City of Mobile Awarded Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Team Grant
Dec 15th, 2014
Mobile to target funds for neighborhood revitalizationMOBILE, Ala. - Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced today that Mobile is one of 12 U.S. cities selected to participate in the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Innovation Teams program.
The program aims to expand the capacity of the Stimpson administration to find creative solutions to the challenges of neighborhood revitalization and economic development. Mobile will receive up to $1,650,000 to create an innovation team, or "i-team," that will focus on improving the quality of life for its citizens.
Stimpson thanked the New York-based organization, founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for selecting Mobile as one of 12 new American cities to participate in the Innovation Teams program.
"When we cast the vision to make Mobile the safest, most business and family-friendly city in America by 2020, we knew that we would need help to achieve our goal. We could not predict where all of the support would come from," said Mayor Stimpson. "This award by Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide critical resources to help us move forward on our journey. But it's about much more than just money. It's a validation of our efforts to transform Mobile."
In addition to the grant, Mobile will receive expert consulting assistance and opportunities to collaborate and share knowledge with a growing community of peers around the nation. The newly formed i-team, to include three new full-time staff members plus additional support, will hit the ground running by spring 2015.
Stimpson recognized Dianne Irby, the city's Executive Director of Planning and Development, for leading the city's application process.
"We have a commitment to bold innovation in the City of Mobile, and Dianne and her team are helping to lead the way," said Stimpson. "This unique opportunity will allow our administration to develop innovative approaches that ultimately will build stronger neighborhoods."
In addition to Mobile, grants announced today will go to the U.S. cities of Albuquerque, NM; Boston, MA; Centennial, CO; Jersey City, NJ; Long Beach, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Peoria, IL; Rochester, NY; Seattle, WA; and Syracuse, NY. Bloomberg Philanthropies also announced that two non-U.S. cities will receive innovation team grants: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
Grant funds will allow the mayors to hire and fund i-teams for up to three years. These teams function as in-house innovation consultants, moving from one mayoral priority to the next. Using Bloomberg Philanthropies' tested Innovation Delivery approach, the i-teams will help agency leaders and staff go through a data-driven process to assess problems, generate responsive new interventions, develop partnerships, and deliver measurable results.
In Mobile, the new i-team initially will address the challenges of neighborhood revitalization and economic development. The i-team specifically will target neighborhoods that suffer from blight, poverty and high residential vacancy rates.
"Mobile needs neighborhoods that attract and embrace residents - where citizens can live, work and play," said Stimpson. "The support of Bloomberg Philanthropies adds tremendous momentum to our effort to achieve One Mobile."
Click here to read a news release from Bloomberg Philanthropies announcing the new grants.
Click here to read an op-ed about the Innovation Team program by Michael Bloomberg.
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About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies' mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2013, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $452 million. For more information on the philanthropy, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.