* Applications are rolling application and will be accepted through May 1, 2009 at 5:00pm
4. Leadership/Training Grants (up to $500) *No Match Required
* Applications are rolling application and will be accepted through May 1, 2009 at 5:00pm
Who Can Apply?
- Neighborhood-based organizations of residents and non-profit organizations designed to serve a targeted area.
- Ad-hoc groups of neighbors who form a committee solely for the purpose of a specific project.
- Community based organizations.
- Faith-based organizations as long as projects are community-based, non-religious in nature and target the entire neighborhood population.
- Established Neighborhood Pride Zones
Other Requirements:
- Membership in your neighborhood organization must be open to all residents of the neighborhood.
- You must involve neighborhood residents in the identification, planning and execution of the project and be able to document how you did so. (Fill in the attached Resident Commitment form to indicate the number of people who plan to participate).
- Grant recipients must have coordinators who can meet with County staff members during regular business hours (M-F 8am to 5pm).
- Grant funds can only be used for completion of the specific project outlined in the application.
- Large Project (Up to $5000) Grant recipients will be required to submit a Progress Report and Statement of Completion including photos, on the completed project, including submittal of all receipts no later than 30 days after the project is completed.
- Successful grant recipients cannot apply for another Neighborhood Grant until the previous project is completed and the Statement of Completion is submitted.
The Clark County Neighborhood Grants Program will
NOT fund the following:
- Individuals, individual businesses, (or events at individual homes or business location.
- Regional organizations
- Applicants who have not successfully carried out projects previously.
- Ongoing services or operating budgets. (Community groups’ greatest asset is volunteer work hours and neighborhood networks; maximize neighborhood assets by encouraging neighbors’ contribution of time and expertise).
- A project or aspect of a project that conflicts with County policy.
- Projects that are NOT neighborhood-based.
- Political or other lobbying events.
- Events in gated neighborhoods unless event will actively include people from outside of gates (applicant must explain in application how they will include people in all aspects of the project).
- Universities, hospitals, municipalities, media outlets, foundations, and fraternal organizations are ineligible to receive funding, although they are allowed to collaborate on neighborhood-based projects.
- Enhancements that are not visible to the general public.
How Will Decisions be Made (Grant Committee)?
A Small Project Selection Committee will make grant award decisions. Their decisions will be based on the criteria for the Clark County Neighborhood Grants Program and, for the rolling grant programs, on a first come, first served basis. All decisions made by the Neighborhood Grants committee will be final. Applicants that are not successful are welcome to reapply.
Who is my liaison?
Urban Las Vegas Valley Liaisons
Rural Clark County Area Liaisons
- Bunkerville, Moapa and Moapa Valley:Matt LaCroix: (702)397-6475 or MLACROIX@co.clark.nv.us
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Goodsprings, Indian Springs, Mt. Charleston, Mountain Springs, Red Rock and Sandy Valley:
Chris Munhall: 455-0341 or ChrisMun@co.clark.nv.us
Steps to Success: Writing your Proposal
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Select a project with the neighborhood and build neighborhood support - Identify an area within your neighborhood, which is in need of improvements and meets the criteria for a matching grant. Choose a project(s) through a group discussion with either your entire neighborhood or a subcommittee with oversight from the entire neighborhood. Involve as many of your neighbors as possible in the selection and planning of the project.
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Develop the scope of the project - The first part of a work plan is as simple as a 1,2,3. Projects with a well-defined mission, set of goals, and objectives are likely to have fewer surprises later on. Define your mission; what you want to accomplish. Next, list your goals; the activities needed to accomplish your mission. Then determine your objectives; the steps involved in reaching the goals.
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Determine resources needed- Develop a list of all the resources needed at each step of the way. Resources include expertise, equipment, supplies, postage, volunteers, services, etc.
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Develop a project budget- Following up on step three, you will need to get a general idea of costs involved with the project. To ensure greater accuracy in forming your budget, get written estimates of costs from more than one reliable source.
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Decide the match- Look over the list of resources and determine which items the neighborhood may be able to provide. Could an area business donate supplies or services? Can volunteer workers complete some of the tasks?
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Get technical assistance- Many projects need permits, insurance, or design review before proceeding. Contact the appropriate authority to find out what regulations and permits apply to your project. Unsure where to turn? Call Town and Liaison Services @ 455-3530
Some Points about Public Funding
If you are successful in gaining public funds from the Neighborhood Grants Program, there are some special considerations about public funding that are helpful to understand the planning of your budget and time line.
1.Community Impact Projects $3000 :
The money for the Neighborhood Beautification/Large Projects is granted in the form of a written agreement between your non-profit organization and Clark County. This agreement or contract lays out the terms and methods of getting the money, based on the budget and work plan you propose in your application.
Fiscal Agent:
Handling money, bookkeeping, bill paying and record keeping are easy for some and a nightmare for others. Should you or your organization lack the experience in handling funds in the amounts you are requesting, you should carefully consider an experienced fiscal agent. Some fiscal agents charge a fee, often a percentage of the amount of money they handle (3-10 %). You may want to budget for that expense.
Reporting:
To demonstrate the effective use of public funds, Town and Liaison Services requires each recipient to file a Progress Report and Statement of Completion that includes a project summary, an evaluation of the project, and pictures and/or media clippings of the project.
