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.

PGH Map Lab

PGH Map Lab is a social enterprise that empowers neighborhoods, non-profits, and municipalities to make data-driven decisions through the creation of maps, apps, and storytelling tools. We are motivated by healthy, equitable, resilient communities. It is our belief that a holistic approach to community development starts with good planning, which requires the best data possible. Our interest is to help organizations and municipalities find, use, and analyze this data to make better informed decisions.

PGH Map Lab is dedicated to enhancing the GIS capacity of individuals and organizations for the benefit of the greater good. Our vision of the Map Lab is an accessible, hand on learning space to test out innovative geospatial and data technologies. We will connect social justice, art, environment, and land use planning through the use of maps. It is our hope that these unique applications will provide clear communication and positively impacting local communities.

The 2020 Vibrancy Awards

Join New Sun Rising to Celebrate the People Building Vibrant Communities

New Sun Rising (NSR) is pleased to invite you to the 2020 Vibrancy Awards – live streamed from the Millvale Food + Energy Hub on June 20, 2020.

We understand that the past few weeks and months have been extremely difficult. Please join us for an evening of reflection, restoration, and celebration through the critical work being done by nonprofits and social enterprises throughout the region. The event will be hosted by Day Bracey, co-founder of Fresh Fest and Drinking Partners Podcast.

RSVP Now

View Sponsorship Opportunities

Virtual attendees will enjoy segments with the 2020 Impact Awardees in Culture (Brown Mammas), Sustainability (Triboro Ecodistrict), and Opportunity (South Hilltop Men’s Group), and wrap with a restorative DJ set and dance performance with virtual lounges. Make it a special night and invite some friends to enjoy a catered meal from Sprezzatura and special infused tea mixer from Tupelo Honey Teas (pre-order by 6/18 at 5PM)

Community Partner Awardees for Planning (Sharpsburg Community Vision Plan), Resources (Breathe Project), Connectivity (RiverWise), and Identity (Casop: A Requiem for Rice) will also be honored.

In this time of great pain we see the opportunity to rebuild something better. We ask that you join us and show support for the nonprofits and social enterprises who keep our communities sustainable and vibrant. Whether purchasing a ticket, making a donation, or joining as an event sponsor, NSR appreciates your commitment to helping us to strengthen the organizations and communities we serve.

Since 2005, NSR has been a champion for community-driven change by supporting nonprofits, businesses, and coalitions to create a better future for Southwestern Pennsylvanians. NSR works hard to provide accessible training, funding, and networking programs which are inclusive of underinvested populations and their neighborhoods.

Each year, over 170 innovative leaders benefit from NSR capacity building support. Since 2005, our Vibrancy Funds initiative has provide over $4.5 million in early stage funding and financing through fiscal sponsorship, grants, loans, and awards. Your contribution through the Vibrancy Awards will allow us to provide these training and funding programs at low or no cost.

The Vibrancy Awards are made possible through the generous support of:

2020 IMPACT AWARD SPONSORS

Learn More About Sponsorship Opportunities

#notwhite collective

THE #NOTWHITE COLLECTIVE IS A GROUP OF 13 WOMEN ARTISTS WHOSE MISSION IS TO USE NON-INDIVIDUALISTIC, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ART TO MAKE OUR STORIES VISIBLE AS WE RELATE, CONNECT AND BELONG TO THE GLOBAL MAJORITY.

WE ARE BI/MULTI-RACIAL/CULTURAL, IMMIGRANT OR DESCENDANTS OF IMMIGRANTS INVESTIGATING THE MANY WAYS WE ARE SEEN OR NOT SEEN, HOW WE SELF-IDENTIFY AND HOW WE SEEK LIBERATION THROUGH SHARING SPACE AND STORIES; RESEARCH AND ART-MAKING; DISCUSSING THE HISTORY OF IMPERIALISM AND ITS EFFECT ON US, ON THE WHOLE NON-WHITE WORLD. WE ACTIVELY REJECT COLONIALISM THROUGH OUR NON-HIERARCHICAL PROCESS.

THE #NOTWHITE COLLECTIVE EXPRESSES THE HYBRIDIZED AND MULTIFACETED ASPECTS OF SELF-DEFINED LIBERATION; WE ACCEPT CULTURAL FLUIDITY AS A MEANS OF SEEING AND BEING SEEN, EACH MEMBER DECLARING THEIR EXISTENCE, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, THROUGH OUR VOICES, BODIES, AND ART.

EXCAVATING HISTORIES. EXPOSING REALITIES.

EXORCISING OPPRESSION.

#notwhite collective members are: Christiane Dolores, Fran Flaherty, Veronica Corpuz, Geña, Maritza Mosquera, Carolina Loyola-Garcia, Liana Maneese, Amber Epps, Sarika Goulatia, Maggie Negrete, Sarah Tang, Alison Zapata and Zena Ruiz.

Photo credit: Veronica Corpuz.

Donate Here

RUFF Writer Books

Are you looking for ways to connect with children and elderly family members through
positive life stories? Share RUFF Writer Books in libraries, homes, school/after school
programs and personal care homes.

RUFF stands for Relationships Using Facts and Fantasy. It serves multigenerational
families and communities through “Memory Café” activities of reading, crafting, and
handwriting “RUFF” draft book pages — one page at a time — to create treasured
keepsakes with nature themed illustrations to color. (Open the link below for a sample.)

