More Paperwork
Renewal CIP wants need, goals, metrics, partners — often with no network attached.
Community Impact Plan · Renewal Season
Help Us Build a Better CIP System.
OCM wants a Community Impact Plan at renewal. Their free library is solid for community board needs. What's missing: licensees, sponsors, and partners who actually show up — not another blank form.
01 — The Setup
The Pain
The OCM Win
Our Lane
Why This Exists
Hardworking shops already jump through every hoop. CIP paperwork is real — but the bar down the street still pours harder stuff with fewer binders. We're building tools that help operators do community work, not just document it.
Needs Directory
NYC community board District Needs Statements and regional plans are genuinely useful starting data.
Who Shows Up
Other licensees, sponsors, event partners, CBOs — the graph OCM won't maintain.
02 — Official Tools
Use OCM First — Then Come Here
The honest line: OCM = needs data + official guidance. Green Events = partners + activations.
CIP questions for the state go to SEE@ocm.ny.gov.
✓ Usually CIP Territory
- Education workshops & clinics
- Nonprofit / CBO partnerships
- Reentry & justice-involved support
- Community betterment (documented)
- In-kind staff time, free classes, donated materials
✗ Does Not Satisfy CIP Alone
- Sales promos / events that drive purchases
- Discounts, giveaways, influencer marketing
- "We hire locally" as the whole plan
- Anything where your shop is the primary beneficiary
03 — The Flow
The Whole Process
From OCM docs to real partners to a documented activation — how operators should move.
Pull Community Need Data
Use OCM's directory (your community board / regional plan). Write one clear need + target population.
Find Who Can Help
Sign up below as a licensee, sponsor, CBO, or venue — or browse partner matches via the Event Planner.
Plan an Education-First Activation
A booth or event that benefits the community — not a sales promo. Document goals + metrics.
File With OCM at Renewal
Map the work into their CIP questions / worksheet. Each co-partner still files their own CIP.
04 — Join the Build
Partner Signup — Help Us Build It
Tell us who you are and what you can offer. We route intros between operators, sponsors, community orgs, and venues building CIP-ready programming.
05 — Plan It
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
CIP Activation Planner
Plan an education-first activation you can document for CIP support. For full licensee match queues, use the Event Planner.
Grow Your Own
Home grow rules, simple setups. Hook: "Did you know you can legally grow at home?"
Get Into the Industry
Jobs, licensing basics, pathways — education, not recruiting scams.
Community & Education
Responsible use, sustainability, community impact. Leave people informed, not sold to.