Hip-Hop Association

HELP US EMPOWER WOMEN IN HIP-HOP! MAKE A DONATION TO THE LADIES FIRST FUND   CALLING WOMEN OF COLOR - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS! Ladies First Fund Grant for Social Entrepreneurship in Newark, NJ Area   The Hip-Hop Association, in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Alternate Routes Residency Program, Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, and the Loreen Arbus Foundation announces the LADIES FIRST FUND RFP to develop the next generation of social entrepreneurs in Newark, NJ. After an extensive, rigorous judging process, the $2,500 grant will be given to a woman of color with a creative business solution for issues that affect underserved women of color, such as domestic violence, homelessness and illiteracy. Grantees are encouraged to work with small businesses or non-profits to develop community projects such as art murals, books, tutorial/after-school programs, micro-financing, and recycling projects. It is strongly suggested, but not required, that grantees collaborate with higher learning and arts institutions in the Newark area to develop long-term impact. Grantees will also receive 20 hours of consulting and professional development from The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School in Newark. “We believe that by investing in women, we’re investing in whole communities,” says Martha Diaz, Founder of the Hip-Hop Association and the Ladies First Fund. “This will be the first grant for women in Hip-Hop that aims to identify and cultivate the next generation of women social entrepreneurs. These women are bravely taking on the greatest social and economic challenges to re-shape, and perhaps, salvage our society.” To Apply for the Grant In addition to a standard resume, applicants are to submit Letter of Intent of 500 -1000 words detailing: •    Program goals and objectives •    Program components •    Metrics and /or measures of success •    Breakdown of allocated $5,000 stipend Select applicants will be invited to present their proposed programs to the Ladies First Fund committee, responsible for choosing the recipient of the Ladies First Fund annual grant. The grant recipient will be notified by November 15th, 2009. Criteria •    Applicants must be a woman of color, age 18+, live, work, or attend school in Newark NJ. •    Proposed programs must address a social issue facing women of color in Newark, NJ. •    Proposed programs must be executable in full with the allotted $5,000 stipend. •     Proposed program must be executed in full during the period of Jan. 1, 2010 - Dec. 30 2010. •    Proposed program will not promote religious doctrine. * No academic background is necessary to qualify for the Ladies First Fund grant. Strong Applicants and Proposed Programs: •    Will demonstrate a creative approach, refreshing ideas, innovative educational tools, and transformative solutions. •    Will show promise and possibility of duplication on a larger scale (i.e citywide, statewide, regionally, or nationally.) •    Will demonstrate the intention to work with small businesses or non-profits •    Will demonstrate the intention to collaborate with higher learning institutions in New Jersey to develop a larger impact. Assumptions and Agreements •    Grantees will receive 20 hours of consulting and professional development from The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School. •    Grantee will present an update of work in progress at 2010 Womanhood Learning Project fundraiser (June) and a full program report at the close of the program •    There will be no significant changes to the selected programs, unless approved by the LFF Committee. •    Allotted stipend will be paid out with no more than 50% provided prior to, or, at the onset of the program.  The remaining 50% will be paid out based on a proposed and agreed upon schedule. Submission Deadline Proposals must be RECEIVED no later than October 15, 2009 Mail Proposal To: Hip Hop Association 545 8th Avenue, 10th Fl New York, NY 10018 Attn: Ladies First Fund RFP For Additional Information, Contact: Tamara Gardellis Co-Chair, Ladies First Fund tamara@hiphopassociation.org