CPI shares CPI-in-a-Box with Temple University planning class |
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As we enter summer, we have some updates and opportunities to share with you! We’re getting ready to launch the Fall CPI Course, our first in-person course since 2019!
With many exciting projects in the works, we are looking forward to reconnecting with you in person, getting to know a new cohort, and expanding capacity for community planning power across Philadelphia!
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Over the past 10 months, we have distributed over 100 prototypes of our community planning toolkit, CPI-in-a-box! These boxes are already making waves across the city, but it's just the beginning. |
“What I loved about the box was that it gave you a framework for organizing, planning and executing projects…”
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“The information shared in the Box helped reinforce how many amazing resources exist in Philadelphia and how much we can be sharing with each other to strengthen our neighborhoods…”
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Special Shout-outs:

Thanks to Advisory board member Emma Erwin for contributing to our Research Folder Session. Emma adapted the Asset Mapping tool in the Box to conduct a get-to-know-you meeting, you can do this too. Thanks Emma – you rock!
Advisory board member Nic Esposito joined our Action Folder Session to talk about his work on Emerald Street Community Garden. Citizen Planners left with some tips on how to successfully manage budgets and more. Make sure to follow his excellent work in other spaces such as Circular Philadelphia!
Heidi Levy Segall is no stranger to community engagement. They shared about their work on playful learning spaces. Heidi let us know about the funding opportunity available to support this work (see the Kaboom opportunity in the upcoming opportunities section).
Loraine Gomez and Jessi Koch offered so much at our Celebrate folder session. Check out their work at Centennial Parkside CDC. A quick tip from Lorraine is to always find a local neighborhood DJ!
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This spring, we invited alumni to a series of workshops going through the box contents, collaborating on ideas for how to use the current resources, and brainstorming ideas for new or updated materials to further support alumni in their community work. During these five virtual sessions, we discussed important elements of project planning, community engagement, celebrating success, and more. |
Many thanks to our amazing presenters, who contributed to these sessions, and of course to the alums who joined in, shared their ideas, and weren’t afraid to get vulnerable or share critical feedback.
We’ll keep you in the loop about next steps for the box, including what changes we are making based on your feedback.
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Citizen Planners on the Move! |
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Yvonne Hughes (Spring 2022)
Yvonne Hughes is an advocate by calling. She has been reaching people and spreading resources to increase accessibility across Philadelphia her whole life. Currently, Yvonne is focusing on a Senior Summit that is launching in the spring. The goal of the summit is to start conversations with older adults about their rights and the resources available to them. Yvonne knows first-hand what it’s like to navigate the city without supports. She has put in a lot of effort to access the resources that she knows are out there. “People with disabilities don’t feel safe in this city—not that anyone's going to hurt them, but nobody’s helping them!”
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Rana Fayez (Fall 2016)
Rana, former Spruce Hill resident, is, among many other things, an activist, cultural producer, software developer, DJ, writer, and Citizen Planner. They are the Founder of Yalla Punk, a community-centered organization dedicated to highlighting and supporting queer and Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) immigrant artists. Currently, Rana is serving as the Technical Project Manager at the New York Public Library, using their software engineering skills to increase accessibility and work with the community.
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Tribute to Change: Sparking Youth Power
The Tribute to Change is Bread & Roses Community Fund’s annual gathering for people who care about social change. We come together to celebrate victories, honor remarkable organizers, and raise money for grassroots movements for justice. Our theme this year is “Sparking Youth Power” -- we are honoring today’s rising activists alongside organizers who have spent their careers mentoring young leaders to take action for social justice. This year’s event will be on June 15, 2023, from 5:30-8:30pm at Fairmount Water Works. Tickets are sliding scale $15-200.
Get your ticket by June 10.
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Calling All Artists!
The Friends of the Tanner House (FOTH) and its project partners are leading an arts-rich participatory planning and preservation visioning process that invites community voices to provide input into the rehabilitation and proposed re-use of the Henry Ossawa Tanner House. Individual artists or small arts collectives are invited to help design and execute five free community arts-centered events inspired by the accomplished legacies of Tanner family members. The project budget is $25,000.
Apply by June 16.
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Funding Opportunity for Artists and Arts Organizations!
Art Works’ Third Annual Grant Application Period is now open through June 16, 2023. Art Works is a joint $3 million grant program that supports Philadelphia arts and cultural organizations and artists working in partnership with BIPOC and other underserved communities. Four Philadelphia-based artists will receive two-year grants of $25,000 per year, and four community-based organizations will receive two-year, unrestricted grants ranging from $75,000-$150,000.
Apply by June 16.
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Check out the 2023 Walk Around Philadelphia installation at Cherry Street Pier!
Walk Around Philadelphia creates cultural events that bring people together in shared experiences that connect them to their own bodies, their neighbors, and the landscape of Philadelphia. Through facilitated walks, exhibitions and narrative storytelling, the project uses the structure of exploring the city’s perimeter to engage with themes of borders and boundaries, privilege and access, social and environmental justice, infrastructure and ecosystems, commerce and incarceration, indigenous history and colonization and more.
June 16 at 5:00pm, join Walk Around for a happy hour launch for an exhibit featuring images from the city’s edge created by artists who’ve set out to explore the city’s border on foot.
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Free opportunity for vendors at the Juneteenth Community Resource Fair!
The Lower North Philadelphia CDC, in partnership with Shift Capital, Mosaic Development Partners, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Grocery Outlet, Santander Bank, Pennrose Management Company, Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association / Neighborhood Coalition, Parent and Child Program, SCOOP USA Media, and Mosaic Development Partners will be hosting our first Annual Juneteenth Community Resource Fair on Saturday, June 17, 2023 (rain date Sunday, June 18), at 2077 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia PA 19121, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm. This event is a platform for the Brewerytown/Sharswood community to celebrate and continue to grow its history. You will need to bring a table and chair, and a tent is suggested because this is an outdoor event.
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See recommendations for traffic safety improvements on Hunting Park Avenue!
Join the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) for a Vision Zero Open House in Hunting Park on Saturday, June 17th, from 11 am - 2 pm, at Carlisle Street Park (Hunting Park Ave. and Roosevelt Blvd.) to view traffic safety recommendations, enjoy free food, and let us know what you think.
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Join the Rail Park Three Mile Vision Tours!

