Item 2C: Adoption of Neighborhood Matching Grants

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What’s the time line? This time line is for the Request-for-Proposal for Fiscal Year 08 (FY08). The next RFP will be released in summer 2008. The Neighborhood Matching Grants program was funded for three years (FY07-FY09). July 9, 2007 Applications available. December 3, 2007 Pre-review deadline: submit concepts to Neighborhood Services office. February 22, 2008 Application Deadline: submit proposals to Neighborhood Services office. May 13, 2008 Applicants notified about which projects were selected. By May 2009 Projects completed. How will projects be selected? The proposals will be rated between 1 and 100 points based on the following criteria categories. The criteria listed below outline the basic components the committee will evaluate. More detail is contained in Standard application responses are 4 pages in length, plus attachments. For the application form. small projects (under $1000 total project cost) a shorter 2-page response is requested. Both application forms are attached to this RFP. Please be concise. 1. Tangible neighborhood benefit. The project results in an observable physical improvement to the neighborhood or a measurable change in sense of local community or neighborhood identity. The applicant has described the project’s continuing benefit. For physical improvements, ongoing maintenance must be addressed. For events, the longer term benefits beyond the episode must be described. The proposed project should be compatible with existing plans. (40 points) 2. Community involvement. The project builds community in the neighborhood. The project has the support of a majority of the affected neighbors. The proposal demonstrates involvement of the neighbors and collaboration between the neighbors, your neighborhood association, and other civic groups, not-for- profits, government agencies, etc. (35 points) 3. Project readiness. The project is clearly defined and well-planned. The project budget is based on reasonable, defendable costs and specifications. A fiscal agent has been selected in accordance to the project’s complexity. The project can be finished within one year after the grant is awarded. (15 points) 4. Neighborhood match. The matching portion of the grant is well-documented and credible. (10 points) Extra Credit: Up to 10 points may be awarded for grant applications in which more than 50% of the project costs are covered by the match. In this case, one point will be added for each 5% additional match raised by the applicant. Members of a citizen committee will rate how well each project submitted meets the criteria. Ratings will be averaged across the committee. Projects will be selected primarily by rank order. However, the committee reserves the right to adjust the list to more evenly distribute projects throughout the community over time. The committee reserves the right to fund all or part of a grant. The committee may also set a threshold under which projects will not be funded. No more than 50% of the grant funds will be used for community-building events. The City Council will review the entire project list prior to final authorization. How does my Group Apply? Application forms are available at the Permit and Information Center, the main Library and library branches, and your local community center. The form is also available through the City’s web site (www.eugene-or.gov/neighborhoods >> NMG Applications). Or you can request an application be mailed to you by contacting Beth Bridges, Planning and Development Department — Neighborhood Services, at 682-5272 or via e-mail (beth.b.bridges@ci.eugene.or.us).