The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Upcoming Event

Refining Your Vision for ImpactRefining Your Vision for Impact

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission and the West Fresno Community Development Corporation


October 16, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

Cecil Hinton Community Center
2385 S. Fairview
Fresno, CA  93706

Questions about the workshop can be directed to Lena Robinson at 415-974-2717, Darryl Rutherford at 415-974-2056 or Javier Hernandez at 559-485-1273.
Event Description

This session will allow attendees to begin the process of refining their proposed community development project with a focus on describing the community or economic development objective that the project serves and the sponsor’s capacity to complete the project. This session is intended to uncover new ideas for partnerships and resources.

AGENDA
9:00 a.m.  Registration and continental breakfast
9:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lena Robinson, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Richard Keyes, West Fresno CDC Board Chair
9:15-10:00 a.m. Icebreaker: Community Engagement and Market Research
Soliciting community feedback is a valuable tool for engaging residents and conducting market research during the project development phase. The Fresno asset map is one example of gathering important data and information from those who are most likely to benefit from and support local projects. This icebreaker is another simple activity that can be used to elicit valuable feedback about the needs, wants and perceptions of community stakeholders. It will also help us to get better acquainted.
10:00-11:00 am. Building Organizational Capacity for Project Development
What are the organizational characteristics that a funder may consider in underwriting a project? A panel of experienced nonprofit practitioners and a bank officer will discuss the underwriting process and key indicators they use to evaluate a developer or sponsoring organization’s aptitude for completing a project. Attendees will gain insights into how to improve critical elements of their operations such as financial statements and bookkeeping, working with the board of directors, and diversifying funding streams.
Moderator: Stephen Blakeley, Measured Outcomes
Alice Rocha, Northern California Community Loan Fund 1
Paula Smith-Arrigoni, Nonprofit Finance Fund
Tim Rios, Wells Fargo Bank
11:00-12:00 p.m.  Community Development Vision Into Reality
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is a 32-year old community development corporation that has almost single handedly revitalized the Chinatown neighborhood in Oakland, CA. With a focus on retaining historically relevant structures and using a scattered site approach, their projects have become the anchor for a self-contained, vibrant neighborhood filled with hundreds of small businesses.
Lynette Jung Lee, Director; East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
12:00-12:30 p.m.  Lunch and Networking
12:30-2:00 p.m.  Clarifying Your Community Development Vision
This activity is structured to help organizations apply some of the principals outlined in the last two sessions to the projects they are planning or developing. Sponsors of a community development project will be given the opportunity to present their project concept and solicit feedback from other attendees. Written drafts of the project proposal are required in advance of the meeting click here for project template. This is a unique opportunity to network with individuals and organizations who may be potential resources or partners in your project or venture.
Thank you for attending the second workshop in the four session series.
We look forward to your participation at future sessions and welcome your feedback
and suggestions for how to make these workshops relevant to your needs.

 


1 Related training that may be of interest. Building for Sustainable Communities: Nonprofit Facilities and Shared Workspace, October 27, 2009.
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