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Moving from preconditions for action to developing a cycle of continued social change: tapping the potential of mini‐grant programs
Author(s) -
Deacon Zermarie,
FosterFishman Pennie,
Mahaffey Michael,
Archer Gretchen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.20285
Subject(s) - action (physics) , political science , key (lock) , public relations , social change , function (biology) , psychology , public administration , computer science , law , computer security , physics , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , biology
One way in which community‐based initiatives have sought to overcome challenges to resident participation in neighborhood change processes is through the implementation of neighborhood mini‐grant programs. However, the mechanisms by which these grants function and any related limitations have not yet been empirically evaluated. This paper seeks to close this gap in the literature. Findings from an evaluation of one mini‐grant project are reported. Overall, it was found that mini‐grants were successful at generating preconditions for action in targeted neighborhoods. However, sustained resident involvement in neighborhood change activities was only engendered by a small number of mini‐grant projects. Recipients of these particularly impactful grants shared similar key characteristics. Implications for practice are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.