The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City for the benefit of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity’sService Design Studio is currently accepting proposals for the second Designed by Community RFP, funded by Citi.
The Fellowship is designed to be an opportunity to support not-for-profit community based organizations in designing and developing hyper-localized solutions in their community using Service Design methodology. Service design is a discipline which develops solutions to complex problems that are rooted in insights about the lived experiences of those affected by public services. It considers people, processes, communications and technology as part of the solution. See our attached flyer for more information.
This program may be for you if you are a non-profit community based organization that is invested in building up additional skills in community engagement and design strategy while supporting the development of your community network. This year’s program is interested in supporting an organization that supports or is looking to grow in one or more of the following action areas:
Bridging the digital divide
Amplifying community wellness and joy
Addressing the child care burden
Space activation / public safety
Youth engagement
Service connection (access to public services)
Supporting community mental health
Workforce development
Total anticipated funding for the 2-year contract term starting March, 2022 through June, 2024 will be $105,000.00. The funding will be distributed during three key milestones of the program development timeline. The awarded non-profit community based organization will support the enrollment of the Designed by Community Fellowship Cohort through activating their existing Community networks. Non-profit community based organizations with active Community groups who exist as a part of their operational model will be prioritized.
Goals an organization could achieve through the Designed by Community Fellowship Program include:
Design Research and Outcome Development
Strengthening Community Partnership
Enhancing “Designed by” Methods for Community Led Project Initiatives
Supporting Professional Development and Capacity goals
It is highly recommended that interested organizations attend one of the following information sessions offered:
January 20, 2021, 12-1pm
January 27, 2021, 6-7pm
Sign up for a session on Eventbrite
If you’re unable to attend, a video recording of the sessions will be made available after the sessions have been conducted on the NYC Opportunity Medium Blog.
To read the full RFP and submission requirements, visit the Mayor’s Fund site. Please submit proposals to FundRFP@cityhall.nyc.gov with “Designed by Community RFP Response” as the subject line.
Apply by February 21, 2022, 11:59pm.
Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to FundRFP@cityhall.nyc.gov by 5pm EST on January 31, 2022. Please indicate “Designed by Community RFP Question” in the subject line.