What level of national funding is likely to be available?
Recognizing that funding guidelines are important for planning, the Center suggests that funding levels could range from approximately $25,000 to $100,000 annually for each of the five communities over a three-year funding period. Because it is premature to define the funding needs of communities for action plans that have not yet been developed, the range is only a guideline.

If successful, the amount of grant funding awarded will vary by the nature and requirements of each envisioned community project. Good ideas are not necessarily linked to high dollars. Some proposals will require a small but critical amount of new funding. Other plans will be achieved by recombining existing resources augmented with new funding. And others, particularly in the hardest hit Arizona communities, may require more significant funding. The Center is interested in communities that offer the most cost-effective financial strategies possible given the feasibility and potential impact of the ideas offered.

What do you mean by "community?"
By community, we mean municipalities, school districts (including charter schools), tribal communities, economic development regions, religious communities, large neighborhood organizations or other organizations with clear geographic boundaries. Because this project focuses on local and regional activities, proposals that address the state as a whole will not be considered. Similarly, organizational efforts that would potentially impact fewer than 1,000 Arizonans will not be considered.

Why is it important that communities collaborate on a national proposal?
The Center believes strongly in the strength of local communities, the talent available and the advantage of coming together with a unified vision. Our role is to help Arizona move out in front of the nation at this time of great change. We are committed to exploring every possible opportunity to bring resources to Arizona to advance communities in ways that also advance the state and provide models for the nation.

What kind of support will the Center provide to help communities participate successfully?
Initially, the Center will host a series of workshops around the state to talk through the program, answer questions, and help communities begin their planning effort. Other support services include technical assistance and education symposiums throughout the application process. In addition, each of the 10 finalists will be awarded a $5,000 development grant to help offset the cost of finalizing the grant proposal (e.g., convening meetings, etc.).

Is the Center looking for community projects that are already underway or for new ideas?
The Center is interested in supporting both existing projects of great potential and new ideas that focus the collective efforts of citizens on one or more goals the community wants to achieve.

If the funding effort is successful, who will administer the grant?

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Center will serve as the national grant applicant. The final budget for the national proposal will reflect the proposed budgets of each community and the Center's projected costs to support implementation and promote community efforts as a national model that others can use.

What opportunities will there be for communities not selected for the national proposal?

As the planning process unfolds, the Center expects more good ideas to emerge than can be accommodated in the Five Communities proposal for national funding. Recognizing how much work it takes to develop a good community-based proposal, a second objective of the program is to build linkages and relationships among communities, with state partners in all sectors and with national contacts. The Center will make every effort to connect Arizona communities not selected for the Five Communities Project with additional resources, including helping communities further develop their own ties to foundations and government agencies.

Do community goals have to directly address the citizen goals of The Arizona We Want?

Yes. The Gallup Arizona Poll was the most comprehensive survey in recent history of citizen attitudes about where Arizona is today and what has to happen to make it a great place to live in the future. Finding innovative ways to advance those goals will help re-connect citizens to both their elected leaders and one another. This is of fundamental importance to Arizona's future.
See The Arizona We Want: 8 Citizen Goals.

Are some citizen goals more important to the Center than others?
All eight citizen goals are important to the future of our state, its prosperity and quality of life. But different regions have different challenges and the project recognizes the need for each community (as the Case Foundation suggests) to "come together, deliberate, and take action on problems or issues they themselves have defined as important and in ways they deem appropriate."

The Five Communities Project is an opportunity for people to engage in bold thinking. The challenges Arizona must address are multi-faceted and progress on one goal will advance other goals.
See Examples