June 2, 2020 Welcome! Open Space Authority Urban Grant Program Webinar Participants muted • Please type questions via Q & A button • Webinar will be recorded and posted to • https://www.openspaceauthority.org/community/grant.html Photo: Bay Area Older Adults
Megan Dreger Jackie Latham Grants Administrator Grants Coordinator mdreger@openspaceauthority.org jlatham@openspaceauthority.org 408.224.7476
Agenda 1. About the Open Space Authority / Measure Q 2. Grant overview 3. Online Application via ZoomGrants 4. Application Questions 5. Review Process 6. Questions ? Photo: Valley Verde
Open Space Authority The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature, by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. • Over 22,000 acres protected • 3 Preserves open to the public • Environmental education, volunteer programs, community events • All free of charge
Measure Q Measure Q: The Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water and Increased Public Access Measure Passed with 68% Yes on November 4, 2014 $24 / parcel tax
Urban Grant Program Overview Since 2016 Total Awards: 38 grants Total amount: $2.8M List of past awards: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/ community/urban-success-stories Map showing past grantees from Five-Year Impact Report to the Community
2020 Guidelines Extended deadline to July 1, 2020 • Revised dates added to guidelines • https://www.openspaceauthority.org/urban
Grant Materials https://www.openspaceauthority.org/urban
Grant Overview: Applications due: July 1, 2020 Total funding: $1,000,000 Grant type: Reimbursement Applicants : • Local public agencies • Schools and school districts • Non-profits Photo: CommUniverCity: Growing Sustainably
Program Area
Project Categories: 1. Environmental Stewardship and Restoration 2. Parks, Trails, and Public Access 3. Environmental Education 4. Urban Agriculture / Food Systems Photo: Valley Verde
Project Types Capital Improvement Planning Programs
Overview One solicitation, two tiers: SMALL LARGE • $10,000 - $39,999 • $40,000 - $250,000 • $200,000 available • $800,000 available • Grant period: 1 year • Grant period: 3 years • Expect 7-10 grants • Expect 5-7 grants • Programs only • Expedited review Photo: Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
Scoring Criteria Criteria Bonus Points* Project Planning 20 pts Underserved Communities 10 pts Project Budget 15 pts Community Building 10 pts Project Goals 15 pts Climate Resilience 5 pts Impact 15 pts 25 pts Community Engagement/ 10 pts Stakeholder Support *Projects must score at least 75/100 to receive Leadership & Innovation 10 pts bonus points Organizational Capacity 15 pts 100 pts
ZoomGrants Online grants management tool • Note: Primary account used for application will continue to be used after award
ZoomGrants Tutorial
ZoomGrants Application APPLICANT INFORMATION • Title is important! • General Information about the Organization • Fiscal Sponsors are the applicant if applicable • Invite “Collaborators”
ZoomGrants Application PROJECT DESCRIPTION • Majority of application questions • Must answer all questions, or write “N/A” • Project Abstract is important! TIPS • Character limits 1000 char = approx. 1/3 page 3000 char = approx. 1 page • No special formatting
ZoomGrants Application DOCUMENTS UPLOAD • Required documents: • Financial statements • Project Budget • Additional documents may be required, depending on the project. • Some documents have templates (e.g. Project Budget) • Multiple files can be uploaded to the same category
Application Questions TIP: See Grant Guidelines for more information on each question Grant Guidelines ZoomGrants Application
Application Questions CRITERIA: PROJECT PLANNING (20 pts) • Q 10: Describe the proposed project. • Q 11: Describe key project deliverables and estimated completion dates. • Q 12: Does this project require permission, permits, or other approvals? If so, please describe the status of these. • UPLOAD: CEQA form, if applicable • For Capital Improvement Projects, need site control for at least: • 5 years for grants $40 - $100K • 10 years for grants $100 - $200K • 20 years for grants $200 - $250K
Application Questions CRITERIA: PROJECT PLANNING (20 pts), continued • Q 13: What is the lifetime of this project? If applicable, describe plans for operating and maintaining the project in the future. • Q 14: Describe the project's readiness for implementation.
Application Questions CRITERIA: PROJECT BUDGET (15 pts) • Use template provided in ZoomGrants • Matching funds: 25% of grant request • Indirect costs: Limit 5% of grant request for 501c3 nonprofits ONLY • See Appendix F: Direct and Indirect Cost Examples
Application Questions CRITERIA: PROJECT BUDGET (15 pts), continued • Q 15: Budget Summary – Grant Request UPLOAD: Project Budget, using template provided • Q 16: Budget Summary - Matching Funds • Q 17: Budget Narrative
Application Questions CRITERIA: PROJECT GOALS (15 pts) • Q 18: Describe the specific problems, issues, or unserved needs the project will address. • Q 19: How does this project serve the community? • # People served • # Youth served (under 18) • # Programs provided • Q 20: In what other ways does the project serve the community? Please list the project-specific goals (both social and environmental) • See Appendix I: Sample Goals
Application Questions CRITERIA: IMPACT (15 pts) • Q 21: Describe the lasting impact of the project. CRITERIA: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT / STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT (10 pts) • Q 22: Describe the community support and/or community engagement process. UPLOAD: Letters of Support, if applicable
Application Questions CRITERIA: LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION (10 pts) • Q 23: Describe how this project employs innovative approaches or encourages collaboration and partnerships. CRITERIA: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY (15 pts) • Q 24: Briefly describe the organization and its ability to successfully implement this project. This might include successful past projects, key staff qualifications, financial resources, etc.
Application Questions BONUS POINTS: UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES (10 pts) • Q 25: Describe how the project addresses open space needs for sensitive populations such as residents of park-poor neighborhoods, underserved or disadvantaged communities, youth, seniors, or is located within a Deep Engagement Community (DEC). • See Appendix C: Deep Engagement Communities • Also available online: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/community/urban-grant- programs.html
Application Questions BONUS POINTS: COMMUNITY BUILDING (10 pts) • Q 26: Describe how this project actively encourages community building by engaging or accommodating local residents in novel and creative ways. BONUS POINTS: CLIMATE RESILIENCE (5 pts) • Q 27: How does this project enhance and/or raise awareness about climate resilience?
Application Checklist APPENDIX J: APPLICATION CHECKLISTS
TIPS Start early! Be detailed and direct, but • • concise Some parts of the application • require work from others: Write for a broad audience that • Letters of Support, Project does not know the jargon of Partner letters, etc. Ask early! your field Read the guidelines carefully + Include photographs/maps/ • • follow all instructions graphics when possible Make sure the project Ask someone to review your • • deliverables and project budget application are consistent Note that applications are public • https://www.openspaceauthority.org/urban
Frequently Asked Questions • Will continue to be updated • Available with other grant materials: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/urban
Review Process APPLICATIONS DUE 7/1/20 SMALL GRANTS LARGE GRANTS July Eligibility Review Staff Review Eligibility Review August Staff Review September BOARD AWARDS 9/24/20 Grant agreements Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) October REVIEW 10/26/20 November BOARD AWARDS 12/10/20 December Grant agreements January
Questions Megan Dreger Email: mdreger@openspaceauthority.org Grants Administrator Phone: 408-224-7476
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