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County outlines new combined community grants program; staff to open application window in July
Summary
The county proposed combining two discretionary grant programs into a single Community Grants Program with $1.65 million available and a July 1 application opening; awards would be for one‑time projects from $1,000 to $50,000.
County staff presented a plan June 24 to merge the Community Service Fund and the Nonprofit Partnership Fund into a single Community Grants Program intended to streamline applications and disburse a larger one‑time funding pool.
The board heard that last year’s combined budget for the two programs was $1.15 million and that the board approved a one‑time expansion of $500,000 during the budget process, bringing the total available this cycle to $1,650,000. Staff recommended opening an application window beginning July 1 and closing August 31, with review in August and recommendations returned to the board in October and final award allocations presented at the Nov. 4 board meeting.
Under the proposed criteria, eligible applicants would be tax‑exempt nonprofit organizations and awards would support one‑time projects, capital investments or initiatives that are not regular county operations. Award amounts would range from $1,000 to $50,000. Staff said the process will use an online application system, and applications will ask for project budgets, equity considerations, and any existing county funding for the applicant.
Staff also proposed expanding the review panel to include board aides and additional departmental reviewers from Health and Human Services and the Parks Department, and encouraged partnership with philanthropic groups such as Marin Community Foundation and West Marin Fund on best practices. The staff memo included a public‑facing report plan to document who receives funding and how dollars are used.
Supervisors and public commenters urged several refinements during discussion: add small/medium/large award tiers to guide requests and discourage applicants asking for a maximum award every cycle; ensure district‑level representation in reviews and geographic equity; ask applicants what other community partners they are collaborating with; and avoid imposing onerous reporting requirements on small community groups.
Staff said they will refine the application, continue outreach to previous and potentially new applicants, and incorporate board guidance on award tiers and review criteria before returning to the board with the scored recommendations in October.
