Central Corridor Internship Program (CCIP) Request for Proposals for Summer 2013

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1 Central Corridor Internship Program (CCIP) Request for Proposals for Summer 2013 Deadline: 5:00 pm, January 18, 2013 The Program The Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) is seeking proposals for the 2013 Central Corridor Internship Program. The program will support paid internship projects focused on civic, environmental, social, and economic opportunities and impacts of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) on diverse communities along the Central Corridor. The program is intended to strengthen the capacity of community organizations to communicate with residents and small businesses, increase their knowledge of each other s work, support neighborhood cohesion and strength, foster further communication, and showcase the strengths and successes of community organizations along the corridor. NEW THIS YEAR: 5 internship grants will be given to organizations who wish to focus their intern s efforts on projects related to affordable housing, and, depending on funding, arts and cultural initiatives. Grantee organizations will receive funds to hire and pay an hourly wage for a 400-hour summer intern. In addition, grantee organizations and interns will be invited to participate in seminars throughout the summer to strengthen ties among organizations and to provide support for the participating interns as a cohort working together over the summer. 1

2 Goals and Objectives The internship program s objectives are for participating community organizations to: 1) have greater capacity to increase participation and support from residents and business owners in their goals of equitable community and economic development; 2) find value in discussing their different perspectives on and approaches to the LRT construction and learning about related city, community, and neighborhood initiatives; 3) identify and act on new opportunities to collaborate to meet their shared goals; 4) sustain related efforts to support community development along the Central Corridor; 5) increase their capacity to utilize summer interns; 6) share project impacts and lessons with the broader public; 7) i dentify and practice appropriate, effective organizing strategies within and across African American, Hmong, and new immigrant and refugee communities in the Central Corridor; 8) increase participation of low-income, transit-dependent residents in district councils and groups that feed into the district councils, such as block clubs, advisory groups, and neighborhood update sessions and events; 9) support full participation of local communities in shaping policies related to LRT construction and area development that reflect shared interests and the needs of low-income, transit-dependent residents. Project and Grant Criteria The organization: is able to put the intern on their own payroll for the summer holds nonprofit, 501(c)3 status or has a designated fiscal agent has a plan for how to continue and build on the project work after the summer internship is complete has a dedicated supervisor committed with experience relevant to the proposed project shows a commitment to and a plan for collaboration and communication with other organizations or agencies along the corridor as a part of this project. Has a communications plan for how to document and share successes and lessons learned continued 2

3 The project: is significant for the organization and the community and addresses core aspects of the organization s mission focuses on low-income communities along University Avenue in Saint Paul or Minneapolis. is appropriate for an undergraduate student intern or recent college graduate scope is appropriate for a summer 400 hour internship joint applications between organizations are encouraged, however each intern should have only one supervisor and one main project while there is flexibility to changes between the time the project is proposed and the summer implementation, the organization must make a commitment to a specific project goal or outcome to be completed by the end of August By 5pm on Friday, January 18, mail or drop off applications to the HECUA office: Attention: CCIP Selection Committee, HECUA 2233 University Avenue W. Suite 210, Saint Paul, MN 55114, or eseru@hecua.org. Consultation HECUA is available to consult as you develop project proposals. Please feel free to contact us for advice or feedback on the project you are considering for submission for an internship grant. Emily Seru is the Manager of Internships and Community Partnerships at HECUA and has extensive experience designing and supporting project-based internships. Read about previous projects by visiting the CCIP page on our website, at hecua.org/programs/ccip or contact Emily at eseru@hecua.org. Project Selection In addition to the guidelines and criteria listed, HECUA and the CCIP Advisory Group will pay attention to the overall set of projects selected to ensure diversity of populations served and of the mission or focus of organizations, and the focus on affordable housing and/ or arts and culture. The Central Corridor Internship Program will grant paid internships for summer The applicants will be notified by the first week in February

