Laserfiche WebLink
June 24, 2019, Meeting – Item 3C <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br />Approval of Neighborhood Matching Grants for Fiscal Year 2020 <br />Meeting Date: Agenda Item Number: 3C <br />Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Cindy Koehler <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5272 <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />The City Council is asked to approve the fiscal year 2020 Community and Neighborhood Matching <br />Grants proposals recommended for funding by the Department Advisory Committee, the committee <br />that oversees the Community and Neighborhood Matching Grants program. <br />BACKGROUND <br />On June 12, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution 4632, adopting guidelines for a Neighborhood <br />Matching Grants program. All neighborhood-based groups are eligible for funding, including <br />neighborhood associations, business associations, school site councils, and ad hoc neighborhood <br />groups formed to work on specific projects. Community involvement and building relationships are <br />key components of the program and are encouraged by requiring the project budgets to include a <br />match amount equal to or greater than the grant request. Match commitments include volunteer <br />time, donations of equipment or tools for use to further the project or funding. <br />Since 2000, nearly $750,000 in matching grants funds have been provided funding 141 <br />neighborhood improvement projects community-wide. With the equivalent (or greater) “match” <br />portion included, the total value of these projects well exceeds $1.5 million. The benefits of the <br />program go beyond the financial investment and are an important tool for building community. <br />Beginning with Fiscal Year 2019 the matching grant program was adjusted to fit within the fiscal year <br />and grant processes were separated out into small (less than $5,000) and large ($5,000 - $12,000) <br />grant requests for funding. Simultaneously the program title was expanded to be Community and <br />Neighborhood Matching Grants in an effort to help more community members see their projects as <br />potential grantees. In Fiscal Year 2019, eight small grant projects were funded totaling $29,627 and <br />two projects were submitted for large grant funding in Fiscal Year 2020 asking for $22,000. The <br />remaining $28,000 will be utilized to support another round of smaller projects (less than $5,000). <br />Grant-funded projects may include, but are not limited to: <br />•Physical improvement projects that involve recreation or public safety facilities, natural <br />resource features, public art and spaces, or community gardens. Projects that improve <br />universal accessibility are also encouraged.