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– all workshop slots filled!- 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
NSR Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund (the “Fund”) provides up to $5,000 to small businesses and nonprofits who demonstrate critical economic needs as a result of unemployment or underemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis.
NSR is committed to increasing data sharing and transparency. Please click the Fund Overview image to learn more about applicants, funded organizations, and community needs supported. Special thanks to the generous and timely support of the Hillman Foundation for providing $100,000 in seed funding. Applications are currently closed due to depletion of funds. If you are interested to contribute or partner, please email vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org or consider making a donation.
Successful applicants receive funds and technical assistance by selecting between two options:
- Loan Repayment. Organizations who do not elect the Loan Forgiveness option will enter into a standard loan agreement (0% interest, 3 year term, 6 month no payments)
- Vibrancy Corps (Loan Forgiveness). Organizations that elect to participate in the Vibrancy Corps are eligible for full loan forgiveness. The Vibrancy Corps requires organizations to make a 1-3 month commitment to use funds to implement projects which address community needs. Failure to complete a final report of Vibrancy Corps activity will result in a default to the Loan Repayment option.
- Create Impact. Use your organization’s products, services, or staff to address a validated community need, improve public health and safety, or help other organizations to improve their operations or generate income during COVID-19 recovery. Positive community impacts of your work should be reasonably expected within 30 days. Note: Vibrancy Corps activity will be reported as 1099 activity for individuals and for-profit businesses, and as an award to non-profits.
- Connect. Attend a 1-hour phone or online weekly support meeting with other Corps members. Provide photos of you and your team doing this work so we can amplify your organization through our media channels.
- Be Flexible. We encourage flexibility, creativity, and adaptiveness when proposing Vibrancy Corps projects. Organizations will have the opportunity to share high level details in the program application.
Fund availability is contingent upon available financial resources. New Sun Rising reserves the right to adapt Fund goals at any time to reflect the emerging nature of community needs.
ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION, + DETERMINATION
Nonprofits, for profit businesses, social enterprises, and cooperatives in Allegheny and Beaver County, are all eligible to apply. New Sun Rising reserves the right to prioritize support for organizations who have previously participated in our programs. Organizations are not eligible if they have received Crisis Mitigation Relief Funds in the last 12 months, are seeking support for candidate campaigns or other partisan activity, leadership transitions, or start up costs.
Applications to the Fund are to be completed online or, if technology creates a barrier, through an application interview scheduled by emailing vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org. All applicants are vetted by a diverse Fund Committee, composed of New Sun Rising staff and community representatives, following the Selection Criteria.
Initial application deadline has passed on April 3rd. Applications received by 11:59PM on the deadline dates will receive a notification of their status within one week. Additional dates will be communicated through the New Sun Rising website (newsunrising.org) and social media accounts as determined by fund availability.
SUPPORT
As part of the Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund, New Sun Rising and program partners will also provide recipients with support services and educational opportunities. This could include topics such as operations, human resources, finances, and leadership resilience to support organizations through the crisis. Peer support will occur through weekly Vibrancy Corps check ins.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Due to the rapid response nature of this Fund and evolving community conditions, the following criteria will be used to guide due diligence. All decisions will be made by a diverse Fund Committee, including New Sun Rising staff and community representatives, according to the NSR Vibrancy Score Rubric and prioritized using the following criteria:
- Values: Organizations who demonstrate a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion throughout their staff, the people they serve, and community partners that are most impacted by racial and economic inequities will be prioritized. (e.g. communities of color, immigrants, refugees, formerly incarcerated residents, youth, low-wage workers, people with disabilities, low-income residents, LGBTQ community members, etc.)
- Need: Organizations who demonstrate a critical need for funds due to unemployment or underemployment since the COVID-19 breakout will be prioritized.
- Impact: Organizations who have products or services that serve basic human needs, public health and safety, or help other organizations to operate virtually or generate income will be prioritized. Operations must occur within publicly accepted and government mandated public health and safety standards.
The Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund is made possible through the responsive and extraordinary support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. Please consider a donation to help us support more organizations and leaders through this crisis.
Launch Culture Grant
The Vibrancy Funds support people building culture, sustainability, and opportunity within their community.
New Sun Rising is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to launch organizations and collaborations who build Vibrant Communities. Through the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, the following program seek proposals which promote innovation, engagement, and equity in the Pittsburgh region.
LAUNCH 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 engage, explore, or express culture in their communities are encouraged to apply for a $5,000 to $10,000 Launch Culture Grant. While not necessary to apply, preference may be given to NSR Vibrant Communities (Allentown, Beltzhoover, Etna, Knoxville, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Northside neighborhoods, Sharpsburg, Stowe Township, Wilkinsburg), NSR fiscally sponsored projects, and Ignite Culture workshop participants.
In addition to the grant, Launch Culture Grantees will be provided 3 monthly coaching sessions. Questions will be answered by emailing vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org or attending one of the following information sessions at the Millvale Moose, 112 Sherman St, Milllvale, PA 15209:
- April 4, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- April 24, 2018 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Projects supported by this grant can start May 1st, 2018 and must end by November 30th, 2018.
CRITERIA
In acknowledgment of the importance and role of culture in our rapidly changing region, successful applicants will be established non-profit (or fiscally sponsored) organizations with a project demonstrating the following:
Equity: activities are aligned with, help to identify, or create community values
Collaboration: creates connections or opportunity for those with barriers
Adaptability: incorporates human-centered design by positioning clients as decision makers
Application deadline is 11:59 PM on April 25th, 2018. Grantees will be notified on May 1, 2018.
