learning via a peer learning circle Discussion/sharing via on-line forum Share resources/articles Request specific help Document bank (members only)