Creating Whole Communities

On Friday, August 7, join us for a public breakfast convening featuring nationally recognized recovery practitioners from New Orleans as we discuss what it takes to rebuild communities, restore trust, strengthen neighborhoods, and expand economic opportunity over the long term.

Featured Speakers:

Earl Randall III, Housing Authority of New Orleans

Dasjon S. Jordan, Broad Community Connections

Together, we'll explore practical lessons on long-term recovery, housing, economic mobility, community investment, and regional collaboration.

Friday, August 7, 2026
Doors Open: 7:45 a.m.
Program: 8:00–10:00 a.m.
The Post Building
St. Louis, Missouri

Hosted by the Civic Collaboration Fellows, University of Missouri Extension–St. Louis, and St. Louis REALTORS® and our generous sponsors.

Registration Here: https://lnkd.in/gWcV6BRM

We hope you'll join us.

Neighborhood Leadership Academy Scholarship Applications Due Friday, 7/31!
Full & Partial Scholarships Available!

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) provides leadership training that emphasizes community building principles and strategies, project planning, and personal leadership skills. Participants from across Missouri will gain the tools needed to effectively engage and make a difference in their communities while building connections with other changemakers and neighborhood advocates.

The NLA registration fee is $405. NLA Full and Partial Scholarships Available!
Apply here by July 31: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfe9RmJpqszDLa9dkH60GWXfj0B90xTuHlJ98Aw5YrGkLV_dA/viewform

Session dates: cwc.umsl.edu/nla

Hear from 2024 Alum & Excelsior Springs resident, Laura Mize, about her NLA virtual cohort experience!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93hOFzlkHU

Laura Mize talks about the benefits of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy Hear how the Neighborhood Leadership Academy equipped Laura with pr...

Registration is now open for the 2026 Neighborhood Leadership Academy!
The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA), created in 2002, provides leadership training that emphasizes community building principles and strategies, project planning, and personal leadership skills. Participants from across Missouri will gain the tools needed to effectively engage and make a difference in their communities while building connections with other changemakers and neighborhood advocates. Participants work on a community improvement project for their neighborhood such as the formation of a neighborhood association, community garden, youth program, among many other ideas. All residents and professionals passionate about growing their community are welcome to join NLA. NLA offers an in-person and virtual format.
The Neighborhood Leadership Academy runs for 10 weekly sessions.
Evening Virtual Missouri Cohort (Wednesdays, 6-9 pm, Sept 9 – Nov 11)
Register Here by August 21: https://pears.io/events/mu/7981/

Daytime Virtual Missouri Cohort (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12 - 1:30 pm, Sept 8 – Nov 12)
Register Here by August 21: https://pears.io/events/mu/8070/

In-Person St. Louis Cohort (Tuesdays, 6-9 pm, Sept 8 – Nov 10)
Register Here by August 21: https://pears.io/events/mu/8078/

NLA registration fee: $405
NLA Full and Partial Scholarships Available. Apply here by July 24, 11:59 pm: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfe9RmJpqszDLa9dkH60GWXfj0B90xTuHlJ98Aw5YrGkLV_dA/viewform
View this clip to hear from a 2023 alum about her experience! https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0q4CUyNA5rQ

Participants who successfully complete the program receive a Chancellor’s Certificate in Neighborhood Leadership from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

For more information, visit our website: https://cwc.umsl.edu/nla
For questions, contact Tasnim Haq ([email protected]).

Neighborhood Leadership Academy | UMSL he Neighborhood Leadership Academy, created in 2002, connects resources at the University -- Creating Whole Communities and University of Missouri Extension -- with residents and neighborhoods throughout the metropolitan area who are interested in improving their communities.

Apply today!!

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

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

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].

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:

Registration for Community Dialogue Forum focused on DATA CENTERS: What are they? Why do we need them? What are the challenges? Applications will be accepted until the workshop is full.

Submit your application by Friday!!

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:

Faculty Research Fellows Program | UMSL 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.

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:

Faculty Research Fellows Program | UMSL 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.