Please note: As of June 30, 2023, the SEED Initiative Program is managed by Prosper Portland. Please contact SEED@prosperportland.us or visit the Prosper Portland SEED Grant page for updated information. For any inquiries about grant cycles prior to fiscal year 2022/23, please direct your questions to Office of Community & Civic Life at civiclife@portlandoregon.gov.
GRANTS EVALUATION PROCESS
What is the grading scale for the first round?
The first round scored applicants on how well their proposed project addresses five categories, with a maximum of three points in each category. The maximum possible first-round score is 15 points. The categories are:
Community Impact Reach
Community Impact Size
Equity Leadership
Leadership Experience
Sustainability
Can you give me my scores?
Yes. These can be shared with the grant applicant but may take up to 10 Business days to send to applicants.
Can you tell me how others scored?
We do not provide that information. If you would like access to other recipients’ scores, you need to fill out a public records request through the City Attorney’s Office: CITY OF PORTLAND REQUEST PUBLIC RECORDS (govqa.us)
Can I know who scored me?
We do not provide information about the selection committee members that scored your application. If you want access to that information, you need to fill out a public records request through the City Attorney’s Office: CITY OF PORTLAND REQUEST PUBLIC RECORDS (govqa.us)
How do we know that the scoring was done fair?
Our volunteer committee members reviewed applications independently of one another and were required to sign a conflict-of-interest form based on State and City regulations.
Committee members are broken into groups, and they are not told who else is in their group so they cannot communicate with one another. The only people who know which committee members scored each applicant is the Cannabis Program’s SEED Administrative Team.
Is there a conflict of interest if I know someone who grades applications?
Knowing a committee member does not prevent them from scoring your application, as many of you work in similar areas or career fields. If the committee member has a close connection like a relative or someone you or your organization have direct business dealings with, they are prohibited from scoring your application.
GRANT DISTRIBUTION & REPORTING
Can grant funds be used outside of Portland city limits?
No, these funds are for local activities within Portland city limits and should not be used for programming outside the community. Funds awarded from the city must be used for activities in the city. Hiring or purchasing items outside of the city to be used for programming or work in the city is allowed.
I applied for SEED Funds in a different amount. Why did I get moved to the next round for a lower grant amount?
Your application, while strong, may not be as strong as other applications. In that case, the committee can recommend that your application be moved on but at a lower grant amount. Often this occurs when an applicant is newer but has put together a great first-round proposal.
How often/extensive is reporting?
After recipients are selected, every grant recipient will enter negotiations to discuss the reporting and invoice frequency that will be mutually agreed upon when the final grant agreement is final.
Applicants do not have to decide on these terms before submitting a final round application. Partial Reports are typically due by December 31 of a grant year (one-time). Final reports are typically due by July 31 of the grant's end year (one time or multi-year).
Multi-year grant recipients will provide multiple partial reports by December 31 and June 30 for the life of the grant. Attendance at monthly open office hours is highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
Will we invoice quarterly, and will the payments come in lump sums annually?
After recipients are selected, every grant recipient will enter negotiations to discuss the reporting and invoice frequency that will be mutually agreed upon when the final grant agreement is final.
These payments will be reimbursed to grantees, that means that when money is spent then you are able to submit an invoice to be repaid.
If my application was rejected, can I reapply in the future?
Yes, absolutely!