You should apply to this opportunity if you are:

• Having difficulty finding commercial space for your business due to cost or availability.

• Interested in prep or maker space for producing goods to sell offsite.

• Passionate about youth engagement.

• Willing to teach youth tangible work and life skills as they relate to business

• Open to providing youth employment opportunities at competitive wages, if possible."

No, but we are interested in learning more about your digital presence (e.g. website, social media platforms) and if you do have a business, any sales, revenue/expenses to date that you can share.

Any questions can be directed to this email address parksandrecreation@phila.gov. Answers to the questions will be posted on this website no later than September 16, 2022 so please plan to check the website periodically for the posted answers.

Yes.

For Round 1, we are looking to first gather interest from the Philadelphia creative community and evaluate that interest with the competition criteria in mind. If selected as a finalist for Round 2, we would then share information on prospective, available Recreation Center spaces and schedule site visits so finalists can better understand the conditions of those spaces. We can note that each Recreation Center space will be somewhere between 250 to 750 square feet, and in some cases up to 1,000 square feet, and will have basic amenities such as proper lighting, heating and cooling, WiFi, and restroom access.

Winners from Round 2 of the competition will be offered a City of Philadelphia license agreement term for one, initial year with (3) additional one year renewal terms at the tenant and the City’s mutual discretion. If the tenant and the City mutually agree to do so, the City may introduce an ordinance to City Council seeking to extend the term of the license agreement to five (5) years with an option to renew at the mutual discretion of the City, for an additional five (5) years.

Although we’ve provided a tentative timeline on the homepage of this website that provides an estimated business and program starting no later than December 2023, it is subject to change. Additional time may be needed to facilitate the competition, contracting and fitting out of the spaces.

If selected as a finalist in Round 2, we will ask each finalist to propose an operating schedule for their respective business. We are aware that it is critical that we accommodate the requested operating hours to give the business the best chance for success.

$25,000 to $75,000 in funds are available for each Recreation Center space for the following eligible expenses: hard costs (e.g. furnishings, equipment, supplies, hardware, etc.) and soft costs (e.g. software, marketing, insurance, fees, etc.). Funds will be available in spring or summer 2023.

Yes, we want this to be a successful enterprise that is sustainable and profitable. In lieu of paying rent and utilities, we require tenants to provide FREE youth programming and pay for ongoing maintenance of the operating space.

No, we are only interested in partnering with individuals looking to operate their own business out of a Recreation Center space.

Ideally the entrepreneur is 18 years of age or older. If the business requires employees, the business can employ individuals 18 and up, plus from 14 to 17 years of age, with appropriate paperwork and subject to any applicable laws. We certainly encourage youth employment, if possible. PPR can provide advice on hiring youth and supporting teens to get working papers, etc.

Yes, but under the following conditions:

• Must have your guardian co-apply with you

• Must have your guardian sign all contracts and subcontracts associated with this opportunity

• At all times at the Recreation Center, you must have your guardian with you and any under 18 year old individuals participating in this opportunity

We hope the entrepreneur and anyone they employ are representative of the diverse makeup of our City. Also as part of the scoring criteria, we will assign additional points to Philadelphia residents and disabled-owned businesses and business owners from a historically disadvantaged community. Historically disadvantaged businesses are at least 51% owned and operated by persons who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander because they have traditionally been discriminated against and disadvantaged when seeking financial services and products.

By way of example only, the types of industries can vary: technology, media, music, crafts, food preparation, cosmetics, health and wellness.

Please find an outline below of the types of compelling programming we would like each entrepreneur to teach to youth.

If selected as a finalist, you will be offered the opportunity to participate in a 8 to 10 week curriculum course focused on developing your business and program plans that aligns with the goals outlined below.

• Running a business, even if they aren’t interested in the specific enterprise at the space

• Creating a business plan

• Exposing young people to new industries and careers

• Teaching industry-specific skills. (By way of example only, a t-shirt printing business could teach young people screen printing, design basics, relevant graphics programs for design, etc.)

• Product design workshops

• Supporting basic work readiness skills (being on time, communication with peers and managers, customer service, etc.)

• Developing 21st century skills to prepare young people for participation in local and global (collaboration, creative innovation, critical thinking, confidence/resilience, communication)

Each Recreation Center space and community will help inform the expectations and can be better answered and defined when we get into Round 2. providing the finalists with technical support to help each finalist think thru the program / learning plans, but we can note that the business comes first and we will work together to ensure that the programming provided doesn’t negatively impact the business outcomes.

