Creating Whole Communities

11/05/2025

Neighborhood Leadership Fellows 2026 Application open until November 14!

Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a highly selective program for individuals residing or working in STL City and certain surrounding areas. If you reside or work in any of the zip codes highlighted in the map on the website, you may qualify for NLF, or we welcome your registration for Neighborhood Leadership Academy, our flagship leadership program for the entire St. Louis region.

Register today at https://forms.gle/fjKPZxnN5Nxz5YBFA

Check out what our graduates had to say about the NLF experience! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_qGzR4n37M&feature=youtu.be

The participants in the 2022 cohort share insight on their goals are and some of their challenges.

10/20/2025

The 2026 Neighborhood Leadership Fellows St. Louis Application is now open!
Seeking St. Louis residents, professionals, and volunteers who want to create stronger regional policies for neighborhoods!

The NLF program is for individuals residing or working in St. Louis City and parts of North St. Louis County. Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month leadership training for community leaders aimed at increasing the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents at civic decision-making tables in order to produce stronger regional policies for neighborhoods. This Fellowship provides hands-on workshops on policy, research, and innovation promoting increased neighborhood development; positional power trainings for boards, commissions, and public office; collaborative learning through dialogue and presentations among fellows and experts; and civic mentoring from leaders and peers.

The program, set to convene on January 16, will meet one weekend a month in-person, and for mini-sessions one Wednesday a month virtually, for nine months from January through September 2026. All participants who complete the program will receive a $2,000 stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.

The application for the 2026 cohort of NLF is open! Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/JxrTrfBwSULnhuTS6
The deadline to submit the application is November 14th, 2025.

Visit: https://cwc.umsl.edu/nlf. For questions, contact Tasnim Haq at [email protected].

10/20/2025

THE UMSL FORUM FOR COMMUNITY DIALOGUE

DATA CENTERS: What are they? Why do we need them? What are the challenges?

When: November 13, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: UMSL Campus RCEW Building
Address: 8225 Florissant Road St. Louis, MO 63121 (see directions and maps attached)

The UMSL Forum for Community Dialogue seeks to bring members of the UMSL and the greater St. Louis community together in order to enhance the capacity of groups and individuals to consider and evaluate multiple options and viewpoints about issues that impact our communities. Take this opportunity to better understand the discussions taking place in the St. Louis region around data centers. Learn and share your thoughts with others, ask questions, and become an informed citizen, all while building your civic muscle through dialogue with your neighbors and colleagues.

Light refreshments will be served.
Event is free, registration required:

Applications will be accepted until the workshop is full.

07/29/2025

Submit your application by Friday!!

01/30/2025

Creating Whole Communities Grant Opportunities (Apply Now!) - EXTENDED DEADLINES

Are you considering a community-focused research project? The Creating Whole Communities Research Fellows program offers two types of grants (APPLY NOW!) to support UMSL faculty and doctoral students partnering with community to address important place-based challenges through rigorous issue- and practice-based research.

1. Relationship Building Grant: This grant initiative seeks to support University-community partnerships in the exploration process of mutual interests and shared goals with the aim that this will lead to a trustworthy partnership, long-term collaboration, and achievement of community-desired goals. Up to $1,000 will be awarded to partnerships.
2. Research and Implementation Grant: This grant initiative seeks to support faculty research that implements a philosophy of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and address issues that are critical to local neighborhoods and municipalities. Up to $8,000 will be awarded to partnerships.

To view the grants information session recording for an in-depth overview of these grant opportunities, please contact [email protected].

Deadlines:
**Phase I (abstract): Friday, February 14, 2025
Phase II (full proposal): Friday, March 14, 2025
**The Phase I submission functions as an initial review to evaluate the applicability of the proposed project for the Faculty Fellows program. Applicants will be informed if their project aligns with the program criteria and can move forward with applying for the full proposal (Phase II). If there lacks alignment, applicants will receive feedback within 1-2 weeks to refine their proposal. Phase I entails submitting a concise abstract, outlining the project's key components and addressing the criteria on the project applicability checklist.

For more information and to apply, click here:

The Creating Whole Communities Research Fellows program offers two types of grants to support UMSL faculty and doctoral students partnering with community to address important place-based challenges through rigorous issue- and practice-based research.

01/14/2025

Creating Whole Communities Grant Opportunities (Apply Now!)

Are you considering a community-focused research project? The Creating Whole Communities Research Fellows program offers two types of grants (APPLY NOW!) to support UMSL faculty and doctoral students partnering with community to address important place-based challenges through rigorous issue- and practice-based research.

1. Relationship Building Grant: This grant initiative seeks to support University-community partnerships in the exploration process of mutual interests and shared goals with the aim that this will lead to a trustworthy partnership, long-term collaboration, and achievement of community-desired goals. Up to $1,000 will be awarded to partnerships.
2. Research and Implementation Grant: This grant initiative seeks to support faculty research that implements a philosophy of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and address issues that are critical to local neighborhoods and municipalities. Up to $8,000 will be awarded to partnerships.

To view the grants information session recording for an in-depth overview of these grant opportunities, please contact [email protected].

Deadlines:
**Phase I (abstract): Friday, February 7, 2025
Phase II (full proposal): Friday, February 28, 2025
**The Phase I submission functions as an initial review to evaluate the applicability of the proposed project for the Faculty Fellows program. Applicants will be informed if their project aligns with the program criteria and can move forward with applying for the full proposal (Phase II). If there lacks alignment, applicants will receive feedback within 1-2 weeks to refine their proposal. Phase I entails submitting a concise abstract, outlining the project's key components and addressing the criteria on the project applicability checklist.

