Strategic Partnership Funds Last updated or reviewed on November 29, 2022 Happening Now Through feedback from the Housing & Community Development Committee, community members, and staff from multiple departments, work is underway to refine the scope of the SPF program to address the impacts of the opportunity gap by supporting school-aged children in and outside of the classroom. On December 6, staff will present an update on the Strategic Partnership Grant pilot program to the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCD). In January 2023, oversight of the Strategic Partnership Grant program will move from the HCD Committee to the newly formed Equity and Engagement Committee and the next application period for the grant program will be in February of 2023 with additional details to follow. Background What are Strategic Partnership Funds (SPF)? Strategic Partnership Funds are locally paid from the City’s general fund. The program provides funding for nonprofit organizations that serve Asheville residents. Available funding and priorities are determined by the Asheville City Council. The Housing and Community Development Committee makes its funding recommendations to City Council. 2022 Strategic Partnership Grant Pilot & Program Relaunch The Strategic Partnership Fund (SPF) has provided funding for nonprofit organizations that serve Asheville residents linked to City Council Strategic Priorities. After a three-year pause in funding, the grant program was relaunched in June 2022. Through feedback from the Housing & Community Development Committee (HCD), community members, and staff from multiple departments, the program pilot refined the scope of the SPF program to address the impacts of the opportunity gap by supporting school-aged children in and outside of the classroom. In an effort to test recommendations prior to finalizing the comprehensive restructuring of the SPF program, the City of Asheville implemented an SPF pilot in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. This pilot provided much-needed financial resources to the community at the start of the July 2022 – June 2023 budget year while providing necessary data to finalize long-term program refinement. Find more information about the pilot program here. The 2022 Strategic Partnership Pilot identified key eligibility application criteria & three strategic priority focus areas for program activities based on the Opportunity Gap Ecosystem: Applicants must be certified non-profit organizations. Agencies that do not have non-profit status have the option to use a certified non-profit organization as a fiscal agent. Award minimum of $20,000 per program. Applications for less than $20,000 will not be considered. Programs selected for grant funding need to address the opportunity gap for school-aged youth in one of the following categories: Education – included programs that impact: Literacy and Language Early Childhood Education K-12, Vocational and Higher Education Community and Social Context – included programs that impact: Family Support/Networks Social Integration Support Systems Community Engagement Discrimination Stress Neighborhood and Physical Environment – included programs that impact: Housing Transportation Safety Parks and Playgrounds Walkability Pilot Program Timeline July 26, 2022 Recommended allocation was approved by City Council. July 19, 2022 Recommended allocations were presented to the Housing and Community Development Committee Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 9 am EST. July 14, 2022 Special Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting to hear Strategic Partnership Grant Applicant Presentations July 12, 2022 2022 Strategic Partnership Grant Pilot Program applications closed. July 5, 2022 Please submit Strategic Partnership Pilot Grant Program questions prior to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8 to ensure staff has time to review and respond prior to the July 12 application deadline. Compiled Answers to Questions (to date) – Updated 7/5/2022 June 27, 2022 Presentation from the Non-Mandatory Application Pre-Proposal Virtual Meeting Workshop Recording of Virtual SPF Grant Q&A Session June 22, 2022 2022 Strategic Partnership Grant Pilot Program applications opened. June 14, 2022 2022 Strategic Partnership Grant Pilot program announced. Contact Information Rachel Taylor, Economic Development Specialist