These monetary assets are offered by a serious dwelling enchancment retailer to assist local people enchancment tasks. These grants usually help non-profit organizations in endeavor initiatives that concentrate on enhancing public areas, revitalizing neighborhoods, or offering crucial providers to these in want. For instance, an area park may obtain funding to construct a brand new playground, or a group heart might get hold of assist for renovating its amenities.
The importance of those contributions lies of their capability to empower native organizations to handle particular wants inside their communities. They supply the mandatory capital for tasks which may in any other case stay unrealized, fostering constructive change and enhancing the standard of life for residents. Traditionally, such company philanthropy has performed a significant position in strengthening the social material and selling group improvement throughout numerous areas.
The following sections will delve into the eligibility standards for these applications, the appliance course of, the varieties of tasks usually funded, and the general affect these contributions have on the communities they serve. The intention is to offer a complete understanding of how organizations can successfully leverage these assets to realize their community-focused targets.
1. Eligibility Necessities
The supply of company funding by this philanthropic useful resource is contingent upon strict adherence to particular standards. Eligibility Necessities function a gatekeeper, making certain that awarded funds are directed towards organizations that demonstrably align with the funder’s mission and possess the capability to successfully execute proposed group tasks. Failure to satisfy these conditions ends in computerized disqualification, highlighting their crucial perform throughout the broader initiative. For example, a corporation missing 501(c)(3) standing, a standard stipulation, can be ineligible whatever the advantage of its proposed undertaking. This illustrates the direct cause-and-effect relationship between assembly necessities and accessing potential funding.
Past authorized standing, eligibility usually extends to the kind of undertaking proposed and the geographic location it serves. Tasks should usually fall inside outlined focus areas, corresponding to neighborhood revitalization or catastrophe preparedness, demonstrating a tangible group profit. Moreover, many grant applications prioritize organizations working inside a selected geographic footprint, making certain that funding stays concentrated inside communities served by the grant supplier. For instance, a group backyard undertaking making use of to the House Depot Group Affect Grants would possible have to display its location inside an affordable proximity to a House Depot retailer and align with the retailer’s dedication to local people enhancement initiatives.
In summation, eligibility acts as a elementary management mechanism, safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of this system. Understanding these necessities isn’t merely a procedural step however an important prerequisite for organizations in search of to safe this funding. By aligning their undertaking proposals with acknowledged priorities and demonstrating organizational health, candidates improve their possibilities of success and contribute to the meant constructive impacts on native communities. Ignoring this important element can render even probably the most worthwhile tasks ineligible, underscoring the sensible significance of thorough preparation and compliance.
2. Utility Course of
The appliance course of for the House Depot Group Affect Grants is a structured process designed to make sure equitable entry and considered allocation of funds to eligible organizations. Understanding the intricacies of this course of is paramount for non-profits in search of to safe funding for group enchancment tasks.
-
Preliminary Inquiry and Eligibility Examine
The preliminary stage usually entails a preliminary assessment of the grant tips and eligibility standards. Organizations should confirm whether or not their proposed undertaking aligns with the funding priorities and geographic limitations specified by The House Depot Basis. For instance, a undertaking specializing in renovating a group heart in a area outdoors of The House Depots operational space would possible be deemed ineligible at this stage. This step minimizes wasted effort and ensures assets are directed in the direction of tasks with the best potential for achievement.
-
On-line Utility Submission
The formal software is often submitted by an internet portal, requiring detailed details about the group, the proposed undertaking, funds breakdowns, and anticipated group affect. A well-crafted software clearly articulates the undertaking’s targets, methodology, and sustainability plan. For example, an software for funding a group backyard undertaking would wish to specify the variety of beneficiaries, the varieties of crops to be grown, and the methods for long-term upkeep and operation. Supporting documentation, corresponding to letters of assist from group stakeholders, strengthens the appliance.
-
Evaluate and Choice
Submitted functions bear a rigorous assessment course of, usually involving inside employees and exterior consultants. The choice standards usually emphasize the undertaking’s feasibility, group want, potential affect, and organizational capability. Tasks that display a transparent understanding of the goal group’s wants and current a well-defined plan for attaining measurable outcomes usually tend to be chosen. A hypothetical situation may contain evaluating two functions for related tasks, with the figuring out issue being the extent of group involvement and the readability of the undertaking’s sustainability plan.
