General Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, applicants must meet the baseline criteria outlined below. Additional requirements apply based on the selected project track.
- Propose a project aligned with one of the following tracks:
- Inclusive Capital (ACDO Track)
- Community Wealth-Building (CWB Track)
- Project must be located in a small or midsized city (population between 50,000 and 500,000).
- Submit a single application by a designated organization on behalf of a coalition of at least three organizations. The application must include letters of support from all coalition members.
- Ensure the coalition includes representation from at least three sectors, such as:
- Anchor institutions (e.g., hospitals, universities, school districts, transit authorities) (required for ACDO track)
- Community-based organizations (e.g., CDCs, neighborhood associations, advocacy groups) (required for CWB track)
- Local government (elected officials or staff)
- Private sector partners (developers, investors, businesses)
- Philanthropic institutions
- Financial institutions (e.g., CDFIs, credit unions, banks)
- Have not already participated in a 2025 NGIN LEAP trip (Philadelphia Feb 2025, Cleveland Jun 2025).
- Demonstrate sufficient staffing capacity and organizational readiness to fully engage in the year-long program, including a commitment that at least one staff member from each coalition organization will actively participate in all core program activities.
- Commit to structured technical assistance, including:
- Monthly interactive learning modules
- Peer exchange through Communities of Practice
- One-on-one coaching and strategic support
- Participate in:
- Impact documentation
- Peer learning
- Coalition-building activities that promote sustainability, shared practice, and continuous improvement