Neighborhood Labs
Neighborhood Labs are interactive workshops designed to help small groups of neighbors work together to pursue the common good in their neighborhood
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Are you a community leader or hopeful neighbor who longs for your neighborhood’s well-being? The Hopeful Neighborhood Project is accepting applications for facilitated workshops that equip and inspire everyday neighbors to pursue the common good right where they live. For a limited time, we’re able to offer a Neighborhood Project Grant in the amount of $500 for groups in the United States and Canada who complete a lab.  
We currently offer three Neighborhood Lab options:
1. Neighborhood Project Lab. In this interactive lab, a facilitator guides you through The Hopeful Neighborhood Project process to help you plan a real, hopeful project that increases your neighborhood’s well-being. Tools like the Neighbor Gift Exchange and Neighborhood Gift Map help you discover the gifts all around you. The Well-Being Window and our Possibility Statements show you how to imagine the possibilities. The easy-to-use planning tools and trained facilitator ensures that you have everything you need to pursue the common good.
This lab is six hours and can be split into two gatherings. If your application is accepted, we will work with you to select dates that work best for your group. This is an in-person experience.
2. Neighborhood Event Lab. This lab is a shorter option for neighborhood groups interested in planning a one-time event designed to bring neighbors together. A facilitator guides you through the Neighborhood Gift Map and helps you link gifts in order to plan a thoughtful neighborhood-focused event. This lab is two hours and we will work with you to select a date and time that works best. This lab is offered in-person or virtually.
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3. Neighborhood Well-Being Lab. This lab introduces how to assess your neighborhood’s health using our Neighborhood Well-Being Window. This lab is two hours and is offered in-person or virtually.
Additional details:
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The Hopeful Neighborhood Project will provide a facilitator and all materials.
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All labs are for groups of ten to fifteen people and all participants must live within walking distance of each other. Situational exceptions for small town or rural areas are available, just note it on your application. 
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Groups are responsible for securing a meeting space and providing meals and/or snacks. 
FAQ's
Who can participate? We’re accepting applications from neighborhood associations, community groups or nonprofits, faith communities, and everyday neighbors. At this time, we can only accept groups within the United States and Canada. If you have 10-15 people who live within walking distance of each other and are excited to participate in the workshop, you are invited to apply. If you live in a rural or small town and walking distance doesn’t help you define neighborhood, just note that on your application.
How do I apply? Simply fill out the form above and someone from our team will reach out to schedule a virtual meeting to discuss your application.
What is the cost to participate? Groups must secure an accommodating meeting space and provide refreshments for participants. We encourage you to think creatively about a free or low-cost resources in your community—for example, a meeting room at your local library, church, or community center. There is no cost to you for the facilitator or workshop materials.
How do we qualify for the Neighborhood Project Grant? Groups with a minimum of ten participants who complete the workshop will be awarded the grant to complete the neighborhood project they planned together in the workshop. For example, a neighborhood group in Kansas City used their grant to provide Mental Health First Aid Training to their neighbors. The grant is processed as a reimbursement of up to $500 in expenses.
Six hours seems like a long time. What can we expect from the lab? Yes, the lab is certainly a commitment! However, we’ve designed it to be highly interactive and discussion-based so there is no time to get bored. Our skilled facilitators use PowerPoint slides, video, personal examples and stories, interactive activities, and group discussions to make the lab a fun learning experience for all participants.
What technology needs do we need to accommodate for hosting? Your facilitator will be prepared with most of the technological needs. If you can secure a screen or TV to share PowerPoint and videos, it does enhance the experience. If your application is accepted, the facilitator will work with you on needs for your group.