-
Award Notification and Settlement
Organizations chosen to obtain funding are notified of the award and required to enter right into a grant settlement, outlining the phrases and situations of the funding. This settlement specifies the undertaking timeline, reporting necessities, and permissible use of funds. Non-compliance with the phrases of the settlement can lead to the revocation of the grant. For instance, if a corporation fails to submit required progress experiences or misuses the grant funds, The House Depot Basis reserves the fitting to reclaim the funds.
The appliance course of for House Depot Group Affect Grants serves as a crucial filter, making certain that funds are allotted to organizations and tasks with the best potential to create lasting constructive change inside native communities. By adhering to the rules and presenting a compelling case for assist, non-profits can considerably improve their possibilities of securing funding and making a tangible distinction.
3. Funding Priorities
Funding priorities are the cornerstone of the House Depot Group Affect Grants program, dictating the varieties of tasks and initiatives that obtain monetary assist. These priorities replicate the values and strategic targets of The House Depot Basis, making certain that funded tasks align with its broader mission of group enrichment and enchancment.
-
Reasonably priced Housing for Veterans
A big funding precedence entails initiatives that present or enhance reasonably priced housing choices for veterans. This displays a dedication to supporting those that have served within the armed forces. For instance, grants could also be awarded to organizations that rehabilitate current houses for veterans, construct new reasonably priced housing items, or present supportive providers to assist veterans safe and preserve secure housing. The implications of this precedence lengthen past offering shelter; it addresses the broader challenge of veteran homelessness and helps their reintegration into civilian life.
-
Expert Trades Coaching
One other key focus space is the assist of expert trades coaching applications. The House Depot Basis acknowledges the rising demand for expert employees within the development business and seeks to handle this scarcity by investing in coaching initiatives. Grants could also be used to fund vocational coaching applications, present scholarships for college students pursuing careers within the trades, or equip coaching amenities with vital instruments and tools. This precedence advantages each people in search of employment and the broader development business, contributing to financial development and stability.
-
Catastrophe Preparedness and Aid
This system prioritizes tasks associated to catastrophe preparedness and aid efforts. This encompasses initiatives that assist communities put together for pure disasters, reply to emergencies, and rebuild after disasters strike. Funding could assist the acquisition of emergency provides, the coaching of volunteers in catastrophe response, or the restore of broken infrastructure. For instance, grants could also be awarded to organizations that present emergency shelter, distribute meals and water, or help with particles elimination following a hurricane or earthquake. This focus underscores the Basis’s dedication to serving to communities construct resilience and get better from adversity.
-
Group Beautification and Enchancment
Tasks aimed toward enhancing the bodily atmosphere and enhancing the standard of life inside communities are additionally given precedence. This may embrace initiatives corresponding to group gardens, park renovations, playground development, and neighborhood cleanup efforts. Grants could also be used to buy supplies, rent contractors, or set up volunteer workdays. This precedence promotes civic engagement, strengthens group bonds, and creates extra vibrant and livable neighborhoods.
These funding priorities function a roadmap for organizations in search of to associate with The House Depot Basis. By aligning their tasks with these strategic targets, candidates improve their possibilities of securing funding and contributing to the Basis’s mission of constructing stronger, more healthy communities. Moreover, an understanding of those priorities permits for a extra focused method in undertaking design and software improvement, finally maximizing the potential for constructive affect.
4. Mission Scope
The “undertaking scope” is a crucial determinant in securing funding from House Depot Group Affect Grants. It defines the boundaries, targets, deliverables, and assets required for a proposed group initiative. A well-defined undertaking scope immediately influences the analysis of the undertaking’s feasibility, potential affect, and alignment with the grant’s funding priorities. An inadequately outlined scope results in ambiguity, making it troublesome for grant reviewers to evaluate the undertaking’s viability and probability of success. For example, a proposal to construct a group backyard missing particulars on the backyard’s dimension, location, varieties of vegetation, and group involvement can be deemed much less aggressive than one with particular, measurable, achievable, related, and time-bound (SMART) targets.
