[Communications] {AUA} Fwd: Upcoming Grant Opportunities for Chicago Growers: Community Growers Program and ChiBlockBuilder

Sydney Coyle sydney at communityfoodnavigator.org
Fri Apr 12 13:39:30 CDT 2024 

Hey y'all! Forwarding these grant opportunities for Chicago growers!

Community Growers Program Application is opening May 1st but if folks want
to prepare the application questions are available on Neighborspaces
<http://neighbor-space.org/chicagos-community-growers-project/>website
in English
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/114NKlCup98Q6TEJDI1Y08pzIlIbkVMNTWkXKHnTwrfk/edit>and
Spanish
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RB6H8Y3-uK-EZopkYZDnHTkiGDlQ1GuGqYDhAmSENNc/edit>

ChiBlockBuilder Urban Ag Land Access Application
<https://chiblockbuilder.com/apply/?> is open now through May 17th.

Any questions can be directed to communitygrowers at neighbor-space.org
<communitygrowers at neighbor-space.org>





Info Sessions and Grant Opening Dates




*Hi all!  Sharing two applications supporting Chicago growers this spring! *

1) Community Growers Program (CGP) - Infrastructure and technical
assistance
2) ChiBlockBuilder (CBB) Urban Agriculture Land Access Application - $1
City Lots

*These are two different programs and applications that are reviewed by
different organizations/city departments.*

*Both programs are intended to support long term (5+ years) and larger
scale (6,000+ ft) growing spaces run by growers with roots and
relationships in the neighborhood they are growing in.*


*Long Email Alert! *

   -

   *SECTION 1 *of this email contains Information Session details for joint
   Community Growers and ChiBlockBuilder Info Sessions
   -

   *SECTION 2 *of this email contains information on who is eligible and
   how to prepare for the Community Growers Program application launch on May
   1st


   For all questions please email communitygrowers at neighbor-space.org




*SECTION 1: INFO SESSIONS CGP & CBB *

   - *Community Growers Programs (mostly infrastructure/technical
   assistance) *opens May 1st and closes June 30th.
   - *Separately, ChiBlockBuilder Urban Agriculture Land Access* application

   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=d3c2d06867&e=3f772fe6d9>is
   open now - May 17th.

 As these two support programs have applications open at similar times,
they'll be hosting joint info sessions, but please note they are DIFFERENT
programs with SEPARATE applications!

Sign up to join us at an upcoming info session to learn more about what
these two different applications have to offer and how to apply to both:
Info Session Dates:

   - Friday April 12th 12-1:30pm Virtual on Zoom
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=0bcfb9cee9&e=3f772fe6d9>
   - Saturday April 13th 10 - 11:30am @ Center for Green Technology
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=fcd924fb40&e=3f772fe6d9>
   - Saturday April 27th 10 -11:30am @ West Englewood Library
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=91c609009e&e=3f772fe6d9>
   - Thursday May 9th 6-7:30pm Virtual on Zoom
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=dfa2caf55c&e=3f772fe6d9>
   - Friday May 24th Virtual 12-1:30 Virtual on Zoom
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=4c9505a13f&e=3f772fe6d9>*Session
   only about the CGP application*

*SECTION 2: COMMUNITY GROWERS PROGRAM*


**the info listed below is not affiliated with ChiBlockBuilder** *


The Community Growers Program is a collaborative urban agriculture project
that supports development and implementation of growing sites in Chicago
City limits.  If you are interested in checking out the first round of the
CGP awardees click here.
<https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=cc3ec05dc6&e=3f772fe6d9>
The 2024 round of the Community Growers Program will support a majority of
infrastructure support and a small number of land acquisition projects.

