Monday Mailing
Year 22 • Issue 24 07 March 2016 1. Making Sense of Community 2. How Spritz Redesigned Reading, Letting You Scan 1,000 Words A Minute 3. The Software Industry’s Cabin in the Woods Community Food Projects Grant Program Funding Available for FY 2014 4. PSU Transportation Seminar, Measuring and Modeling Cyclists’ Comfort and Stress Levels, Friday, March 11, 2016 5. Oregon City Fires Goats From Landscaping Duties 6. Compassionate Conservatism and Food Stamps Just Don’t Mix 7. These Are The Long-Term Effects Of Multitasking 8. Community Facilities Programs 9. Community Builders Webinar Series begins March 16, 2016, 11am-12pm PDT, with “Cities Building Community Wealth” 10. Journey to Another World: The Painted Hills 11. Funding Opportunities 1. Making Sense of Community Let’s start at the beginning. Sense of community is a legitimate thing. Or at least it was, until people like me got ahold of it. To explain: In 1986, social psychologists David W. McMillan and David M. Chavis published their theory on what they termed “sense of community” — the feeling we experience when engaged in the meaningful pursuit of connection with others. Here’s how they summarized it:
Quote of the Week: "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." ~Albert Einstein Oregon Fast Fact: Oregon State University’s mens baseball team won back to back College World Series in 2006 and 2007 defeating the North Carolina Tarheels in both championships.
Sense of community is a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together. To access the full story, click here. 2. How Spritz Redesigned Reading, Letting You Scan 1,000 Words A Minute When we read, our eyes move across a page or a screen to digest the words. All of that eye movement slows us down, but a new technology called Spritz claims to have figured out a way to turn us into speed-readers. By flashing words onto a single point on a screen, much like watching TV, Spritz says it will double your reading speed. Spritz Inc. is attempting to redesign reading--and renaming it “spritzing”-by streaming one word at a time at speeds varying between 250 and 1,000 words per minute. Words are centered around an “Optimal Recognition Point" in a special display called the "Redicle." This method reportedly eliminates the time-consuming need to move your eyes across a page, which To access the full story, click here.
Page 1 of 7
3. The Software Industry’s Cabin in the Woods In 2013, about a year after he started the property-management software company Cozy in San Francisco, Chief Executive Officer Gino Zahnd hired a guy who insisted on living in Portland, Ore. So Zahnd set up a small office there and, in the interests of fairness, slowly started letting the rest of his employees choose between the two. By 2015, all 18 were in Portland. In the Bay Area office, Zahnd was the one who finally turned off the lights. “We’d have people come up from the San Francisco office to work in Portland, and they’d just want to stay,” Zahnd says. That’s fine by him: In Portland, he pays less than one-third of his San Francisco office expenses. Thanks in part to its Portlandia caricature as “the place where young people go to retire,” the Pacific Northwest city is drawing talented Silicon Valley types looking for a less crazed pace. It’s also attracting tech companies seeking alternatives to the Bay Area’s rocketing costs. That includes startups as well as bigger companies such as EBay, Airbnb, and Salesforce.com, which have all opened Portland-area satellites since 2010. To access the full story, click here. 4. PSU Transportation Seminar, Measuring and Modeling Cyclists’ Comfort and Stress Levels, Friday, March 11, 2016 Some researchers have tried to categorize cyclists’ levels of traffic stress utilizing facility or traffic data that can be readily measured in the field, such as motorized travel lanes, travel speeds, and type of bicycle infrastructure. This seminar will present data and modeling results utilizing two novel data sources: (a) real-world, on-road measurements of physiological stress as cyclists travel across different types of facilities and (b) data collected utilizing a smartphone app called ORcycle... Read More Speaker: Miguel Figliozzi, Professor, Portland State University Watch online: Use this link on the day of the seminar Attend in person: Room 204 of the Distance Learning Center Wing of the Urban Center at PSU 5. Oregon City Fires Goats From Landscaping Duties (Reuters) - A crew of goats brought in to devour invasive plants at a popular park in Oregon's state capital, Salem, have been fired because they ate indiscriminately, cost nearly five times as much as human landscapers and smelled far worse, a city official said on Friday. The 75 billy and nanny goats were supposed to eat Armenian blackberry and English ivy and other invasive plants choking native vegetation across the 1200-acre Minto-Brown Island Park, the city's largest, in a pilot program last fall. But the program ended in November after six weeks, and Salem has no plans to renew it, Keith Keever, the city's parks superintendent, said Friday. The goats "had a barnyard aroma" and cost $20,719, including $4,203 for drinking water and a workers' toilet, and $2,560 for monitoring, city staff said in a report to the city council this week. To access the full story, click here.
