SWNI Small Grants Program

grants image header
 

Introduction

 
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. Small Grants Program was a response to the lack of funding available to neighborhoods and community organizations in order to carry out projects. The concept of offering seed money for community projects has proven to be a successful investment, not only in strengthening the communities and increasing diversity by building effective working relationships between community members and long term partnerships with local businesses as well as schools, but also by keeping neighborhoods connected and engaged. The work done by these projects; which are run by nonprofits, engaged citizens and energetic volunteers, and supported by the neighborhoods small grant program, allow for the management of a greater diversity of projects that the neighborhood coalitions and city could not carry out alone.
 
The Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) Small Grants Program focuses on ten community building project categories; outreach mobilization, targeted outreach strategies, relationship building, accessibility, community beautification, community design, crime prevention, cultural enrichment and diversity, education and public health. These categories for improvement are meant to identify ways to transform neighborhoods into maximally safe, healthy, unified, diverse and inviting communities.
 
For more information you may visit the Office of Neighborhood Involvement Small Grants Program website.
 
 

Goal  

The SWNI Small Grants Program seeks to support non-profit organizations that aim to foster a culture of community enrichment based on the ten community building project categories.
 
SWNI will evaluate project proposals based on each project’s ability to demonstrate how it will improve their community based on the optimization of six factors.
 
1.      The health of the community                                                                            
2.      The identity of the community
3.      The level of safety within the neighborhood
4.      Community involvement strong partnerships
5.      An appreciation for diversity
6.      Self-sustainability and leveraged funds
 
 
Self-sustainability and leveraged funds/donated services are important because they demonstrate a projects ability to grow and become less dependent on one source funding. Projects that strive to engage local businesses and organizations, build strong and functional partnerships and show a potential for future growth and adaptability are more likely to get funded.
 
Projects are evaluated based on the type of project category they fit into. To see a list of the types of community building project categories please click on the link. Your project may fit into one category type or overlap into several areas, both of which are acceptable. If you are not clear on which project category you fit into, please contact us. You do not need to identify which project category your project fits into for your Small Grants application. These categories are simply meant to help you clarify your project goals and to allow us to track what kinds of projects are being submitted. 
 
How your grant will be graded!!!
Please read through the Grant Evaluation Score Sheet. This worksheet is what the reviewers will use to grade your application. Once your application has been scored by the reviewers you will receive an overall score. Applicants will then be placed in order of their scores. Reviewers will determine the cut off score. Grants above that cut off score will be evaluated to determine who shoudl receive full funding, partial funding or no funding.
 
Want a grant? Make Sure You:
1. Leverage your funds and/or show you have made use of donated services and time.
2. Have solid active partnerships. There are two types of partnerships; active and silent. Let's say you are designing a community garden for your neighborhood. An active partnership would be a partnership with a landscape architect that donates time to help you plan the layout of your garden or perhaps a business that sends volunteers to build raised beds. A silent partner would be an organization or business person that donates supplies, plants, garden tools or gift certificates to your cause.
 
What's the difference between leveraged funds and donated services?
1. Leveraged funds: The actual supplies or goods that have a specific value. Additional grants, gift certificates and other
2. Donated services and time: Business, professionals or community members donating specific services and volunteer time. I.e. artists donating services planning a mural, volunteers helping to plant native plants, bike tech donating time to fix bikes etc.
 
2011-2012 Grant Cycle
2011-2012 Grant Application
 

 

Other Resources for Writing Grant Proposals

 
1. Writing tips & Information: How to Write a Grant Proposal.

 
2. Writing tips & Information: How to Write a Budget
 

Cumulative 3 year summaries of all 7 Coalitions

2007 Summary of Neighborhood Small Grant Program
2008 Summary of Neighborhood Small Grant Program
2009 Summary of Neighborhood Small Grant Program
2007 - 2009 for all 7 coalitions comibined
 

 

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OrientationPacket_2011.doc44 KB
Smallgrantapp_2012.doc647 KB

2012 Graffiti Abatement Community Grants Program


 
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. are excited to offer a Graffiti Abatement Grant. We invite Neighborhood Associations and community-based organizations in Portland to apply. 

 
Our goal is to support community-driven improvement projects and community building opportunities with an emphasis on graffiti prevention, graffiti abatement and/or addressing locations chronically tagged with graffiti.
 
$2,029.00 will be made available to neighborhood and community-based organizations in the Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc area. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process. The amount of funding that can be requested by applicants is flexible. Grant applications will be reviewed by a community-based grant making committee made up of neighborhood and community-based organizational representatives.
 
Submission Deadline:   Thursday, March 1st, 2012 
Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Electronic submissions are not accepted  
 
Applications must be submitted in person to:
 
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.
7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
 
Project timeframe for completion:
Grants will be awarded for projects intended to commence after March 1, 2012 and be completed before December 31, 2012.
 
For More Information:
Southwest Neighborhoods Inc administers the grant program. Contact:
 
Payal Razdan, Outreach Coordinator
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.
7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
503 823-4592
payal@swni.org
 

 
 

Support for Grant Writers
 
Interested parties are advised to attend a grant information session or to make an appointment with Payal Razdan. Grant applications will be available at workshops. Grant writing resources will also be posted at www.swni.org/graffitiabatementgrant
 
          Next Grant Workshop Scheduled: NA                                                                                       

 

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2012 Graffitiabatement app.doc620.5 KB

Community Building Project Categories

 

When applying for a SWNI Small Grant opportunity it will be helpful for you to identify what category your project will into. Your project may overlap into several areas or only hit on one area, and either is fine. When writing your application you may want to guide your narrative to emphasize what areas your project will be focusing on. This will allow the review committee to more clearly understand how your project will benefit the SW community. If you are not sure what category your project belongs to, let us know. We may need to reevaluate your goals or we can help you reword your project to be more clear. 
 

