Washington Partnership Opportunities
Partnership Details
CivicSpark follows strict requirements regarding the projects and partners we can support.
- Fellows cannot be placed at for-profit organizations.
- Fellows must implement projects or initiatives with a clear scope of work designed to build organizational capacity.
- Partners must agree to follow all AmeriCorps requirements (see here for more information)
CivicSpark staff work with project partners to coordinate a positive fellowship experience. Site Supervisors provide direct project supervision of Fellows, with support from CivicSpark Regional Coordinators and other program staff.
Participating public agency service recipients must demonstrate a “capacity need”, measured by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
Significant communitywide burdens
Absence of an adopted and up-to-date strategy (plan, element or other) that comprehensively addresses the target resiliency issue with appropriate funding, programs, and policies, to implement the strategy.
A defined resilience capacity gap as evidenced by at least 1 significant program, policy, or planning goal for a specific resilience issue that has not been met, or cannot be met, without resource or system development assistance.
|
Application Window |
Jan 24 – June 1 |
|
Staff Interviews |
within 2 weeks of applying |
|
Decisions |
Ongoing |
|
Fellow Term of Service |
September 2022 – August 2023 |
CivicSpark positions are funded in part by AmeriCorps, and in part by participating local governments, or third party funders. Participation in this program requires a fiscal contribution based on the amount and type of support provided by the CivicSpark program.
Rates for the program are all-inclusive, covering: Workers compensation, liability insurance, workplace costs, Fellow personnel benefits etc.; both the CivicSpark Fellow and CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission) staff support; and are based solely on costs for project work hours, not training time spent by the Fellow.
For additional information, please visit our FAQ page.
2022-23 Pricing
| Cost per Fellow | Project Support Provided per Fellow | Additional Benefits per Fellow |
|---|---|---|
| $29,000 | 11 Months and 1,300+ project hours |
80 additional project-prep hours, 100 volunteer engagement hours |
*This represents the general pricing structure and the floor for pricing, but some variations may exist depending on terms and conditions of specific placements.
Step 1: Submit Online Project Application
Prepare and submit your application within the application window. Project applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2022, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can download a sample application here.
We estimate it should take 30-45 minutes to complete the application once you have developed your project concept.
Step 2: Application Review & Follow-Up
CivicSpark staff will review project applications and schedule a call with your project lead. Through these conversations, staff will ensure your project will deliver results while also meeting our goals as an AmeriCorps program. Staff will then consider your project for approval based on our programmatic priorities.
Step 3: Project Approval & Contracting
Once approved, agencies must complete a Service Agreement (contract),outlining mutual roles and responsibilities between project partners and CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission), as well as payment terms.
Step 4: Candidate Review and Interviewing
CivicSpark staff will share qualified candidates for consideration, at which time partners should interview candidates who may be a good fit. CivicSpark staff will make the final offer to the Fellow for placement.
Step 5: Pre-Service Capacity Assessment
Project service recipients must complete a Pre-Service Capacity Assessment survey prior to the start of service. This survey establishes baseline information about the agency’s capacity needs and goals relating to the project. This information is used to set goals and evaluate success after project completion.
In 2021 CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission) implemented a planning grant in Washington to explore the feasibility of expanding the program in the state. Through surveys, one-on-one outreach, and focus groups LGC identified key partners and collaborators. We are excited to announce that we are officially launching the program in Washington in Fall 2022.
CivicSpark is a national service program implemented by the CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission), dedicated to supporting organizations and local public agencies to address community resilience issues such as climate change, water resource management, housing, and mobility. As a Governor’s Initiative AmeriCorps program, we have recruited over 500 Fellows directly supporting local governments and organizations with over 800 community and climate resilience projects while serving as a career accelerator for emerging leaders.
How it Works
- CivicSpark places highly motivated emerging leaders with local organizations for 11-months to support research, planning, and implementation projects for community resilience.
- CivicSpark Fellows are AmeriCorps Members selected through a competitive national application process. Fellows have at minimum a college degree in a relevant field, as well as workplace and community service experience.
- Public agencies, state agencies, Tribes, and non-profit organizations can contract directly to host CivicSpark Fellows.
- Projects must support local public agency resiliency needs such as climate change adaptation or mitigation, affordable housing, energy efficiency, water management or policy, sustainable mobility, or rural broadband.
Climate
Housing
Water
Mobility
More Questions?
Please contact Mackenzie Bolger at mbolger@civicwell.org to discuss any additional questions.