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The City of Rohnert Park Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the Small Grants Program for the 2024-2025 funding cycle. This program aims to support local nonprofit organizations in enhancing the quality of life for Rohnert Park residents.


Key Details:

  • Program Opens: September 30th, 2024
  • Application Deadline: November 1st, 2024
  • Maximum Grant Amount: $10,000
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

Funding Priorities:

The Small Grants Program will prioritize projects that align with the City's strategic goals, including but not limited to:

  • Promoting community health and well-being
  • Enhancing access to arts and cultural opportunities
  • Supporting youth development and education
  • Protecting the environment and promoting sustainability
  • Addressing the needs of underserved populations

Application Process:

The full program guidelines and application materials are now available on the Foundation's website. We will host two technical assistance workshops on September 23rd, 2024 and October 7th, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Everyone interested in applying to the Small Grants Program is required to attend one of the two webinars.


We are excited to receive your application and partner to build a stronger, more vibrant Rohnert Park.



Welcome to the Small Grants Program!

The City of Rohnert Park Foundation Small Grants program funds a diverse number of projects benefiting and improving the community of Rohnert Park. On May 2, 2017, the Foundation Board authorized a memorandum of understanding to accept ongoing “Community Investment” contributions from the City of Rohnert Park’s MOU between the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR). These ongoing community investment contributions continued with the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Rohnert Park and FIGR, dated June 27, 2023.  For more information about the Graton Mitigation Fund, click here.

General Guidelines and Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations intending to deliver a service or offer a project in Rohnert Park are eligible for funding. Eligible nonprofit organizations must qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All applications will complete an “Eligibility Screening Form” to determine eligibility. As the initial, formal step in the grant application process, the applicant shall apply via the Rohnert Park Small Grants portal at https://rohnertparksmallgrants.smapply.us/. All applicants must have a contact e-mail address that is regularly monitored. Primary communication regarding the status of an application will be via electronic mail.


Applicants will be required to justify the grant amount being requested. Applicants should apply for an amount that meets the proposed project’s needs; however, the maximum award will not exceed $10,000.   

Application Contents. An application must include:
1.  a detailed scope of work; including a list of specific tasks;
2. a detailed budget;
3. a timeline for project implementation (including a completion date for each task);
4. a detailed description of the need for the grant.

Eligible Projects. The following provides examples of eligible costs for programming and community projects:
1. Program support
2. Education
3. Community Artwork
4. Community beautification projects.

Grant Restrictions. The following are not eligible for the Rohnert Park Small Grants Program:
1. Applicants who discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability;
2. Applications requesting excessive honoraria or salaries for the project team;
3. Activities that do not serve a public purpose;
4. Activities that directly fund any private, sectarian school, or any school not under the exclusive control of officers of the public schools;
5. Activities that advocate or promote a specific religion;
6. Activities that aid or promote political candidates, parties, ideologies, or campaigns;
7. Activities that aim to raise funds for causes other than what is written in the Agreement terms;
8. Activities that are prohibited by law, or in the determination of the City, would be deemed illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction;
9. Applicants who are unable to meet necessary insurance requirements;
10. Actions taken outside the grant performance period; and
101 Applicants whose overhead/administration costs will exceed 10% of the total grant request.


If you have questions, please email questions to the Grant Administrator, Paul Carey, at [email protected] or call (707) 585-6754.   

If you would like to book a time with us to discuss the Rohnert Park Small Grants Program, please go to our BOOKING PAGE

BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION

Looking to purchase a Rohnert Park Business License? Head over to our Business License page for more information.

HELPFUL DOCUMENTS

Small Grants Program Guidelines - 2024
Download 
 
Exhibit A - Sample Timeline
Download 
 
Exhibit B - Eligibility Form (to be completed online)
Download 
 
Exhibit C - Small Grants Application (to be completed online)
Download
 
Exhibit D - Insurance Requirements
Download 
 
Exhibit E -Reporting Guidelines
Download 
 
Exhibit F - Grant Restrictions
Download 
 
Exhibit G - Scoring Rubric
Download 
 
Exhibit I - Project Status Report
Download 
 
Exhibit J - Project Completion Report
Download 
 
Exhibit K - Budget Example
Download 


Access the Small Grants Portal below:
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