Project Categories:

 
1. Outreach Mobilization: Door-to-door canvassing, a frame signs, building membership and outreach to neighbors and businesses. This category deals with sustained involvement and not for specific one-time events. Communications: Designing new websites, email lists and forums, newsletter mailing to all households, signs to increase awareness etc.
 
2. Targeted Outreach Strategies: To build ties with people traditionally not involved including low-income families, minorities, GLBT, young adults, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
 
3. Relationship Building:  Between neighborhoods and local organizations such as schools, PTA’s, churches, non-profits and businesses. Community picnics, block parties, and movie nights. This category is different then outreach mobilization in that this category focuses on one-time events to make initial connections and to introduce a specific group etc.
 
4. Accessibility: Providing language translation and interpretation, facilitating cultural understanding/adaptation, childcare or other efforts to make neighborhoods activities more accessible.
 
5. Community Beautification: Street tree plantings, neighborhood clean-ups. General improvements that are esthetic in nature but NOT functional.
 
6. Community Design: Builds place-making projects such as planning for playgrounds, intersection repairs, and community gardens. Sign caps and neighborhood ID markers also fit in this category. Improvements that may be esthetic in nature and ARE also functional.
 
7. Crime Prevention: National Night Out, foot patrols, and block watches.
 
8. Cultural Enrichment and Diversity: Culturally specific fairs, festivals or education. This deals with projects that aim to improve the communities understanding of the racial diversity that surrounds them or to improve the integration of a new or minority population into the community (i.e. Somali Neighborhood Involvement Community Engagement resource video)
 
9. Education: Brings together community to identify and link community needs and resources in a manner that helps people to help themselves and to raise the quality of life within their community.
 
10. Public Health: Projects related to overall community wellness. Projects may include health fairs, stress reduction, education on public health topics (i.e. immunization, hearing health, flu, and illness from environmental factors (i.e. mold, windmills or toxins) etc. 
 
 
 

Final Report Template and Project Checklist

I.  SWNI Small Grants Program
 
If you have any questions, problems or if you just want to discuss ideas please contact me at payal@swni.org, call at 503-823-4592 or make an appointment to come in and see me. As the Outreach Coordinator for Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc (SWNI) and the grant manager for the Office of Neighborhood Involvement Neighborhood Small Grants Program for SWNI my job is to provide you with the support you will need to finish your project and to collect the information that is vital in keeping the program going.
 
For all financial related inquiries regarding your grant please contact Sylvia Bogert at Sylvia@swni.org or call 503-823-4592.
 
 
II. 2010-2011 GRANT WINNERS CHECK LIST
 
 
                Identify at least one dedicated photographer for your event. We need 3 electronically saved photos! These photos must be in focus, labeled properly and given to us electronically.
 
Please title your images and save them electronically in the following way
[Organization or Neighborhood Association_Event_Year]
 
#
Photo title (as saved on CD)
Date
Descriptive Sentence
1
MaplewoodNA_NNO_2010
6/08/10
This image shows the community members talking to Mayor Sam Adams about building a Library during the NNO picnic
 
[]      How are you going to measure the success of your event? You must include ONE method to measure the success of your project. If you are unsure, please ask me.
o   Collect stories from individuals that come to your event.
[]      Those responsible for the final report have been identified, signed the agreement letter and have the information they need to properly prepare for the final report.
[]                Make sure that the email account you wrote on your grant application can accept emails from payal@swni.org..
[]      Be sure to identify the Office of Neighborhood Involvement Neighborhood Small Grants Program as a funder for your project/event in all promotional material. Logos available from SWNI Office.
[]                Organize and keep all receipts. Anyone responsible for purchasing items for your events must be informed to keep the ORIGINAL receipts.
[]      Final Report: Typed, in Word format template provided and saved electronically!
o   Please title your final report properly. Use the final report Word template that was given to you. We must be given an electronic copy for your report to be considered complete.
o   The Final Report Template is at www.swni.org/grants and is attached at the bottom of the page.
o   Did you answer ALL OF THE QUESTIONS?
o   Please number your pages, Times New Romanfont style, 12-point font, 1-in margins.
 
 
 
*If you have any questions regarding any part of grant process please contact me. If you run into any complications please let me know so that I can help you. It’s best to keep in touch with me so that I can help you as problems arise.
 
 
  
 
III. FINAL REPORT INSTRUCTIONS
 
1. You must use the final report Word document template provided. Place your answers underneath the questions.
 
2. Items in parentheses should be filled in with YOUR information. Incomplete final reports for the 2010-2011 cycle will disqualify you from being awarded future grants and/or disbursement of funds.
 
3. Your final report should address explicitly the specific aims you stated in your proposal (i.e. if your project aimed to address crime prevention techniques, you must discuss each activity, what you did, the outcome, roadblocks and any quantitative or qualitative methods of measuring success). Don’t forget to include 3-5 photos (saved electronically).
 
4. Include your budget or revised budget and ALL corresponding receipts.
 
5. Format
a. INFORMATION MUST BE TYPED. Please copy all information and pictures on to a CD. We require originals of all deliverables.
b. Please number your pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.
 
 
 
  
 

Your Organization or Neighborhood Association)

 
(The Title of Your Project)
(Name of Individual Completing Final Report)
(Contact Information for Individual Completing Final Report)
(Award Amount)
(Date Sent)
                                                                                     
 
I. Introduction
 
1.     Please describe in (500 words or less) what your goal was for 2010 SWNI small grant project. Who was the focus and how did you determine the need?
 