Page 2 of 7
6. Compassionate Conservatism and Food Stamps Just Don’t Mix If the conservative attack on the federal food-stamp program constitutes “compassion,” you’ve got to wonder how these lawmakers define cruelty. A bill introduced last week by one Republican state senator in New York that would bar food-stamp recipients from purchasing “luxury food items,” such as steak and lobster, with their benefits grabbed headlines—as did a similar measure put forth in Missouri last year. But it’s only the most recent effort by conservatives to undermine the arguably lifesaving federal assistance program that more than 45 million Americans rely on to help put food on the table. Using the formal name for the food-stamp program, state Sen. Patty Ritchie issued a statement following the introduction of her bill: “The goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is to help low-income consumers make wise and healthy food choices—however, in New York State, SNAP beneficiaries are able to use their taxpayer-funded [electronic benefit transfer] cards to purchase things like soda, candy, cake, and other types of junk foods and luxury items. Many of these items aren’t just unhealthy, they’re also expensive. This legislation would not only help lowincome families and individuals stretch their food budgets further and promote health and nutrition, it would also protect taxpayers from abuse of a program that’s intended to help those who have fallen on hard times.” To access the full story, click here. 7. These Are The Long-Term Effects Of Multitasking Georgetown Professor Cal Newport thinks uninterrupted, distraction-free deep work is so important that if you’re unable to do this at your current job, you should start looking for another. "Many people have convinced themselves that it’s crucial that they are always connected, both professionally and socially, but the reality is that this requirement is self-imposed," he says. "Shallow tasks like reading and responding to emails or checking social media might prevent you from getting fired, but it’s deep tasks that produce the value and build the skills that get you promoted." If it’s self-imposed, like Newport suggests, then what is really preventing people from accomplishing the demanding, cognitive, head-down work that’s needed to thrive professionally? As Newport mentions in his new book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, it’s the bouncing around from task to task, or multitasking, that deteriorates the muscle allowing you to focus. And the more you multitask, the less comfortable you’ll be "going deep for extended periods of time," he writes. To access the full story, click here. 8. Community Facilities Programs Essential community infrastructure is key in ensuring that rural areas enjoy the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas. Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized American Indian Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand or improve facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and public services. Projects include fire and rescue stations, village and town halls, health care clinics, Page 3 of 7
hospitals, adult and child care centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community based initiatives. Financing may also cover the costs for land acquisition, professional fees, and purchase of equipment. These facilities not only improve the basic quality of life, and assist in the development and sustainability of rural America. Rural Development Community Facilities Programs: Community Facilities Direct Loans & Grants Community Facilities Loan Guarantees Economic Impact Initiative Grants Rural Community Development Initiative Grants Tribal College Initiative Grants Introducing the Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit, a guide to helping organizations and community leaders better understand the complex process that is required to successfully develop and construct a new facility. This Toolkit outlines the major capacity, credit, and logistical challenges that particularly confront America’s small towns and rural areas. 9. Community Builders Webinar Series begins March 16, 2016, 11am-12pm PDT, with “Cities Building Community Wealth” In this webinar, Sarah McKinley, Manager of Community Development Programs with the Democracy Collaborative, will present an emerging new way of doing community economic development. Called community wealth building, this is a systems approach to creating an inclusive, sustainable economy where all can thrive. The work is place-based, fed by the power of anchor institutions, and built on locally rooted and broadly held ownership. Across the country, economic development professionals and mayors are working in partnership with foundations, anchor institutions, unions, community organizations, progressive business networks, workers, and community residents to implement strategies that build wealth and prosperity for everyone. Sarah will present this new framework, highlight promising best practices from communities across the country, and outline steps for how to do it in your community To register for this webinar, click here. 10. Journey to Another World: The Painted Hills It’s like stepping into another world. The mounds of brilliant red bentonite soil give the impression you’ve somehow landed on Mars. And as you look around, you notice the colors of the land — gold, red, orange, black — shifting with the sun’s rays. The Painted Hills are a wonder to behold. One of Oregon’s 7 Wonders, in fact. If you haven’t yet explored all 7 of Oregon’s Wonders, this is the year. This Painted Hills Bucket List has everything you need to know about visiting the Painted Hills and exploring the other natural wonders of the John Day River Territory like a local. To access the full story, click here. 11. Funding Opportunities Strategic Economic and Community Development Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) is a new provision from the 2014 Farm Bill that prioritizes projects which support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans whose long-term community and economic growth strategies reflect stakeholder collaboration and the unique strengths of rural communities. SECD sets aside up to 10 percent of program funds in Rural Development’s Community Facilities, Water and Environmental Programs, Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans, and Rural Business Development Grants for these purposes. Page 4 of 7
