It is our pleasure to announce CIRD's 2016-2017 Request for Proposals for Rural Communities Facing Design Challenges. The RFP is intended to help small towns and rural communities, with populations of 50,000 or less, build their capacity and acquire technical expertise to solve their design challenges. As many as six communities will be selected, and receive a $10,000 stipend and in-kind professional design expertise from CIRD to host a two-and-a-half-day workshop. CIRD will assemble a resource team of subject matter experts to guide your community in addressing the challenges that matter most to you. Apply to submit your proposal here.
Our workshops yield positive measurable outcomes that help communities grow and achieve their goals. Take our 2013 design workshop in Seguin, TX, which focused on the development of a new riverfront trail to provide access and mobility to an underserved low-income community. Seguin’s trail is currently under construction and slated for opening this November. The trail is part of series of improvements the city has made to Seguin including the opening of Park West and the unveiling of a new skate park. The workshop hosts credit CIRD for reinforcing the city’s commitment to delivering social and health benefits to the community and spearheading an important workshop to advance the trail’s development.
Similarly, our workshop in Live Oak, FL has helped the community revitalize its downtown following the devastation incurred by Hurricane Debby. Live Oak has since installed new sidewalks, improved mobility through the development of Heritage Trail connecting its downtown with Heritage Park and Gardens, opened a new farmer’s market and successfully launched a Fourth of July festival that attracted over three thousand people to downtown.
To get a sense of the type of workshops we’ve supported in the past, check out our recent CIRD blogs on:
CIRD, with the assistance of our partners at the National Endowment for the Arts and Orton Family Foundation, will host two webinars intended to introduce you to the CIRD program and guide you in the preparation of your application. You'll learn about the application process and eligibility requirements, as well as, strategies for submitting a successful proposal.
The following are key dates regarding the application process:
November 10, 2015---Pre-Application Assistance Call, "CIRD Program Information: All You Need to Know to Give it a Go"
For more information and to register click here.
December 10, 2015--- Our second Pre-Application Assistance Call, "Secrets to Crafting an Outstanding CIRD Application"
For more information and to register click here.
Download our full RFP here.
To apply click here.
Read our full press release click here.