The significance of a clearly articulated undertaking scope extends past the preliminary software course of. As soon as a grant is awarded, the outlined scope serves because the benchmark in opposition to which undertaking progress and outcomes are measured. It offers a framework for undertaking administration, making certain that assets are allotted successfully and that the undertaking stays on monitor. Think about a grant awarded for catastrophe preparedness; the undertaking scope would delineate the precise preparedness actions (e.g., coaching volunteers, buying tools, creating emergency plans), the goal inhabitants, and the geographic space lined. Any deviation from the agreed-upon scope might jeopardize future funding alternatives and negatively have an effect on the undertaking’s meant affect. The affect of a well-defined scope can be mirrored in constructive group notion and profitable collaborations with native stakeholders, enhancing the general effectiveness and sustainability of the undertaking.
In conclusion, the undertaking scope types an integral element of the House Depot Group Affect Grants program. Its affect is multifaceted, affecting the preliminary funding determination, undertaking implementation, and long-term sustainability. A complete and practical scope, aligned with group wants and funding priorities, maximizes the possibilities of securing a grant and attaining significant, measurable outcomes. Addressing the scope’s challenges by rigorous planning and stakeholder engagement strengthens the potential for lasting group advantages, finally aligning the undertaking with the philanthropic targets of the grant supplier.
5. Grant Quantities
The magnitude of economic help supplied by the House Depot Group Affect Grants constitutes a crucial consider figuring out the scope and feasibility of group enchancment initiatives. The particular allocation ranges, whereas doubtlessly various throughout grant cycles, immediately affect the capability of recipient organizations to successfully execute their proposed tasks. An inadequate grant quantity, relative to the undertaking’s targets, could lead to scope discount, delayed implementation, or compromised high quality. Conversely, sufficient funding empowers organizations to realize their targets extra comprehensively and effectively. For example, a non-profit in search of to renovate a group heart could require a grant quantity ample to cowl development supplies, labor prices, and vital permits. With out sufficient funding, the renovation could also be scaled again, limiting the middle’s capability to serve its meant beneficiaries.
Actual-world examples illustrate the sensible significance of understanding grant quantities. Habitat for Humanity associates, usually recipients of House Depot Group Affect Grants, make the most of these funds to buy constructing supplies for setting up or rehabilitating reasonably priced housing. The grant quantity dictates the variety of houses that may be constructed or renovated, immediately impacting the variety of households supplied with secure and reasonably priced shelter. Equally, organizations targeted on catastrophe aid depend on these grants to obtain important provides and tools for emergency response efforts. The allocation dimension determines the amount of provides that may be bought and distributed, affecting the group’s capability to successfully deal with the wants of disaster-affected communities.
In conclusion, the connection between grant quantities and the profitable execution of House Depot Group Affect Grant tasks is plain. Understanding the funding ranges accessible, and tailoring undertaking proposals accordingly, is essential for organizations in search of to maximise their affect on native communities. Challenges corresponding to fluctuating materials prices and sudden undertaking bills spotlight the significance of meticulous budgeting and contingency planning. By aligning undertaking scopes with practical funding expectations, organizations can improve their possibilities of securing grants and attaining their group enchancment targets, finally contributing to the broader theme of company social duty and group improvement.
6. Reporting Obligations
Reporting obligations represent an indispensable element of the House Depot Group Affect Grants program. These necessities set up a proper mechanism for grantees to offer detailed accounts of undertaking progress, monetary expenditures, and achieved outcomes. Failure to satisfy these obligations can lead to the revocation of funding, ineligibility for future grants, and injury to the group’s status. The causal relationship is obvious: adherence to reporting obligations ensures accountability and transparency, immediately impacting the grant supplier’s confidence within the grantee’s accountable use of funds. For example, if a non-profit group receives a grant to construct a group playground and fails to submit well timed progress experiences, The House Depot Basis could withhold subsequent funding installments till the reporting deficiencies are rectified.
The sensible significance of understanding reporting obligations extends past mere compliance. Detailed and correct experiences present precious insights into the effectiveness of funded tasks, enabling the grant supplier to evaluate the return on funding and establish areas for enchancment in future grant cycles. Think about a undertaking aimed toward offering expert trades coaching to unemployed veterans. Common experiences documenting the variety of veterans skilled, the job placement charges, and the common wages earned present concrete proof of the undertaking’s affect. This knowledge informs future funding choices, permitting The House Depot Basis to prioritize tasks that display measurable and sustainable outcomes. Furthermore, these experiences function a precious useful resource for sharing finest practices and classes discovered with different grantees, fostering a tradition of steady enchancment throughout the non-profit sector.
