HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Grant Fund UpdateTO: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FROM: DAVE INBODY
SUBJECT: FY 2010 COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
DATE: 3/12/2009
CC:
Background
In FY 2009, the Board of Commissioners authorized the allocation of $300,000 from the
Video Lottery Fund for the Community Grant Program. This program distributed grants
to Deschutes County non-profit organizations operating consistent with county priorities
in at least one of the following four interest areas:
1. Providing emergency food, clothing, and shelter to those who would otherwise
go without these essentials.
2. Protection for abused and/or neglected individuals who lack resources to
otherwise obtain such protection.
3. Health care, mental health care and addictions treatment for individuals who lack
resources to otherwise obtain such care.
4. Other essential services to underserved and indigent populations, especially
children and seniors.
A selection committee consisting of Ken Wilhelm (Executive Director of the United
Way in Deschutes County), Jan Griffin (Project Manager for the Nonprofit Association
of Oregon), Renee Windsor (Chair of the Commission on Children and Families Board),
Dave Kanner (County Administrator) and Dave Inbody (Assistant to the County
Administrator), reviewed 54 applications and recommended grant funding for 24
organizations. Applicants were reviewed based on the following five criteria:
1. Organizational stability and solvency
2. Connection to county funding objectives
3. Funds provide leverage to organization for receipt of other funds
4. Program complements existing county services
5. Uniqueness of services provided in Deschutes County
The following is a list of FY 2009 Community Grant recipients:
Alyce Hatch Center ($5,000) – Playground renovations and improvements
Assistance League of Bend ($7,500) – Operation School Bell
Bend’s Community Center ($20,000) – Remodel the center’s kitchen a
Bethlehem Inn ($30,000) - Beds, meals, case management, transportation,
accountability-based programming, educational opportunities and employment
assistance to homeless individuals.
Central Cascade Lines ($5,000) – Floor model copier
Central Oregon Veterans Outreach ($15,000) – Hire an executive director
Deschutes County Healthy Beginnings ($10,000) – Expand ability to provide
early childhood health and developmental screenings, referral, and follow-up
services.
Deschutes Family Recovery ($23,000) – Family Drug Court wraparound services
Family Access Network ($15,000) – FAN advocates
Family Kitchen ($6,000) – Computer, software and administrative equipment to
keep records, track supplies, coordinate volunteers and track donors to better
provide nutritious meals in the most cost-effective way to more individuals.
Full Circle Outreach Center ($12,000) – Provide resourcing, supplies, re-
education and voucher assistance for those in need.
KIDS Center ($15,000) – Physical Abuse and Neglect Project
La Pine Christmas Basket Association ($2,500) – Christmas food baskets
La Pine Community Kitchen ($15,000) – Provide low- and moderate-income
residents of South County with basic nutritional, physical and social needs.
La Pine Senior Activity Center ($4,000) – Nutrition, health wellness and
education, socialization and referral resources to seniors.
Latino Community Association ($10,000) – Basic Assistance Program
Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery ($10,000) – Staff position to provide mental
health services for children
NeighborImpact ($25,000) – Partially fund salaries and operating costs for the
Food Recovery Program
Opportunity Foundation ($5,000) – Support with housing, medical care,
employment and other services for people with mental disabilities.
Partnership to End Poverty ($5,000) – Project Homeless Connect
Pot of Gold ($10,000) – Support the needs of the center
Saving Grace ($15,000) – Emergency shelter program for victims of domestic
violence and/or sexual assault
St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank ($10,000) - Provide food, shelter and other
assistance to those living in poverty, unemployed, mentally disabled or physically
disabled.
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Volunteers in Medicine ($11,500) – Support and expand an internship program
providing clinical experience in mental health to Oregon State University medical
students.
FY 2010 Community Grant Program
Based on input provided by the Board of Commissioners at their annual goal setting
retreat on January 22, 2009, funding for a FY 2010 Community Grant Program was
included in the initial Video Lottery Fund budget request. Due to an anticipated decline
in video lottery funds, $250,000 was identified in the budget request for this program.
It is staff’s recommendation that this program be continued in FY 2010 maintaining a
focus on the four interest areas and making selections based on the five criteria. It is
further recommended that a sixth item be added to the criteria focused on an
organization’s cooperative efforts to leverage other non-profit organizational activity in
Deschutes County. In working through the application process in FY 2009, it became
clear that many organizations utilize the resources and shared interests of fellow
organizations in achieving their missions. In challenging economic times, it is even more
critical that non-profit organizations take full advantage of the wealth of resources and
expertise of other area non-profits. The addition of this item to the criteria will not only
encourage such activity, but will potentially extend the impact of the grant funding to a
greater number of non-profit organizations.
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