First Nations Development Institute Native Youth and Culture Fund is providing grants of $5,000 to $20,000 for projects that focus on youth and incorporate Native culture and tradition to address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, mental health, and other social issues. Funded projects should address one or more of the following priority areas: preserving cultural or spiritual practices, beliefs, and values; engaging both youth and elders in activities that demonstrate methods for documenting traditional knowledge, practices, or beliefs; increasing youth's capacity to lead through integrated educational or mentoring programs; and increasing access to cultural customs and beliefs through the use of appropriate technologies as a means of preserving tribal language, arts, history, etc. Deadline: Online Phase One proposals must be submitted by March 9, 2016. Visit the First Nations’ website to review the funding guidelines. The Laura Jane Musser Fund is accepting applications for the Rural Arts and Environmental Initiative grants programs. The Fund’s Rural Arts Program assists arts organizations in targeted states that offer artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided to organizations in rural communities with a population of 20,000 or under throughout Colorado, Hawaii, and Wyoming, as well as rural communities in selected counties in Michigan and Minnesota. The Fund’s Environmental Initiative Program supports projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The goal is to promote public use of open space that improves a community's quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy ecosystems. Organizations in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for grants of up to $35,000. Deadlines: applications for the Environmental Initiative Program must be submitted online by March 10, 2016; applications for the Rural Arts Program must be submitted by March 17, 2016. Visit the Fund’s website to review the application guidelines. Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program USDA is offering grants through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program to state and local governmental entities, Federally-recognized Tribes, nonprofits, for profit businesses, and consortia of eligible entities to help rural communities use telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Deadline: March 14, 2016. Visit the USDA website to review funding guidelines. USDA Housing Preservation Grant Program USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents, and has extended the deadline to March 15, 2016. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant Program. Visit the USDA website to review funding guidelines. The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has opened the fiscal year (FY) 2016 funding round for the Capital Magnet Fund. The Capital Magnet Fund is a competitive grant program through which CDFIs and qualified nonprofit housing organizations receive awards to finance affordable housing and economic development activities in underserved areas. The CDFI Fund estimates that about $80 million will be available through the Capital Magnet Fund’s FY 2016 round. Deadline: March 6, 2016 for submissions through www.grants.gov; March 30, 2016 for submissions through the CDFI Fund’s Award Management Information System (AMIS). Visit the CDFI website for application details. Page 5 of 7
CommunitWINS Grant Program U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS and WELLS FARGO are offering grants through the CommunityWINS grant program. Launched in 2015, the CommunityWINS program includes a $3 million investment by the Wells Fargo Foundation over three years to support neighborhood revitalization, economic development and job creation in local municipalities. Deadline: March 18, 2016. Visit the CommunityWINS website for additional information. HHS Drug-Free Communities Support Program HHS is offering funding through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to community-based coalitions addressing youth substance abuse. Deadline: March 18, 2016. View the program guidelines. HUD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Department's Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant Program HUD has announced the availability of $40 million to directly support housing counseling services that help low- and moderate-income families improve their housing conditions. Grant winners can use the money to help homebuyers evaluate if they are ready to buy a house, understand their financing and down payment options and navigate what can be an extremely confusing and difficult process. Grantees also help families find affordable rental housing and offer financial literacy training to help struggling families repair credit problems. Deadline: April 4, 2016. Review the application guidelines and apply. Department of Justice Department of Justice is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies to provide comprehensive wrap-around services/programs which incorporate the use of trained mentors to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of adults who have been incarcerated. Deadline: April 12, 2016. View funding guidelines and to get an application. The Sparkplug Foundation The Sparkplug Foundation provides grants to start-up nonprofit organizations or new projects of established nonprofits that are addressing the fields of music, education, and community organizing. In the Music category, the Foundation supports emerging professional musicians or musicdevelopment programs. In the Education and Teaching category, the Foundation funds projects that deal with "the whole student" and with learning as a community activity. In the Grassroots Organizing category, the Foundation encourages activist strategies for addressing institutional injustices and for building a reasoned, just society. The current focus is on ground-level community organizing at the intersection of utilities/energy infrastructure, housing/community resources, and racial justice. Deadlines: online questionnaires must be completed by April 15, 2016; letters of intent are due April 22,2016; and the deadline for final applications is May 13, 2016. Visit the Foundation’s website to review its mission and funding guidelines as well as the online application instructions. CDFI Fund CDFI Fund is offering grants for financial assistance and technical assistance to improve low-income communities through economic development, affordable housing and other community development financial services. To assist potential applicants, the CDFI Fund has provided three guidance documents—a Quick Start Guide, an Application Evaluation Document, and the FY 2016 Frequently Asked Questions for the CDFI Program and NACA Program application—on its website. Deadline: April 18, 2016. Visit the website for application guidelines.
Page 6 of 7
Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation and Military Times have joined together to offer grants to recognize volunteer and nonprofit organizations supporting military families. Eligible applicants to the Newman’s Own Awards Program must be comprised primarily of volunteers or be a nonprofit organization, and be working with the families of Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve units, or veterans. Applying organizations will be evaluated on their innovative plans for improving the quality of life for members of the military and their families. Deadline: April 28, 2016. Visit the program’s website to submit an online application. The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants Program provides support to nonprofit organizations and public service agencies in the U.S. that are using volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income or transitional veteran’s housing or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income or transitional veteran’s housing or community facilities; engaging veterans as volunteers to help other veterans in their community through service projects focusing on the renovation, repair, and improvement of homes and other properties serving veterans; and planting trees or community gardens or landscaping community facilities that serve veterans. Requests will be accepted through December 31, 2016. Visit the Foundation’s website to submit an online application.
Page 7 of 7