FAQ for 2020 Small Grants Fund

 

What is the purpose of the Small Grants Fund?

PCL makes grants to programs that serve children and their families in Portland. The purpose of the Small Grants Fund is to increase equity in the Levy grantmaking process through reaching small organizations and underserved communities throughout the city. PCL does not accept funding requests for organization’s general operating support.

How do I apply for a Small Grant?

There will be two steps to the funding process: a short Step 1 Application, and for those applicants who are selected to continue in the funding process, a longer Step 2 Application. PLEASE NOTE: The Step 1 and Step 2 Application phases are CLOSED.

How do I know if my program is eligible to apply for a Small Grant?

Your program must serve children, youth, and families in at least one of the Levy’s funding areas: Early Childhood, After School, Mentoring, Foster Care, Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention and Hunger Relief. A “small organization” is defined as any 501c3 nonprofit or fiscally sponsored nonprofit with an annual budget of $1 million or less. All purposed programs must serve residents of the city of Portland.

How much money can I request in my application? How long is the grant?

See the Applicant Instructions page 6 for specific details on the amount of funding an applicant can request. Grants will begin Jan. 1, 2021 and fund through June 2024, with the option to renew if the Levy is reauthorized by voters.

When are Step 1 Applications due?

Applicants must submit the Step 1 Application Form via email to PCL Small Grants Manager Arika Bridgeman-Bunyoli by 5 pm, July 8th. See the Applicant Instructions, page 7 to understand how Step 1 applications will be selected for Step 2.

Who decides which Step 2 applicants receive funding?

The Small Grants Fund Design Team, along with a group of reviewers who represent the communities and populations of Small Fund Grants applicants, will read and score the applications and conduct the interviews. Their recommendations will go to the Levy Allocation Committee of the Portland Children’s Levy for final decisions in Fall 2020.

If I have more questions, who do I contact? Email your questions to arika.bridgeman-bunyoli@portlandoregon.gov