Community
Improvement
Grants
2020-2021
Starting in 2019, the Stayton City Council allocated money from
the General Fund to the Neighborhood Improvement Grant
program. The previous Community Grants and the Neighborhood
Improvement Grant have now been combined in the Community
Improvement Grant Program.
This initiative is designed to improve communication between
neighborhoods and City government, to forge partnerships to
address neighborhood issues, and to support non-profit
organizations that provide services to Stayton residents. The grant
program is intended to fund items such as landscape
improvements, neighborhood social events, and public art
installations.
This is a competitive grant program. Applications are reviewed by
the City staff and selected grants are awarded by the City Council.
Grant amounts are expected to be in the range of $1,000 to $5,000
each.
This packet includes the Community Improvement Grant Application
form. Applicants should review the packet and ensure that they have
the relevant information on hand to complete the application form.
Please email dfleishman@ci.stayton.or.us
with questions.
Non-profit tax-exempt organizations or groups of at least three
neighbors may apply for funding for projects that benefit a clearly
defined geographic area within Stayton city limits. A group of
neighbors must authorize one individual to manage the grant
contracts and funds.
Community Improvement Grant money comes from the FY20-21 City
budget. Money became available on July 1, 2020 and must be
disbursed and spent before June 30, 2021.
PROGRAM AND PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The funds may be used by applicants for programs and projects in
the following categories. Grant applications may include
components of any or all of the categories. No category is prioritized
higher than another for receiving funding.
Support of Programs and Services for Stayton residents – The
funds may be used to support services or programs that provide
a direct benefit to residents of the City of Stayton. This may
include social services, youth programs, or senior programs.
Grants will not be awarded for general operational expenses. (An
example of a successful application in this category was partial
funding from the City for signage at the new location of the
Stayton Community Food Bank.)
Neighborhood Improvement Projects - The funds may be used to
improve the shared space within a neighborhood or strengthen
neighborhood identity. This may include items such as landscape
improvements and maintenance, signage, natural features
management, benches, painting, or certain exterior
improvements. (An example of a successful application in this
category was partial funding for the repair and reconstruction of
the wall along the perimeter of a portion of the Westown
neighborhood.)
Neighborhood Livability Initiatives - Funds may be used to pro-
vide education and outreach opportunities that strengthen the
social connections in a neighborhood, increase safety, address a
neighborhood challenge or conflict or serve senior or low-income
residents. (An example of a successful application in this
category was funding for the Stayton Community Emergency
Response Team for equipment and supplies to assist during
emergencies.)
1. Realistic Budget. To what extent does the budget presented by the
application appear realistic to meet the objectives of the project?
Maximum score 20
2. Promotes Livability of a Neighborhood. To what extent will the
project improve a defined neighborhood within the City? Maximum
score 25
3. Benefit to Stayton Residents. To what extent will the project
provide a direct benefit to residents of the City or to what extent
will the direct or indirect beneficiaries of the project be Stayton
residents? Maximum score 25
4. Project is not part of ordinary operations of Organization. To what
extent is the project new or an expansion of the group’s usual
activities? Maximum score 20
5. Applicant Contribution to Budget. Demonstrated level of support
from the neighborhood in terms of matching funds and/or in-kind
contributions (volunteers or donations) Maximum score 10
The Community Improvement Grant Application is available on the
City’s website at www.staytonoregon.gov
Electronic submissions
are required.
Completed applications are due by 5 p.m. on
.
: dfleishman@ci.stayton.or.us
For additional information on the program, contact Dan Fleishman at
dfleishman@ci.stayton.or.us
or 503-769-2998.