Also in developing your business and program plans, you will be connected with the local Rec Center leader. This person will guide in the best times and days for programming for the Rec Center and for the Community. Starting and running your business is the priority. The expectation is that you lead some programming. As you engage in youth programming, there may be ways to leverage colleagues in your field as well as youth leaders and/or Recreation staff to run any programs you design that become in high demand over time.

We are also open to the programming not starting concurrent with the business opening. For example, the programming could start six months after the business opens, which also allows more time to generate interest from the community in recruiting youth to participate in the programming.

We will ask the entrepreneurs to connect with local, community organizations that work with youth, but we also plan to match entrepreneurs with Recreation Center staff / leaders that are willing and able to advocate and recruit youth and young adults for the programming.

Once PPR knows the Recreation Center where you will be standing up your business, you will begin working with the Recreation Leader there. This person will guide in the best times and days for programming for the Rec Center and for the Community. Starting and running your business is the priority. The expectation is that you lead some programming. As you engage in youth programming, there may be ways to leverage colleagues in your field as well as youth leaders and/or Recreation staff to run any programs you design that become in high demand over time.

PPR envisions entrepreneurs engaging youth and young adults in one or more of the following age ranges:

• Tweens (11 to 13 years olds

• Teens (14 to 17)

• Young Adults (18 to 24)

The goal is that the entrepreneur is facilitating workshops aligned to the “compelling programs” listed above. PPR and its Recreation Centers are committed to attracting new young people from the neighborhoods served by the center sites selected as social enterprise ventures.

This opportunity is for enterprises looking for commercial spaces and providing free programming to youth and young adults, in lieu of rent. With that being said, Parks and Recreation is always looking to work with more program partners so please feel free to email us at parksandrecreation@phila.gov with your interest in working with us to provide programming.

If selected as a finalist for Round 2, you will be asked to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) with a proposal that outlines your business and program plans for the space, and complete a Child Abuse Clearance and Criminal Background Check.

If selected as a winner of Round 2, you will be asked to enter into a license agreement with the City of Philadelphia to operate your enterprise out of a designated Recreation Center space, committing to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in your RFP proposal, along with general contracting requirements, including, but not limited to the cost and expense to maintain the operating space. In year 2 of the license agreement, you will also be required, at your sole cost and expense, to provide liability insurance (the specific insurance requirements will be outlined in the RFP).

The City will cover the cost of utility charges and the tenant, at its sole cost and own expense, will be responsible for maintaining the space, including any connections to utilities and all of the fit outs and improvements to the space (e.g. equipment, fixtures, furnishings, etc.).

For Round 1, we hope to notify applicants that they are finalists for Round 2 in November 2022.

For Round 2, if we are able to keep with the timeline reflected on the homepage of the website, then we plan to notify the winners of the competition in April 2023.

With the above being said, we are open to considering any and all industries. We invite all providers, makers and creators in Philadelphia to consider this opportunity and hope this initiative can help showcase and profile talented, passionate Philadelphia entrepreneurs and give them more opportunities to grow their respective enterprise.

This is our first time launching this program so we want to start with a smaller size cohort in order to successfully stand up the initiative and provide a level of support necessary to help each entrepreneur foster and grow their respective business while providing meaningful, free, youth programming. Another factor that will influence the final pool of winners is the level of funding we are able to raise to support fit out improvements for each enterprise working space.

With the above being said, for

Round 1, we plan to select up to 10 finalists

Round 2, we plan to select up to 4 winners

The $1,500 cash prize will be given to each finalist via check. The cash prize has no restrictions so each finalist can use the funds at their sole discretion, but preferably towards supporting this effort.

Charging for programming is possible. Please know that given PPR’s commitment to young people, our goal is that programs for teens and young adults are offered for free or at a nominal cost. Access to quality hands-on programming for young people is key; cost should not be a barrier for them. For any adult or family programs you may offer, please consult with the Recreation Leader at your center to see what fees are appropriate for that community if you are interested in charging. A long-term goal could and should be employing youth or young adults in your business and/or to support program efforts.

Yes, nonprofits can submit applications.

As a City employee, certain ethics rules apply to you that don’t apply to general applicants. For example, the City Code restricts employees from representing another person or entity in transactions involving the City – including a grant application. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Board of Ethics for guidance before you participate. The advisory staff at the Board of Ethics can be reached at BOEGCstaff@phila.gov or 215-686-9450.

Daycare centers are not eligible to apply.

Please submit the Round 1 application only. If you advance to Round 2, you can provide more details about your business and a formal proposal.

It would depend on the cost and full scope of work of your proposal. The budget would be determined in Round 2 if you advance to that phase.

Our goal is to match finalists with rec centers in the community that they are a part of, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the closest rec center. Rec centers will be determined in Round 2.