In abstract, reporting obligations usually are not merely a bureaucratic formality however a crucial mechanism for making certain accountability, demonstrating affect, and fostering steady enchancment throughout the House Depot Group Affect Grants program. Challenges corresponding to restricted employees capability and complicated knowledge assortment necessities may be addressed by proactive planning, coaching, and the utilization of know-how. A radical understanding of those obligations and a dedication to clear reporting are important for organizations in search of to safe and preserve funding, finally contributing to the broader aim of constructing stronger and extra resilient communities.
7. Group Advantages
Group advantages symbolize the tangible and intangible constructive outcomes that consequence from initiatives supported by House Depot Group Affect Grants. These advantages are the final word measure of this system’s success, reflecting the diploma to which funded tasks contribute to the well-being and enhancement of native communities. The next outlines key aspects of those advantages, illustrating their significance and affect.
-
Improved Infrastructure and Public Areas
House Depot Group Affect Grants usually facilitate the renovation or development of public areas, corresponding to parks, group facilities, and playgrounds. These enhancements improve the standard of life for residents by offering secure, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing environments for recreation, social interplay, and group occasions. For instance, a grant used to construct a brand new playground in a low-income neighborhood can present youngsters with a secure place to play and develop, fostering bodily and social well-being.
-
Enhanced Group Resilience and Catastrophe Preparedness
Grants continuously assist initiatives that strengthen group resilience within the face of pure disasters and different emergencies. This may embrace funding for catastrophe preparedness coaching, the acquisition of emergency provides, and the development of shelters. By investing in these measures, House Depot Group Affect Grants assist communities higher stand up to and get better from adversarial occasions, minimizing disruption and defending weak populations. As an illustration, a grant to an area fireplace division might present funding for important rescue tools, enhancing their capability to reply successfully to emergencies.
-
Elevated Entry to Reasonably priced Housing
A big focus space for House Depot Group Affect Grants is the availability of reasonably priced housing for low-income people and households, notably veterans. Grants assist the development of recent reasonably priced housing items, the rehabilitation of current houses, and the availability of supportive providers to assist residents preserve secure housing. Elevated entry to reasonably priced housing reduces homelessness, improves household stability, and strengthens communities by offering residents with a secure and safe place to reside. A notable instance can be supporting “Habitat for Humanity” builds, aiding veterans in want.
-
Workforce Improvement and Financial Alternative
House Depot Group Affect Grants usually fund applications that present job coaching, vocational abilities improvement, and employment help to people in search of to enter or re-enter the workforce. These initiatives assist individuals purchase the abilities and information wanted to safe employment, improve their incomes potential, and contribute to the native economic system. A grant supporting a development abilities coaching program for unemployed adults can equip individuals with precious abilities and join them with job alternatives within the constructing trades. This side helps enhance the general financial well being of the group.
These aspects illustrate the multifaceted nature of group advantages derived from House Depot Group Affect Grants. By supporting a variety of initiatives targeted on infrastructure enchancment, catastrophe preparedness, reasonably priced housing, and workforce improvement, these grants contribute to the long-term well-being and resilience of native communities. Moreover, this system actively promotes civic engagement by involving group members within the planning and implementation of funded tasks. This collaborative method strengthens group bonds and ensures that tasks are attentive to native wants and priorities, successfully delivering on the promise of significant and sustainable group advantages.
8. Partnership Alternatives
Collaborative endeavors are continuously integral to the success and sustainability of tasks funded by House Depot Group Affect Grants. These partnerships, solid between non-profit organizations, native companies, authorities businesses, and group stakeholders, amplify the affect of the grants and guarantee tasks are well-aligned with group wants and assets.
-
Useful resource Sharing and Experience
Partnerships facilitate the pooling of assets and experience, enabling organizations to leverage complementary strengths. For instance, a non-profit specializing in reasonably priced housing development may associate with an area development firm for discounted supplies or expert labor, maximizing the worth of the grant funds. The implications of such collaborative useful resource administration embrace enhanced undertaking effectivity and elevated group affect.
