Ambassador’s Corner
Ambassador’s Corner
Meet Cindi Ptak—Rio Reimagined’s Ambassador to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership
Cindi is the founder of Hummingbird Collective Consulting, LLC, where she combines decades of government policy and programmatic experience with a commitment to reshaping relationships with federal, tribal, state, and local partners. She puts her robust understanding of federal funding programs to work as Ambassador for the Rio Reimagined initiative serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. Hosted by the Maricopa Association of Governments, Cindi provides valuable support to the communities and local and tribal governments located along the Salt and Gila River corridor, including Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and Maricopa County, and members of the Rio Reimagined Advisory Group that include Arizona State University and SRP.
The Rio Reimagined Ambassador is a consultant position under contract to the Maricopa Association of Governments.
Role & Benefits of a RIO Ambassador
Federal Liaison
Federal Liaison
As your Ambassador to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, Cindi can identify federal funding opportunities and connects resources and tools to local needs in collaboration with local partners. Cindi is currently working on two regional grant applications with several more in the pipeline.
Grant Facilitator
Grant Facilitator
Cindi convenes and facilitates coalitions of RIO partners to identify and apply to federal grant opportunities. Watch for her quarterly updates in the Rio Reimagined newsletter.
If you have a project/grant you would like to discuss with Cindi, please complete the Proposed in Link below.
Role & Benefits of a RIO Ambassador
Federal Liaison
Federal Liaison
As your Ambassador to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, Cindi can identify federal funding opportunities and connects tools and resources to local needs in collaboration with local partners. Cindi is currently working on two regional grant applications with several more in the pipeline.
Please email Cindi with any questions.
Local Leader
Local Leader
The Rio Reimagined Ambassador navigates our Urban Waters Federal Partnership, tracking what is happening in other locations and ensuring coordination between federal agencies and other organizations.
Cindi is updating our 2019-2020 Urban Waters Federal Partnership Work Plan, a 2024 work plan available this Fall.
Grant Facilitator
Grant Facilitator
Cindi convenes and facilitates coalitions of RIO partners to identify and apply to federal grant opportunities. Watch for her quarterly updates in the Rio Reimagined newsletter. If you have a project/grant you would like to discuss with Cindi.
Please complete the Proposed Internal Project Profile Form.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Pursuing Federal Funding Opportunities
Building an awareness of how the federal funding lifecycle works allows for more informed decision making and the ability to compete well. During this presentation, Cindi discusses the importance of planning to identify and demonstrate need and project prioritization; and how to determine “best fit” when making decisions on whether to pursue Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) using EPAs Community Challenge Grant as an example (includes a handout).
Key takeaways:
- Understanding the eligibility and evaluation criteria of a NOFO with a reviewer’s mindset;
- Examining “best fit” and the ability to link your project’s story in a way that is authentic and speaks to the federal agency’s program criteria;
- Tips on what makes a project successful; and
- Some pitfalls to avoid when crafting your proposal.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Weighing the Costs an Benefits of Pursuing Federal funding Opportunities Presentation Slide Deck
Evaluating Go/No Go Scenarios
Updates from the Ambassador Blog
RIO Ambassador Update – Happy New Year!
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – Unlocking Potential
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – Grant Reviewers
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – The Power of Partnerships
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
Updates from the Ambassador Blog
RIO Ambassador Update – Happy New Year!
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – Unlocking Potential
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – Grant Reviewers
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
RIO Ambassador Update – The Power of Partnerships
In her “Updates from the Rio Reimagined Ambassador” Cindi Ptak shares her insights and reflections from her work serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government as part of the [...]
Stay Informed
Sign up to receive news, updates, and Rio Reimagined Partnership meeting invites to keep informed about the initiative.
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive news, updates, and Rio Partnership meeting invites to keep informed about the initiative.