The Leadership Executive Administration division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking investment applications from those interested in providing community organizing and leadership development activities with Immigrant, Refugee and other Communities of Color.  This RFI is open to agencies/organizations, associations, or coalitions eligible to apply: non-profit, public, private or combination.  The purpose of this RFI is to support immigrant, refugee, and other communities of color in mobilizing and engaging their residents and building their leadership skills to work collectively to influence policies, strategies and programs to improve the conditions of their community.  HSD is particularly interested in supporting agencies that may not have access to traditional sources of funding.

Additional Information and the guidelines are available on HSD’s Web Site at:

http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding/

This user-friendly portal organizes the funding opportunities in six categories: youth; technology; community building and organizing; physical improvements; arts and culture; and the environment. Visitors can also search by the name of the city department and funding program(s), or can view all the programs side-by-side in an easy-to-read matrix format.

“We want to make it easy for people to improve their communities” says Mayor McGinn.

The web portal includes an online calendar which lists funding deadlines, workshops, and events of funded projects.  Its blog provides updates on the funding programs and shares stories about community projects.  Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has been charged with monitoring the portal and to grow and enhance it over time.

Various city departments manage the funding programs; and the criteria and funding amounts vary depending on the type of project, city priorities, the departments’ capacity, and available funding.  Some of the funding programs require a community match of volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.

Reflecting the diversity of Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities, the board has 15 members (eight appointed by the Mayor and seven appointed by the Council). Board members are appointed for two-year terms, with the option of re-appointment for another term.

The duties of the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board include:

• Advising the Mayor, City Council and city departments and offices on ways to enhance and improve access to city services and resources for immigrants and refugees, advising all city departments and offices in matters affecting immigrants and refugees, as appropriate as well as strengthening opportunities for immigrants and refugees to participate in the civic life of the city;
• Advising city government on successful implementation of the Immigrant and Refugee Action Plan and on future updates to the plan; and
• Encouraging understanding between and among the various immigrant and refugee communities and the larger Seattle community.

In keeping with the City’s “Paper Cuts” program, electronic submissions are preferred.

To be considered, send a letter of interest and resume by July 30, 2010 to:Yemane.Gebremicael@Seattle.gov

To send a paper submittal, address it to: Yemane Gebremicael, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board, P.O. Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649.

In lieu of a resume, applicants may submit a summary document with name, address, contact information, employment history, volunteer experience, and a statement of why they want to serve on the advisory board.

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, people of color, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.

With the unprecedented growth in the foreign-born population since the 1980s, Seattle has become an increasingly multicultural city, rich with diversity. The Mayor and Council want to ensure that city government provides high-quality customer service to all, including immigrants and refugees living and working in Seattle.

The duties of the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board include:

• Advising the Mayor, City Council and city departments and offices on ways to enhance and improve access to city services and resources for immigrants and refugees, as well as strengthening opportunities for immigrants and refugees to participate in the civic life of the city;
• Advising city government on successful implementation of the Immigrant and Refugee Action Plan and on future updates to the plan;
• Advising all city departments and offices in matters affecting immigrants and refugees, as appropriate;
• Encouraging understanding between and among the various immigrant and refugee communities and the larger Seattle community.

Reflecting the diversity of Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities, the board has 15 members (eight appointed by the mayor and seven appointed by the Council). Board members are appointed for two-year terms, with the option of re-appointment for another term.

To be considered, send a letter of interest and resume by April 15, 2010. In lieu of a resume, applicants may submit a summary document with name, address, contact information, employment history, volunteer experience, and a statement of why they want to serve on the advisory board.

In keeping with the City’s “Paper Cuts” program, electronic submissions are preferred.  Applications should be sent by April 15, 2010, to: yemane.gebremicael@seattle.gov. To send a paper submittal, address it to:

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, people of color, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.