Findlay∙Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Seeking Proposals for HL Class of 2026

Introduction: Findlay∙Hancock County Chamber of Commerce (“The Chamber”) is issuing this request for proposal (“Proposal”) for community-oriented projects for the HL Class of 2026 to consider as a potential class project (“Project”).

About Hancock Leadership: Hancock Leadership, a program of The Chamber, is a nine-month seminar program designed to strengthen leadership skills, broaden knowledge of the community and motivate participants to become involved in addressing community issues. Since its beginning, over 1,000 area leaders have graduated from Hancock Leadership, representing over 500 area organizations.

Past Class Projects: Each Hancock Leadership class selects, funds and implements a class project. Recent class projects include:

• Playground in the Riverview Terrace neighborhood
• Landscaping of the Allan H Davis Judicial Center
• Renovation of a Classroom for City Life
• TAPS for Military Veterans
• You Belong Campaign
• Creation of the History Walk at Brucklacher Memorial Park
• Y on the Fly – a mobile YMCA program bringing activities to children in under-served neighborhoods
• Re-establishing Camp 911 with the City and County Fire and Police Departments
• Creation of a Hidden in Plain Sights mobile trailer to educate parents/caregivers on drug prevention efforts
• Installment of Buddy Benches within Findlay/Hancock County educational system
• Increase enrollment and host Family Literacy Nights for Dolly Parton Imagination Library
• Increase awareness and number of mentors for the Children’s Mentoring Connection;
• Preparing the ReStore building and hosting a grand opening there for Habitat for Humanity;
• Moving 16 agencies into the Family Center; and
• Re-building the J.T. Boyd Pavilion at Camp Berry.

Role of Hancock Leadership members in Projects: The Project is an opportunity for class members to plan, support and execute a community project as a vehicle to exercise the leadership skills acquired through Hancock Leadership. The class members are expected to work on and support the selected Project; there is no expectation that the Hancock Leadership coordinator will supervise this Project.

Agency Eligibility: Proposals will be accepted from any community-based organization, such as a nonprofit agency, school, local governmental unit, or community-based initiative with a nonprofit organization serving as its fiscal sponsor.

Project Scope: Proposals will meet the following guidelines:

• The Project will have a central service component, and be community oriented;
• The Project must be able to be completed on or before May 11, 2027; and
• Project funding will not exceed $10,000.
Contents of Proposals: Proposals must include the following:
• Description of community-based agency submitting the Proposal;
• Narrative explaining the proposed Project; and
• Key agency personnel who will be coordinating this Project;
• Timeline for Project;
• Budget detailing Project costs.

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: September 18, 2026.

Selection Process: The Class will select its project in October/November. All applicants will be notified of the class decision by November 2026. The Class may invite representatives of proposed Projects to attend its October 2026 session date to answer questions about the proposed Project.

Questions about this RFP: Any questions about this RFP should be directed to Dionne Neubauer, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce, at 419.422.3313 or dneubauer@FindlayHancockChamber.com.

(story submitted)