Please join us in congratulating our long-time partner and ally, Larimer Consensus Group (LCG) for being one of the first community organizations locally to be designated as a RCO under the Department of City Planning.
Since its formation in 2009, LCG has provided a strong voice for residents in decisions about development in the Larimer community. Over the past decade, the LCG has led an award-winning process of comprehensive community planning and have established a vision for Larimer to become Pittsburgh’s greenest community. In the summer of 2014, Larimer was awarded a highly competitive $30 million Choice Neighborhood grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a comprehensive revitalization strategy for the community. To fully achieve its mission and vision and remain a significant partner in the resurgence of Larimer, the LCG sought funding support and technical expertise from Neighborhood Allies to fund their first staff position and expand the organization’s capacity. Over the past four years, Neighborhood Allies has aided and supported LCG in increasing their organizational and community capacity in Larimer by:
- Providing a catalytic grant that enabled the organization to hire the first ever staff person to and add needed capacity to an all volunteer organization
- Facilitating and sponsoring a connection to the Hill Group, a management consulting firm, to help the LCG improve their governance structure, policies, procedures and other critical organizational infrastructure. Value $15,000.
- Deploying staff assistance with fundraising efforts to access critical dollars for operating support.
- Convening quarterly meetings between the LCG, local leading funders and city agencies to draw greater coordination, resources and support to Larimer’s community building efforts.
In 2019, we plan to continue supporting capacity building work within their organization, serving as an ally to them and to the entire Larimer community. We are excited to continue our partnership with the LCG as we work together towards the equitable revitalization of the Larimer community! Stay tuned as we work to create change!
About Registered Community Organizations (RCOs)
Organizations that have been designated as a neighborhood RCO have the ability to meet with developers/applicants prior to public hearings, develop neighborhood plans for City approval, and be recognized on official maps, brochures, and directories. Meetings taking place between the developer/applicant, City Planning staff, and the community’s RCO(s), formally called a Development Activities Meeting, will help to ensure that RCOs and their residents understand the scope of the project, can discuss its impact on their community, and have the chance to provide valuable feedback to those making decisions about the project at least 30 days prior to the first public hearing. Learn more about becoming an RCO. Register for technical assistance and guidance during the application process here.