Introduction

Programs Index

by Sarah Koschinka, People Services and Safety

	Members of the Children First Grant Committee and NENA Staff working on program details. From left to right: Dave Mortensen, Rita Ulrich, Matt Boniwell, Marion Streitz, Becky Cooper, Sarah Koschinska. (6/25/02)

This fall (2002), NENA began making small grants available to organizations serving Nokomis East youth. This new program is the culmination of meetings and conversations between neighborhood residents and representatives from local schools and parks to create an initiative that would increase Developmental Assets in youth.

What are Developmental Assets?
Why does it seem like some kids make all the right decisions and others get in trouble? The Search Institute, located in Minneapolis, has developed a philosophy about what key things help youth make positive choices in their lives or rebound from situations in which they have made poor choices. The Search Institute has performed surveys of children throughout the United States, and they have created a list identifying 40 Developmental Assets they believe kids need to thrive and be successful in life.

The list of the 40 Developmental Assets are broken down into two categories - External Assets and Internal Assets:

External Assets are things we can give to and provide for youth such as: family support, other adult relationships, caring neighborhoods, caring school climate, adult role-models, high expectations, and involvement in youth programs.

Internal Assets are things that adults can role-model, encourage, and seek to bring out in youth such as: reading for pleasure, integrity, honesty, responsibility, planning and decision-making, cultural competence, positive self-esteem, and sense of purpose.

These 40 Assets have been identified as forming foundations for healthy development in adolescents. Search Institute’s research has shown that children who possess 30 or more of these Assets are far less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as violence, early sexual activity, and drug & alcohol use and instead are likely to engage in positive behaviors such as succeeding in school, valuing diversity, maintaining good health, and delaying gratification.

Everyone can build Assets
Another key component of Asset building philosophy is that all members of a community can have a role in helping kids obtain more assets in their life. You may have noticed that many Assets have to do with other adult involvement in a youth’s life in addition to their family. Everyone can be an Asset builder - parents, neighbors, schools, businesses, city leaders, etc. It can be as simple as knowing all the kids on your block and smiling at them every time you see them or being a volunteer at your local school. The goal of Asset building is to raise healthy, responsible, caring kids who make good choices and have beneficial behavior. NENA has gotten involved in Asset building by choosing to support programs that increase these Assets in our neighborhood youth.

How the program was created
About two years ago a group of individuals began meeting and brainstorming about what types of programming might be supported to help increase Assets. Many ideas were tossed around, but one thing was consistently shared by teachers, principals, and park staff - they had no problems coming up with creative and asset-rich programming ideas. What they did lack was the funds to support these ideas. That is when the idea of creating a grant program surfaced. It seemed a perfect solution: qualifying organizations could evaluate the specific needs of the children they serve and how best they might increase Assets and then develop programming around those needs. NENA could supply additional funds to make them happen.

Over the past nine months, a Grant Committee has been organized to review the grant proposals and forward recommendations to the NENA Board. This group is excited to kick off this program. Look for more updates later this year as they share what creative projects have been supported.

Please take a moment to read through the Program Description and Guidelines, below, to discover how NENA might help your organization develop and fund programs that have a positive influence on young people's lives.

If you have any questions about our application or the program, please feel free to contact Rita Ulrich by email or phone (612) 724-5652.

Program Description & Guidelines

Overview

The Children First Grant Program was created to support programs that increase Developmental Assets in Nokomis East youth. Developmental Assets are 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities that the Minneapolis-based Search Institute has identified as having a positive influence in young people's lives. The Institute's research suggests that children who possess 30 or more Developmental Assets have successful growth and development.

NENA's Children First Program is designed to allow qualifying organizations to evaluate the specific needs of the children and youth they serve and develop programming around those needs. Funding can be awarded to both existing and newly created programs, and organizations may collaborate to offer more comprehensive services.

Grants will be in the form of a reimbursement, payable upon completion of the project, and submission of an expense report and completed project evaluation form.

Grant Limits

Individual organizations are limited to a $2,000 maximum per project grant. Collaborations involving more than one organization may apply for additional funds not to exceed a total of $4,000 per project. Any organization may apply for multiple grants as long as each grant is used to support separate projects.

Exclusions

Funding may not be used for religious purposes, fundraising events, food, beverages, entertainment, general operating expenses or overhead.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted from any library, school, religious institution, park, or 501[c]3 nonprofit community organization that offers services to youth in the Nokomis East neighborhood.

Applications must be complete, including the required signatures, and turned in to Nokomis East Neighborhood Association by the given deadlines. Proposals will be evaluated by the NENA Children First Grant Committee

Grants proposals will be reviewed 3-4 times per year. Proposal deadlines for 2002 will be September 13th and November 15th. Proposals may be mailed to NENA or dropped off at the office. The Children First Grant Committee will review proposals and make funding recommendations to the NENA Board of Directors, which will make the final decision on awarding grants. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application approximately six weeks after the proposal deadline.

Organizations submitting proposals that are not funded may contact NENA for feedback on their proposal. Grant proposals not funded may be revised and submitted again during the next grant cycle.

Review Criteria:

The following criteria will be used by the Children First Grant Committee to review each proposal:

Quality and Impact
The project will directly serve children or youth (0-18 yrs) in the Nokomis East area. It demonstrates quality outcomes that provide them with enriching and positive experiences.