-
Group Engagement and Assist
Efficient partnerships foster better group engagement and construct broader assist for funded tasks. Collaborating with local people teams, neighborhood associations, and resident leaders ensures that tasks are attentive to native wants and preferences. For example, a undertaking aimed toward revitalizing a group park may contain residents within the planning and design course of, creating a way of possession and making certain long-term sustainability. The ensuing assist for the undertaking can translate to elevated volunteer participation and community-wide adoption.
-
Enhanced Mission Visibility and Advocacy
Partnerships amplify the visibility of funded tasks and supply alternatives for advocacy. Collaborating with native media shops, authorities officers, and group influencers helps increase consciousness of the undertaking’s affect and generate assist for future initiatives. For example, a undertaking targeted on catastrophe preparedness may associate with the native emergency administration company to conduct group outreach and educate residents about emergency procedures. The amplified undertaking consciousness enhances group resilience and reinforces the worth of company social duty.
-
Lengthy-Time period Sustainability
Strategic partnerships are essential for making certain the long-term sustainability of tasks funded by House Depot Group Affect Grants. By forging relationships with organizations that may present ongoing assist, technical help, or funding, tasks usually tend to proceed delivering advantages to the group lengthy after the grant interval has ended. A group backyard undertaking, for instance, may associate with an area agricultural group to offer coaching and assets to make sure the backyard’s continued operation. This collaboration facilitates lasting group empowerment and reduces dependency on exterior funding sources.
The collaborative ethos inherent in profitable House Depot Group Affect Grant tasks extends past mere cooperation. By fostering shared duty and mutual accountability, partnerships solidify group funding and make sure that initiatives are actually reflective of, and attentive to, the wants and aspirations of the native populace. This symbiotic relationship between company philanthropy and community-driven collaboration underscores the enduring worth of strategic partnerships in attaining significant and sustainable affect.
9. Sustainability Focus
A sustainability focus serves as a pivotal element throughout the House Depot Group Affect Grants program, influencing each undertaking choice and long-term outcomes. The emphasis on sustainable practices displays a dedication to making sure that funded initiatives generate lasting advantages for communities whereas minimizing environmental affect. This integration isn’t merely a rhetorical addition however a deliberate technique to foster accountable useful resource utilization and promote environmentally aware options. For instance, a grant supporting the development of a group backyard may prioritize water-efficient irrigation techniques, the usage of composted supplies, and the planting of native species, reflecting a dedication to environmental stewardship and useful resource conservation.
The sensible software of this sustainability focus extends throughout numerous undertaking classes. In reasonably priced housing initiatives, grants could assist the incorporation of energy-efficient constructing supplies, photo voltaic panels, and rainwater harvesting techniques, decreasing the environmental footprint of the housing items and decreasing utility prices for residents. Equally, tasks targeted on catastrophe preparedness could prioritize the usage of sturdy and reusable provides, minimizing waste and selling useful resource effectivity in emergency response efforts. The effectiveness of those sustainable practices is usually quantified by measurable indicators, corresponding to decreased vitality consumption, decreased waste era, and improved water conservation charges. These metrics present concrete proof of the undertaking’s environmental affect and display the worth of integrating sustainability rules into group enchancment initiatives.
In conclusion, the combination of a sustainability focus into House Depot Group Affect Grants enhances the long-term worth and effectiveness of funded tasks. By prioritizing environmentally accountable practices, this system fosters a tradition of sustainability inside communities and contributes to broader environmental conservation efforts. A problem lies in balancing environmental issues with financial feasibility, requiring cautious planning and modern options. Addressing this problem strengthens this system’s dedication to creating lasting, constructive change that advantages each communities and the atmosphere, aligning with the broader themes of company social duty and sustainable improvement.
Incessantly Requested Questions
The next questions deal with widespread inquiries concerning eligibility, software procedures, and program tips associated to those grants.
Query 1: What varieties of organizations are eligible to use for House Depot Group Affect Grants?
Eligible candidates usually embrace 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and different tax-exempt entities endeavor group enchancment tasks inside the US. Particular eligibility standards could range; due to this fact, thorough assessment of this system tips is crucial.
Query 2: What are the first funding priorities of the House Depot Group Affect Grants program?
This system usually prioritizes tasks targeted on reasonably priced housing for veterans, expert trades coaching, catastrophe preparedness and aid, and group beautification initiatives. These priorities replicate The House Depot Basis’s broader mission of serving communities and supporting veterans.