Listening to a child read aloud may help prompt memories that lead to treasured
family moments. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias sorrowfully impact many
families. Building relationships with an elderly person can be life enhancing for both
ends of the generation spectrum.

Crafting creates hand to brain connections and provides “something” to do while talking
meaningfully about the stories we all have in common that comfort us through “life
storms.” Finished crafts are suitable as table favors made by groups of children for
residents in a personal care home.

Music and movement are important, too, as the elderly and children engage in helping
build and maintain cognitive connections that go along with positive life lessons through
stories. In a good story, “something” happens that is a problem to solve, as in our theme
song Lemons into Lemonade.

Sponsorships provide free memory café materials for library sites that are the anchor
or intersection of this project. Smaller donations of $30 provide RUFF Writer Book KITS
(a book to make with cardstock pages) to communities in need of additional resources.

We are truly grateful to all helpers in nurturing this project. Our hope is that families
can find ways to transform some rough times into “RUFF” times. While growing up on a
farm in Ohio, I learned that one person can make a difference in another person’s life
and small efforts add up, like the blocks of a handmade quilt that endures for
generations.

As a grandmother, I hope to pass on the joy of connections and help inspire our young
ones to turn their “lemons” into lemonade with the help of positive stories. For any
questions, as well as signing up for a year of monthly emailed materials, contact us
at ruffwriterbooks@gmail.com.
RUFF-spectfully,
“Grammar” Jane Miller

Donate Here

Sample a RUFF Writers Memory Kit below. The kit includes “take-out” pages (1 – 5) of a craft/writing templates and signage for a book and “RUFF Spot,” the place where visitors can read and relax. Contact us at ruffwriterbooks@gmail.com to sign up for 12 PDF kits. This kit has the book’s title page with the 9 themes of relationships that bring comfort for all ages.

1A. RUFF Writer Books - Final RUFF Draft

Sponsorship Information HERE.

Find monthly school year posts of RUFF Writer Books on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:
House of Bouvs—https://www.houseofbouvs.com

A Peace of Mind

A Peace of Mind is a therapeutic art, dance, and fitness studio located at 620 Wood St offering a variety of programming from hip hop aerobics and Zumba®, to yoga and Pilates, all at an affordable community space. APOM, Inc. will soon offer a 20-hour daycare service for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Their goal is to initiate collaborative community wellness with reasonable, relevant and overall enjoyable programming. Led by Felicia Robinson, APOM, Inc. encourages community involvement and active participation in our current and future endeavors.

Center for Civic Arts

Center for Civic Arts is led by Jody Guy with a vision to inspire civic engagement through the arts and humanities. They accomplish this by valuing citizens as the creators of culture, and stewards of their environment. CCA expand opportunities for people to connect through arts education, public arts and creative placemaking. Programs include socially engaged art programs, formal and informal arts education programs, public arts, and creative place-making. Civic Arts provides a third civic space catalyzed around the arts, as a place to develop independent thinking, and new perspectives and solutions for communities.

Gizmo’s Dog Bar

Dog-lover Khalil Stanback is building a diverse community for dog parents to unwind in a safe and comfortable environment with their 4-legged friend. Gizmo’s Dog Bar plans to launch in 2018 and plans pop-ups in Wilkinsburg throughout the year.

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

Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce

Since 1893, the Greater Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce nurtures the growth, prosperity and sustainability of businesses in Wilkinsburg and surrounding communities. They accomplish this by empowering members and giving them access to networking opportunities, exposure for their businesses and resources to make informed business decisions that can impact their bottom line.

The purpose of the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce is to:

Build and sustain community partnerships
Provide resources and network to new and expanding businesses
Act as a leader in the greater Wilkinsburg business community
Act as a catalyst for new development projects

Speak Life Poetry Community

A collective community established for the purpose of being a positive voice through various forms of communication and performance, including spoken word, rap, singing, dance and other artistic expressions. Speak Life Poetry Community brings these elements together to collaborate and unify artistically in order to engage community and break down barriers of race, sex, creed, and religion. They accomplish this through meetings and discussion, writing workshops, performance workshops, open mics, and national and local slams. More information about the diverse backgrounds and skills of their team can be found on their website.

Community Forge

Mission of Organization
“To grow an inclusive Community Space dedicated to creating opportunities for Wilkinsburg by supporting small business, promoting learning, contributing to neighborhood wellbeing, and cultivating regional partnerships.”

Brief History of Community Forge
Community Forge was formed in January 2017 with the purpose of revitalizing the recently closed Johnston Elementary School in
Wilkinsburg as a community asset, incubating people, programs, and opportunities in the community. Starting with a partnership between
Pittsburgh Learning Commons and Xpogo, a group of eight young adults with roots in Pittsburgh and backgrounds ranging from Ph.D.
Scientists to Educators to Extreme Sports Athletes purchased the building from the Wilkinsburg school board in July 2017. We have since
brought community members onboard as board members, staff, and volunteers.

Community Forge opened doors in January 2018 and is now home to artists, educators, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their efforts,
run community events, and provide new and unique programs to the Wilkinsburg community. As an organization, we are building programs
and creating inclusive, locally-oriented opportunity geared toward Wilkinsburg residents and the East Pittsburgh region. Our primary focus areas include youth enrichment, community well being, and small business support.

Read more in the Community Forge 2018 Impact Report