*CGP IS OPENING MAY 1st - JUNE 30th *


*WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CGP *

*Community Growers Program seeks to support growing spaces…  *

   - With demonstrated outdoor food growing experience, capacity for
   growing, and managing project
   - That are public or community facing spaces
   - That have roots in priority areas. Here is the list of eligible
   neighborhoods in Chicago.
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=0f70a9ea73&e=3f772fe6d9>

   - That have evidence of community support and share anticipated
   community impacts (support can be from neighbors, alderperson, partners,
   etc.)
   - That have a clear and robust food growing plan
   - PLEASE NOTE: This program is intended to support long-term (5+ years)
   urban agriculture spaces.

*WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CGP*

   - backyard gardens
   - school gardens
   - spaces not growing edible food (must be growing specialty
   crops/edibles/fruits, veggies, etc)
   - spaces with short term intentions or that don’t intend to be growing
   beyond a couple years
   - Growers who do not have roots in the communities they are growing in
   (see defined priority areas
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=681f3fc054&e=3f772fe6d9>
   in Chicago)
   - Growing spaces less than 6,000 sq ft



*HOW THE FUNDING WORKS FOR CGP*

Funding for this program varies from awardee to awardee and will be
determined as the growing spaces are developed. After being awarded, each
growing space will collaborate with Neighborspace to establish and/or
expand the basic infrastructure to grow food. An established space may just
need permanent water, whereas a newer space may need land, fence, water,
storage, beds, etc. If awarded, awardees will not receive a lump sum,
expenses will be paid for directly by Neighborspace


*HOW TO PREPARE FOR CGP*

All applicants will be asked to submit supporting documents to
communitygrowers at neighbor-space.org. In preparation for May 1st Community
Growers Application please prepare as much of the following supporting
materials as relevant to your project. We highly encourage you to send
supporting materials such as:

*Required if you have long term access to land (5+ years) : *

   - Project Budget (please be specific to the budget for the items you are
   hoping to receive through this grant) (Check out approximate costs of
   items here
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=9dcd72ed23&e=3f772fe6d9>
   )
   - Evidence of Neighbor Support (letters from neighbors, signatures from
   neighbors, flyers from past events/programming, news clips)
   - Proof of long term access (5+ years) to your growing space ex: lease,
   proof of ownership, Memorandums of Understanding with owners of land,
   rights of entry, or other evidence of access to the space you are growing
   in (Highly encouraged if you don’t own your land)

*Required if you are seeking long term access to land: *

   - Project Budget (please be specific to the budget for the items you are
   hoping to receive through this grant)  (Check out approximate costs of
   items here
   <https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=de02baff79&e=3f772fe6d9>
   )
   - Evidence of Neighbor Support (letters from neighbors, signatures from
   neighbors, flyers from past events/programming, news clips)
   - Evidence of Aldermanic Support (Required if you're growing or looking
   to grow on City owned land, helpful if you're growing on private land)

*Helpful for either: *

   - Quotes or Proposals for infrastructure items you're hoping to receive
   - Letters of Support from Community Partners
   - Crop plans and growing Site Plans/Designs
   - Pictures of your site!



*If you have any questions about the program, please register to attend the
information sessions listed above and/or email
communitygrowers at neighbor-space.org
<https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=908dcaa682&e=3f772fe6d9>.*

Launched in 2020, Community Food Navigator envisions a food system rooted
in justice, in which the people who produce, distribute, and consume food
also control its production, distribution, and governance.

Our mission is to expand food sovereignty—particularly in Black, Brown, and
Indigenous communities—by engaging Chicago-area food growers, producers,
educators, and eaters; strengthening connections and collaboration; telling
more truthful stories about the Chicago food ecosystem; and redistributing
power.

If you are a Chicago area Grower, Local Food Mobilizer, or Culturally
Rooted Food Educator, check out our *App Interest Form Here
<https://communityfoodnavigator.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fe8949acb80f6bdfb58e06be&id=7b1c52c26d&e=3f772fe6d9>
*to get connected to the Navigator community!


*Email us at:*
info at communityfoodnavigator.org

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-- 
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