2.     What was your defined outcome? (3-5 sentences).
 
3.     Did your goals change during the process of your project? If so how?
 
4.     What roadblocks did you encounter if any? How did you overcome them?
 
5.     Did you receive any other grants during the 2010-2011 grant cycle? Please specify from where and how much.
 
6.     Have you received funds from the SWNI Small Grant Program before? Please specify the years and project titles.
 
 
II. Measuring Success
 
7.     Please specify what measures you chose and why you chose them
a.     Data showing the number of people attending your event, the number of new people, the number of people who heard about your event from your flier, survey data or some other form of measure. Please include numbers, data tables, graphs, etc.
b.     If you collected qualitative information (i.e. stories) please include them in this section.
 
 
 
 
III. Capacity and Sustainability
 
8.     Project self-sustainability for the future.
a.     What efforts did you make to establish self-sustainability of your project in the future?
b.     How will you use these additional funds (to reduce your dependency on SWNI Small Grants Program, to expand your project without increasing your dependency on SWNI Small Grants Program)?
 
9.     SWNI wants to organize a training workshop for future grant applicants. We want past grant winners to present their projects for 10 minutes. Would you participate in a meeting and talk about the successes and set backs of your project with other grant winners and future grant applicants?
If not, why?
 
10.    How has your project encouraged participation (i.e. more volunteers, increased visibility, more participation in neighborhood meetings, increase neighborhood activity in a renovated community space, improved access to education or skills)? Please be specific.
 
11.    Were there new organizing or outreach skills/strategies acquired by members of your organization as a result of this project? 
 
12.    What was the most effective outreach strategy you used to get people involved?
 
 
IV. Partnerships
 
13.                        Were any new partnerships created as a result of this project? Please list and describe the role of the partners.
 
 
V. Engaging under-represented groups
  
14.                        Were there any underrepresented groups/organizations you’ve traditionally not worked with before but did so as a result of this project? Please list those organizations and their contact information.
 
15.                        For non-Neighborhood Association groups: As a result of this project, was there any ongoing participation with any Neighborhood Association? i.e. did representatives from your organization attend neighborhood association meetings ,become a member, volunteer, or stay in contact with a neighborhood association? 
Please describe.
 
16.                        For Neighborhood Associations: As a result of this project, was there any ongoing participation with any community-based organizations other than Neighborhood Associations?  i.e. did representatives from your organization attend other organization’s meetings , become a member, volunteer, or stay in contact with other organizations? 
Please describe.     
 
 
IV. Deliverables
 
17.                        Insert your Photo Descriptions. At least 3 pictures (titled and placed on the CD provided) that best show the outcome/activities of your project.
 
18.                        A copy of all deliverables: fliers, postcards, copies of web pages (if the purpose of the project was to create or improve communication through websites), etc…. We want to see what you did and how you did it.
 
V. Financial Information
 
19.                        All financial information related to this project. The expense summary should include:
                                                        i.      All receipts
                                                        ii.      Donations (i.e. gift certificates, give away prizes for raffles, etc…)
                                                        iii.      Number of volunteers and volunteer hours
                                                        iv.      In kind donations by participants, project leaders and partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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FINAL REPORT Template.doc44.5 KB

Grant Success Stories

Community Livability + Neighborhood Strength = Community Success

 

SWNI is dedicated to supporting projects that strengthen community ties, increase community involvement, and make neighborhoods stronger, safer and more livable. The SWNI Small Grants Program allows neighborhoods to take seed money and design and implement creative ideas that make the community better. Here you will find projects and stories that highlight some of the great work our community is doing and hopefully get inspired to create your own projects for your community! After all, a community is defined by its people, it’s projects and it’s stories.
 
SWNI Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee
“Southwest Portland Public Safety Educational Outreach Project”
Project Years: 2006-2011
Levaraged Funds: Over $70,000.00
 
Since 2006 the goal of the SWNI Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee has been to organize and fund projects in SW that increase awareness of public safety and promote connection and cooperation between neighbors, police and other agencies. And they have done just that, building on the success of its Portland Public Safety Outreach project since it first began. This multi-tiered project started out as an educational outreach opportunity; teaching the community about specific crime topics and general public safety while appreciating the services of SW officers during their policing reception. This project has blossomed into a project that has three main goals:
 
1) To organize the 5th annual Hoopin' It Up Basketball Camp for children
 and teens of HAP's Slavin Court and Hillsdale Terrace apartments. This
is a 5 day camp that includes basketball and agility skills but also includes
a writing component and an art class to help kids develop artistic and
coping skills.
 
 
 
 
2) To organize and promote their Annual Community Policing Reception. This celebration offers neighbors an opportunity to personally thank officers and interact with them in an informal, relaxed atmosphere and learn about their excellent service to the community.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3) 3rd Annual Bicycle safety Training for kids. Children are fitted for helmets and officers come out and teach kids about proper bike safety.
 All three projects increase awareness about the Crime Prevention Committee and strengthen partnerships within the community.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWNI Schools Committee
“Sharing Our Family Histories”
Project Years: 2009-2010
Levaraged Funds: Over $1500

“Sharing Our Family Histories” celebrates the varied backgrounds of the people living in SW Portland. Inspired by a remarkable 8th grade program at Robert Gray and Jackson Middle School, it centers around an evening of dialogue between students and a variety of community members. The tone and theme is that we all, no matter our color or culture, are simply and magnificently human and we each have a story to tell. It is an open invitation to all community members to take a turn to tell their cultural history. Each student chooses and studies the background of one member of their family, relative or ancestor. They investigate the peson in depth: family links, ethnic background, religion, immigration routes, how they lived and highlights of their life. The students then share that information both in class and during the event. The hall display of these projects is a vivid mosaic of the richly diverse backgrounds of the students in our schools. The students benefit in many ways from what they about each other in this project. As one parent said, it is a “bonding experience”.
 

