Community Support

No. The program does not intend to duplicate existing community plans or require communities to begin another lengthy planning process. During the first several months, participating communities will synthesize relevant plans, priorities, and ongoing efforts into a focused action and implementation framework. The emphasis will be on moving established priorities toward measurable action.

No. This is a community-led capacity-building program. Catalyst Team members are expected to participate directly in the curriculum and related activities to strengthen their knowledge, collaboration, and ability to advance the selected priority. Consultants may provide targeted expertise when appropriate, but they should not replace community leadership or complete the core program work on the community’s behalf.

The program team will manage recruitment, initial interviews, and day-to-day administration. Participating communities will help identify potential candidates, provide input during finalist selection, establish high-level priorities for the fellow, and support their integration into the community. Recruitment is expected to begin in mid-September, with fellows selected by late November or early December for placements beginning around January.

Prosperity Indiana will manage administrative responsibilities such as equipment, travel, and reimbursements. The host community will provide the fellow’s day-to-day support and supervision, while local partners and the Catalyst Team will establish high-level priorities and ensure the fellow’s work remains aligned with the community’s goals.

The fellow will work within the community for the first two years. Throughout the full three-year engagement, the accelerator team and Catalyst Team will continue working together to bring in expertise, strengthen partnerships, and advance the community’s identified priorities. The third year will focus on sustaining momentum, measuring impact, and transitioning the work into continued local ownership.

Professional-services support will be tailored to the needs and capacity of each participating community. A cost-sharing arrangement is anticipated, potentially beginning with a 50/50 match, but final requirements and available support will be clarified as the pilot develops.