Query 3: How does a corporation submit an software for a House Depot Group Affect Grant?
The appliance course of often entails submitting an internet software by The House Depot Basis’s web site. The appliance requires detailed details about the group, the proposed undertaking, the funds, and the anticipated group affect. Adherence to all software necessities is essential.
Query 4: What’s the typical grant quantity awarded by the House Depot Group Affect Grants program?
The grant quantities range relying on the undertaking scope and funding availability. Whereas particular figures could fluctuate from 12 months to 12 months, awards usually vary from a couple of thousand {dollars} to bigger sums for extra intensive group tasks.
Query 5: What are the reporting necessities for organizations that obtain House Depot Group Affect Grants?
Grant recipients are usually required to submit periodic progress experiences detailing the undertaking’s actions, monetary expenditures, and achieved outcomes. These experiences guarantee accountability and transparency in the usage of grant funds. Failure to adjust to reporting necessities could jeopardize future funding alternatives.
Query 6: How are the House Depot Group Affect Grants evaluated, and what standards are used for choice?
Functions are evaluated based mostly on components corresponding to undertaking feasibility, group want, potential affect, organizational capability, and alignment with this system’s funding priorities. Tasks that display a transparent understanding of group wants and current a well-defined plan for attaining measurable outcomes usually tend to be chosen.
A radical understanding of those key points is significant for organizations in search of to leverage the alternatives offered. Preparation and adherence to tips are essential.
The following part will discover success tales of previous grant recipients.
Ideas for Maximizing the Potential of House Depot Group Affect Grants
Securing and successfully using funding by these grants requires meticulous planning, strategic alignment, and an intensive understanding of this system’s targets.
Tip 1: Align Mission Aims with Funding Priorities: Make sure the proposed undertaking demonstrably aligns with House Depot Basis’s key areas of focus, corresponding to reasonably priced housing for veterans, expert trades coaching, or catastrophe preparedness. Functions that immediately deal with these priorities have a considerably increased probability of success.
Tip 2: Develop a Complete and Real looking Finances: The undertaking funds needs to be meticulously detailed, accounting for all anticipated bills, together with supplies, labor, permits, and administrative prices. A well-defined funds demonstrates fiscal duty and enhances the undertaking’s credibility.
Tip 3: Articulate a Clear and Measurable Group Affect: Quantify the anticipated advantages of the undertaking, specifying the variety of people served, the size of the enhancements, and the long-term affect on the group. Measurable outcomes present concrete proof of the undertaking’s worth.
Tip 4: Set up Robust Group Partnerships: Interact native stakeholders, together with group teams, authorities businesses, and native companies, to foster collaborative assist for the undertaking. Robust partnerships improve undertaking visibility, leverage extra assets, and guarantee long-term sustainability.
Tip 5: Prioritize Sustainability and Lengthy-Time period Upkeep: Incorporate sustainable practices into the undertaking design, corresponding to energy-efficient supplies, water conservation measures, and waste discount methods. A plan for long-term upkeep ensures the undertaking’s continued advantages for the group.
Tip 6: Handle Feasibility of Mission Scope Current undertaking scope that’s possible and affordable. Having a undertaking scope that’s over funds won’t be favorable. Prioritize affordable goal and guarantee feasibility.
Adherence to those suggestions strengthens the appliance and enhances the probability of receiving funding, finally contributing to the profitable implementation of impactful group enchancment initiatives.
The following part will delve into the success tales and notable case research.
Conclusion
This exploration has illuminated the multifaceted nature of the House Depot Group Affect Grants. The examination has lined eligibility necessities, software processes, funding priorities, undertaking scope, reporting obligations, and the substantial group advantages derived from these initiatives. Key points such because the significance of sustainability and the worth of strategic partnerships have additionally been underscored. An entire understanding of those components is essential for organizations in search of to successfully leverage this philanthropic useful resource.
The potential of the House Depot Group Affect Grants to impact constructive change inside native communities is appreciable. Nevertheless, realizing this potential requires diligent preparation, strategic alignment, and a dedication to accountable undertaking implementation. By embracing these rules, organizations can maximize their affect and contribute to the creation of stronger, extra resilient communities for future generations. This system requires diligence and dedication from organizations in search of to have constructive affect in native communities
