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Rohnert Park Foundation board approves small-grants guidelines, limits eligibility to 501(c)(3)s
Summary
The Foundation approved program guidelines that limit eligibility to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, require a Rohnert Park business license (nonprofit fee $4), open the application portal Sept. 30, and call for outreach and webinars to support applicants.
At a Rohnert Park Foundation meeting following the council session on Sept. 10, the Foundation board approved small-grants program guidelines and an outreach plan.
Paul Carey, the foundation’s executive director, reviewed eligibility and process changes. He said the board and legal review found the Foundation’s bylaws require that small-grants awards be made to organizations that qualify as charitable under federal law — i.e., 501(c)(3) entities — and that applicants operating in Rohnert Park must obtain a Rohnert Park business license (nonprofit applicants are charged a mandatory $4 California Disability Access fee). Carey previewed the scoring rubric (budget, return on investment, feasibility/timeline, project goals and sustainability) and said the application window will open Sept. 30 with two live webinars and one-on-one assistance available; staff plans outreach to a broadened email list of local nonprofits.
The Foundation anticipates bringing recommended awards to the Foundation board in December and returning to the council with a resolution to approve awards in January 2025.
Next steps: staff will publish the NOFA/NOFO, schedule webinars, and accept applications beginning Sept. 30.