Neighborhood Small Grants

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. are excited to offer the fourth year of the City of Portland’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program. We invite Neighborhood Associations and community-based organizations in Portland to apply. Our goal is to provide such groups an opportunity to build community, attract new and diverse members and sustain those already involved. We look forward to working with organizations sharing our community-building goal.
 
To fill out an application, please see the attachment at the bottom of this page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Submission Deadline:
 
Proposals must be received by: 2 PM, Monday, October 31, 2011
 
Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.  
 
Applications must be submitted in person to:
 
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.
7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
 
 
 
Grant-making process:
$22,956 will be made available to neighborhood and community-based organizations in the Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. area. Proposed grant dollar amounts may range from $200 to $2000. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process. Grant applications will be reviewed by a community-based grant making committee made up of neighborhood and community-based organizational representatives.
 
Project timeframe for completion:
Grants will be awarded for projects intended to commence after January 1, 2012 and be completed before December 13, 2012.
 
How your grant will be graded!!!
Please read through the Grant Evaluation Score Sheet. This worksheet is what the reviewers will use to grade your application. Once your application has been scored by the reviewers you will receive an overall score. Applicants will then be placed in order of their scores. Reviewers will determine the cut off score. Grants above that cut off score will be evaluated to determine who shoudl receive full funding, partial funding or no funding.
 
Want a grant? Make Sure You:
1. Leverage your funds and/or show you have made use of donated services and time.
2. Have solid active partnerships. There are two types of partnerships; active and silent. Let's say you are designing a community garden for your neighborhood. An active partnership would be a partnership with a landscape architect that donates time to help you plan the layout of your garden or perhaps a business that sends volunteers to build raised beds. A silent partner would be an organization or business person that donates supplies, plants, garden tools or gift certificates to your cause.
 
What's the difference between leveraged funds and donated services?
1. Leveraged funds: The actual supplies or goods that have a specific value. Additional grants, gift certificates and other
2. Donated services and time: Business, professionals or community members donating specific services and volunteer time. I.e. artists donating services planning a mural, volunteers helping to plant native plants, bike tech donating time to fix bikes etc.
 
For More Information:
The grant program is administered by each District Coalition for proposals affecting neighborhoods and communities within their geographical boundaries. For this grant application your grants manager and District Coalition contact is:
 
Payal Razdan
Outreach Coordinator
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.
7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
503 823-4592
payal@swni.org
http://swni.org/
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2011Grant application.doc645 KB
2011grantScoreSheet.doc41.5 KB

2009-2010 Small Grant

                                                                                                      Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc

                                                                                2009-2010 Small Grants Program

 
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. are excited to offer the fourth year of the City of Portland’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program. We invite Neighborhood Associations and community-based organizations in Portland to apply. Our goal is to provide such groups an opportunity to build community, attract new and diverse members and sustain those already involved. We look forward to working with organizations sharing our community-building goal. In the first three years of the grant Program, $553,847 was awarded to 271 neighborhood and community-based organization projects. The average grant award was $1,972. 127 general neighborhood projects were funded along with 102 projects (38% of total) initiated by underrepresented organizations representing people of color, immigrants and refugees, low-income families, youth, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered people. Thanks to the leadership of City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, the advocacy of the ONI Bureau Advisory Committee, and the support of City Council for funding this critical resource for community-building purposes in Portland neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
Brian Russell
Board President of Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.

 

FULL APPLICATION in word

 

2010-2011 SWNI Small Grant Award Recipients

SWNI Small Grants Program Funds 12 Grants
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. awarded $10,647 in small grants to neighborhood associations and community organizations through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program. The small grants selection committee recommended that grants be awarded to the following projects:
 
Maplewood NA: $1,000
Celebrate Maplewood Summer Social
The annual Maplewood Summer Picnic & Ice Cream Social, part of NNO is a favorite and includes many organizations, local businesses, Maplewood Elementary School, local churches and volunteers. The Maplewood Summer Social showcases local musicians and artists, local history, watersheds and parks, and neighboring businesses and churches that donate time and merchandise to the event.
 
Ashreek NA: $1,100
Dickinson Park Community Outreach for a Community Garden
This grant will support community outreach efforts to determine 1) the resident’s views towards a community garden in Dickinson Park, 2) their level of interest in supporting and participating in local gardening, and 3) other views about future development of Dickinson Park. The primary outcome for the grant activity will be a community outreach report that summarizes survey, interest session and open house data. This project builds community by working with residents to enhance Dickinson Park and expand its presence. It will draw residents into the NH association activity and give local Somali immigrants a forum to engage with others in the community and share their ideas on growing food. It opens up opportunities for cultural exchange.
 
Marshall Park NA: $112
Marshall Park Neighborhood Outreach and Community Building
The Marshall Park grant is a Neighborhood Tree Steward Training opportunity that will train two individuals to become educational resources to the members of the neighborhood. Stewards will assist in plantings, taking inventory and generally improve liability as well as education of the community on the value of natural resources.
 
Hayhurst NA/Cedar Sinai Park: $565
SW Boundary Road Traffic Calming Project
The goal of the project is to slow down and reduce traffic in the neighborhood along SW Boundary road thus encouraging a calmer and quieter living environment for the community and promoting increased pedestrian use and safety in keeping with the Cedar Sinai Park values of maintaining and promoting a safe neighborhood.
 
SWNI Crime Prevention/Public Safety Committee: $1,200
SW Portland Public Safety Educational Outreach Project
The goals of the SW Portland Public Safety Educational Outreach Project are to organize and fund projects in SW that increase awareness of public safety and promote connection and cooperation between neighbors, police and other agencies. This project involves 3 parts. 1) To organize and promote our 6th Annual Community Policing Reception which offers neighbors an opportunity to personally thank and interact with officers in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. 2) The project will organize the fifth annual Hoopin' It Up Basketball Camp for children and teens of HAP's Slavin Court and Hillsdale Terrace apartments. This five day camp includes basketball, agility skills, a writing component and an art class to help kids develop educational, creative and coping skills. 3) Third Annual Bicycle safety Training for kids will fit children for helmets. Officers come out and teach kids about proper bike safety. All three projects increase awareness about the Crime Prevention Committee and strengthen partnerships within the community.
 
