GROW Racine Mini-Grants: Meeting Unmet Community Needs
The City of Racine is now accepting applications from eligible local nonprofit organizations for the GROW Racine Mini-Grants: Meeting Unmet Community Needs. Grants of $10,000-$25,000 are available. We are seeking innovative and creative proposals that can be implemented quickly and that address a clearly described unmet community need.
Applications are no longer being accepted
Proposals that do any of the following are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized for funding:
- Reduce disparities;
- Support and/or empower historically excluded City residents; and/or
- Add or enhance amenities and/or bring improvements to residents or neighborhoods located within the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization and Enhancement Districts;
These mini-grants are funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
View the slides from January 13, 2023, Mini-Grants Information Session.
See the detailed FAQ below and click here to access and complete the application. Applications must be submitted by 9 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, and late applications will not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible to apply for these grants?
Only registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in and serving the City of Racine’s residents and/or neighborhoods are eligible to apply for this funding. Individuals are not eligible to apply on their own, but are encouraged to bring their grant ideas to local nonprofit organizations for potential partnership.
How much money can we apply for?
Organizations may request a grant of $10,000-$25,000.
What kind of projects are eligible for these grants?
We are seeking innovative and creative proposals that can be implemented quickly and that will address a clearly described unmet community need.
Proposals that do any of the following are particularly encouraged to apply and will be prioritized for funding:
- Reduce disparities;
- Support and/or empower historically excluded City residents;
- Add or enhance amenities and/or bring improvements to neighborhoods (and residents) located within the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization and Enhancement Districts.
Proposals must clearly articulate the unmet need and specify how the project will address that need. Proposals must also sufficiently and clearly describe how both the unmet need and the proposed action/project fits into one of the three above priority areas.
Grant funds can be used for existing staff or projects, but with the recognition that these grants are one-time, limited funding opportunities, priority for funding will be given to innovative, unique ideas that can clearly be launched and implemented quickly and effectively. All proposed projects must be completed by December 31, 2023.
What do we have to do to apply?
Eligible organizations must complete the GROW Racine Mini-Grants online application and, if selected for funding, provide a completed W-9 form to the City.
Can our organization submit multiple proposals?
No, in order to serve a broader array of organizations and address a greater spectrum of unmet needs, organizations may only apply for funding for one project or project.
How long will the application take to complete?
We have tried to make the online application as simple as possible. Please note that we expect the application process to be competitive (i.e. we expect to have more proposals than we have funding available), so it is in your organization’s interest to be as clear, specific, and detailed as possible in your application.
What additional documentation do we have to submit?
A completed organizational W-9 form is all we will need.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are due no later than 9am on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. All applications are automatically time-stamped and late applications will not be considered.
What happens if we submit a late application?
Late applications will not be considered.
What kind of reporting requirements are there for these grants?
The City will provide a relatively simple online reporting form for funded organizations to complete at the completion of their project. We will share reporting expectations with all funded organizations at the time funding is dispersed so they are clear from the outset.
What is the process and timeline for determining which proposals will be funded?
All proposals will be reviewed first by a diverse team of City staff. Projects recommended for approval by staff will then be directed to the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Board, and then to the Racine Common Council for final approval. We hope to have the Common Council approve proposals by the end of February or early March 2023.
When will our organization actually get the funds?
If your proposal is funded, the City plans to distribute funding to selected organizations immediately after Common Council approval, as long as the organization has provided the necessary completed W-9 form. Our goal is to have all funding distributed to selected organizations by the end of March 2023, if not sooner.
How long do we have to spend these grant funds?
All funds must be spent by December 31, 2023.
Do you have additional questions?
Direct them to Grow@cityofracine.org
Did you know that GROW Racine is helping City residents launch great careers in the construction and building trades? It's true!
Super proud of these three City residents who graduated on Friday from WRTP / BIG STEP's Southeast Wisconsin Roadbuilders Program. All three received City of Racine, On the lake GROW Racine pre-apprenticeship scholarships to encourage & support them while they were enrolled in this training program.
Up next for these residents? Great careers with family-supporting wages, lifelong learning, and benefits!
