The Pittsburgh Village Project provides educational opportunities for students from birth to 12th grade through personalized, social justice oriented and community-inspired learning opportunities in and out of schools. We are a cooperative of students, families, community members and educators who equitably strengthen the education system through culturally responsive consulting and the development of project-based, community service oriented curricula.
In 2019 the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition was founded to progress the pressing questions of diversity in the outdoor industry. Through collaborative approaches, the Coalition is at the forefront of making quality recreation experiences more accessible while reshaping urban recreation to be a pathway for greater exploration both professionally and recreationally.
From our backstory stems our mission: to support Pennsylvanians through programs dedicated to attracting, engaging, and retaining underrepresented populations in the outdoor industry.
Core Values
Collaboration: facilitating and encouraging multi-sector engagement to elevate the industry
Connection: elevating connections to people, place, and empowerment
Accessible Experiences: mitigating barriers to quality outdoor experiences while nurturing a sense of care for the outdoors
Activation: engaging the communities love for the outdoors while supporting the interest in sustainable outdoor developments
Equity & Inclusivity: continual progress and accountability towards a more just industry and outdoor community
The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition welcomes further engagement from residents, organizations, and governmental agencies. If you would like to receive additional information on the Coalition email marcus@theoic.org.
Outdoor Inclusion Coalition aims to make parks more accessible for all
Peeling Back the Layers is an immersive event series exploring the complexity and beauty of our world through cultural expression and dialogue. Events are intimate, interactive, and hosted at the Purple Onion: a new experimental performance space at New Sun Rising’s Millvale Food + Energy Hub. Attendance is by invitation and guests are encouraged to share their own stories and experiences (on) the theme for evening. This event series is produced in partnership with New Sun Rising’s Power in Numbers: data + creative advocacy initiative.
March 5, 2022 with special guests Ben Barson & the Peeling Back the Layers Band, Janet Zipf of Back to Earth Healing Center, and Grounded Strategies.
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.
Businesses or Nonprofits who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for one of the following sessions:
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:
ELIGIBILITY
The following criteria will be used to select workshop attendees, as reported on the application:
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
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:
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:
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 support of local neighborhood leaders and New Sun Rising. How would you improve the quality of education, employment, place, safety, or health in your Northside community?
Please sign up for our newsletter for future rounds.
***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.
Learn more about the projects and get involved
Mini-grant expands after school reading program in Northside
Placemakers find funding through One Northside Mini-grant program
One Northside mini-grants fund community-driven projects
2018 One Northside Mini-grant Program
Ignite Northside: 2017 Social Business + Project Incubator
Ignite Northside 2017: Showcase + Celebration Recap
iXMessage: An Ignite Northside Story
New Business New Beginnings w/ Riverside Center for Innovation 2016
Family Legacy Dinner: An Ignite Northside Story
Ignite Northside at Heathside Cottage
