Learn more to see if your local government should apply!

1. What is the Promise
Zones Initiative?
Learn more to see if your local
government should apply!

2. The Promise Zones Initiative seeks to revitalize
high-poverty communities across the country by:
• Creating jobs
• Increasing economic activity
• Improving education opportunities
• Reducing violent crimes
• Leveraging private capital
• Assisting local leaders in navigating 5 federal programs

3. Designation as Promise Zone provides:
• Opportunity to engage 5 AmeriCorps VISTA members
in the Promise Zone
• A federal liaison assigned to assist with navigating
federal programs
• Preferences for certain competitive federal programs
and technical assistance from participating agencies
• Promise Zone incentives if enacted by Congress
Benefits of becoming
a Promise Zone

4. The Final Round of designations
(expected by Spring 2016) will designate:
• 5 urban communities designated by HUD
• 1 rural community and 1 tribal community
designated by USDA
• Communities will be designated a Promise Zone
for at least 10 years

5. Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants Include:
• Units of local government (UGLG)
or any of the following applying with support of the UGLG:
• Non-profit organizations
• Public Housing Agencies
• Community colleges
• Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

6. Who is Eligible?, Part 2
The applicant is the organization that will, if selected,
act as the lead organization for a designated
Promise Zone.
Promise Zone activities are likely to be carried out by
a variety of organizations and organization types.

7. Role of the Lead Organization
• Execute the Promise Zone designation agreement and fulfill
the mandated responsibilities
• Organize and/or coordinate activities pursuant to the plan
proposed in the designated community’s application
• Administer any funding or other benefits that a Promise Zone
designation confers to participating entities.
• Track outcomes, submit periodic report to federal agencies
and participate in evaluation activities as requested by
federal agencies.

8. Separate guidelines and applications for:
• Urban communities
• Rural/tribal communities
Did you know?
Also, the applications are submitted to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development

9. Application Requirements
Beyond the narrative application sections, Promise Zone applicants
must include:
• Demonstrated support of the unit of local government
• Partnerships with non-profit organizations, public housing agencies,
regional planning organizations end educational entities
• GIS Mapping and supporting documentation
• Letters of Support from community stakeholders