In this 11th episode of GrantTalk, hosted by Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch, and author of "The Queen of Grants, we dive into the world of grant writing, community involvement, and program evaluation with Robynn Takayama, the Grants Manager for the Community Challenge Grants in San Francisco.

Topics Covered:

Tips and Tricks for Successful Grant Writing
The Importance of Community Involvement in Grant Projects
Evaluating and Improving Community Programs
The Community Challenge Grants Program

Insights and Overview

Key Insights:

Community Challenge Grants Program:

Established over 20 years ago, this program funds communityled neighborhood improvement projects.

Focus on community beautification, graffiti abatement, cleaning, greening, public art, and community gathering spaces.

Grant Writing Tips:

Be "grant ready" by organizing documents, having a budget, goals, and staff information readily available.
Follow the scoring criteria and ensure all materials are comprehensive and wellorganized.
Utilize technical assistance and attend workshops offered by funders.
Community Involvement:

Building trust and relationships with community members is crucial.
Engage the community through activities like focus groups and local events to gather input and address needs.

Consider equity and challenges in different neighborhoods when designing projects.

Program Evaluation:

Incorporate evaluation into the activities to gather meaningful feedback.
Use community input to shape and improve future grant applications and projects.

Highlight successful projects to leverage additional funding and support.

Success Story: Ledyard Alley Project

Improved a local alleyway with fencing, lighting, a mural, and greening, making it a safer and more attractive passage to a park.

Engaged the community through Tai Chi classes, which facilitated feedback and trustbuilding.

Demonstrated the impact of communitydriven initiatives on neighborhood improvement.

Conclusion:
Government funds should support community activities, fostering resilience and vibrancy in cities. The Community Challenge Grants exemplify how publicprivate partnerships can drive meaningful change. Remember, we are better together.

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