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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrant Request - Volunteer ConnectEconomic Development Fund Discretionary Grant Program Organization: Volunteer Connect Organization Description: This organization, a regional volunteer center serving Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties, works to connect volunteers with opportunities to impact the Central Oregon community through non-profit and public organizations. Since launching in January 2010, more than 900 volunteers have engaged with 100 organizations through online services, personal referrals, corporate volunteer programs, service -learning programs and volunteer management workshops. Project Name: Volunteer Connect Outreach Project Description: These grant funds will be used to expand the outreach to new volunteers and organizations not currently engaged with Volunteer Connect. This effort will focus on five specific areas: geographic areas outside of Bend, those serving the Spanish-speaking population, seasonal residents and retired professionals, faith communities and corporate employee groups. Specifically, the funds will be used for marketing, printing and food and beverages. Project Period: 2011 Amount of Request: $1,500 (Total Project Expenditures = $11,750) Previous Grants: • October 2009: Volunteer Connect Launch $2,500 ($1,250 Baney; $1,250 Unger) Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org DESCHUTES COUNTY DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION Direct Application to: Commissioner Tammy Baney Commissioner Dennis R. Luke Date: 1 Project Name: Project Beginning Date: Amount of Request: Commissioner Alan Unger All Three Commissioners D0 Applicant/Organization: Address: Project End Date: Date Funds Needed: D(.c. -ter 60 n P. /SM) Dr - 6 Contact Name(s): Fax: Alternate Phone: Tax ID #: City & Zip: Telephone: -o --.5757 ( /3t7ii a/ /./.67 ���--66.5,2/�7 3LJ 7770 / — 3 — Email: %-e.5 Ct- Or''� On a separate sheet, please briefly answer the following questions: 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. 5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit. 6. Itemize anticipated expenditures*. Describe how grant funds will be used and include the source and amounts of matching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant will support an ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future. Attach: Proof of the applicant organization's non-profit status. *Applicant may be contacted during the review process and asked to provide a complete line item budget. Tammy Baney: Amount: Signature: Dennis Luke: Amount: Signature: Alan Unger: Amount: Signature: DESCHUTES COUNTY DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION VOLUNTEER CONNECT January 8, 2011 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities. Volunteer Connect is the regional volunteer center, serving Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. The organization's purpose is to connect volunteers with meaningful opportunities to deeply impact the Central Oregon community. The seven -member Board of Directors is led by the following officers: President: Kelly Herman Secretary: Wendy Winchel Treasurer: Ed Onimus The staff consists of the following: Executive Director: Betsy Warriner Program Director: Brendan Appleberry Program Coordinator: Jessica Knight Since its launch in January 2010, Volunteer Connect has engaged over 900 volunteers in serving with 100 nonprofit and public community organizations. We link volunteers with ongoing and one-time opportunities through: • Our online search system and project calendar (www.volunteerconnectnow.org) • Personal referrals of individuals and groups • Special projects, such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, engaging volunteers in more than 20 service projects throughout the region • Service -learning programs that involve students in community volunteering, while cultivating their lifelong civic engagement. • Corporate employee volunteer programs • Volunteer management workshops and guidance to help community partners recruit, retain, and provide excellent supervision for volunteers. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. Organizations in Deschutes County, as also in Crook and Jefferson Counties, are challenged to provide services, and the demand for volunteers continues to exceed the supply. Having established the basic infrastructure to help meet the increasing need for volunteers, Volunteer Connect seeks to expand our outreach to organizations and volunteers not yet fully served. The project goals are to increase volunteer connections for: 1) Organizations and residents in communities outside of Bend, including La Pine, Sunriver, Sisters, and Redmond. In collaboration with our agency partners in these communities, we will reach new agencies and volunteers through community visits, service projects, and volunteer fairs. 2) Spanish-speaking volunteers and organizations serving Hispanic residents. We will recruit bi-lingual volunteers to support outreach efforts, including bi-lingual web development and opportunity listings in Spanish. Our partners will include the Latino Community Association, Central Oregon Community College, and the Oregon State University/Cascades Campus. 