14 organizations provide opportunity through technology in the Sacramento Promise Zone
August 2018 - The Rapid Acceleration Innovation & Leadership in Sacramento (RAILS) Program is a $1 million annual grant from the City of Sacramento that supports community-based initiatives and programs that develop the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Sacramento. In 2016, city officials developed the RAILS program to help Sacramento become a hub of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in order to be recognized as a national innovation leader and create new private sector jobs that will bring new wealth to the community and drive growth in other industries.
This year, the City of Sacramento received 143 applications totaling $11.4 million in funding requests. After a competitive selection process by an independent review panel, 14 organizations were chosen. The recipients for 2018 are:
· Hacker Lab for Creative Enterprise Scholarship Program, $58,200
· Start Dream Big for Robotics Class, $50,000
· Willow Tree Roots for The Power of SHE (Shaping & Honing Entrepreneurs), $66,250
· Sol Collective for Global Local AR Magazine - Youth Voice, $50,000
· Roberts Family Development Center for Pacers Moving Forward - Technology Squad, $56,620
· The Makers Place for The Maker’s Place, $99,900
· The Center at Sierra Health Foundation for Build Black, $99,750
· Yellow Circle, Inc. for Cyber Security Boot Camps for High School Students, $49,920
· Girls Leading Our World for Girls Youth Mentoring Program, $56,650
· Mutual Housing California for Electric Vehicle Car Share Program, $20,000
· Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center for John Still Digital Media Center/Luther Burbank Digital Media Center, $50,000
· Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency for Sacramento SEEK Program, $50,000
· Square Root Academy for Square Root Labs, $150,000
· La Familia Counseling Center for STEM Program, $50,000
As a result of RAILS funding, 14 organizations will bring great opportunities to the Sacramento Promise Zone. The projects focus on clean technology and sustainability, mobility, workforce development, cyber security, and social innovation and entrepreneurship. One of the projects includes the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program, a free three-week summer immersion program that serves 150 students in grades 3-5. SEEK provides an opportunity for students in the Promise Zone to gain early exposure to science, engineering, math and technology, and to pursue STEM related careers in college.