What's New?

• $300,000 for Faith-Based and Community Organizations

Power of We Consortium

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$300,000 Available to Grow Faith-Based and Community Organizations

Faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) make tremendous contributions in our community. But as you know, they commonly run into barriers that keep them from having the impact they would like. The barriers may be lack of money, overextended leadership, obsolete technology, or something else, but if they overcame them, they could do more of the good work they do and do it better.

Thanks to the Capital Area Power of We Consortium (PWC), they now have an opportunity to overcome those barriers. The PWC has created a capacity building program for FBCOs serving Ingham County that includes specialized training, hands-on technical assistance (i.e., mentoring or coaching), and approximately $300,000 in capacity building grants.

All charitable faith-based and community organizations serving Lansing's at-risk youth, re-entering prisoners and their children, and/or the homeless were eligible to apply for the program, whether they had 501(c)(3) status or not. That included churches, neighborhood groups, social service agencies, or other nonprofit organizations.

The PWC is currently providing all eligible applicants whether they were selected to receive grants and technical assistance or not access to over $500 worth of training workshops, unique networking opportunities, a free web site, web site development training, and grant writing training.

50 faith-based and community organizations applied for the program, of which, 18 were selected to receive technical assistance and capacity building grants.

Between October 2008 and September 2009 the Power of We Consortium is investing $690,074 in this capacity building initiative, including $500,000 (63%) in federal funds through the Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families, complemented by $298,191 (37%) in local cash match and in-kind investments, including $40,000 (5%) from nongovernmental sources.

The Power of We Consortium is committed to providing ongoing capacity building support for our faith-based and community organizations through its Leadership and Practice Committee.