2020 Community Small Business Workshops

A mentoring workshop to build your business or nonprofit

Do you have an existing business or nonprofit that improves your community? Get mentoring support and connected to resources that can help you succeed during a 2 hour Small Business Workshop. Accepted applicants receive a $150 cash stipend, real time guidance from professional mentors to develop an action plan, and ongoing entrepreneurial resource navigator support. $1500 of additional financial awards will be given at each workshop.

THE WORKSHOPS

Businesses or Nonprofits who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for one of the following sessions:

Wilkinsburg – July 18: in partnership with Community Forge
Hilltop – August 8: in partnership with Fresh Fest and Work Hard Pittsburgh
Homewood – August 15: in partnership with Bible Center Church, HBBA, Neighborhood Allies

Each 2 hour workshop will be held virtually, focused on strengthening the individual needs of your organization. Mentors will assist leaders to identify immediate steps and resources in the following areas:

Defining client needs + Communicating your value
Strengthening financial preparedness + operations
Identifying program/service pivots related to COVID-19
Understanding adaptive leadership

ELIGIBILITY

The following criteria will be used to select workshop attendees, as reported on the application:

Operations primarily located in or serving the workshop’s host community
Legally incorporated and generating income
Openness to new information and mentor guidance
Committed to full participation on workshop date/times

The 2002 Community Small Business Workshops are made possible through the support of BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern PA.

Ignite Vibrancy: Collective Impact

A mentoring workshop + pitch competition to ignite collective action

Do you have an idea for a collaborative project to improve your community? Get support and the opportunity to pitch for $30,000 in total grants during the one-day Ignite Vibrancy workshop. Participants receive guidance from mentors and peers to further develop their project. Awardees will also receive 12 months of ongoing support from New Sun Rising’s GIT-COL initiative (Growing Impact Through Data + Collaboration). NOTE: this workshop has already occurred

THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT PROJECTS

On September 7, 2019, over 30 community leaders representing 10 collective impact projects received support from 8 mentors to develop their collective impact projects and pitches. Special congrats to our pitch winners who will receive an additional year of capacity building from NSR:

$15,000 to Coraopolis Community C.A.F.E (Coraopolis Alliance for Excellence), a central resource hub organized by Coraopolis Youth Creations, Coraopolis Community Foundation, and When She Thrives to increase access to services for community members of all ages help them move from surviving to thriving.
$10,000 to SURGE Braddock, a pilot program developed by Greater Valley Community Services (GVCS) and Paradigm Global Innovations (PGI) to work with 15 – 20 community youth members partnering with local businesses to develop analytical business and design skills acknowledged by Braddock’s small business owners as high needs.
$5,000 to C.H.A.M.P.S Northview Heights + Crafton (Change Agents Mentoring Peers in Sport), a partnership between Open Field, JFCS Pittsburgh, Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh, ARYSE, Youth Places, and the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, which utilizes the global game of soccer to promote social cohesion, increase life skills education, and improve the health and well-being of young people in Northview Heights and Crafton Heights.

THE WORKSHOP

The facilitated activities with your mentor will focus on concept development following a Collective Impact Lean Canvas. Mentors will assist project leaders through the design and development of their idea, identifying key steps and necessary resources. Project leaders will leave more able to:

Clearly explain the purpose and value of the project to the broader community and potential funders
Develop and follow a plan to inclusively engage your community and potential funders
Create agreements on how the group will operate as a collective
Understand best practices for collective impact
Explore the role of data and storytelling in their project

THE PITCH

Each group will also have a chance to “pitch” to a panel of judges. Selected organizations will receive funds and capacity building support to further implement the project. In addition to economic impact, businesses and projects supported through the Vibrant Communities Framework prioritizes a triple bottom line, which includes people and planet. Collective Community Impact project winners will be reviewed considering these indicators:

CULTURE: Access to learning, capacity building, community development, engagement, connectivity, equality, and empowerment

SUSTAINABILITY: Responsible management and restoration of water, energy, food, air, and land resources

OPPORTUNITY: Developing equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs, employment, housing, and wealth building

At NSR, we believe that collaboration is the key to scaling up equitable social, environmental, and economic solutions. However, we understand the challenges that may arise when multiple organizations, sectors, and community stakeholders come together to design and implement strategies for change. Ignite Vibrancy is designed to be the starting point for these new ideas to form and strengthen relationships between partners.

The Ignite Vibrancy workshop is made possible in part through the support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion, and Google.

About New Sun Rising

New Sun Rising (NSR) co-powers initiatives that create economic opportunity, solve social challenges, and strengthen the vibrancy of place. Through our Vibrant Communities Framework, NSR strengthens organizations, increases their impact, and helps to improve quality of life. Our focus is on under resourced communities and how regenerative growth strategies can be utilized for equitable economic and social development. The overarching goal of the Vibrant Communities Framework is equitable revitalization, by building Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity; through Planning, Connectivity, and Resources; to develop an authentic community Identity.

Ignite Opportunity

A mentoring workshop + pitch competition for projects building opportunity with their community

Have an idea that provides a platform or opportunities for others to succeed? Register for our one-day Ignite Opportunity workshop. Work with mentors and peers to develop your project idea then participate in our optional pitch competition to win up to $10K in awards to ignite your project!