Learn more about how the City is investing in our residents to rebuild and grow our City! www.growracine.org/careers-in-the-trades/
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Our Youth Employment Program is one of the many ways the City of Racine, On the lake is investing in our residents' futures. Applications are now open for this summer's 8-week paid youth jobs with the City! Learn more and get the application here www.growracine.org/youth-employment/
#GROWRacine #CityofRacineMeet Tihane A.! Tia is a former Summer Youth Employment Program participant who was then hired to continue working for the City of Racine. Read more about Tia’s experiences in the interview below:
*The YEP application is OPEN! Learn more here: www.growracine.org/youth-employment/
Q: What was your position with the City of Racine?
A: My position in the city was a Summer Youth Employee in the Human Resources department.
Q: What motivated you to apply?
A: I needed an internship for one of my classes at Gateway Technical College. The application was sent to me by a classmate. I figured if all goes well, I will have an internship and a pretty unique experience.
Q: What were some skills you learned?
A: I gained a better understanding of what the different departments in the city do from an insider’s point of view. And I (of course) got to see the process behind how someone is hired and interviewed, setting up benefits and a glimpse of what goes into setting up the wellness activities for the city employees.
Q: What’s it like working in city government as a young person?
A: It’s a little weird… I feel like I should have had office experience and have been in school for something business related to work here, but I work here without it.
Q: How do you explain your job to other people at school?
A: I just explain that I help the hiring process along, I file part-time applicants, set up interviews, pre-employment drug screenings and orientations, run background checks, then call applicants to offer them the job.
I have also been helping create the wellness calendars, bingos, and word searches.
Q: What do you wish you knew before this job?
A: I wish I knew that it’s not as intimidating as I thought it would be and the experience is going to be whatever you make it. Before starting I assumed working in an office (especially for it to be the city), it would be really dull, strictly work, and no room for mistakes.
It’s not like that at all, I work with a very nice group of people who are very patient and understanding. They would rather me ask a lot of questions and do the job right, than to not say anything at all and do it wrong.
Q: How will this internship impact your future goals?
A: The Youth Employment Program has made a very big impact on my future plans. Before coming into the program, I was at a point in school where I did not really know what I wanted to do. I just knew the demographic I wanted to work with and a few careers I thought I would be good at or could see myself doing.
But after the program and now working here for a while I have a clear understanding of what I want to do career-wise and feel confident that when the time comes I will be able to do my job well 🙂
Q: What advice do you have for other students who are applying for any internships?
A: My advice for applying for any internships would be to choose something that you think would be the best fit for you. Also that internships are pretty low stakes, you’re just doing it to get experience in the field and get your foot in the door. It will teach you the things you do and do not like about the field you may go into or that company/organization. Which can be a tool when choosing the rest of your classes, another internship, or figuring out what you want to do as a career.
Getting to work with the city while in this program, is such a new and fun experience and can open a lot of doors to new opportunities.
Another thing I would want those applying to YEP to know is that Kischa tries to make sure that everyone is having a good experience from this and includes activities that are fun and beneficial to the employees. For example, for one of the cohort days we went canoeing then had a lunch from the fire department or people from Gateway came to help the employees build their resumes. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks to Racine County Eye for highlighting the enrollment event the City of Racine, On the lake's GROW Racine team, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, and Gateway Technical College are hosting this Saturday!
Know a City resident who's ready to go back to school to earn their high school credential? Make sure to tell 'em about this event, where we'll help them with every step of the enrollment process AND they can apply for the City's $1500 GROW Racine HSED Scholarship. #GROWRacine #CityofRacine ... See MoreSee Less
High School Equivalency Diploma enrollment and $1,500 scholarship event this Saturday in Racine | Racine County Eye
racinecountyeye.com
RACINE — The City of Racine is hosting a 5.09 High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) event to recruit and enroll interested individuals for classes that beginComment on Facebook
We're GROW-ing Racine's future success by helping adult City residents earn their HSEDs and transform their futures!
Spread the word about this Saturday's enrollment session! #GROWRacine #CityofRacine ... See MoreSee Less
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The City of Racine, On the lake's Youth Employment Program is now accepting applications for summer jobs! Help spread the word to local young people ages 16-24 about this fantastic paid 8-week summer experience. #GROWRacine #CityofRacine
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Are you ready to go back to school to earn your high school credential? Don't miss this event next Saturday where we'll help you get enrolled so you can start FREE classes on May 30th! Share this to spread the word to other Racine residents. #GROWRacineIt's almost a week away! GROW Racine & YWCA Southeast Wisconsin in-person 5.09 HSED enrollment event is coming up quickly, be sure to register using the link to secure your spot! ... See MoreSee Less
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