APPLY NOW! Belonging & Civic Muscle Cohort
The Inland Empire Vital Conditions Network (IEVCN) is a voluntary and free network-of-networks striving to reimagine our collective actions to advance equitable well-being for all who call the Inland Empire home. Together, we are building a future where all people and places thrive—no exceptions.
Belonging and Civic Muscle (BCM) is one of seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being. It ensures that all members of a community are valued, feel connected and supported, have meaningful ways to contribute, and have a hand in shaping the future. Across the nation—and here in the Inland Empire—belonging and civic life have been eroded. Trust is down, and opportunities to come together across differences are shrinking.
At this critical moment, IEVCN is turning toward one another to strengthen our collective sense of belonging and civic muscle—our shared capacity to work together for the common good. The Belonging & Civic Muscle Cohort is being launched to help us do just that.
The Opportunity
The inaugural IE Belonging & Civic Muscle Cohort will bring together 10–15 teams from across the region to learn, practice, and innovate together over ten months (February – November 2026). Participants will gain tools, relationships, and support to deepen belonging and civic life in their own organizations, networks, and communities—while co-creating new models for the future we want to see: one where every person and place in the Inland Empire can thrive together.
Who Should Apply
We are seeking a diverse mix of perspectives, including but not limited to:
Groups leading across one or more Vital Conditions
Interfaith leadership and networks
Power-building and organizing groups
Journalism, storytelling, or narrative change initiatives
Artist collectives and cultural networks
Higher education institutions
Regional funders
Children, youth, and education-focused organizations
Cohort Process & Time Commitment
IEVCN partners Community Initiatives Network, Monte Roulier and Stacy Wegley, will facilitate and coordinate this process, engaging state and national partners, and leaders working on belonging and civic muscle.
Each selected team (3–5 members) will participate in:
- Four in-person Learning Labs: immersive, practice-based sessions exploring both the inner and outer journeys of belonging, bridging across differences, cultivating cultural humility, practicing empathy and relational skills, and building civic muscle through collective problem-solving and innovation.
- March 11 9-3:30pm
- May 13 9-3:30pm
- October 21 9-3:30pm
- Nov 18 9-3:30pm
- Three virtual Peer Connections: interactive webinars and peer-learning sessions between labs.
- April 8 9-10:30am
- July 8 9-10:30am
- Sept 9 9-10:30am
- Team-based work between sessions (up to 4 hours per month): applying concepts, practicing relational and civic skills, and shaping a pilot idea to grow belonging and civic muscle in your organization or community.
- IE Policy & Philanthropy Summit 2026–Belonging and Civic Muscle Momentum (August 5th & 6th): cohort teams participate in the August Inland Empire Policy & Philanthropy Summit; where cohort teams will share learnings, insights and emerging strategies (format to be determined)
- Harvest Session (December 9th 2026): Capstone and celebration!
Funding & Timeline
Application Timeline
- December 3, 2025 – Online application opens
- January 12, 2026 – Applications due (by 11:59 PM PT)
- Week of January 26, 2026 – Teams selected and notified
Application Information Session
On December 10th, we hosted a Belonging and Civic Muscle Grant Overview Webinar to support interested organizations and networks in preparing strong applications. This session covered the cohort’s purpose, eligibility, expectations, timeline, and application questions, concluding with a participant Q&A.
Applicant Q&A
Watch the recorded Q&A session from Tuesday, January 6, at 1:00 pm. This session was for anyone with questions about the program or the application process.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, the lead organization and/or team members should:
- Be already using—or curious about using—the Vital Conditions Framework, have led a coalition or network for two years or more, and are ready to bring that experience into a shared learning journey across the IE.
- Able to identify a team of people – other staff, board members, partners, volunteers, residents – to participate
- Demonstrate strong interest in deepening understanding of and practices that grow Belonging and Civic Muscle
- Be interested in expanding cross-sector partnerships to influence regional and local change with a sense of belonging and civic muscle at the center
- Interested in training and supporting others at the close of the cohort to expand the region’s sense of belonging and civic muscle
- Have time to commit to full participation in learning sessions, team engagement between cohort sessions, and piloting/innovating BCM practices
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Applications should be submitted through IECF’s Application Portal. Create an account or log in if you’ve applied to IECF before. Complete the application narrative, which includes:
- Your understanding of belonging and civic muscle
- Current strengths and opportunities for growth
- Team readiness and commitment
- Team member details and what they bring
- What you hope to gain and contribute
- Organizational commitments to support participation
Upload required PDF documents (see next question).