SWNI Communication Committee: $1,188
Portland Community Media SmartAcess Workshops
The purpose of this grant is to provide an opportunity for community organizations within Southwest Portland to take advantage of the recently formed SmartAccess partnership between SWNI and Portland Community Media (PCM). The project will provide training on how to use PCM equipment and promote skills on using multimedia to increase the power the voice of the SW community has. With the multimedia training, the community partners (6 community building nonprofits) will be better suited to serve populations in need.
 
Hayhurst School: $1,000
Hayhurst School Bike Shelter   
This project is a place-making project for Hayhurst School to design and build a shelter for bikes. This visible structure will encourage the students to be active and think about biking as a viable mode of transportation to school.
 
Tryon Creek Watershed Council: $1,200
Tryon Creek Watershed Wide Event      
The Watershed Wide Event seeks to spend a day focused on hands-on restoration and appreciation of the Tryon Creek Watershed. The event will build on the success of last year's event to reach more watershed residents and improve the educational quality of the event. Main aspects of the event include on-the-ground restoration results from volunteer work parties, educating people on how they can help the watershed, increasing peoples' connections to their watershed and building the volunteer base and organizational capacity to sustain them in the future.
 
Crestwood Neighborhood Association/Dickinson Park: $1,100
Dickinson Park at the Movies 2011
The goal of Dickinson Park at the Movies is to have a movie night serve as a catalyst to spark attention, capture interest and generate support for groups and projects which benefit the park. The idea is to have people feel connected in order to motivate them to get involved as volunteers in other community events such as removing invasive species, planting native plants, trail creation and putting in play structures. The project also emphasizes the message of alternative transportation to the event.
 
South Portland Neighborhood Association: $998
Building Neighborhood Identity
This project will promote summer concerts on the Willamette River and the neighborhood's annual National Night Out picnic. These events have become an important part of our community identity and spur new volunteers to become involved in activities.
 
Multnomah NA: $450
Multnomah Village Park Stair Rail and Phase 1 of Spring Garden Park Nature Play Area: Neighborhood Communications and Outreach
This grant brings together two projects; 1) to install a stair rail at Multnomah Village Park which will improve stair safety and give more people safe and easy access to the park. 2) Phase 1 of Spring Garden Park Nature Play Area is to install a nature based play area in the south end of the park. Phase 1 focuses on informing neighbors about the project and to build a quantifiable base of park supporters and stakeholders.
 
Homestead Neighborhood Association: $734
Extending Outreach While "Putting Homestead on the Map
This project emphasizes outreach and increased participation while seeking to raise awareness of the neighborhood itself. This project seeks to expand awareness of the neighborhood, by creating neighborhood identity, and to grow a greater sense of community to encourage not only participation but new leadership in the neighborhood.
 
 
 
 
 

2011 Grant Evaluation Score Sheet

The following grading sheet is what the reviewers will use to evaluate your grant application. There are 5 sections each with a percentage value. Each section has points on which that section can be evaluated. The points for each section are added and then multiplied by the percentage value of that section. The total points for all 5 sections is then added for a total score. This score is used to rank your application against other applications.

2011 Neighborhood Small Grant Evaluation Worksheet

Project Org/ title: ______________________________________________________________
Evaluator’s Name: ______________________________________

Please use the following scale to score the items. Add your comments regarding strengths or concerns.
0 = no effort, illegible, or insufficient information to judge
1 = generally no, inadequate effort, disjointed thought process.
2 = generally yes with unresolved issues or some uncertainty
3 = clearly yes
4 = exceeds expectations

Total Score Amount Requested:

25% 1.) Project description, narrative:

_____ Overall clarity

_____ Target audience identified

_____ Need for the project in the community is explained and was demonstrated how?

_____ Purpose and goal stated of project is clearly stated.

_____ Timeline (present, clear and logical).

Reason for score:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20% 2.) Project lasting outcome

_____ Does the project build community in the Neighborhood Association/ organization within the SWNI coalition area?

_____ Does the project attract new and diverse members and/or build leadership?

_____ Does it sustain members and leadership to stay involved?

Reason for score:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
25% 3.) Partnerships (Yes = 1, No = 0)

_____ Does this project involve partnerships between at least one Neighborhood Association and one community-based organization within the SWNI coalition area?

_____ Is the partnership with an under-represented organization or community within the SW coalition area? (Seniors, Youth, Somali, Russian, Latino, GLBT, etc).

_____ Does the project indicate the presence of at least one active partnership?
(With an organization/s or an individual/s in which some service is being provided. I.e. a landscape artist volunteering time to design a garden, REI sending volunteers to help with an event, a webdesigner working with a neighborhood to plan a website, PSU Community Organizing student group helping to plan a cultural fair in a neighborhood, Portland Parks and Rec lending expertise and time in planning the placement of a kiosk, etc.) If no, the project is disqualified.

Reason for score:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20% 4.) Budget

_____ Does the budget clearly show how it supports the project?
(i.e. Does the applicant ask for the full amount without clear indication of why, are the budget items related to the purpose stated in the narrative…)

_____ Is the budget clear, does it add up correctly?
(i.e. is the budget itemized clearly).

_____ Does the budget make use of leveraged funds and/or donated services and time? If no, the project is disqualified.

_____Does this organization have the capacity to complete the project with the requested budget?
(i.e. based on the timeline and resources available and described, is the project possible. Or is the project lacking in manpower, organization, planning, leadership, committed volunteers, etc so that even with the requested budget, the project may still fall through).

