October 31, 2006 - The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) has released the guidelines and application form for the Bridging Communities grant program. Bridging Communities is funded by the City's Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED). The purpose of the program is to increase the capacity of neighborhood groups for outreach to and the involvement of new immigrants and non-English speaking residents.

Grant funds, up to a maximum of $5,000, may go to any of a broad range of innovative approaches that provide creative ways for involving people to work together. Neighborhood organizations that are under contract through the City's Citizen Participation Program or the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) are eligible to apply for funding through the Bridging Communities Program. (Other organizations may partner with a qualifying organization to submit a proposal.)

Program guidelines and application materials can be accessed on the CURA Web site at:

www.cura.umn.edu/Immigrants.php

Applications for Bridging Communities Program grants are due by December 1, 2006.

Completed applications should be submitted to CURA at curacbr@tc.umn.edu, or by mail care of Bridging Communities Program, CURA; 330 HHH Center; 301 19th Avenue South; Minneapolis, MN 55455. Proposals may also be faxed to CURA at 612-626-0273.

For more information please contact Kris Nelson at CURA (612-625-1020; ksn@umn.edu) or Bob Cooper, the City's Senior NRP/Citizen Participation Specialist (612-673-5239; bob.cooper@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

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