Fairmount

Section I: Organization Information

Agency Mission: Fairmount CDC’s mission is to “foster the improvement of the residential, commercial & social fabric of the Fairmount neighborhood, while preserving its character & diversity."

Name/Title of Contact: Rebecca E. Johnson, Executive Director

Address: 2206 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Phone Number: 215-232-4766

Website: http://www.fairmountcdc.org/

Email: rebecca@fairmountcdc.org

Total number of agency staff members: 2 Full Time

Agency Budget: $300,000

Section II: Community Need

Please state in measurable and quantifiable terms the specific community need that the Philly Fellow will address, including the number of people in the community directly affected by the problem.

Although the Fairmount and Brewerytown communities have a host of different issues, they both have the following community need: lack of communication between the residents and business owners and the community groups trying to service them. Both neighborhoods have community groups working to improve the physical built environment, increase the financial stability of residents and small business owners, and build a stronger sense of community by engaging residents in community improvement projects. However, communicating to the residents and business community is difficult without strategic community outreach and a comprehensive communications plan, which includes web and print materials.

Describe how your agency addresses this need, and how the new capacity created by this fellow will help alleviate the problem.

Fairmount CDC addresses the needs of the community by providing a range of projects and programs aimed at empowering individuals, increasing the financial stability of residents and small business owners, building local community connections and improving the overall infrastructure and vitality of the area. Fairmount CDC believes that in order to address these issues successfully residents must be informed and engaged. We attempt to do this through working with partner civic and business groups and by communicating with area residents through a variety of means. A Philly Fellow will greatly increase our organization’s capacity to effectively and efficiently collect, organize and disseminate information about area issues and Fairmount CDC’s projects and programs. We will reach more people to participate in our programs and be able to offer them assistance to better their situation and that of the community. In addition, we will be able to better reach out to foundations, corporations and government entities to increase Fairmount CDC’s visibility and thereby increase our capacity to bring vital resources to our work.

Describe the level of community involvement in the fellow’s project.

Fairmount CDC, by the nature of our work, is connected to the community and there is involvement at all levels. We interact with and support individual resident and business owners and community groups such as civic and business associations. Our organization is also asked to provide information to local and regional outlets and/or attend local events and speak to various local groups. The level of the Philly Fellow’s involvement in these activities will depend on their skills and interest. Much of the Philly Fellow’s time will be spent maximizing the flow of communications between the organization and the community through a variety of means. This will include storefront displays, e-newsletters, website updates, press releases, and other media opportunities.

Section III: Job Description

Please outline in list form the fellow's duties and responsibilities.

• Continue to update and implement the agency’s communications plan
• Develops the creation of community outreach and media materials
• Coordinates distribution of community outreach and media materials
• Assists staff in responding to media requests.
• Marketing agency events and initiatives.
• Orders, maintains and distributes promotional items.
• Represents the Agency at various events, as assigned

Please outline in list form the skills/qualifications a fellow should have to succeed in the position.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Interest in public relations, communications and marketing required.
• Ability to work independently and deliver results on assigned projects required.
• Ability to work effectively with a team and with various constituencies required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills required.
• Volunteer or work experience with a nonprofit or mission-driven organization preferred.
• Proficient computer skills including use of Microsoft Word required; familiarity with Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, e-communications tools and website management preferred.

Please describe your agency's plan to orient and train the fellow.

The Philly Fellow would receive the same training that all new employees of the Fairmount CDC receive. This consists of:
• An in depth orientation to the organization and its programs, projects, constituent communities, staff, board and policies and procedures
• A walking tour of Fairmount CDC’s service area and field visits to projects, programs and partner organizations.
• One on one training on pr/communications and current Fairmount CDC practices by the Executive Director
• Opportunity to enroll in a local training on public relations/communications for nonprofits to further build the Fellow’s skill set.

Section IV: Project Plan

Please describe the proposed project goal(s) you expect the fellow to achieve. These should relate to your community need and reflect the long-term impact of the fellow’s project.

A Philly Fellow will help Fairmount CDC achieve strategic goals around public relations and communications. That is, we wish to increase the quality, quantity and consistency of our outreach. This in turn will allow us to increase our support and funding and continue to grow and develop programming that helps make Fairmount and Brewerytown cleaner, safer and more economically and socially vibrant neighborhoods.

Section V: The Nitty-Gritty

Will fellow be working at the same address listed above?

Yes

Please describe the fellow's work environment

Fellow will have a shared office.
Fellow will have their own desk.
Fellow will have their own computer.

Please list the name and title of the fellow's immediate supervisor.

Rebecca E. Johnson, Executive Director

Please approximate the percentage of time fellow will work:

Independently: 50%
As a team member in a group setting: 35%
As a team leader in a group setting: 15%

Travel:

Will the fellow be expected to travel as part of the position?

Yes

If so, how often and where?

Within Philadelphia and only a couple of times per month.

Will the fellow need the following to carry out the position?

A driver’s license: No
Their own car: No

Section VI: Supervision/Resources

Please briefly describe plans for supervision of fellow:

The Philly Fellow will meet with his/her supervisor (Executive Director) one per week in a formal session to review work, timelines, goals and work flow. Ongoing supervision and problem solving is available as needed.

What methods, information, or data will you use to evaluate the fellow’s success in their position and your agency’s success in meeting your community need?

From a job description, Fairmount CDC develops goal plans for employees that are used to drive work and create accountability. These are referred to on a regular basis and are used in six month and annual evaluations to measure success. Key indicators of success include meeting deadlines, delivery quality work-product and developing and maintaining positive relationships with coworkers and community contacts. As a small nonprofit, Fairmount CDC also has ever changing demands. As such, the ability for an employee to be flexible and responsive is crucial.

Encore: Application wasn’t long enough for you? Please include any additional information you feel would be useful in evaluating your application.

Fairmount CDC is a growing nonprofit that it achieving incredible things despite our small size. We are becoming a leader in economic and community development in the greater “Art Museum Area”. Fairmount CDC is a great place to work, learn and have fun while making urban neighborhoods healthier and more vibrant. In addition, this will be a wonderful starting point for a new career where the Fellow will learn about nonprofit management and the issues facing urban areas.