Reason for score:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10% 5.) Acknowledgement and Timeline

_____ Does the project describe how they will include acknowledgement of SWNI/ONI Small Grant Program?

_____ Does the project provide a simple timeline (start, end, milestones)

Reason for score:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
100%

Total Points =

Total Score: ________
Funding Recommendation:
r Fund
r Partially Fund (How much? $________________)
r Do Not Fund
r Contact with the following questions to provide additional information:

Additional Comments (i.e. if no or partial funding was given)

For Outreach Coordinator to complete:

Did the applicant follow all instructions in the application? (Reduce score by ½ a point for each item below.) Deduct

 _____ Typed, 12 pt font and 1 inch margins.
 _____ Does this application provide contact information for indicated partners?

______ If this project applied for a grant previously, did they turn in pictures and a final report. If no, this project is disqualified.

Clarifying Information

Other Grant Opportunities

Other grant opportunities we've heard about:

2011 Champions for Healthy Kids Grants Deadline Approaching -General Mills, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition is proud to announce its ninth year of awarding 50, $10,000 grants to not-for-profit organizations with innovative programs that help youth develop both good nutrition and fitness habits. Deadline: December 15. Full details.
 
State Farm Company Grants for Neighborhood Improvement - What makes a community great? Safe neighborhoods, strong neighborhoods, and educational excellence-which is why State Farm offers grants in each of these three areas.  All US 501(c)(3)s are eligible. Grant Cycle: January 2 - October 31. Full Details
 
Do Something Mini-Grants - Are you working to start a community action project or program? Do you need money to turn your ideas into action? Do you have a sustainable community action project, program or idea? We give out a $500 Do Something Seed Grant every week to help young people just like YOU! Closing Date: Currently no deadline; 2-3 month notification.Full Details
 
School Breakfast Wellness Partnership - Action for Healthy Kids and the Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund are offering 90 schools a chance to expand their daily breakfast programs. The award amount will be based, in part, on a school’s ability to mobilize parents and students around school breakfast initiatives. Priority selection will be given to schools with low student breakfast participation and to schools or districts that are nominated by or receive a letter of support from their state Action for Healthy Kids team. Full Details
 
Building Healthy Communities Grant Program - The Home Depot Foundation is offering grants, up to $2,500, that are now available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. who are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase or tools or materials. Only grants submitted through the online application process will be considered for funding. All unsolicited donation requests received via mail, phone or e-mail will be referred to this online grant program. Next Closing Date: No information available yet for 2011 (three cycles in 2010). Full Details
 
Shade Structure Grants - The American Academy of Dermatology's Shade Structure Program awards grants in the amount of $8,000 each for the purchase of permanent shade structures designed to provide shade and ultraviolet (UV) ray protection for outdoor areas. The AAD also provides a permanent sign to be displayed near the shade structure that promotes the importance of sun safety. The AAD receives support for this program from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Co. Applications for 2011 are available and due by April 22, 2011 at 4:00pm. Full Details

SWNI 2011 Small Grants Announced

Southwest Neighborhoods Inc. awarded $10,647 in small grants to 12 neighborhood associations and community organizations within the SWNI coalition area. For the fifth year of the program, Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement has provided grant funds to the seven coalition offices. Grants were awarded to the following projects:
 
Maplewood NA: $1,000 - Celebrate Maplewood Summer Social. The annual summer picnic & ice cream social, part of National Night Out, brings neighbors together and includes many organizations, local businesses, Maplewood Elementary School, local churches and volunteers. The Summer Social showcases local musicians and artists, local history, watersheds, parks, and neighboring businesses and churches.
 
Ashcreek NA: $1,100 - Dickinson Park Community Outreach for a Community Garden. This grant supports outreach efforts to determine the resident’s views towards a community garden in Dickinson Park, the level of interest in participating and other views about future development of Dickinson Park. This project builds community by working with residents to enhance Dickinson Park and expand its presence.
  
Hayhurst NA/Cedar Sinai Park: $565 - SW Boundary Road Traffic Calming Project. The goal of the project is to slow down and reduce traffic in the neighborhood along the SW Boundary Road, thus encouraging a safer environment for the community and promoting increased pedestrian use in keeping with the Cedar Sinai Park values of maintaining and promoting a safe neighborhood.
 
SWNI Communication Committee: $1,188 - Portland Community Media Smart Access Workshops. This project gives community organizations an opportunity to obtain PCM training. Nonprofits will learn how to use equipment and how multimedia can increase the power of the community voice in southwest. With the multimedia training, the community partners (six community building nonprofits) will be better suited to serve populations in need.
 
Hayhurst School: $1,000 - Hayhurst School Bike Shelter. This project is a place-making project for Hayhurst School to design and build a shelter for bikes. This visible structure will encourage the students to be active and think about biking as a viable mode of transportation to school.
 
Tryon Creek Watershed Council: $1,200 - Tryon Creek Watershed-Wide Event. The watershed-wide event seeks to spend a day focused on hands-on restoration and appreciation of the Tryon Creek watershed. The event will reach out to watershed residents. Main aspects of the event include on-the-ground restoration results from volunteer work parties, educating people on how they can help the watershed, increasing peoples' connections to their watershed and building the volunteer base and organizational capacity to sustain them in the future.
 
Crestwood Neighborhood Association/Dickinson Park: $1,100 - Dickinson Park at the Movies. The goal of movies is to have a movie night serve as a catalyst to spark attention, capture interest and generate support for groups and projects which benefit Dickinson Park. By increasing community members’ connection to their neighborhood neighbors will be motivated to get involved as volunteers in other events The project also emphasizes the message of alternative transportation.
 