What documents are required with the application?
All required documents must be uploaded as PDFs:
- IRS determination letter for the lead 501(c)(3) (or fiscal sponsor) – must be an IRS letter, not a state letter
- Board list, including terms of service
- If using a fiscal sponsor, the sponsor’s IRS determination letter and the sponsor’s information in the application form
Applications may be disqualified if required documents are missing or not in PDF format.
Can I preview the application questions?
Yes! You can download the grant application here.
What are the dates of the cohort meetings and events?
Learning Sessions
- March 11 9-3:30pm
- May 13 9-3:30pm
- October 21 9-3:30pm
- Nov 18 9-3:30pm
Peer Connects – 90 minutes in between learning sessions:
- April 8 9-10:30am
- July 8 9-10:30am
- Sept 9 9-10:30am
IECF Policy & Philanthropy Summit
- August 5th & 6th, Attendance will be encouraged at the IECF Policy & Philanthropy Summit
Harvest/Celebration
- December 9 (Time TBD)
What is the review process?
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of local and state foundation partners, using a shared rubric to ensure a consistent and equitable selection process. Reviewers will assess applications based on readiness for the cohort, strength of team composition, alignment with the Vital Conditions Framework, and long-term commitment to growing belonging and civic muscle across the region.
When will I be notified of selection?
Teams will be notified of their selection during the week of January 26, 2026, along with next steps for onboarding, scheduling, and preparing for the cohort launch.
Can for‑profit entities participate?
Yes, for‑profit social enterprises and other businesses may participate as team members, as long as:
- The team is led by a 501(c)(3) (or fiscally sponsored equivalent), and
- The for‑profit partners are committed to advancing community well‑being and the Vital Conditions.
They cannot serve as the lead applicant but are welcome as collaborators.
Is there a required geography or scale for the work?
No. Eligible work can focus on a single neighborhood, a city or sub-region, a county, or the Inland Empire region as a whole. What matters is that the team has clear communities, places, or networks where they will practice and grow belonging and civic muscle.
How can the grant funds be used?
Grant funds are flexible and may be used to support:
- Staff time and stipends for participants and community members
- Meeting and convening costs (space, food, childcare, translation, etc.)
- Communications, storytelling, and materials
- Pilot activities and experiments related to belonging and civic muscle
- Other reasonable expenses that support the team’s full participation
Funds should not be used for lobbying, partisan political activity, or purposes inconsistent with IRS rules.
What if our full team is not confirmed by the application deadline?
Applications must include at least three committed team members. If you are still finalizing up to two additional members:
- List your confirmed members in the application, and
- Indicate the types of partners or roles you plan to add (e.g., resident leader, youth leader, artist, faith partner), even if you cannot list names yet.
Do all team members need to attend every Learning Lab?
We strongly encourage full team participation at all four Learning Labs, as each builds on the last and is designed as a shared journey.
We understand that conflicts occasionally arise. When needed:
- A team member may be substituted by another person from the same organization/network, but
- Teams should avoid designing around members who are unlikely to attend sessions at all.
Participants should be stable. This is not a rotating seat.
How will applications be reviewed?
Applications will be reviewed by a cross‑sector review team using a shared rubric. Reviewers will consider, among other factors:
- Alignment with the Vital Conditions and belonging/civic muscle
- Strength and diversity of the proposed team
- Readiness, commitment, and organizational support
- Potential to contribute to and benefit from a shared learning journey
- Geographic and sector diversity across the overall cohort
Selection will be competitive and limited to the 10–15 team slots.
Will there be opportunities for those not selected to engage?
Yes. Even if your team is not selected. Many tools, stories, and lessons from the cohort will be shared publicly via the Inland Empire Vital Conditions Network platform. There may be future cohorts or related opportunities to engage as the work grows.
Does a (c)(3) organization need to be the team lead?
No, the (c)(3) doesn’t need to be the team lead, but a (c)(3) organization does need to be the fiscal agent or sponsor.