Bend, Ore. — Bend 2030 and Opportunity Knocks are now seeking contract support and applications from community groups to participate in The Civic Equity Project, a two-year program building the capacity of under-represented organizations to participate in civic dialogue and decision-making in Bend.
The project was recently funded with a $100,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust, a Portland-based foundation supporting equity-advancement projects in Oregon.
“Bend 2030 and Opportunity Knocks are committed to supporting broad community engagement in civic dialogue,” said Bend 2030 Executive Director Erin Foote Morgan. “Under-represented populations are valuable partners in finding the best solutions to Bend’s greatest challenges, such as affordable housing and building a strong transportation system.”
The Civic Equity Project brings together Bend 2030, Opportunity Knocks and an organizational development specialist to create a cohort of a dozen organizations working with under-represented populations in Bend, whose voices are often missing from important decision-making conversations.
“Rural communities are critical partners for creating statewide change for a flourishing and equitable Oregon,” said Building Community Program Officer Nancy Ramirez Arriaga of Meyer Memorial Trust. “We are pleased to partner with organizations that are taking strategic steps to address disparities in their local communities.”
Participating organizations will receive a number of core benefits through the Civic Equity Project:
•Two full years of direct and robust needs-based organizational development coaching focused on strategic planning, leadership development, outreach and communications, fundraising and long-term organizational sustainability
•A professionally facilitated peer-support group through Opportunity Knocks.
•Advocacy trainings and hands-on experience in civic dialogue and policy development through Bend 2030’s existing housing and transportation projects.
•Support in creating a two-year individualized advocacy strategy for participating organizations.
•Transportation and childcare costs provided through the program.
A request for proposals from organizational development specialists with experience in project management is now available, as well as an application for participating organizations to join the Civic Equity Project cohort.
The RFP deadline is Friday, April 7, and the participant application deadline is Friday, April 14. Both the RFP and application can be found at bend2030.org.
The project will kick-off with an open house on Tuesday, April 25, and run through April 2019.