For more information and to apply, click here:

The Creating Whole Communities Research Fellows program offers two types of grants to support UMSL faculty and doctoral students partnering with community to address important place-based challenges through rigorous issue- and practice-based research.

01/08/2025

STL Neighbors for Complete Streets: Enhancing our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces

January 22, 2025, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Regional Center for Education and Work (8225 Florissant Road, St. Louis MO 63121)
Join Trailnet, UMSL and MU Extension for an informative and interactive session on street safety in the St. Louis region. This event will provide a deep dive into the Complete Streets laws in the city and county, their administration, and the key departments and stakeholders involved in decisions regarding our streets and sidewalks.
Discuss current policies and future changes that could improve safety and mobility in your community. Together, we will explore how ARPA funding will be allocated to enhance our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces, and discuss ways to organize and advocate for meaningful decision-making in our neighborhoods.
Your voice matters in shaping a safe, thriving St. Louis for everyone.
This is a free event, but you must register to attend.
REGISTER HERE: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/stl-neighbors-for-complete-streets-enhancing-our-streets-sidewalks-and-public-spaces
This event is a partnership of Trailnet, UMSL and MU Extension
Contact: Tasnim Haq, [email protected]

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11/26/2024

https://forms.gle/9oF6au8xAbJZWyLk9

11/11/2024

5 DAYS LEFT! APPLY NOW to Neighborhood Leadership Fellows 2025!
The NLF program is for individuals residing or working in St. Louis City and parts of North St. Louis County. NLF is now open to an increased set of neighborhoods, beyond the Promise Zone. If you reside or work in the zip codes below, you may apply to NLF. Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month leadership training for community leaders aimed at increasing the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents at civic decision-making tables in order to produce more equitable regional policies for neighborhoods. The program, set to convene on January 17, will meet one weekend a month in-person, and for mini-sessions one Wednesday a month virtually, for nine months from January through September 2025. All participants who complete the program will receive a $2,000 stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.

Apply here by November 15th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfyp5mXGUNRyQF8OgB_-7covEukfN3loZ6L3ccBuAMQoRmrA/viewform
For more information, click here:
https://www.umsl.edu/recd/ecd/community-development/neighborhood-leadership/fellows/index.html
NLF VIDEO: https://youtu.be/KbvZtSd3lZ0

Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is an advanced leadership training program of UMSL, MU Extension and the St. Louis Promise Zone-St. Louis Economic Developmen...

11/05/2024

Are you ready to take your community leadership to the next level? APPLY NOW to Neighborhood Leadership Fellows 2025!
The NLF program is for individuals residing or working in St. Louis City and parts of North St. Louis County. NLF is now open to an increased set of neighborhoods, beyond the Promise Zone. If you reside or work in the zip codes below, you may apply to NLF. Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month leadership training for community leaders aimed at increasing the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents at civic decision-making tables in order to produce more equitable regional policies for neighborhoods. The program, set to convene on January 17, will meet one weekend a month in-person, and for mini-sessions one Wednesday a month virtually, for nine months from January through September 2025. All participants who complete the program will receive a $2,000 stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.

Apply here by November 15th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfyp5mXGUNRyQF8OgB_-7covEukfN3loZ6L3ccBuAMQoRmrA/viewform

For more information, click here:
https://www.umsl.edu/recd/ecd/community-development/neighborhood-leadership/fellows/index.html

https://youtu.be/s_qGzR4n37M

The participants in the 2022 cohort share insight on their goals are and some of their challenges.

10/31/2024

Neighborhood Leadership Fellows 2025 Application is Open
The NLF program is for individuals residing or working in St. Louis City and parts of North St. Louis County. NLF is now open to an increased set of neighborhoods, beyond the Promise Zone. If you reside or work in the zip codes below, you may apply to NLF. Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month leadership training for community leaders aimed at increasing the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents at civic decision-making tables in order to produce more equitable regional policies for neighborhoods. The program, set to convene on January 17, will meet one weekend a month in-person, and for mini-sessions one Wednesday a month virtually, for nine months from January through September 2025. All participants who complete the program will receive a $2,000 stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.

Apply here by November 15th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfyp5mXGUNRyQF8OgB_-7covEukfN3loZ6L3ccBuAMQoRmrA/viewform

For more information, click here:
https://www.umsl.edu/recd/ecd/community-development/neighborhood-leadership/fellows/index.html

10/31/2024

Neighborhood Leadership Fellows 2025 Application is Open
The NLF program is for individuals residing or working in St. Louis City and parts of North St. Louis County. NLF is now open to an increased set of neighborhoods, beyond the Promise Zone. If you reside or work in the zip codes below, you may apply to NLF. Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month leadership training for community leaders aimed at increasing the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents at civic decision-making tables in order to produce more equitable regional policies for neighborhoods. The program, set to convene on January 17, will meet one weekend a month in-person, and for mini-sessions one Wednesday a month virtually, for nine months from January through September 2025. All participants who complete the program will receive a $2,000 stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.

Apply here by November 15th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfyp5mXGUNRyQF8OgB_-7covEukfN3loZ6L3ccBuAMQoRmrA/viewform

For more information, click here:
https://www.umsl.edu/recd/ecd/community-development/neighborhood-leadership/fellows/index.html

UMSL's Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a 9-month civic fellowship for community leaders seeking to produce more equitable regional policies for their neighborhoods.