Session: Winning big through competitive grants for social change

You don't have to be a startup or grassroots organization to obtain funding for projects focused on social change. Simone Peterson shares how she and her team at  Manatee County Neighborhood Services won a coveted Knight Foundation grant to create "engagement zones" in the county. The engagement zones seek to improve two-way communication between the county and its citizens, and to draw millennials into the conversation. Hear how Simone is bringing together grassroots tactics within a county government framework.


About Simone
Simone is one of the original design team members for Manatee County’s Manatee Millennial Movement (M3).

M3 is a group of county employees charged with engaging and soliciting feedback from the underrepresented young professional demographic about important changes that are happening in the county. This group has also been recognized on a national level.

In her role as Neighborhood Specialist with Manatee County Neighborhood Services Department, Simone acts as a liaison between community organizations, neighborhood associations and county government. She along with her division (Neighborhood Connections) helps connect the dots for neighborhoods and make government more accessible through technology, gatherings, social media, and word of mouth.

Having Graduated with her Master’s of Business Administration Degree and Master’s of Public Administration degree Simone does what she loves – building partnerships, engaging with the local community, and completing print and design work for Manatee County Government.

Outside of work, she's an avid traveler- 27 countries, nine states, and six continents. She is a lover of memes, Pomeranians and Pugs, candy corn, and ciders. She serves as a board member for the manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce.

This talk will focus on leadership, meaningful community engagement, Speak Up Bradenton project, and the grant process itself. 
                                                                              -Simone