Two workshops focused on soft skills, including applying and interviewing for jobs, will be offered this month through a partnership of WorkOne, My Sister’s Closet, Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), and the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center and Department of Economic & Sustainable Development.

The July 22 workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. will be held at MCUM, 827 W. 14th Court (next to Tri-North Middle School).

The workshop on Saturday, July 24 will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St. 

Free childcare will be provided for children over three. Participants will receive a free bag of groceries and a $10 gift certificate to My Sister's Closet. More info here.

With priorities on quality of place and workforce attraction, the 2020 grant cycle for the Community Impact Funding Initiative is now underway. 

The initiative, administered by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, funds projects that are "forward thinking, community changing in their implementation, practical in their application and unique to the community." Typically, grants are awarded in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.

The current cycle will emphasize projects identified as priorities in the recent Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan. These priorities were shaped with input from an advisory team of 35 that included Erin Predmore, CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and Christopher Emge, the Chamber's Manager of Talent and Education.

Examples of the plan's priorities:

• Dramatically increase affordable housing supply for low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters.
• Cultivate county connections and countywide identity. 
• Increase public transportation options.
• Support the transition to the modern economy.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the Community Foundation will hold an Impact Grant workshop from 10 a.m. until noon at the Fountain Square Ballroom, 101 W. Kirkwood. The event is designed to provide details on the priority focus areas and discuss the application process. You can RSVP for this workshop by emailing Marcus Whited at marcus@cfbmc.org.

The complete timeline:
Aug. 7 – Impact Grant workshop at Fountain Square Ballroom
Sept. 6 – Letters of Intent due to Community Foundation
Sept. 23 – Selected applicants receive invitations for full proposals
Oct. 30 – Full proposals due to Community Foundation
Dec. 12 – Grant awards announced; funding available

Click here for details on the Community Impact Grant Initiative. To read the full Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, click here.​