FAQ's About Bringing Public Allies To Your Community

Where is Public Allies looking to grow?

Public Allies plans to grow to 32 sites by 2012. Because we need a substantial nonprofit infrastructure to offer our apprenticeships, we focus on urban areas. Some of our sites operate statewide, or include more rural areas, but all include an urban site as the core of the program. We are interested in bringing on sites across the country.

What’s the timeline for starting and implementing a Public Allies program?

Generally, the timeline for start up is 12-18 months between first contacting Public Allies and starting a program in the fall.

What role can Public Allies alumni play in new site development?

The short answer is, as large or as small of a role as they feel comfortable with! Alumni have unique insight into the Public Allies experience, and we welcome and encourage Alums to initiate and participate in nearby site start ups. Alumni are terrific assets in recruiting and selecting Allies and Partner Organizations, general community outreach and fundraising, as Advisory group members, and as staff.

What are the first steps to bringing Public Allies to a community?

The first steps involve talking with other key organizations in your community to gauge interest, and setting up a time for a Public Allies staff person to visit your community to meet with interested parties, and to give an overview and answer questions about the program. Other first steps include designating an Operating Partner: a nonprofit or University who will house the local program and be responsible for its operation. The Operating partner then applies to become a Public Allies site, using this application: <insert link.> A community may also designate a group of advisors or advocates to shepherd the start up.

What makes a good Operating Partner?

Public Allies looks for Operating Partners that have a complementary mission and vision, as well as a compatible organizational culture that emphasizes collaboration, diversity and inclusion, asset-based change, continuous learning, integrity, and which understands the challenges and innovations that come from working with a diverse young leadership network. Operating Partners need to be financially stable and have the capacity to support the Public Allies staff and program administration. Finally, we look for organizations that can potentially make Public Allies stronger, while also benefiting from a partnership with Public Allies.

How does an organization apply to be a Public Allies Operating Partner?

Print out and complete the Public Allies New Site Application.

Once an Operating Partner has applied, what does it take to start up a site?

Start up activities begin in earnest around the January before a fall program start. Before March, Public Allies will start to orient an Operating Partner on recruitment and other program components, marketing and co-branding, as well as finance and operations of a program.  We will also begin contract negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding and a Cooperative Agreement, which are agreed to by both parties.  It is very beneficial if an Operating Partner designates a staff person who can spend a portion of their time on Public Allies related activities until permanent program staff are hired, as well as develops a small advisory group committed to the program. Operating Partners need to plan for time to outreach to potential Partner Organizations (organizations that host Allies), potential Allies, and donors. The Operating Partner will need to lead the co-hiring of a Site Director (to come on board in June), and hire Program Managers (to come on board in July).

How much does it cost to start up a Public Allies program?

Any costs incurred before September of the year your program starts are considered ‘start up’ and are not covered by the AmeriCorps operating grant. In some cases, Public Allies can receive a planning grant from AmeriCorps or another donor to defray some start up costs. Public Allies also may offer small matching grants for start up. Generally, start up costs between $13,000 - $20,000 depending on when you hire staff, and how overhead costs are calculated.

What are yearly costs of running a Public Allies program beyond start up?

Costs vary from $24,000 per Ally to $28,000 per Ally.   The AmeriCorps grant covers about 1/3 of costs, and Partner Organizations (the organizations where Allies are placed in apprenticeship) covers another 1/3. The remaining 1/3 comes from in-kind contributions and Operating Partner fundraising.

What support does Public Allies provide to an Operating Partner during the start up phase?

Public Allies has a designated staff person whose role includes assisting new sites in start up. She will be your main resource in the start up phase to ensure you receive the information and training you need. In addition, the entire National Office is available to answer questions and provide orientation in specific areas. A potential Operating Partner will receive in-person visits to assist with community outreach, recruitment, site operations, and staff hiring and orientation. There will also be a series of phone conversations to cover specific topics such as media campaigns, fundraising, and financial systems. In late summer, Public Allies holds a 4-day All-Staff Gathering. All new sites, including staff and Operating Partner representatives, are required to attend the gathering, which includes a new staff orientation and Operating Partner track.

 What does it mean to be an AmeriCorps program?

AmeriCorps supplies at least 1/3 of each site’s operating budget. AmeriCorps is a federal program that has been active for more than 15 years. It is national in scope, and has programs in all 50 states. The focus of AmeriCorps is civic engagement and community service. For more information about AmeriCorps, go to www.americorps.gov. AmeriCorps grants are completed in fall/early winter for grants beginning the following September. Public Allies completes all applications and manages all AmeriCorps grants. Operating Partners are subcontractor on a Public Allies AmeriCorps grant, and are subject to relevant AmeriCorps rules and regulations.  

What type of staffing does a Public Allies program require?

Each Public Allies site is run by a Site Director. The program also requires one Program Manager per 15 Allies. So, for example, a site of 30 Allies would have 3 staff. A large percentage of staff salaries are funded through the AmeriCorps grant.

How have Public Allies Operating Partners benefited from housing the program?

Operating Partners have focused on different benefits depending on their needs. Universities often appreciate the grassroots, community service the program provides, as well as the diversity of the Allies. Nonprofits have used the program as a way to concretize aspects of their mission, and jumpstart larger initiatives. The program and the partnership can tend to initiate a reflection and focusing of an organization’s purpose.

What lessons have you learned about starting up a Public Allies program that would be helpful for a new Operating Partner to know?

•  Its extremely helpful to have an in-house staff person who can dedicate time to the program early on in start up.
• Operating Partners need to be prepared, and have the resources, to successfully manage the financial requirements of the program.
• Take time to work with staff in your organization around ‘change management’ -- so that they understand what it means to partner with Public Allies and to bring on a program with a strong foundation and culture. How will Public Allies be integrated into the organization?
• The first year is a learning year for staff and for both organizations.

What support does Public Allies provide to Operating Partners during the program year?

Each site is assigned a Regional Director from the National Office who monitors and supports the overall site, and regularly communicates with the Site Director. Public Allies offers a variety of learning opportunities each year, ranging from “Public Allies University” virtual trainings, to on-line chats, bulletin boards and searchable knowledge center. We also hold a mid-year gathering for Site Directors, and other in-person opportunities as our budget and time allow. All sites participate in our Site Performance Management system, which is tracked through quarterly reporting.