The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners are focused on jobs and a vibrant economy for all communities, to keep vulnerable residents safe and healthy, and to foster a culture of trust, communication, diversity, and
innovation.
In an effort to ratify this commitment, the Board of Commissioners has decided to continue its Small Grants Program for the twelfth year. The Budget Committee has allocated $250,000 for the 2020–2021 fiscal year.
Goals
The goal of the Small Grants Program is to assist organizations whose purpose is to help the most vulnerable residents of Clackamas 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 most vulnerable families, seniors, and others meet their basic needs such as food assistance and abuse prevention.
This year, aside from giving priority to projects that will serve populations located within Clackamas County’s Community Prosperity Collaboratives (North Clackamas, Estacada, Canby), we will be prioritizing the following criteria:
- To fill an unanticipated expense gap due to COVID-19
- Focus on serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color
- Encourage partnerships to increase community impact
Award Information
- Applications due by Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. We hope to make decisions by the end of September. Applicants will be notified by email if their projects have been funded. Funds will be available after the Board of County Commissioners’ approval.
- Projects to be finalized by the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
- Final report to be turned in no later than July 15, 2021.
- 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. 13. Agencies interested in applying should fill out the application form associated with this announcement. You will need to provide 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
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are current nonprofit organizations serving residents of Clackamas County. Eligible projects must address the program’s goal and result in a positive, measurable outcome for Clackamas County residents. Preference will be given to those projects meeting the following criteria:
- Prevent occurrence of larger, more dire problems later;
- Save money later through early intervention;
- Serve people throughout the community.
Funding
Funding cycle
- Applications due by Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.
- Projects must be finalized by the end of the 2020–2021 fiscal year (June 30, 2021).
- Final Report to be turned in no later than July 15, 2021.
Funding restrictions
- Funding to individuals will not be allowed.
- Only funding to agencies wishing to serve Clackamas County residents with their project will be considered.
- Capital and operating expenses must be clearly outlined for each proposed project.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee that will consist of staff within the County Administration department, two Leadership Academy alumni and a member from the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team. Projects will be evaluated based criteria listed in this announcement. For more information, please contact Caroline Hill at 503-655-8261.
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
