Can I apply for a grant or sponsorship less than $10,000?
Yes. Applicants can apply for any amount less than $10,000.
Can organizations partnering on the same project each submit a request on separate applications?
Yes. We encourage organizations and groups to collaborate.
It is important to know that applications will be considered individually to be fair to all applicants, and there is a possibility that one partner might get funded and others may not.
Partners or collaborators should be from different groups or organizations. Individuals who are doing the work/project within same group or organization should not submit separate applications. (It is okay if groups use the same fiscal sponsor.)
Can time spent on the application be included in the grant fund request?
Yes, this is considered an “indirect cost.”
Do accessibility needs/accommodation costs count towards the $10,000 award limit?
Yes. Based on community feedback on this issue, Civic Life was able to add $8,000 to the total award pool (raising it from $60,000 to $68,000) and raise the individual award limit from $5,000 to $10,000. While we are not able to award accessibility funds from a separate pool, we hope that these two changes will help mitigate some of the funding constraints groups experience from budgeting for disability, language, and cultural access.
Why do applicants requesting more than $5,000 (grant or sponsorship) need to be reviewed and approved by City Council?
This is a City rule. Agreements over $5,000 to any organization in the same year must be reviewed and approved by City Council Ordinance. The process to get on the Council Agenda, have the ordinance approved, and have it come into effect takes up to six weeks.
Do we have to find a fiscal sponsor before submitting our application?
Yes, we need the fiscal sponsor confirmed so that we can make timely decisions and disburse funds as quickly as possible.
What are the requirements for a fiscal sponsor?
A fiscal sponsor can be any 501c3 organization. Fiscal sponsors must also meet our insurance requirements.
If an organization cannot meet all of the insurance requirements, they may apply to Civic Life for a waiver of part of the insurance requirements (see bottom of page for insurance requirements).
How do I find a fiscal sponsor?
We encourage you to think about nonprofits you are connected to or familiar with. Your Neighborhood District Coalition may also be an option. If you’d like more support brainstorming potential fiscal sponsors or a plan to reach out to them, please contact us.
My question was not answered here! How can I get help?
If you have additional questions, please email DisabilityProgram@portlandoregon.gov.
Insurance Requirements
Grantee shall obtain and maintain in full force at its expense, throughout the duration of the Agreement and any extension periods, the required insurance identified below.
Commercial General Liability::Grantee shall acquire commercial general liability (“CGL”) and property damage insurance coverage in an amount not less than $2 million per occurrence for damage to property or personal injury arising from Grantee’s work under this Agreement.
Automobile Liability. Grantee shall acquire automobile liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage in an amount not less than $2 million for each accident. Grantee’s insurance must cover damages or injuries arising out Grantee’s use of any vehicle.
Workers’ Compensation: Grantee shall acquire workers compensation coverage in an amount not less than $1 million each accident, $1 million disease each employee, and $1 million disease policy limit.
Physical abuse and sexual molestation liability: Coverage shall be written on an occurrence basis in an amount of not less than $ 1 million per occurrence. Any annual aggregate limit shall not be less than $3 million. These limits shall be exclusive to this required coverage. Incidents related to or arising out of physical abuse, mental injury, or sexual molestation, whether committed by one or more individuals, and irrespective of the number of incidents or injuries or the time period or area over which the incidents or injuries occur, shall be treated as a separate occurrence for each victim. Coverage shall include the cost of defense and the cost of defense shall be provided outside the coverage limit.