Create Columbus Commission kicks off third annual local grant program
For more information
about the Create Columbus Commission visit http://CreateColumb.us.
CONTACT:
Amy
Schmittauer, Communications Chair
Create
Columbus Commission
(614)
835-6785
[email protected]
COLUMBUS—The Create Columbus Commission, a
board of young professionals that serves as the foremost thought leader on YP
interests and priorities in Columbus, is excited to announce the kickoff of the
2015 Create Columbus Grants Program to support initiatives by and for young
professionals that help make Columbus the best place to live, work, and raise a
family in the nation.
As
an organization of over 30 young professionals dedicated to identifying and
implementing strategies to help Columbus attract and retain young and talented
individuals, the Create Columbus Commission established that this grant
opportunity be made available to organizations and groups actively seeking to
enhance the YP experience in Columbus.
“The grant program is a catalyst for implementation of good ideas that
improve the young professional experience in Columbus,” said Create Columbus
Chair Jordan Davis. “We’re aiming to improve the on-boarding process of YPs
beginning their experience here, whether just out of college, moving to a new
neighborhood, or relocating from another city. Your first experiences shape
long-lasting impressions that can determine whether or not this is the city for
you or one you would recommend. The CCC looks forward to empowering new ideas
and amplifying existing solutions that provide YPs with a more welcoming,
connected, and informed beginning in Columbus.”
Since
2013, the Create Columbus Grants Program has distributed more than $140,000
across 19 community initiatives. All 19 projects are creating a lasting impact
on the vibrancy of the YP experience in Columbus.
“Young
professionals throughout our community have a unique opportunity with the
Create Columbus Grants Program to identify challenges and offer solutions for
building a stronger, more vibrant community”, said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
“I’m proud to continue encouraging our millennial population to engage in the
City’s work to attract and retain young professionals, and I look forward to
seeing another round of diverse, meaningful projects.”
In 2015, the Create
Columbus Commission expects to distribute nearly $70,000 in grants supporting
the YP community. Financial support for the grants program is provided by the
City of Columbus.
“Young professionals are shaping Columbus neighborhoods with their
vision of a healthy and vibrant city,” said Council President Andrew J.
Ginther. “Create Columbus Grant recipients will make our community a more
attractive place to live and work for people of all ages.”
The Create Columbus
Commission is looking to fund projects and initiatives that help make
it easier for young professionals to establish themselves into
Columbus in a way that they’re going to thrive. These projects should encourage
and enable millennials to thrive by being able to live where they want, find
things to do where they want, and find resources they need to ensure a great
first impression of Columbus.
Projects and
initiatives should target future and current millennial residents of Columbus,
generally aged 25-35.
The
Create Columbus Commission is looking for projects and initiatives to contain
any of the following components:
- Connect
millenials to information and resources;
- Ease
the transition of moving into Columbus;
- Provide
support services to an entity that recruits millenials;
- Present
new narratives or new ways to tell the Columbus story;
- Elevate
the Columbus brand both internally and externally
Create
Columbus Grants Program applications can be found at http://CreateColumb.us/create-columbus-grants.
The
Create Columbus Commission will hold two grant workshops for applicants who
would like to learn more about the grant program, ask questions about their
projects specifically, and talk with representatives of the Create Columbus
Commission. The workshops, March 26th and April 1st, are
optional but highly recommended. Those interested can learn more at http://CreateColumb.us.
The
deadline for grant letters of intent is April 10, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
About Create Columbus
The Create Columbus
Commission is a board of young professionals, appointed and funded by the Mayor
and City Council President, to serve as the community’s foremost thought leader
on young professional interests, experiences, and priorities. Through strategic
community building efforts and a targeted YP grants program, the Create
Columbus Commission strives to make Columbus the nation’s number one place for
YPs to live, work, and play.