3) Seasonal residents and retired professionals, attracted to the region by its landscape and leisure opportunities. We will invite them to bring their life -time career skills to serve local community organizations, thus helping to connect them in a meaningful way with their adopted community. We will work with our community agency partners to provide engaging, high -responsibility opportunities for these volunteers. 4) Faith communities. Already active in congregation -based outreach efforts, individuals from these communities could become a more active force in promoting volunteerism region -wide. Strategies include speaking to various faith communities, developing "ambassador" leaders from specific congregations, and working with the Partnership to End Poverty to generate partnerships with inter -faith associations. 5) Corporate employee groups. Volunteer Connect is implementing a corporate employee volunteer program in conjunction with local businesses. At our request, the Leadership Bend class of the Bend Chamber of Commerce developed a detailed corporate volunteering template for us, based on researching and implementing a service project with the Deschutes Brewery and Healing Reins. Company involvement in employee volunteer opportunities can enhance employee well-being, loyalty, and effectiveness. 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. Winter, 2010: • Conduct Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service projects in communities throughout the region • Work with the Sisters Volunteer Bank to increase volunteer opportunity postings for Sisters residents (ongoing — continuing through project period) • Meet with the Latino Community Association to plan strategies for developing Spanish-language opportunity listings and outreach (ongoing) • Work with the Sagebrush Challenge to add community agencies posting volunteer opportunities with Volunteer Connect • Develop schedule for meeting with and speaking to faith communities (ongoing) • Meet with corporate community outreach personnel, starting with Best Buy (ongoing) Spring, 2010: • Continue ongoing strategies • Work with the La Pine Chamber of Commerce to help organize the South County volunteer fair • Develop strategies to engage seasonal residents and retired professionals, starting with outreach to the Awbrey Glen community (ongoing) • Bring in interns to develop the corporate employee volunteer program and outreach to Spanish-speaking volunteers (ongoing) Summer, 2010: • Continue ongoing strategies • Work with the Deschutes Public Library to organize the Redmond volunteer fair Fall, 2010: • Continue ongoing strategies • Evaluate outreach outcomes 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. An engaged community tends to attract and support business development. Volunteers help community organizations build a healthier and better -educated work force, as well as helping solve problems that might present barriers to development. The volunteers themselves develop work skills, including team -work, problem -solving, and specific job skills. Employee volunteering also enhances morale and supports cause -marketing strategies to build a loyal customer base. Volunteerism and civic engagement enhance the strong community base that supports economic health. 5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit. The primary aim of the project is a region -wide increase in volunteerism, particularly for groups currently under -served. The key volunteer groups that will benefit are those outlined in #2 above: Residents of communities outside of Bend, Spanish-speaking residents, seasonal residents and retired professionals, members of faith communities, corporate employee volunteers, and all those they serve. The benefits for volunteers and those they serve will be multiple, including: 1) Benefits to volunteers: Studies have shown that volunteering generates increases in civic engagement, job skills, and even improvements in health. As Volunteer Connect more fully engages various groups in volunteerism, the ethic of serving our communities will be more deeply ingrained in the culture of Central Oregon. 2) Benefits to community agencies and those they serve: Our efforts to increase volunteering will help our partner community organizations and support their numerous missions, such as access to health care, drug -abuse prevention, food and housing, healthy child development, education, and environmental restoration. 6. Itemize anticipated expenditures. Describe howgrant funds will be used and include the source and amounts of matching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant will support an ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future. Anticipated expenditures and matching funds: Expenses Amount Match Sources of Match Requested Amount Personnel (.25 FTE) 8750 8750 Funds on hand** Food and beverage 750 750 Marketing 1500 1000 In-kind: 14 Hands 500 Mileage 300 300 Funds on hand Printing 250 250 Supplies 200 200 Funds on hand Total 11,750 10,250* 1500 * Match Total: Excluding Personnel, the match figure is $1500. ** Funds on hand: Volunteer Connect currently has adequate funds on hand to cover the match. These funds come from several sources, including a grant from the Partnership to End Poverty, fund-raising events, sponsorships, and donations. Use of grant funds: Volunteer Connect is requesting $1500 from the Deschutes County Discretionary Grant Program. As indicated in the table above, the funds will be used as follows: Food and beverage (750): We