Developmental Assets Increased
Proposal shows that it will aim to increase one or more Developmental Asset in youth. (See the list of the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, below.)

Collaborative
Preference will be given to proposals that show partnership, relationship building, or collaboration between two or more community groups.

Community or Service Component
Preference will also be given to proposals that have a community service component or involve neighborhood residents in the project or the culmination of the project. Examples might be: displaying artwork at a neighborhood business, making a presentation at a NENA town meeting, or a youth group shoveling snow for seniors.

Replicable and Innovative
Preference will be given to projects that create opportunities for Nokomis East children/youth that they would not otherwise have. Additional considerations: the project could serve as a model for others; the funds are used creatively, or it is a new and innovative idea.

Appropriate Use of Funds
The planned use of funds is clear and appropriate as related to the Program Guidelines. The organization is capable of implementing and completing the proposed project.

Measuring Results
Your proposal should describe how it will measure the success and impact of the project.

Timeline and Disbursement of Funds

All grant recipients will be required to sign a Grant Agreement before a project begins. Expenses incurred before the date on the Grant Agreement cannot be covered by the grant. The Grant Agreement must be signed by the recipient organization's Executive Director or other authorized signer.

Grant recipients have one year to complete their projects. Funds will be paid to grant recipients after the project is completed and NENA has received the completed expense report and project evaluation form. Payments will be for actual expenses only and will not exceed the grant award amount. If a grant recipient has not submitted the completed expense report and project evaluation within one year of the grant award, NENA may reallocate the funds back to the grant pool.

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40 Developmental Assets

In an effort to identify the elements of a strength-based approach to healthy development, the Search Institute developed the framework of developmental assets. This framework identifies 40 critical factors for young people's growth and development. When drawn together, the assets offer a set of benchmarks for positive child and adolescent development. The assets clearly show important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, youth organizations, and others in communities play in shaping young people's lives.

For a complete explanation and list, click here to open the Search Institute's Web page in a new window.

External Assets

The first 20 developmental assets focus on positive experiences that young people receive from the people and institutions in their lives. Four categories of external assets are included in the framework:

Support - Young people need to experience support, care, and love from their families, neighbors, and many others. They need organizations and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.
Empowerment - Young people need to be valued by their community and have opportunities to contribute to others. For this to occur, they must be safe and feel secure.
Boundaries and expectations - Young people need to know what is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are "in bounds" and "out of bounds."
Constructive use of time - Young people need constructive, enriching opportunities for growth through creative activities, youth programs, congregational involvement, and quality time at home.

Internal Assets

A community's responsibility for its young does not end with the provision of external assets. There needs to be a similar commitment to nurturing the internal qualities that guide choices and create a sense of centeredness, purpose, and focus. Indeed, shaping internal dispositions that encourage wise, responsible, and compassionate judgments is particularly important in a society that prizes individualism. Four categories of internal assets are included in the framework:

Commitment to learning - Young people need to develop a lifelong commitment to education and learning.
Positive values - Youth need to develop strong values that guide their choices.
Social competencies - Young people need skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, to build relationships, and to succeed in life.
Positive identity - Young people need a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth, and promise.

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Application Form

Nokomis East Neighborhood Association
Children First Grant Program

Application

Applications are due September 13, 2002 and November 15, 2002
(Tentative deadlines for 2003 are February 15 and April 15)

Return to: Nokomis East Neighborhood Association,
3000 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55417 (612-724-5652)

Please complete all relevant information. You may re-create this application form on your computer. (Highlight application text in your browser, then copy and paste into your word processor.) Applications must be typed or printed clearly in blue or black ink.

Contact Information

Organization Legal Name ________________________________________________________

Type of Organization (please check mark):
____Library   ____Religious Organization   ____Park   ____School   ____501(c)(3)

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Phone _____________________________ Website _____________________________

Project Information

Program/Project Name __________________________________________________________

Start and End Dates _______________________

Project Location _______________________

Number & ages of children/youth to be served ________________________________________

Amount Requested of NENA _________________

Total Project Cost ____________________

Other sources of funding with amounts ______________________________________________

Primary Contact Person ______________________________ Tel: _____________________

Title ________________________________________ email: _________________________

Collaborating/Partner Agency (if applicable) __________________________________________

Contact Person __________________________________ Tel: _____________________

Title _____________________________________ email: _________________________

Authorized Signature _____________________________ Date _______________________

Please print name & title _________________________________________________________ Project Description

Please complete the following questions in no more than 2 pages.

1. Briefly state the goal or purpose of the project.

2. Describe the project in detail. Include who and how many children/youth the project will serve, key personnel involved, where and when the project will take place, how you plan to implement it, and any other information you would like us to consider.

3. How will you measure the outcomes or evaluate the success of the project?

4. List the Developmental Asset(s) the project will address. (Please list by name and number from the enclosed sheet). How will the project build/increase these assets?

5. If a community involvement or service component is included in the project, please describe.

6. If NENA approves a grant for the project, how will NENA's support be acknowledged?

Project Budget

Type of Expense                                           Amount

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Total Budget: _____________

Amount Requested from NENA _____________
(Maximum $2,000, or $4,000 if collaborative project)

If total budget exceeds amount requested from NENA, please explain where the additional funds to complete the project will come from.

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