2. Neighborhood Pride Zone Projects (up to $2,000) 100% Match Required
Neighborhood Pride Zones are designed to help neighborhoods develop and foster “Pride” within the community. Neighborhoods can come together and encourage cleaner, safer neighborhoods, and commit to a strong sense of community pride. Citizen participation is crucial if efforts to revitalize and preserve the community are to be effective. Neighborhood Pride Zones are encouraged to implement a larger scale neighborhood beautification/physical community improvement project, but will not be required to have a 501 (c) 3 or use a fiscal agent. To become a Neighborhood Pride Zone click here.
Examples: Neighborhood clean-up and landscaping projects, community infrastructure, cultural awareness, prevention, health, safety, recreation and educational support.
Community Match
For every dollar that is funded, the community group is required to provide a 100% match. This may consist of cash, donated professional services, materials or volunteer labor.
The best way to consider ideas for a match is to look over a list of all the resources needed to complete the project and then identify those items on the list that can possibly be found in the neighborhood. The total value of the match must minimally equal the amount requested from the Neighborhood Grants Program.
The amount and type of match must be appropriate to the needs of the proposed project. The applicant must be prepared to justify each element of the match and is required to complete the proposed project. The following are requirements for an eligible match:
· Volunteer labor is the resource that neighborhood organizations can obtain most readily. Early on in planning your project, it is important to determine which tasks volunteers can complete, how long each task will take to perform, and how many volunteers will be needed. Volunteer time which is not an eligible match includes time spent planning and putting together the application and raising the match itself. All volunteer labor will be valued at $12.00 an hour.
· Professional services can be an important part of the match so long as the services provided are necessary to the project and valued in proportion to the needs of the project. Applicants should decide early on whether a professional service would be donated or compensated through the grant. A person cannot be a volunteer and also be paid from the grant.
· Donated materials or supplies are valued at the price that would have been paid if purchased. Borrowed equipment can also be considered part of the match and valued at the amount that would have been paid to rent.
· Cash is an acceptable match. It is the easiest match to use and document. Cash, must be expended first before using any County Neighborhood Grant Program monies.
What you need to know about Public Funding
If you are successful in gaining public funds from the Neighborhood Grants Program, there are some special considerations about public funding that are helpful to understand the planning of your budget and time line.
The awarded funds for Neighborhood Pride Zone Projects will be dispersed in the form of Open Purchase Orders with vendors throughout Southern Nevada. Applicants are asked to contact their County liaison to schedule a time to meet to purchase all materials needed for their project.
For example, if you plan to organize a neighborhood street cleaning and request funds to supply garbage bags, gloves, trashcans, and cleaning products, you will be contacting your county liaison to meet you at Smiths/Smart and Final. The liaison will assist you with payment at the check out line.
List of Preferred Vendors
Please find below list of preferred vendors for Small Project and Leadership Training grants
· REPUBLIC SERVICES (dumpster rentals)
· OFFICE DEPOT (ink cartridges)
· SMART AND FINAL (food, kitchen supply)
· SMITHS (food)
· KINKOS/FED EX (copying, mailing, etc)
· LOGO APPAREL (T-shirts)
· HOME DEPOT (household goods)
· STAR NURSERY (plants, landscaping)
· PARTY TIME RENTAL(party rentals)
You will not be reimbursed if you make purchases directly to vendors!!
3. Small Community Building Projects $500 :
The funds for Small Projects will be dispersed in the form of Open Purchase Orders with vendors throughout Southern Nevada. Applicants are asked to contact their County liaison to schedule a time to meet to purchase all materials needed for their project.
For example, if you plan to organize a neighborhood street cleaning and request funds to supply garbage bags, gloves, trashcans, and cleaning products, you will be contacting your county liaison to meet you at Smiths/Smart and Final. The liaison will assist you with payment at the check out line.
List of Preferred Vendors
Please find below list of preferred vendors for Small Project and Leadership Training grants
· CULINARY TRAINING (catering)
· DINO JUMP (party rentals)
· KINKOS/FED EX (copying, mailing, etc)
· LOWES (household goods)
· PARTY SUPPLY HOUSE (party rentals)
· PARTY TIME RENTALS (party rentals)
· SMART AND FINAL (food, kitchen supply)
· SMITHS (food)
· STAR NURSERY (plants, landscaping)
You will not be reimbursed if you make purchases directly to vendors!!
4. Leadership Training Projects $500 :
The funds for Leadership Projects will be dispersed in the form of Open Purchase Orders with vendors throughout Southern Nevada. Applicants are asked to contact their County liaison to schedule a time to meet to purchase all materials needed for their project.
For example, if you plan to offer a leadership class on grant writing, and need to purchase refreshments for the class, you will be contacting your county liaison to meet you at Smiths/Smart and Final. The liaison will assist you with payment at the check out line.
List of Preferred Vendors
Please find below list of preferred vendors for Small Project and Leadership Training grants
· CULINARY TRAINING (catering)
· DINO JUMP (party rentals)
· KINKOS/FED EX (copying, mailing, etc)
· LOWES (household goods)
· PARTY SUPPLY HOUSE (party rentals)
· PARTY TIME RENTALS (party rentals)
· SMART AND FINAL (food, kitchen supply)
· SMITHS (food)
· STAR NURSERY (plants, landscaping)
You will not be reimbursed if you make purchases directly to vendors!!
Staff strongly urges all potential applicants to register and attend the Grant Writing Workshop. The Workshop will greatly assist those interested in submitting a grant application. Workshop attendees will be instructed on how to properly apply for a small project grant, and will be given positive consideration during the review of all grant applications. The Workshop will be held on October 6, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the ODC 1 at the Clark County Government Center, 1st Floor, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.