have found that service projects, reflection gatherings, volunteer fairs, and networking meetings attract participants and are facilitated by providing needed food and beverages. Marketing (500): Marketing will be key to the outreach project. While 14 Hands Agency provides design services pro bono, this does not include production costs. Printing (250): Printed materials will include volunteer fair guides, service project materials, meeting agendas, notices, and other documents. Future funding: Volunteer Connect's four-year business plan establishes that we can reasonably expect to fund growing future operations through: Local sources: • Fees from community agency partners (currently $50 per year) • Business donations and sponsorships • Individual donations • Foundation grants • Local grants • Workshops (currently $10 for non -partner participants) Our funding is on solid footing, with a three-month reserve fund. Having received grants from the Collins Foundation and the Oregon Community Foundation, sponsorships from BendBroadband and United Way, and other local support, we are confident in sustaining and growing our ability to build volunteer connections in the region. Volunteer Connect looks forward to continuing to serve the needs of Deschutes County. Please contact us to let us know how we can be of better service. Thank you, Betsy Warriner 541-385-8977 betsy@volunteerconnectnow.org J. a.Way. vraa.i £.L V 1..,11 Vu .JyLt V J. P. 0. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: OCT 1 3 2004 VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS C/O ELIZABETH WARRINER 1940 NW MONTEREY PINES DR APT 15 BEND, OR 97701 Dear Applicant: LGYHKII''1L'1V1 ur 111.b 1KLTiIAUKY Employer Identification Number: 81-0652187 DLN: 17053230030004 Contact Person: JOAN C KISER Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Accounting Period Ending: JUNE 30 Public Charity Status: 170(b) (1) (A) (vi) Form 99C Required: YES Effective Date of Exemption: JUNE 16, 2004 Contribution Deductibility: YES Advance Ruling Ending Date: JUNE 30, 2008 ID# 31217 We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the Code. You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Because this letter could help resolve any questions regarding your exempt status, you should keep it in your permanent records. Organizations exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Code are further classified as either public charities or private foundations. During your advance ruling period, you will be treated as a public charity. Your advance ruling period begins with the effective date of your exemption and ends with advance ruling ending date shown in the heading of the letter. Shortly before the end of your advance ruling period, we will send you Form 8734, Support Schedule for Advance Ruling Period. You will have 90 days after the end of your advance ruling period to return the completed form. We will then notify you, in writing, about your public charity status. Please see enclosed Information for Exempt Organizations Under Section 501(c) (3) for some helpful information about your responsibilities as an exempt organization. Letter 1045 (DO/CG) 5412CORPORATION_DIVISION THE SHOP Phone: (543) 086-220j Fair 501 Urr aArti a` Aineridmerrt--Burin /PrnlessionaflNonprofrt Secretary of State Check the epproptkde box belowt 55 Corporation t}rlrihaon 255 Capitol 5 0 dt►s SsIPROPESSIUNAL CORPORATION St Ne, Botta 19'1 &tem, OR 97310-1327 �ti r, x, a+,s, >? Gln an.ant7 NONPROFIT CORPORATION (Car+ytc+o miy 1, 2, 2,54 7) NO, 2839, P. 2E 02/64 'JJ59 &�- RJS7RY NUmat / 6 ,2 — in aocord:Him with Oragan Rev cd FMhAe 192.410-19Z,4e0, the ieremrodon on tMs a 11145 must release lifts In6amoarlor to df1 dies c n request and Ir win be d on ourw kaon Is public reoor+i, Please Type or Pr1nt LQ lb y in Black Ink, 1) ENTRY NAME: V4,24.- VA i :Y FILED OCT 16 2009 OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE For office use ani 2) STATE THE ARTICLE NUMee {S) AND SETFORTH'TH,E A�OLE(9) AS rr IS AMENDED TO READ. (Atwell rt soprani& aheety notes y,) ■rI A /r.1.r,a ` 1 w 3) THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED ON: (If more then one Amendment was adopted, ieenlal, the date tor gdoplIahi t)r own 'amendment.) BUPROFESSIONAL CORPORATION ONLY 4) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE STAnteENT 0 Shareholder action was required to adopt the amendment(sy The vote was as tallows: ...gas for attires Noroborvf vuTmreinElnp Numerof rust atoned to art cttMot • NumberWO* Cat er Number of nisi and A4r Shareholder action was not !squired to adopt the amendrnern(s), The Miendmeltt(m) wno moped t>,y the beard nr directors vronout shareholder anion. he ratan fart. not issued any enures atstoek. Shareholder mon was regwred to adopt the amendmere(s), The enndment(s) w8as a adopted by the imorratuts or by ttx ,and of directors. a) Ex now tura Printed tame 7) CONTACT' NAME (re revolve eueStiefteloah thfs6jletrA1ng.) --"r/y- DAYrrM� . NE {iuMBER flr>dudo arae ate.) 11a (1117v_ WWI NaNIIPROPIT CoAPORATION Orilor CHFCK THE APP'R0PR1ATE STAYLMENT Saftemberahis approval was not toquhed. Tho 171,11C4M nt(4) war, approved by a'fAolent vote of the hoard of directors or incorporators. 0 Mme eppwvsl waw required. The membership vote wars as ltiq 'b Writer CifNumberof m Numtm of Otnem Owns y y� votes cost b rota to be cetit FOR AGAINST 1111111 1111111 IiJIIIiIIii 1111 11111111111111