2016 Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship Program
ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD EXCHANGE
In May 2015, Michigan Community Resources launched Neighborhood Exchange, a new vision for how we support community-based organizations as they work to make communities stronger. Neighborhood Exchange is a platform to provide these organizations with access to a variety of capacity building resources. They learn and share best practices at workshops and forums. They connect toa network of community groups online at access funding and technical assistance to accomplish their goalsas they relate to our six focus areas:Strengthen the Neighborhood Economy, Increase Safety, Create Green & Community Spaces, Strengthen Neighborhood Housing & Environment, Engage Your Community, and Build Strong Organizations.
PROGRAM PURPOSE
Michigan Community Resources (MCR) recognizes that social events help connect neighbors to one another and create a sense of community that keeps them engaged.Yet these activities are not often supported through traditional project-focused mini-granting programs. Our 2016 Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship Program aims to address that gap by providing funding for community-based organizations like block clubs, neighborhood associations, and community development corporations to host fundraising and community building events. Examples of eligible events include community festivals, walk-a-thons, volunteer recognition events, fundraising dinners, and more.
The Event Sponsorship Program is intended to support and highlight groups that are doing work that embodies the spirit of the Neighborhood Exchange. At the same time, it isan opportunity for us to partner with community-based organizations to spread the word about Neighborhood Exchange and invite others to connect.
MCR will provide up to four $500sponsorshipsforevents aligned with one or more of the following focus areas:
- Strengthen the Neighborhood Economy (i.e. support neighborhood businesses, create vibrant commercial areas)
- Increase Safety (i.e. get residents and stakeholders engaged as eyes and ears in their communities, create partnerships to address safety concerns)
- Create Green & Community Spaces (i.e. turn vacant land into community assets, such as gardens, farms, parks and more, activate public spaces)
- Strengthen Neighborhood Housing and Environment (i.e. make housing more attractive, build sustainable neighborhoods that promote a healthier environment)
- Engage Your Community (i.e. organize residents, business owners and other stakeholders around community issues and take action)
- Build Strong Organizations (i.e. build block clubs, neighborhood associations, and other nonprofit organizations that are sustainable and impactful)
DEADLINE
Completed application packages must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, June 6, 2016 for consideration. Forms may be submitted in person, mail, or email:
In person or Mail: Michigan Community Resources
615 Griswold, Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48226
Email:, Subject: 2016 NEx Event Sponsorship Program
For more information or questions, contact Janai Gilmore at (313) 969-7156 or
ELIGIBILITY
NEx envisions a network of community-based organizations, resource providers, civic leaders and others working to build stronger communities that connect to resources and to one another. NEx is a space for theseorganizations and leadersto share their work, lessons learned, and invite others to connect with them.
- Must be an existing block club or community-based organization (not an individual working alone or looking to create a new organization)
- Must be located in the City of Detroit
- Must have 501(c)3 status or have a fiduciary with this status
- Must submit an Across Our Network Profile at
- Must do work that relates to one or more of the NEx Focus Areas (see above)
- Must agree to incorporate the Neighborhood Exchange logo and branding into their event marketing
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Budget
Each grantee will receive up to $500 for costs related to hosting a fundraising or community event. Examples of eligible expenses include food, venue costs, printing flyers, t-shirts, door prizes and more.
Event Branding
Grantees will be asked to:
1)Incorporate the Neighborhood Exchange Logo and Branding into their event marketing (e.g. flyers, newsletters, social media)
2)Invite Michigan Community Resources staff to attend the event and take pictures to be shared via and other MCR/NEx marketing
3)Share additional images from the event with Michigan Community Resources
Application Procedure
Submit a complete application package in ONE SUBMISSION containing the following items:
- REQUIRED – Completed application form, including attachments from sections 5 and 6
- REQUIRED – Proof of Eligibility (Fiduciary and/or Applicant)
- Verification of 501(c)3 status with tax-exempt status letter
- A previous operating budget with income of no less than $2,000
- REQUIRED – Letter(s) of support for your (applicant) organization’s participation, signed by your organization’s board and letter of support from fiduciary (if applicable)
Incomplete application packages will not be considered. MCR may follow up with you at any time to verify application information.
Applicants will receive email confirmation upon receipt of their application package. All application forms will be kept confidential. Final selected grant recipients will be announced by July 2016.
Evaluation Process
Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship recipients must agree to participate in a final evaluation process, which includes but may not be limited to the following items:
- An updated event budget (if applicable)
- A narrative description of the event hosted using Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship funds
The 2016 Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship Program is generously funded by The Kresge Foundation.
Application Form
SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered for a 2016 Neighborhood Exchange Event Sponsorship, your organization must meet four of the following eligibility requirements.
My organization meets the following requirements (check all that apply):
□Non-profit with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 tax-exempt status + previous operating budget of at least $2,000
Proof of federal tax exemption is mandatory (IRS Letter)
□Aco-applicant (fiduciary) with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 tax-exempt status + previous operating budget of at least $2,000
Proof of federal tax exemption is mandatory (IRS Letter)
□Located in the City of Detroit
□Submitted Across Our Network Profile at
□Work relates to one or more of the Neighborhood Exchange Focus Areas:
□Strengthen Neighborhood Economy□Increase Safety
□Create Green & Community Spaces□Engage Your Community
□Strengthen Neighborhood Housing and Environment□Build Strong Organizations
If you are a non-profit with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 tax-exempt status and a previous operating budget of at least $2,000, proceed to Section 3: Applicant Information.
If you are applying with a co-applicant (fiduciary),proceed to Section 2: Co-Applicant (Fiduciary) Information.
SECTION 2: CO-APPLICANT (FIDUCIARY) FIDUCIARY INFORMATION
General Organization Information
Organization Name:
Organization Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Organization Website:
Organization Phone Number:
Primary Contact Person (Fiduciary)
Contact Name:
Role in Organization:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Include proof of federal tax exemption (IRS Letter) in attachment.
SECTION 3: APPLICANT INFORMATION
General Organization Information
Organization Name:
Organization Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Organization Phone Number:
Primary Contact Person (Applicant)
Contact Name:
Role in Organization:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Include proof of federal tax exemption (IRS Letter) in attachment.
SECTION 4: PROPOSAL INFORMATION
General Proposal Information
Event Type
□Fundraising□Community Building
Event Date:
Event Location:
General Description of Proposed Event
- Event Description – Tell us about your event!Who is your target audience? How many people do you plan to invite?
- Statement of Need – Why is the event important for your organization and the community it serves?
- Total Event Costs- What is your total event budget? What are your other sources of funding for the event, including in-kind donations?
SECTION 5: CONNECTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD EXCHANGE
- Neighborhood Exchange Focus Area(s) the proposed eventrelates to:
□Strengthen Neighborhood Economy□Increase Safety
□Create Green & Community Spaces□Engage Your Community
□Strengthen Neighborhood Housing and Environment□Build Strong Organizations
- How will your organization help spread the word about Neighborhood Exchange?
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