2020 GUIDELINES ANNOUNCEMENT

2020 Grant Program Guidelines Are Now Available

The CCG is pleased to release updated Grant Program Guidelines that will be in effect for the 2020 Grant Cycle for the Community Challenge (CCG), Eastern Neighborhoods (EN), and Watershed Stewardship (WSG) Grant Programs.

The Grant Program Guidelines provide a detailed overview of each program's operations, policies and procedures, and applicable responsibilities and requirements of grantees. We are excited to unveil an updated look to The Guidelines and some thoughtful reorganization to increase the ease of use of these documents.

Key 2020 Guideline Changes

The 2020 Guidelines incorporate a number of important changes to the CCG and EN programs that we wish to highlight for groups considering applying for funding this fall, including:

• The application scoring criteria has been updated to include a new  racial equity section. In support of Mayor London N. Breed's citywide directive to improve racial equity, CCG applicants must contemplate and identify strategies to close the racial equity gap. This may include community outreach and engagement; inclusion and participation; and sourcing from businesses owned by people of color. In addition, points have been reallocated throughout the overall scorecard.
• Administrative or indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of the requested project budget. If a grantee is fiscally sponsored, the grantee may not claim an indirect fee. Instead, expenses that would typically fall under the indirect fee category should be specified in the grant program budget for consideration. This change allows grantees to continue to receive reimbursement of indirect-like expenses so long as they are specifically identified and documented.
• Construction costs are not to exceed 40% of the requested project budget, in keeping with the purpose and central mission of the CCG program.
• The standard maximum grant term is 12 months. It is important that applicants are prepared to begin work on their projects as soon as the contracting process is complete.
• We are seeking additional information at the time of application for projects that are planned on public property.
• Additional clarifications, elaborations, and content organization to improve ease of use throughout the document.
  

In addition to the changes noted above,the Watershed Stewardship Grant Program will begin offering larger grants in the 2020 Cycle, with the mid-scale grant award of $15,000-$75,000 and large-scale grant award of $75,001-$150,000.

2020 Grant Cycle Timeline

The 2020 Grant Cycle will include grant opportunities for the Community Challenge Grant Program, Eastern Neighborhoods Grant Program, and the Watershed Stewardship Grant Program.

• Cycle Opens: October 14, 2020
• Fall Workshop on Community Challenge Grant/Watershed Stewardship Grant Programs: October 22, 2020. Please register online in advance.
  
• Application Due Date: November 20, 2020 (12:00 Noon)
  
• Advisory Committee Review: December 2020 to February 2021
• Award Announcement: March 2021

Calling All Photographers!

The CCG is seeking photographs from completed projects, past and present, to feature in an expanded online photo gallery and our website. Please send us your high resolution images with captions and attribution (please include the project name, project street address, and photographer -- if known). Please note that not all photographs submitted can or will be featured.