Applications are now open for the Central Valley Communities Organized for Resident Empowerment (CORE) Initiative, a $1-million investment program aimed at providing financial support and leadership development to strengthen nonprofit organizations and community enterprises that are improving the ability of working residents to make positive changes in impoverished neighborhoods.

Through the CORE Initiative, the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) hopes to provide technical assistance and financial support to organizations and leaders who are rooted in local neighborhoods, have a minimum track record of service in targeted neighborhoods, have established trust among residents and reflect the diversity of Fresno’s neighborhoods.

The James Irvine Foundation provided the grant to CVCF to make the CORE Initiative possible.

“We are grateful for our partnership with the Central Valley Community Foundation, which understands the critical role nonprofit organizations play to engage and empower residents,” said Don Howard, president and CEO for The James Irvine Foundation. “And we are proud to support Fresnans working to transform their communities.”

Ashley Swearengin, CEO and president for the CVCF, said the CORE Initiative will support small and emerging nonprofits with the potential to grow and impact their communities. Selected applicants will receive a grant ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, receive leadership development and training, work with CORE Participants and participate in a filmmaking project documenting the efforts of organizations and people improving distressed neighborhoods in Fresno.

Applications, guidelines, and the Request for Proposals can be found at www.centralvalleycf.org/CORE and are due no later than 3:00 p.m., on Aug. 31. CVCF is offering information sessions for interested applicants. The first will be held on Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow Ave., at 10 a.m.