A Partnership With
POWERED BY
Community Resilience Innovation Challenge
$1 million to help underserved coastal communities
Flooding. Excessive heat. Job insecurity. Dated housing. Limited access to healthcare, food and transportation. For millions living in America’s coastal communities, a coastal lifestyle is anything but carefree. This year, RISE and LISC Hampton Roads, with support from Sentara Health, are challenging small businesses and nonprofits to find practical solutions to the core social, economic and environmental problems that have plagued our underserved coastal communities for generations.
01. The Challenge
Be the Solution for America’s Underserved Coastal Communities
Making underserved coastal communities more resilient requires a dependable health infrastructure, economic and job security, affordable housing options and strategies to address environmental hazards. This Challenge has us on the hunt for creative small businesses and nonprofit organizations with solutions that can make a measurable, positive impact on these communities' resilience.
Proposals must be backed by practical implementation plans and the potential for real-world application. We’re offering a total of $1 million of catalytic funding and support for winners to test and grow their solutions and make a tangible difference. Proposals will be evaluated using established metrics and data sources to ensure the most effective strategies for long-term resilience, including the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
02. Topic Areas
Seeking Innovations for Health, Housing, Jobs, and Environmental Resilience
Below are suggested topic areas for submissions. However, we are open to considering proposals in other areas if they can clearly demonstrate the potential to meet the Challenge's goals. Submissions will be considered in areas other than those described below if the achievement of the Challenge goal can be demonstrably met. All projects funded by RISE and LISC must be implemented in the greater Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
We welcome innovative solutions that can be applied and commercialized with demonstrated potential for social and economic impact.
Health, Wellness And Safety
Recognizing the influence of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes, we seek innovative solutions that improve healthcare access and quality in underserved coastal communities. Suggested solutions include mobile health clinics, home healthcare services, affordable childcare, insurance models and food security initiatives.
Suggested Areas for Solutions
03. Eligibility and Awards
Resilience Innovation Fund
Applicants can apply for up to $300,000 in non-equity grant funding, with $1 million in total to be awarded.
Resilience Innovation Accelerator
The Selection Committee may recommend making the award (or a portion of it) contingent upon refinement of a business plan and/or work plan. In such case, the winners may be required to participate in a Resilience Innovation Accelerator.
Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed
In addition to funding, the winners will also gain access to a suite of benefits including:
- Up to $300,000 USD in non-dilutive grant funding
- Real-world pilot sites in greater Hampton Roads, Virginia
- Insights and feedback from pilot partners
- Customized business accelerator curriculum
- Expert mentorship from government, technical and business leaders
- PR opportunities and media visibility
- Introductions to potential investors and customers
04. Challenge Timeline
* All dates are subject to change.
Challenge Launch
Informational Webinar
Every other Tuesday between April 16 and June 6
Informational Webinar
Every other Tuesday between April 16 and June 6
Informational Webinar
Every other Tuesday between April 16 and June 6
Informational Webinar
Every other Tuesday between April 16 and June 6
Application Submission Deadline
Finalists Announced
Deadline to Submit Additional Documentation if Selected as a Finalist
Shortlisted Finalists Announced
Finalists’ Pitch Presentations to the Selection Committee
Winners Announced
05. Selection Criteria
We’re committed to finding, funding and scaling solutions that enhance resilience in underserved communities. Central to that approach is incorporating the established Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) metrics into the application to help assess submissions.
How It Works:
Phase 1: Tell us which SVI themes or CEJST areas your solution targets. We need a brief yet detailed description of its potential impact.
Phase 2: If you’re selected as a Finalist, you’ll demonstrate how your solution improves resilience in a specific census tract. (If needed, we offer comprehensive support including webinars, email assistance, and additional resources.)
*We are committed to ensuring you have the necessary guidance and tools to successfully navigate this part of the application. We will answer questions through live and recorded webinars, email and additional resources.
06. Selected Finalists
Thank you to everyone who submitted to our Community Resilience Challenge! Our judges spent months identifying a dozen finalists from nearly 50 submissions. Winners will be announced in 2025!
07. More Details
Still have questions? Check out our FAQs and register for our live webinars.
Check Out Our Challenge Webinars
Apr 16, 2024
Challenge Webinar One
Speakers:Jay Grant, Executive Director, LISC Hampton RoadsPaul Robinson, Executive Director, RISEApr 23, 2024
Using the SVI and CEJST for your Community Innovation Challenge Submission
Speakers:BETSY HNATH, CHIEF STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, RISEPAUL ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RISEApr 30, 2024
Challenge Webinar Two
Speaker:Sherry Norquist, SentaraMay 14, 2024
Challenge Webinar Three
Speaker:MAURICE JONES, CEO, CENTER FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SUCCESSMay 28, 2024
Challenge Webinar Four
Speakers:FREDDIE FLETCHER, SENIOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT THE FRANKLIN JOHNSTON GROUPMICHAEL SKREBUTENAS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR HOUSING AT LISC
Frequently Asked Questions