Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program 

Community Heart & Soul is a process for engaging community members in planning for the future of their town. The program is based on three principles:

  1. Include everyone
  2. Focus on what matters most
  3. Play the long game

Seed Grants are available to help communities get started on their planning program. Applications for a $10,000 award with a 1:1 matching requirement are accepted on a rolling basis.

Eligibility

Applicants for Seed Grant funding must:

  1. Represent U.S. towns and cities of between 2,500 and 30,000 citizens
  2. Be led by at least five residents of the community
  3. Be a local government, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, or another resident led group
  4. Be able to receive grant funds or have a fiscal sponsor
  5. Have municipal support. If grant funds are awarded, the municipality must adopt a resolution of support for the program.

The Process

The Community Heart & Soul Program happens in four phases.

  1. Imagine – Teams are formed to carry out the initial work of recruiting participants and connecting with all segments of the community.
  2. Connect – Participants write statements on what they love about their community and what they hope it will look like in the future.
  3. Plan – Using the statements from phase 2, participants create action plans to make those hopes and dreams reality.
  4. Act – A comprehensive Heart & Soul Statement is adopted by the city/town council and incorporated into official government plans.

Expected Expenses

The $10,000 in grant funding will only cover a portion of the expenses for fully carrying out the Community Heart & Soul program. Applicants should expect to spend approximately $57,500 annually for two years. This will cover:

  1. Staff – A full time staff person to coordinate the program is recommended. (~ $40,000 per year)
  2. Coaching – Participants are required to work with a Community Heart & Soul coach who will provide training and guidance. (~ $10,000 per year)
  3. Project costs – Hosting events and recruiting participants (~ $7,500 per year)

Benefits

The benefits of participating in this program include:

  • Development of young, new leaders
  • New local businesses
  • Overall improved economic conditions
  • Residents connecting over common ground
  • Increased volunteerism
  • Growing community pride
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One thought on “Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program ”

  1. Judith Bigelow-Costa

    Our Parks Improvement Partners, Inc., would be very interested in this.
    There are many new recreation and community programs that are of interest to many.
    Example: a river walk around the Nemasket River.
    Example: a new park to be situated at the demolished old DPW that sits near the Nemasket River and could be utilized for many recreations. Environmental and Brown fields samples have been certified as “no contamination” and permits have been noted as such.
    Community gardens situated in the three areas of our 70 square miles of town land.
    We are the second largest land area town in Massachusetts, have a Board of Selectmen of 5 individuals, have a population of approximately 25,000. Town is Middleboro, MA 02346

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