initiatives

3 City Demonstration Project

Area: Youth Violence

Description: The U.S. Department of Justice (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), Leadership Foundations of America, and LFA affiliates in three cities (Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Dallas) have undertaken a joint project to improve the prospects of 10-20 year-old youth who live in neighborhoods with high concentration of youth crime and delinquency.
The project will focus on strengthening and expanding the work of small faith-based organizations and community groups that serve and empower young people in these neighborhoods. There will also be an emphasis on forming stronger collaborative efforts to improve the prospects of area youth.
In Minneapolis, approximately 23 small faith-based and community groups that reach and serve youth in North or South Minneapolis will participate in this one-year project. Training, coaching, and a total of $150,000 in mini-grants will be available to help participating groups strengthen and expand their work with youth.

Approach/Solution:

The following elements will be available to faith-based and community groups that participate:

1. Partnership of each participating organization with up to 20 hours of personalized technical assistance with a consultant experienced with nonprofit management.
2. Development of a capacity-building plan—to increase key program and organizational capabilities.
3. Free training and other practical support that’s focused on increasing organization’s impact and reach.
4. Joint work with other groups to increase skills, tap new resources, and have greater impact.
5. The opportunity to apply for $150,000 in mini-grants which will be made in each of the three cities.
6. Evaluation help—in tracking participating groups’ progress and results.

Partners:

U.S. Department of Justice
Leadership Foundations of America
Pittsburg Leadership Foundation
Twin Cities Christian Foundation
Dallas Leadership Foundation
23 local faith-based and community groups

Projected Outcomes:

Provide capacity building assistance to 23 small faith based and community groups serving 10-20 year old at risk youth in North and South Minneapolis

1. 23 organizations will participate in the project.
2. At least 85% of these groups will complete capacity building plans.
3. At least 400 hours of training, technical assistance, and collaboration assistance will be provided to participating organizations and groups.
4. $150,000 in sub-awards will be made to participating organizations and groups.

Increase program and organizational capabilities of participating groups, expand services, increase funding, and develop new and stronger collaborative efforts to improve prospects of area youth

1. At least 70% of highest priority capacity building objectives will be accomplished.
2. At least 650 additional youth and their family members will be served.
3. At least $500,000 in new or expanded funding will be secured by participating groups.
4. At least 30% more groups will be able to accurately report the volumes and outcomes of their services.
5. At least 4 new or expanded program partnerships will be formed to benefit youth.

Staff:
Brian Dejewski - Executive Director, Community Engagement
Sarah Trenda - Manger of Partner Relations

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