Friends of the Rail Park are hosting three walking tours of the Rail Park on June 17th, July 8th, and July 22nd from 10:00am—12:00pm. On the Three Mile Vision Tour, you’ll learn about the history and ecology of the Rail Park, and its potential to become a greenway connecting 10+ Philly neighborhoods and thousands of residents. ACCESS card holders can sign up for the tour for free using the promo code RAILPARKPHL.
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Get paid to take notes with Philadelphia Documenters!
Resolve Philly is hosting a virtual orientation on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., for new Philadelphia Documenters! Philadelphia Documenters is a program that trains and pays residents to attend public meetings and take notes. Our goals are to create a new public record, increase government transparency, and empower people with skill building opportunities.
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Join an Environmental Justice Focus Group!
DVRPC is hosting several paid focus groups to discuss the impact of transportation projects affecting environmental justice communities, or neighborhoods, composed predominantly of persons of color and/or persons living below the poverty line, that experience a significantly reduced quality of life relative to surrounding or similar communities.
Participants will receive a stipend of $100 for online or $125 for in person focus groups. Focus groups will be held between July 10, 2023 and August 9, 2023.
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Regional Foundation Now Accepting Letters of Intent for Neighborhood Planning Grants
Neighborhood Planning Grants are designed to support neighborhood plans that address root causes of inequality and address any number of community development priorities including but not limited to affordable housing, workforce development, human services, commercial corridor initiatives, environmental justice, transportation, and education. The foundation supports organizations in their capacity to define “neighborhood” as they see fit, regardless of population density—rural, suburban, small town, small city and large city neighborhoods are eligible to apply. Grants can be between $50,000 and $125,000 for a period of 12-18 months.
Apply by June 22.
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Revolutionary Conversations: Women Leaving a Legacy
Since 1876, women have played a significant role in every national anniversary. In honor of this history, PHILADELPHIA250, the nonprofit leading the city’s plans for the 250th anniversary in 2026, will recognize the contributions of women to our shared past, present and future by hosting an inspirational evening of conversation with trailblazing women leaders. Join the conversation on June 27, 4-6 PM, at the Center for Architecture and Design at 1218 Arch Street.
Our featured panelists include Carol Tracy, former director of the Women’s Law Project and the Women’s Bicentennial Center of 1976, Dr. Ashley Jordan, President and CEO, African-American Museum in Philadelphia, and Michelle Angela Ortiz, Project Director and Lead Artist, Our Market.
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Create playful, interactive spaces for kids!

Apply today for a Play Everywhere Philly grant—an exciting, collaborative challenge to create playful, interactive spaces that support child development and literacy skills in everyday locations throughout the city. The program will award $1 million in Play Everywhere grants to groups working with designers to create playful learning features at places like sidewalks, bus stops, footpaths, and areas outside businesses. With support from KABOOM!, the William Penn Foundation, Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN), and Watchdog Project Management, grantees will develop places for kids aged 0-8 to play, strengthen caregiver and youth engagement, and promote early childhood literacy and learning.
Interested in hearing more about the challenge, getting your questions answered, and seeing examples of past projects? Register for an informational virtual webinar about the challenge and grant application, happening at 4:00 PM TODAY, June 7, on Zoom. Click here to RSVP!
Apply for the Play Everywhere grant by June 30.
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The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is hiring a Safe Streets Planner to support a Regional Vision Zero plan to help identify safety priorities, advance improvement recommendations for implementation, and elevate safety culture.
The New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is hiring a Program Manager who will lead its Cure Violence program, a strategic, evidence-based public health approach to reduce gun violence in target areas throughout the Kensington community.
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is hiring a Programs Coordinator to serve Al-Bustan’s vision of deepening its connections locally, while enhancing its renown and growing its impact globally.
Asian Arts Initiative is hiring a Summer Teaching Artist who enjoys working with young people to support the Lead Teaching Artist in delivering the day-to-day lessons.

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Consider making a tax-deductible contribution! Click "support this project" on the CPI page on the Philadelphia City Fund website.
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