The Community Engagement Program helps individuals, nonprofits, churches, and other community organizations plan and carry out community work through learning opportunities and collaborative support. This program is designed for individuals and organizations who want to work with communities — not simply deliver services to them. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the program brings together different types of support under a single framework to help Community Engagement Program participants find an approach that fits their goals, capacity, and context.
What This Program Is (and Is Not)
The Community Engagement Program brings together different forms of community-based learning, collaboration, and applied practice under a coordinated structure. It is designed to support a range of entry points while maintaining clear boundaries about scope and role.
This program is not:
- A grantmaking or grantseeking initiative
- An academic credentialing body
- A replacement for formal education systems or institutional oversight; the program may offer continuing education and professional development opportunities (such as for teachers and other educators) but does not confer academic degrees or institutional authority
How the Program Is Structured
The Community Engagement Program includes different types of support and learning, depending on community needs and readiness. Some areas focus on organizational collaboration and capacity-building. Others emphasize learning, training, or applied community-based practice.
Participants are not expected to understand all options at once. The program is structured to support exploration and informed decision-making over time.
Who This Program Is For
The Community Engagement Program works with:
- Nonprofit organizations seeking thoughtful, community-centered approaches
- Churches and faith-based organizations engaged in education, youth development, or community outreach
- Community leaders, educators, and practitioners exploring structured engagement pathways
- Individuals—including parents and students at different stages—interested in learning through applied, community-based contexts
Tutor and mentor training and preparation may be offered at both the individual and organizational level, depending on the context and program design.
Participation looks different depending on your role, goals, and capacity.
Next Steps
Learn how to get involved
Explore the program’s core areas of work