SWNI Crime Prevention/Public Safety Committee: $1,200 - Public Safety Educational Outreach Project. This grant covers three projects: 6th Annual Community Policing Reception, which offers neighbors an opportunity to interact with officers in an informal atmosphere; 5th annual Hoopin’ It Up Basketball Camp for children of HAP’s Slavin Court and Hillsdale Terrace apartments, which includes basketball, agility skills, a writing component and an art class to help kids develop educational, creative and coping skills; and lastly, the Annual Bicycle Safety Training for kids.
 
Multnomah NA: $450 - Multnomah Village Park and Spring Garden Park Nature Play Area. This grant brings together two projects: 1) to install a stair rail at Multnomah Village Park which will improve stair safety and give more people safe and easy access to the park; 2) Phase 1 of Spring Garden Park Nature Play Area focuses on informing neighbors about the project and to build a quantifiable base of park supporters and stakeholders.
 
Homestead NA: $734 - Extending Outreach While "Putting Homestead on the Map.” This project emphasizes outreach and increased participation while seeking to raise awareness of the neighborhood itself. This project seeks to expand awareness of the neighborhood, by creating neighborhood identity, and to grow a greater sense of community to encourage not only participation but new leadership in the neighborhood.
 
South Portland NA: $998 - Building Neighborhood Identity. Project will include an all household mailer to promote summer concerts on Willamette River and the neighborhood’s annual National Night Out picnic. These events have become an important part of our community identity and spur new volunteers to become involved in activities.

SWNI Grant Summary By Award Cycle

 
The following graph shows details about grant award cycles. To see a list of grant awardees and a description of the projects please click on the grant cycle year you are interested in.

 

Grant Cycle    Award          Total # of       Total # of       # Full Funding/     Project
Year              Amount        applications     Grants             Partial              Category
                                                             Awarded                                 Breakdown
 
2009-2010       $20,723           23               15                    9/6             available soon
2008-2009       $22,053           22               18                   10/8                           
2007-2008       $21,370           22               14                   0/14              
2006-2007       $25,140           21               18                   10/8          

 
 

2007 - 2008 Small Grant Project Summaries

Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) awarded 16 grants to neighborhood associations and community organizations through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Neighborhood Small Grants program. SWNI Neighborhood Small Grant Selection Committee recommended the $21,370 in funds be awarded to the following projects.
 
Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association for Community Resource Fair ($750) Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association will host a resource fair in conjunction with the Stephenson Elementary Back to School Picnic. Businesses, neighborhood groups and youth groups will be invited to share in a “one-stop shopping” for parents in the area.
 
Dickinson Park Stewards for Dickinson Park at the Movies ($1970) Dickinson Park Stewards will host two to three outdoor movies in Dickinson Park to showcase the park, build on the volunteer base and create community.
 
Far Southwest Neighborhood Association for Operation of Outreach ($920) A door-to-door outreach that includes information about crime prevention, Far Southwest Neighborhood Association, disaster preparedness, NET and block watch. A survey of special needs, skills and tools/supplies will be assessed during this door-to-door. Additional monies assist in funding a community potluck tied in with National Night Out.
 
Girl Scouts Columbia River Council Troop 1984 for Garden Rejuvenation at Robert Gray Middle School ($970) This project is to use the garden rejuvenation project as a place for young women to develop hands-on learning and leadership opportunities. It will offer an outdoor retreat and foster pride and ownership for all students.
 
Girl Scouts Columbia River Council Troop 1338 for the Girl Scout Family Sock Hop for Seniors ($645) This project will be hosted by the Girl Scouts for their families and seniors. It will offer the girls leadership and outreach opportunities. A canned food drive will be in lieu of admission.
 
Hillsdale Alliance for the Hillsdale Tower/Sign Lighting ($1470) Funds from this grant will assist in paying for the lighting of the large sign in a prominent location in Hillsdale that reads HILLSDALE. 30,000 commuters will pass by the sign daily.
 
Homestead Neighborhood Association for Using Nature and Community Partnerships to Increase Neighborhood Involvement ($500) This grant consists of outreach activities, such as trail maintenance and invasive plant removal, designed to appeal to neighbors who use the trails extensively.
 
Hayhurst School Parent Teacher Association for Initiative to Strengthen the Hayhurst Community ($620) The funds will go towards a neighborhood-wide mailing to invite neighbors to the school’s multicultural fair that will provide opportunities for neighbors to develop relationships with the school community. Included in the invitation will be a way for neighbors to receive the school’s weekly newsletter.
 
Maplewood Neighborhood Association for the Maplewood Summer Picnic 2008 ($1470) This event is the annual neighborhood picnic held in conjunction with National Night Out at the local elementary. The event allows neighbors to meet each other, the board and various groups like the NET and Friends of Vermont Creek.
 
Marshall Park Neighborhood Association for National Night Out & Park Outreach ($1520) Marshall Park Neighborhood Association will host a National Night Out picnic and a meeting to design a kiosk/community gathering place. Both will be promoted through a neighborhood-wide mailing.
 
Multnomah Historical Society for Updated Brochure & DVD creation for Centennial Celebration ($1965) The Multnomah Historical Society will convert an extensive slide collection into a DVD with narration, artwork, graphics, along with packaging and promotion. An updated brochure will also be created. Both are in preparation for the Centennial celebration happening in 2008.
 
Somali Community Services for Website Development ($1970) This project is the development of a resource website. It will offer much-needed improved communication and create awareness of the center to other agencies in Oregon.
 
Somali Women’s Association for Somali Women’s Social Gatherings & Sewing Project $1970) SWA will offer sewing lessons to Somali women and a sewing machine at the end of the class to attendees. During the classes, different organizations are invited to give presentations about services they provide. Programs include how to access government agencies, school agencies, etc.
 
