Do you have a fun, creative community project idea but need funding to get it going? The Community Advisory Board is now accepting applications for the 2021 Community Improvement Grant Program.
Donor Name: City of Santa Rosa
State: California
City: Santa Rosa
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 01/07/2022
Size of the Grant: $2,500
Details:
The CIG Program supports community building, improves neighborhoods, and strengthens relationships among residents. The CIG Program provides mini-grants for the City of Santa Rosa’s Neighborfest Program, which offers neighbors the chance to come together, have fun, and build stronger, more connected communities. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all community events including Neighborfest have been suspended until further notice. This year, in lieu of Neighborfest, the CAB will be issuing grants for eligible community improvement projects. All approved projects must be inclusive, accessible, free of charge to participants, and focus on broad community support.
2021 Focus Areas
All grant applications must align with City Council goals and priorities:
City Council Goal #7: Foster neighborhood partnerships and strengthen cultural assets.
- General Community Building Project Ideas:
- Community gardens – creation or cleanup
- Community cleanup day
- Art projects
- Memorial projects (e.g. bench or plaque purchase and installation)
- Youth-led projects
- Neighborhood group development (e.g. neighborhood association creation, neighborhood communications creation, neighborhood leadership development, etc.)
- Crises Response Priorities Project Ideas:
- Economic Resiliency, including Childcare. Examples: COVID-19 response/recovery (e.g. food and/or clothing distribution, community gardens, school supply distribution, etc.)
- Homelessness – programs may be funded if they align with City of Santa Rosa goals and services for homelessness. If doing a food or clothing distribution, you must partner with a homeless services agency.
- Public Safety Priorities and Reform. Examples: Disaster preparedness (e.g. creation of go-bags/emergency kits, etc.)
- Organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Examples: Art projects (e.g. mural creation, crosswalk or street murals; quilt making; yarn bombing, etc.); racial equity and social justice trainings; community conversations on race, etc.
Funding Information
CIG funds must be matched by funds from other sources that meet or exceed your grant request. These may be actual funds or in-kind donations (e.g. donated supplies, volunteer hours, etc.). All projects MUST demonstrate a 1:1 match. For example, a project requesting a $500 grant must have a minimum of $500 in matching funds, for a total project budget of $1,000. The maximum grant amount is $2,500. However, there is no maximum match funds amount.
Types of Projects
- Public and Community Improvements: physical construction/improvement projects. Examples include but are not limited to: murals/public art, benches, park improvements/repairs, community clean-ups, tree planting, graffiti removal, community, school or service club project, signage, creek restoration and neighborhood gardens.
- Community Practices: activities that create or enhance the sense of community among individuals within a regional area or within a group that shares a common interest. Examples include: neighborhood leadership development trainings, community leadership trainings, formation of a neighborhood association, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofits, neighborhood groups and/or associations, homeowner associations, service clubs, community groups and /or organizations, and schools may apply to fund a project in Santa Rosa. However, applicants do not have to have an established organization to apply for the funds. Any large or small group of neighbors or community members who want to improve where they live can apply for these grants. The funds may be used to improve a street, block, neighborhood, or community.
For more information, visit City of Santa Rosa.
