Small Grants Program applications open July 1; $250K slated for nonprofits serving vulnerable populations

The Board of County Commissioners’ Small Grants Program application process will open this coming Thursday, July 1. This marks the 13th consecutive year of the program, which is designed to assist local nonprofits that provide services to vulnerable populations living within the county.

A total of $250,000 will be distributed. Last year, 38 groups were selected to receive grants.

As determined by the Board of County Commissioners, preference for organizations receiving grants will be given to groups that:

• Serve the county’s designated Community Prosperity Collaborative areas (around North Clackamas, Canby, Estacada); 
• Prioritize clear onetime expenses;
• Encourage partnerships to increase community impact; 
• Fill an unanticipated expense gap due to COVID-19; and
• Serve communities of color that are impacted by COVID-19, as those communities are have been especially impacted.  

Those last two priorities were added last year to the preferential criteria, in order to help those residents impacted by the pandemic. 

In the past, groups receiving grants serve populations such as seniors, housing-insecure individuals, veterans in need, families of cancer-stricken children, at-risk youth, the developmentally disabled, hungry persons and many more.

Eligible applicants are current nonprofit organizations serving residents of the county. Eligible projects must address the program’s goal and result in a positive, measurable outcome for residents. Preference will be given to those who meet the following criteria:

For maps of the Community Prosperity areas, a link to the online application (available July 1), and all other grant information, visit the Small Grants Program webpage at www.clackamas.us/bcc/smallgrants.html.

Organizations interested in being considered can apply from July 1 through Monday, Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.

Recipient organizations are expected to be announced in October, and funds will be awarded quickly thereafter. Organizations receiving funding will be required to show how the grant was used, including service level and performance measures.