Investing in Neighboring

Engaging and empowering local residents is the key to creating sustainable programs that support low-income families. Financial resources play a critical role in developing volunteer-driven programs and projects in low-income neighborhoods. Grantmakers and program practitioners must form strong partnerships to respond effectively to the unique needs of their community and to use volunteering to address local issues. For many nonprofit organizations, especially grassroots organizations, existing financial resources are limited and used to cover basic services to the community and critical organizational needs. New funding is essential to help nonprofits enhance and expand services, and especially, develop stronger volunteer infrastructures that engage more residents to take leadership within their communities. Grantmakers, whether corporate, independent, or community-based, can make a real impact by supporting community connections through neighboring.

If you want to invest new resources to support opportunities for neighborhood-based solutions, or if you are looking for funding ideas for your own local collaborations, get started by:

• Getting to know your community
• Establishing what impact you want to achieve
• Looking for ways to leverage existing resources and increasing new investments

Providing New Resources: Ideas and Tools to Help Funders Invest in Neighboring
Finding New Resources: Ideas and Tools to Help Nonprofits Find New Resources