The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program is a funding initiative led by the nonprofit organization Community Heart & Soul. The program is designed to assist small cities and towns in initiating the Community Heart & Soul model, which aims to engage residents in shaping the future of their communities based on shared values and inclusive participation. The Heart & Soul approach was developed with support from the Orton Family Foundation and has been implemented in over 120 communities across the United States.

The purpose of the grant is to catalyze community engagement by providing startup funding to help towns implement the Community Heart & Soul model. The grant focuses on fostering local pride, building stronger relationships among residents, and driving community-based decision-making. Grantees are expected to follow the structured Heart & Soul model, which includes building a team, gathering and sharing stories, identifying themes and values, and ultimately creating and implementing an action plan driven by the community’s voice.

The grant provides $10,000 in funding, which must be matched 1:1 with cash or in-kind contributions from the community. This match requirement is designed to ensure community commitment and investment in the success of the initiative. The grant supports initial phases of the Heart & Soul process, including hiring a part-time coordinator, training, and initial outreach and engagement activities. The full Community Heart & Soul process typically takes 2 to 3 years, and additional resources or funding may be sought locally for later phases.

Eligible applicants must be located in the United States and represent towns with populations of 2,500 to 30,000. Applicants must be either a municipality or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Only one grant per community is allowed. Applicants are also required to demonstrate community readiness and the ability to meet match requirements. The application process includes submission of a proposal through an online portal, which includes sections on applicant information, narrative questions, proposed budget, and letters of support.

The application is reviewed on a rolling basis, and there are no set deadlines, which allows applicants to apply when they are ready. However, grants are awarded based on the availability of funds. Interested communities are encouraged to contact the grant administrator prior to applying to discuss their readiness and receive guidance. Applications are evaluated based on community readiness, clarity of the proposal, alignment with Heart & Soul values, capacity to implement, and potential for community impact.

For additional information, applicants are directed to reach out via email at info@communityheartandsoul.org. There is no phone number provided in the materials. The application process is open as of the document’s date, though no explicit open or close date is listed.