South Portland Neighborhood Association for Increasing and Strengthening Neighborhood Involvement and Connection with Area Businesses ($1970) Funding will go for an 11 x 17 mailing to every household announcing the summer concert series. The mailer will contain additional information promoting the neighborhood association and its projects. Additionally the neighborhood association will work with businesses to help organize a new business association through another mailer.
 
SWNI Crime Prevention & Public Safety Committee for Southwest Portland Public Safety Educational Outreach Project ($1720) This is a three pronged-approach for Educational Outreach: One a four-page “public safety” insert into the SWNI newspaper; two will be the 3rd annual community policing reception, celebrating appreciation for the SW officers; third, the organization of the 2nd annual basketball camp for HAP apartments in Southwest.
 
West Portland Park Neighborhood Association for Sign Caps for West Portland Park ($970) This project involves creating and installing neighborhood sign caps on strategic street corners to help create a sense of community and better identify the neighborhood of West Portland Park. Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) received 22 proposal requests for over $38,000 and wants to acknowledge the incredible dedication our neighborhoods and community groups have shown. These grants are an example of how the community is embracing collaboration, is hungry for relationship-building and understands the value of creating sustainable projects. We thank all the applicants for your commitment to create safe, healthy, vibrant, inclusive, socially diverse and livable communities; it was obvious these values are important reading your proposals. SWNI would like to extend its gratitude to the Grant Committee, who took the time to give each proposal careful consideration. The committee understands and appreciates the work that our neighborhoods and community organizations do and had to make some difficult decisions. They made those decisions with compassion and care.

2008 - 2009 Small Grant Project Summaries

Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) awarded 18 small grants to neighborhood associations and community organization through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program. SWNI Neighborhood Small Grant Selection Committee recommended the $22,053 be awarded to the following projects:
 
Bridlemile Neighborhood Association for Invigorating the Neighborhood Association ($350): Bridlemile Neighborhood Association aims to attract new members and to engage community members in a positive and collaborative manner.
 
Southwest Watershed Resource Center ($875): To acquire essential equipment in order to improve outreach efforts and information distribution.
 
Neighborhood House Garden Sustainability ($1,829): This project will further develop the current garden and will expand the garden allowing for more vegetables to be grown for the Emergency Food Box Program, further development of the Garden Education Program and improve the sustainability of the garden.
 
Southwest Trails Water Fountain at Raz-Baack Crossing ($725): A community volunteer project to improve the crossing.
 
Southwest Community Health Center Promoting Exercise and Community Building ($511): Participation of under-represented groups in SW Walks and engagement in healthy activities. Community members will be invited to participate in a culturally sensitive manner that is welcoming and encouraging.
 
Far Southwest Neighborhood Association Outreach ($500): Far Southwest Neighborhood Association will host a neighborhood-wide potluck and ice cream social to increase community participation in the neighborhood association.
 
Crestwood Neighborhood Association/Dickinson Park Stewards for Dickinson Park at the Movies ($1,000): Two to three movies will be shown between July and September to improve volunteer involvement in various neighborhood activities and to generate support for community projects.
 
South Portland Neighborhood Association Increasing Neighborhood Involvement and Connection with Area Businesses ($2,000): Grant money will go towards supporting and promoting a concert series through a neighborhood newsletter and signage.
 
Jackson Middle School Cultural Arts Day ($1,500): Funds will support Cultural Arts Day, which will educate students about different cultures that are apart of their community. Art, music and dance hands-on workshop opportunities will be available during the event.
 
Crime Prevention/Public Safety Committee Educational Outreach Project ($2,000): Funds will go towards a four page “public safety” insert in the Southwest Neighborhood Newspaper, to promote and organize the 4th Annual Community Policing Reception, and to organize the 3rd Annual Hoopin’ it Up Basketball Camp for children and teens of the Housing Authority of Portland’s Slavin Court and Hillsdale Terrace apartments.
 
Homestead Neighborhood Association Full Circle Plant Program ($1,538): Grant money will support the Full Circle Plant Program, which offers trees and other native plant species up for “adoption”. Homestead will expand partnerships with commercial sponsors.
 
Shomrei Teva of Neveh Shalom Garden ($750): Grant money will engage volunteers in replanting a large area along the tributary of Fanno Creek that runs between Congregation Neveh Shalom and the Portland Christian Center.
 
Multnomah Arts Center Community Mural ($2,000): Multnomah Arts Center will design and coordinate the painting of a mural by members of the community. The theme “Arts in the Heart of the Community” will provide a welcome to the 100,000 individuals who come into the Center.
 
South Burlingame Neighborhood Outreach and Improvement ($1,775): A clean up of Southwest 12th and Spring Garden for beautification and safety purposes. Following cleanup, a safety sign will be placed in the area. Funds will also be used to support a National Night Out community event in Burlingame Park.
 
Maplewood Neighborhood Association Summer Picnic ($1,800): Grant money will fund the 4th annual Maplewood Summer Picnic which will showcase the neighborhood accomplishment and promote opportunities for involvement. This will also provide an opportunity for the neighborhood association to solicit ideas on how to better build the vision for Maplewood.
 
Multnomah Historical Association Survey, Research and History ($1,050): Funds will be used towards developing surveys and publishing research of historic homes and buildings of Southwest Neighborhoods, research documenting the history of the Multnomah Village Business District, and providing signage for primary buildings or businesses.
 
Marshall Park National Night Out and Park Outreach ($1,550): Marshall Park Neighborhood Association with host a National Night Out picnic that aims to serve as a resource fair and interactive community gathering event.
 
Robert Gray and Girl Scout Garden Project ($300): Grant funds will be used to further support the garden at Robert Gray. The space will provide additional outdoor learning space to the school. Fresh vegetables will be used wither in the SUN Community School or donated to the Neighborhood House.