Introduction
The Board of County Commissioners is focused on jobs and a vibrant economy for all communities, keeping vulnerable residents safe and healthy, and fostering a culture of trust, communication, diversity and innovation.
In an effort to ratify this commitment, the commissioners are continuing their Small Grants Program for the ninth year. The Budget Committee has allocated $300,000 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
Policy of Religious Nondiscrimination
Small Grants are Doing Big Things
Goals
The goal of the Small Grants Program is to assist organizations whose purpose is to help the most vulnerable residents of the county. The focus is to fund small projects that would aid these entities in better serving their target populations. These projects shall demonstrate the ability to become fully self-supporting or shall illustrate that the grant request is for a one-time expense. This program supports agencies that are making an effort to develop and implement innovative projects that would address the following goal:
- Help the most vulnerable families, seniors, and others meet their basic needs such as food assistance and abuse prevention.
Priority will be given to projects that will serve populations located within the county’s Equity Pilot Areas.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are current nonprofit organizations serving residents of the county. Eligible projects must address the program’s goal and result in a positive, measurable outcome for residents. Preference will be given to those who meet the following criteria:
- Prevent occurrence of larger, more dire problems later;
- Save money later through early intervention; and
- Serve people throughout the community.
Award Information
- Applications due by Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. We hope to make decisions by the end of September. Funds will be available after the Board of County Commissioners’ approval.
- Projects to be finalized by the end of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
- Final report to be turned in no later than July 15, 2019.
- Maximum award amount is $15,000.
- Funding to individuals will not be allowed.
- Funds cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to the award issuance.
- Funding to agencies not serving clients in Clackamas County will not be considered.
- Capital and operating expenses must be clearly outlined for each proposed project.
To Apply
Applications are due by Aug. 16. Agencies interested in applying should fill out an application form providing the narrative information requested below and include a proposed project budget.
Please address the following questions:
- Project description: Describe the work you propose to conduct with this funding.
- Explain what the project will accomplish. What is the overall goal of the project?
- How does it relate to the goals of the Small Grants Program? What are the specific aims or objectives of the project? How will this project positively impact county residents?
- If applicable, describe your outreach plan.
- Timeline: Outline a timeline for the project, indicating key steps and deliverables. If new positions are part of the project, include the hiring process in the timeline.
- Key staff: List key staff members that will be responsible for this project and their experience in implementing this type of project.
- Evaluation: What outcomes will be measured? How will they be measured – what specific data sources will be used? At what point will they be measured and how will outcome measures be incorporated into program planning?
- Sustainability: Describe the plan for sustaining the project beyond this funding.
- Budget: Complete budget summary
For more information, please contact Caroline Hill at 503-655-8261. Applications will be evaluated by a committee that will consist of staff within the County Administration department and two Leadership Academy alumni. All the other members are determined each year. Projects will be evaluated based on location, impact to the community, sustainability, among other things.
Per the Civil Rights Act of 1964, no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any County program, service or activity.