In President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union address, he declared that 20 areas nationwide would be designated as Promise Zones. The Administration recently announced that a second round of Promise Zone designations is open for solicitation. Promise Zones can be urban, rural, or tribal communities. In a Promise Zone, the Administration partners with local leaders to create jobs, increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime. Communities are invited to compete for federal funds and staffing, and five full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members are invited to help recruit and manage volunteers.
The Promise Zone program focuses on struggling areas even as the economy recovers and unemployment falls. Twelve federal agencies, including Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), will collaborate to provide resources and expertise to help stimulate the local economy and create opportunities within these communities. For a full list of benefits, click here. Any community meeting the Promise Zone eligibility requirements may apply.
- Nonprofits
- Public Housing Agencies
- Local Education Agencies
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations
- Community Colleges
The deadline for submitting Promise Zone applications is November 21, 2014. Applications must be submitted through Max Survey. Separate application guides are available for urban and rural/tribal areas. Is your organization interested in applying for federal funding but unsure of where to start? Transform Consulting Group has experience helping numerous organizations apply for federal funds, including Indianapolis’s own Martindale Brightwood community, to become a Promise Neighborhood. Contact us today for a free consultation!
