Published March 13 2024
The city is making $200,000 per year available in 2025 and 2026 for organizations that convene education and/or human services providers, along with other stakeholders, in an effort to support collective impact efforts. Convening organizations work with and connect providers and other interested parties to produce data-driven outcomes for a specific mission or vision in collaborative ways. Using this specific and collective approach enhances the impact organizations can have in their communities.
The Human Services Division in Parks & Community Services is releasing a notice of funding availability specifically for convening organizations in the education and/or human services space with experience in equitable service delivery and expertise centering key lived experience in this space. Applications and other required documents are at Human Services Funding. Applications are are due by 4 p.m., Monday, April 15.
The Human Services Commission will review the proposals and provide funding recommendations to Parks & Community Services Department leadership.
Eligible applicants must:
- Possess a track record of convening service providers to identify shared goals and centering the voices of those who have experience navigating the education and/or human services system.
- Submit recommendation letters from service providers relative to the work being proposed.
In addition, applicants for this funding should not receive any other city funding related to this work at the same time.
During interviews, surveys and focus groups conducted for the preparation of the city’s 2023-2024 Human Services Needs Update, human services providers indicated there is a need for increased convening partners for collective impact, facilitating collaboration and coordination amongst providers, and encouraging and supporting deepening partnerships between organizations.
According to the Collective Impact Forum, collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change. The convening organization should demonstrate an ability to implement the five conditions required for collective impact, with equity practices incorporated throughout:
- Common agenda: Coming together to collectively define the problem and create a shared vision to solve it.
- Shared measurement: Tracking progress in the same way, allowing for continuous learning and accountability.
- Mutually reinforcing activities: Integrating the participants’ many different activities to maximize the end result.
- Continuous communications: Building trust and strengthening relationships.
- Strong backbone: a team dedicated to aligning and coordinating the work of the group.
For more information, please contact Ruth Blaw at rblaw@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-4185.