Date Workshop was Held: Saturday July 21st

Time: 9am-3pm

Location: Repair the World, 6022 Broad Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Ignite Sustainability

A mentoring workshop + pitch competition for projects building sustainability with their community

The goal of New Sun Rising’s Sustainability strategy is to enhance natural systems for the benefit of people, planet, and economy in order to create greater community resiliency and improve quality of life.

Projects which creatively engage, explore, or express sustainability within their community are encouraged to register for the Ignite Sustainability workshop on June 9th. Participants will be eligible for awards (taxable) to start their project. While everyone can apply, we strongly encourage projects from NSR Launch communities (Allentown, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Northside, Wilkinsburg) and fiscally-sponsored projects.

Interested in becoming a mentor? Contact zaheen@newsunrising.org to learn more.

What to expect

Ignite Sustainability propels idea development and activation for businesses, projects, and their leaders through a one day ignite & pitch workshop. Bring your new idea to work through with peers. Those who are interested (up to 10) have the option to enter the pitch competition for one $3,000 and two $1,000 financial awards.

Through a one-page business plan, workshop participants will receive mentoring and a quick primer on pitching your idea. Awarded projects must be completed by March 1st, 2019.

Vibrancy Funds

New Sun Rising is pleased to announce the Vibrancy Funds, a new funding opportunity to launch organizations and collaborations who build culture, sustainability, and opportunity with their community. Led by the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, the fund will support people who promote innovation, engagement, and equity in the Pittsburgh region.

Ignite Culture

A mentoring workshop + pitch competition for projects building community culture

New Sun Rising believes that embracing the unique characteristics and knowledge of people is critical to promoting equitable change in our region. By building awareness of our culture, we can better understand the shared values that lead to trust and resiliency.

Projects which creatively engage, explore, or express culture within their community are encouraged to register for the Ignite Culture workshop on March 24th. Participants will be eligible for awards (taxable) to start their project. While everyone can apply, we strongly encourage projects from NSR Launch communities (Allentown, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Northside, Wilkinsburg) and fiscally-sponsored projects.

Registration is full

What to expect

Ignite Culture propels idea development for businesses, projects, and their leaders through a one day ignite & pitch workshop. Bring your new idea to work through with peers. Those who are interested (up to 10) have the option to enter the pitch competition for $5,000 in total financial awards.

Through a one-page business plan, workshop participants will receive mentoring and a quick primer on pitching your idea. Awarded projects must be completed by November 30th, 2018 and help create community vibrancy.

Vibrancy Funds

New Sun Rising is pleased to announce the Vibrancy Funds, a new funding opportunity to launch organizations and collaborations who build culture, sustainability, and opportunity within their community. Led by the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, the fund will support people who promote innovation, engagement, and equity in the Pittsburgh region.

Supported by:

Choolaah Indian BBQ

Ignite Sto-Rox

Following a year of engagement and conversations, Sto-Rox community members have shared their values and priorities for development. In the coming year, the Launch Sto-Rox program will begin activating social businesses and projects which align with these priorities.

Our first opportunity for business and community project owners was the free Ignite mentoring workshop on November 11, 2017. Participants learned skills like how to improve their pitch, overcome barriers, connect with resources, and develop a plan for action.

Special focus on supporting Sto-Rox resident priorities: communication + community engagement, public safety initiatives, restaurant + food business development, job skills + creative professionals, health + addiction resources.

Presented in partnership with:

Immigrant + Refugee Welcome Mat

A program for immigrants + refugees with business ideas to identify resources, create plans, + build relationships.

The Welcome Mat, piloted in partnership with the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation, consists of learning events and support to help underserved entrepreneurs find assistance and start their business in Pittsburgh. Find out where to get help with marketing, operations, finance, and government regulations. Meet other like-minded business people who speak your language, increase your network of support, and get your business launched and growing with other immigrant and refugee leaders in your community.

Participants learn which local university programs, government offices and nonprofits can assist you to start your business. Find local trade groups or national associations in your industry and identify local online resources to get the information you need.

At each learning event, you’ll meet other business people and together form a Welcome Mat Peer Group. These groups work together and help one another think through and write a business plan. This business plan can help you attract investors, apply for financing and guide you to make your dream a reality.

Welcome Mat Peer Groups also serve as references and support when your are ready to apply for funding and implement their plan.

Ignite Northside

One Northside is a community-driven initiative to improve the quality of life in all 18 Northside neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Since 2016, through the support of The Buhl Foundation, New Sun Rising has helped 250 Northside residents and community members put their ideas into action through the One Northside Consensus Plan’s focus on Quality of Education, Employment, Place, Safety, and Health.

MINI-GRANT PROGRAM

New Sun Rising is the proud steward of the One Northside Mini-Grant program. The program ignites resident-led community projects with up to $1,000 and the development support of New Sun Rising and the Mini-grant Street Team. How would you improve the quality of education, employment, place, safety, or health in your Northside community?

Hear from Mini-grant Project Leaders

DEADLINES AND HOW TO APPLY

One Northside Minigrant applications can be submitted electronically or via paper.

MINI-GRANT deadline has past. Please sign up for our newsletter for future rounds.

Submit a One Northside Mini-grant Report Form

***Community Support: Due of Covid 19 public safety restrictions, please have 3 different Northside residents or business owners email vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org with their name, the project they are supporting, their Northside address and their phone number; or have them call 412-407-9007 with the same information.