About the Partnership
Transform Mid-Atlantic is proud to partner with The Facing Project in an effort to bring critical listening and purposeful storytelling to the forefront of community-engagement across the region. The sharing stories of self has long been part of TMA’s programs and initiatives, as our own personal stories of transformation and experience can demonstrate the impact of service and civic and community engagement.
The Facing Project seeks to create “a more understanding and empathetic world through stories that inspire action.” Its projects, which have been created in dozens of communities throughout the United States and world, seek to “face” the complex and critical problems – from racial inequity to gun violence – in an environment in which multiple perspectives can be shared and heard. Transform Mid-Atlantic is teaming up with The Facing Project to co-sponsor campus-community based projects in Maryland, DC, and Delaware focused on topics at the heart of the TMA mission.
The Facing Project and Transform Mid-Atlantic are calling on TMA member institutions in the Maryland, DC, Delaware, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia region to submit applications to host projects during the 2025–2026 academic year. Proposal submissions are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all available project slots are filled. Early submissions are encouraged. Click below to access the proposal submission form. Scroll down to view a recording of an information session about the 2025–2026 program and proposal process
To apply, representatives from TMA member institutions must submit the following information via the application form:
- Full name, institution, position title, and full contact information of applicant
- Brief outline of how applicant's institution / office / department will fund the $4,500 program fee (a 40% reduction in the normal program fee provided by Transform Mid-Atlantic through a $3,000 cost share)
- Project proposal (750 words) that outlines project description, focus area, narrative of intended outcomes & impact, internal & external partners that will be engaged, and project timeline
Current & Completed Projects
Since 2022-2023, the inaugural year of the partnership, three TMA member institutions were selected to develop projects in their communities. Read below for more information about the projects and updates about their work.
Project Proposals and Benefits
Through a competitive application process each spring, member campuses and their community partners can submit project proposals to host and facilitate a project in their community generally focused on one of four topics: 1) Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, 2) Global Citizenship, 3) Civic Dialogue & Mutual Understanding, or 4) Food Security & Healthy Futures. Due to the TMA and The Facing Project partnership, project packages are offered to TMA member institutions at a significantly reduced rate. Selected projects will receive the following resources from The Facing Project:
- The Facing Project Toolkit.
- Toolkit training for the lead project organizer (including some coaching/consulting throughout the project).
- Writer’s training.
- Editing of all stories (copy and content).
- Book layout, cover design, and publishing.
- Two-hundred copies of the book included.
- Project promoted on The Facing Project website, across social media channels, and on the NPR show.
About The Facing Project
The Facing Project was founded in 2012 by J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman. J.R. is the former Executive Director of the Community-Engaged Alliance, formerly Indiana Campus Compact. The Facing Project is a national nonprofit that creates a more understanding and empathetic world through stories that inspire action. We bring people and communities together through acts of empathy that include listening, storytelling, and connecting across differences with the belief that stories are the most powerful tool for change.