Impact REdevelopment
IMPACT REdevelopment is a real estate investment company whose goal is to transform transitional areas in the path of progress from vacancy to vibrancy and improve target neighborhoods, while helping people along the way and making things more beautiful for everyone. We rehabilitate residential and commercial properties to raise property values and rental rates, as well as improve business district real estate value. IMPACT manages single- and multifamily dwellings and apartment complexes, focusing on customer service and providing clean, safe and affordable living.
Impact REdevelopment repurposed the vacant 900 Wood St building into a pivotal community asset, providing resources to the small businesses and nonprofits and helping to revitalize Wilkinsburg. The second floor includes a co-working space and conference room which serves as home base for the Launch Wilkinsburg Incubator and small office tenants include the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce and Mansmann Foundation. Plans for the first floor include a coffee and donut shop, job training center, and food retail establishment.
School of F & E
School of Finance + Entrepreneurship is developing a comprehensive curriculum from freshman to senior of high school in the discipline of financial literacy and business ownership. Founder Sherry Williams has garnered local and national interest while building a team of professionals to help youth become financially sound, develop critical soft skills such as public speaking and business etiquette, while pursuing apprenticeships in their field of their interest in preparation for business ownership.
Contact Us today if your child is currently enrolled in High School in Western PA area. We are currently accepting applications for the next school year. Scholarships are currently available!
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:
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
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
The Language Access Project
Global Wordsmiths’ Volunteer Initiative, The Language Access Project (LAP), was designed to provide free language translation and interpretation services to local nonprofits (Partner Organizations) working directly with immigrants and refugees. LAP is structured as an internship that provides bilingual university students with comprehensive interpreter training, service learning experience, monitoring and support, mentorship and professional references as well as a stipend or college credit in exchange for volunteer hours. Global Wordsmiths then pairs these trained volunteer interpreters with Partner Organizations at no cost so that these organizations can provide their clients with language interpretation and translation services.
Each intern is required to commit a minimum of five hours per week to LAP during the 23-week cycle. With five interns approved to participate in the fall 2017 pilot program, LAP will provide nearly 1,200 hours of free language services to its Partner Organization for this cycle, Jewish Family and Children’s Services. This represents significant output and provides an invaluable service to clients of JFCS with limited English proficiency, and it serves the Global Wordsmiths’ core mission, which is to improve language access in Western Pennsylvania.
Moose Mosaic Fundraiser
Community art and public symbols matter… they can help set the tone for revival and inspire residents and visitors alike. As New Sun Rising transforms the Millvale Moose into a welcoming space for growth and innovation we’ve collected visitors’ thoughts and images about what vibrancy means to them. This vision inspired glass mosaic artist Daviea Davis to create a stunning piece of artwork for this fundraiser.
BECOME A PART OF THE ART
Sponsor blocks of the Millvale Moose Mosaic and have your support recognized in various ways. Sponsorship packages (click to see options) are varied to include:
- Your name on the mosaic and/or donor plaque
- VIP invitation to the Moose Grand Opening + Mosaic Unveiling Party (Summer 2018)
- Sponsor recognition at the NSR Vibrancy Awards (Fall 2018)
AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT, DONATE TODAY!
67% of the center mosaic panel is already sponsored (see image on left for updates)
Moose Mosaic Campaign
SUPPORT CULTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, + OPPORTUNITY
When you donate to New Sun Rising, you are supporting hundreds of social businesses and nonprofits who make our region more vibrant. Consider it your investment in the mutual fund of community goodness.
- Exploring and celebrating culture
- Building resiliency and sustainable practices
- Creating economies with equitable opportunity
Launch Sto-Rox
Catalyzing community change through social businesses, nonprofits, and collaborative initiatives
Launch Sto-Rox is a cohort of startup organizations whose values align with the Sto-Rox community’s priorities for development. Beginning in March 2018, participants will strengthen their business plan, build their leadership, connect with peer and professional networks, access funding, and engage the Sto-Rox community.
MEET THE TEAMS
The Joinery supports the development of small businesses and projects through co-working, office, and production space.
Strong Ambitious Women motivates young women to develop self-esteem and a positive identity.
Zellous Hope Project inspires hope for low-income men with barriers to seeking and obtaining employment.
PittMovers provides moving assistance with a personal touch for clients within Allegheny County.
Right Vibez fuses power yoga and dub (instrumental reggae) for a unique energizing and restorative experience in a transformative setting.
Digital Bridges closes the digital divide by using technology and digital literacy skills to decrease poverty and nurture strong social connections.
1st Layer is a branding, design, and printing shop incorporating workforce development training for teens.
Peddler’s Paradise creates a unique space for artisans and craft makers to connect and sell their products.
Gazette 2.0 provides crucial communication resources for the community.
ABOUT
Launch Sto-Rox is a Vibrant Communities program of New Sun Rising, held in partnership with the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation and Focus on Renewal, and supported through the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.
Protohaven
Protohaven’s purpose is to serve the public good by providing space, tools, knowledge, and community for creation and innovation.
In a culture dominated by consumption, we believe that engaging people in the process of making things – from learning simple skills, to crafting things for a living, to inventing a new piece of technology – serves to both develop the individual and create a more productive, responsible society.
Our primary facility will be a professional-level design and fabrication co-working space and school. The space will be multidisciplinary (graphics, plastics, electronics, textiles, woodworking, and metalworking) and focus on combining digital technology (CAD, CAM, and CNC) with traditional design and fabrication techniques.