• Undergraduate students in Professor Sarah Cosgrove's Urban Economics class will be helping the Urban Initiative and some of our community partners conduct applied research on topics like housing, economic development, tourism, educational attainment, and even urban bicycling.

• Graduate students in Professor Weiwei Lin's Program Evaluation course will be working with the Urban Initiative and four local nonprofits who responded to our recent RFP to design and conduct evaluations.

• The Urban Initiative has teamed with Dr. Michael Goodman (of the UMass Dartmouth Department of Public Policy) and the UMass Donahue Institute to investigate opportunities for educational collaboration in Berkshire County. 

Here are a few posts from our blog, Urban Update:

• New graduation rates have been posted by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. New Bedford and Fall River both made gains, but we think a picture (or in this case, a line graph) is worth a thousand words. 

• A growing number of cities is joining New Orleans in embracing the streetcar as an urban transportation solution, and it's paying off. This post includes cool footage of a streetcar in downtown New Bedford.  

Read more at  http://urbaninitiative.wordpress.com, and subscribe to our RSS feed to ensure you don't miss a post. 

What: New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce launches SouthCoast Young Professionals Network. Are you a young professional between the ages of 21-39?  The SCYPN is a group managed by young professionals for young professionals; the programs include social events, professional development and business development events.   

When: Wednesday, 2/8 from 4:30-7:00p

Where: Buttonwood Park Zoo

Cost: Free 

What: "Smooth sailing through board member changes" presented by Gayle Gifford.  Using a case format, this workshop will examine the turbulent waters of board tenure, leadership development, succession planning, institutional knowledge and much more.  

When: Thursday, 2/9 from 4:00-7:00p

Where: The Rhode Island Foundation 

Cost: $25

Click here for more information 

What: Check out the region's only Winter Farmer's Market, hosted by Fall River's CD-Rec.

When: Saturday, 2/11 from 8a-noon

Where: 72 Bank Street, Fall River   

What: Learn about plans for the Acushnet Avenue International Marketplace in New Bedford at an open house hosted by the City Planning office and the NB Economic Development Council.

When: Wednesday, 2/15 at 6:30p

Where: Cotali Mar restaurant, 1178 Acushet Avenue 

What: SouthCoast Green Drinks, an informal, open, post-work social event (i.e. happy hour) for people interested in "green" topics and initiatives happening both in our region and elsewhere.

When: Thursday, 2/16 from 6:00p onward

Where: Pier 37 (37 Union St., New Bedford)   

What: The Rhode Island Foundation's spring conquering the basics workshops. This series of workshops focus on the fundamentals of nonprofit work that all future leaders should know: each workshop features a concrete takeaway--a plan, format or approach that can be applied to your organization. 

When: 3/7, 3/20, 4/12, 4/24, 5/17, 6/7 from 9:00-12:00p

Where: The Rhode Island Foundation 

Cost: $60 for the series or $15 per workshop 

Click here for more information 

Know what's going on? Email us!

Scotts Miracle-Gro's GRO1000  

Deadline: 2/24/12

Grants of up to $1,500 available for nonprofits developing community gardens and green spaces across the country. Learn more and apply.  

National Endowment for the Arts - Our Town
Deadline: 3/1/12

(We're posting this again in case you missed this great opportunity!) Funds creative placemaking projects that endeavor to revitalize communities through collaborative, arts-based partnerships. Applicants must reflect a partnership between at least one nonprofit and a local government entity. Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000.  

MetLife Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation Seek Applications for Community-Police Partnership Grants  

Deadline: 3/11/12

Adams Art Program
Deadline: 3/14/12

The Adams Art Program seeks to promote economic and community development through the arts, sciences, and humanities in MA.  Guidelines and application are available here.      

Know of any other upcoming opportunities we should share? Email us!

Director of Finance, New Bedford Whaling Museum   

Where: New Bedford, MA  

The Director of Finance will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and will ensure excellent leadership across the financial, administration, human resources, and plant operation functions. Details are available here.

Executive Director, ArtWorks!   

Where: New Bedford, MA

ArtWorks! is looking for an energetic and experienced leader to take on the role of Executive Director.  Prospective candidates should have a broad knowledge of the arts and community education; proven track record of successful fundraising; and the ability to develop collaborative, sustainable and solution-based outcomes with the New Bedford community. Read more here.

Paid Interns, SouthCoast Energy Challenge   

Where: New Bedford, MA 

There are two opportunities for interns to support this effort to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.  One internship will focus on community outreach/organizing, while the other is aimed at online media/marketing. Click to learn more.  

Program Manager, New Bedford Solar

Where: New Bedford, MA

NB Solar is a residential program to engage and mobilize eligible homeowners to install solar on their homes.  This position is supported by a Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern MA.  The primary role of Program Manager will be to drive and track demand for home solar assessments and solar installations in New Bedford. Learn more here.

Are you hiring? Email us to get your job posting listed in next month's newsletter.