Bend launches Climate Action Partner grant; committee to review applications in October
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Summary
City staff said the Climate Action Partner Grant Program opened July 21; applications close Sept. 21 and staff will return recommendations for the committee to deliberate at the October meeting, with award letters planned by Oct. 23.
The City of Bend has launched a Climate Action Partner grant program and is seeking community applicants, city staff said during the committee meeting.
The grant program formally opened July 21 and will accept applications through Sept. 21, Megan (staff member) said. "Applications are closing September 21," she said, and the city plans to hold a final information session on Aug. 26. After an eligibility review, staff will circulate recommended awards so the committee can deliberate in October and, if approved, staff aim to send award letters by Oct. 23.
The program targets nonprofits and government entities as eligible applicants, staff said, but will accept applications from projects run through nonprofit partners to accommodate groups that do not have a legal nonprofit status. "Even if they're not a nonprofit or government entity, partner up with an NGO," staff said, noting that an incorporated entity must be the award recipient for liability and contracting reasons.
Why it matters: City staff and committee members framed the grant program as a near-term funding mechanism to support community-led climate actions. Committee members were asked to encourage eligible organizations to apply and to be prepared to review applications before the October deliberation meeting.
Discussion details: Staff said interest has been high but applications submitted so far were limited; outreach has included social media, news coverage and in-person events. Staff uploaded an informational session and an FAQ to the program webpage for those who could not attend. Committee members asked for clarity on eligibility and whether a 501(c)(3) designation is strictly required. Staff said the program language uses "nonprofit" broadly and that other nonprofit types (for example, 501(c)(7)) may be acceptable; the practical requirement is that an incorporated organization must be the contracting party for any award. The Central Oregon tool lending library was cited as an example of a group that could apply through a nonprofit pass-through (Habitat for Humanity Restore was named during the discussion).
Next steps and expectations: Staff asked committee members to plan to review grant applications between late September and early October; the number of applications is still unknown and could range from a few to many. The committee will receive staff recommendations after staff completes an initial eligibility review. Staff also committed to clarifying the website language on nonprofit eligibility in response to committee questions.
Ending: Staff and committee members encouraged outreach to local organizations and said they will return with recommendations and the application packet for committee review in October.