4 Student Selection and Placement Process In consultation with grantees, HECUA will recruit recent alumni of HECUA programs to be selected for the summer internship positions. Young people who have been part of HECUA programs typically have an understanding of how to enter communities respectfully, have been trained to recognize multiple view points on contentious issues, and have the adaptability and project management skills needed for community-based internships. Many alumni of HECUA s four decades of Twin Cities programs have emerged as leaders in a variety of local community and advocacy organizations. Advanced undergraduate students and recent graduates will be invited to apply for the program, and will submit an essay and resume to HECUA in which they demonstrate their interest, experience, and the skills they bring to the proposed summer projects. From the pool of applicants, which could be as large as 100, HECUA will select finalists and alternates, and in close consultation with the internship grantees, will make suggestions for final placements. Grantees will interview the recommended candidates in April 2013, and will decide on the final hire. About HECUA In twelve off-campus programs focused on social justice, since 1971 HECUA has provided experiential learning opportunities that link rigorous academic study with hands-on work for social change. HECUA conducts six academic programs in the Twin Cities, bringing over 100 students each year to learn in and from communities. For nine years, HECUA managed the Partners Internship Program, which focused on paid summer internships in the nonprofit sector across Minnesota, North Dakota and western Wisconsin. Through this program, HECUA selected and oversaw over 175 successful summer internship projects. For more information about HECUA please visit: HECUA member institutions include Augsburg College, Augustana College, Carleton College, College of St. Scholastica, Colorado College, Denison University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University, Macalester College, Saint Mary s University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, St. Olaf College, Swarthmore College, University of Minnesota, and University of St. Thomas. Minneapolis Community and Technical College and the Peace and Justice Studies Association are associate members of HECUA. 4

5 Deadline: January 18, 2013 Application Process Description & Application Cover Form Central Corridor Internship Program (CCIP) Summer 2013 Application Process Description Grant applications should be typed, no more than 5 single-sided pages. Provide all of the following (including the completed Application Cover Form on the next 2 pages): 1. Cover sheet that includes: organization name, area of focus, full mailing address, telephone number, website URL, contact name for the application, contact s , organization s total operating budget for the year, and name, contact, and signature of top paid staff member or board chair 2. Brief description of organization s mission, activities, program services, and how the work proposed addresses current needs or opportunities in low income neighborhoods along University Avenue. 3. Description of the project you would like an intern to complete in 400 hours between June and August 2013, with a timeline of proposed activities and anticipated outcomes. 4. Description of the anticipated impact of the intern s work. What would be possible for your organization to do with a full time summer intern that you would not be able to do otherwise? Why is it important that the work happen in summer 2013? 5. Description of how you hope to use the program to connect and learn from and with other local organizations in your area. How do you plan to utilize the intern in these collaboration goals? What are your plans for how your intern will share project lessons and successes with the broader public? 6. A job description that includes the required and preferred qualifications of the intern you wish to complete the project (please be as specific as possible as HECUA will use your description to find and select final intern applicants). 7. Description of the supervision and resources you have in place to support a full-time summer intern including an orientation and training plan. 5

6 Organization Application Cover Form, Summer 2013 By 5pm on Friday, January 27, 2013: Print and mail or drop off a completed application to the HECUA office. Attention: CCIP Selection Committee, HECUA 2233 University Avenue W., Suite 210, St. Paul, MN Or, this cover form and supplementary materials to eseru@hecua.org. Organization Name (type in above line) Website Brief project overview (2-3 sentences): Grant Contact Name (type in above line) Telephone Project Supervisor s Name (if different than Grant Contact) Telephone Mailing Address: Total Operating Budget (type in above line) Name of Top Paid Staff Member or Board Chair 6

7 Please check all that apply: The organization: is able to put the intern on their own payroll for the summer holds nonprofit 501(c)3 status or has a designated fiscal agent has a plan for how to continue and build on the project work after the summer internship is complete has a dedicated intern supervisor with experience relevant to the proposed project has a commitment and will develop a plan for collaboration with other organizations or agencies along the corridor as a part of this project has a communications plan for how to document and share successes and lessons learned about the proposed project The CCIP project: is significant for the organization and the community and addresses core aspects of the organization s mission focuses on low-income communities along the Central Corridor LRT is appropriate for an undergraduate student intern or recent college graduate has a scope that is appropriate for a summer 400-hour internship Important to note: Without all the above items, an application will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. CCIP organizational applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of HECUA staff members, past CCIP program participants, and internship advisors from HECUA consortium member institutions. Organizations will receive notification on the status of the application by February 18th, Questions regarding the application or selection process should be directed to Emily Seru, HECUA s Manager of Internships and Community Partners, at or eseru@hecua.org. 7