RISE Community Project

Partner With Leadership Santa Rosa

Every year, a new Leadership Santa Rosa class rolls up its sleeves to tackle a major community initiative known as the RISE project. Rather than simply writing a check or hosting a fundraiser, class members invest their sweat equity, project management, and teamwork to help local organizations build lasting programs, enhanced services, or community improvements across Santa Rosa County.

Are you a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit with a project or concept that needs a dedicated team of leaders? Proposals are accepted annually according to the following schedule.

Annual Project Proposal Timeline:

• Applications Open: October 1

• Submission Deadline: November 15

• Finalist Selection: In December, the class reviews all submissions and votes to narrow the field down to the top three finalists.

• Pitch & Announcement: In February, those finalists present directly to the class, and the final project is chosen.

Is Your Organization Eligible?

To ensure a strong partnership, successful proposals typically feature:

• 501(c)(3) Status: Must be a registered non-profit organization in good standing in Santa Rosa County.

• True Sweat Equity: Requires hands-on class involvement, project management, and collaborative labor rather than just a basic fundraising drive.

• Scope & Budget: Requires no more than $15,000 in total resource development, material procurement, or fundraising support from the class.

• Long-Term Sustainability: Must include a concrete, internal plan for your organization to maintain and support the project long-term after the class graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section

• Can our total project cost exceed $15,000 if we have other funding secured?

• Yes! As long as the total capital gap, material procurement, or fundraising required from the class remains at or below $15,000, your overall project budget can be larger if you have matching funds or grants secured.

• When will we find out if we made the top three finalists?

  Finalist notifications will be sent out by December 18.

• What should we expect if we are selected as a finalist to present in February?

  Finalists will deliver a strict 10-minute presentation to the class, followed immediately by a 5-minute Q&A session. Slide decks and visual aids are strongly encouraged!

• Are there limits to what physical labor the class can perform?

  Yes. While classes love to roll up their sleeves and provide hands-on "sweat equity," any high-risk, specialized, or heavy structural/technical work must be supported by licensed professional contractors. The class focuses on project management, auxiliary labor, marketing, event coordination, and material gathering.

Questions About Your Proposal?

We are here to help! If you have questions about project scope, eligibility, or the submission process, please reach out to our team at riseproject@leadershipsantarosafl.com