Community Action Grant Award

As part of the ReTHINK program, a Community Action Grant Award is available for the selected host organization to assist in implementing a community activity focused on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. One grant will be given per ReTHINK session.

$1,000 will be awarded once a project has been approved, and at the completion of the workshop series, an additional $25 per who attends all three workshops, up to the $500. Thus, the total grant funds available are $1,500.

Participants will be brought together in a post-workshop session to design their community action project. BPS staff will provide support with technical assistance for the project and to follow progress. Upon completion of their community action project, the organization will receive a certificate of recognition from the City of Portland.

To be considered as a host organization for the ReTHINK workshop series, the following criteria must be met:

• Community organization that serves diverse or low income population within the City of Portland.

• Ability to secure ADA accessible space for 20-30 community members

• Ability to recruit at least 20 to 30 community members to participate

• Designated individual from the organization to coordinate with BPS staff

• Organization leadership support of program

• Demonstrated capacity to design and implement community action projects

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will provide:

• Experienced workshop presenters and facilitators, including local topic experts

• Staff assistance for logistics

• Healthy refreshments

• Childcare, if needed

• Technical assistance for community action projects

• Print outreach materials

• Free giveaways and resources for all participants in the workshops to support sustainable and climate-friendly actions.

If you are interested in becoming a ReTHINK Host Organization, download and complete the application.

Timeline

• Application available —  2/7/12 – 3/5/12

• Host organization selected — 3/12/12 – 3/16/12

• Workshop series —  Three sessions scheduled between 4/16/12 – 6/16/12

• Community action project — Must be determined before 6/22/12, and completed by 8/25/12. 

  Report and evaluation due —  9/7/12

Project Guidelines

In order to receive funding for the project, the following guidelines must be met:

1. Project must be related to one or more of the ReTHINK workshop themes or City of Portland Multnomah County Climate Action Plan Action Areas.

2. Project must engage ReTHINK workshop participants.

3. Grant money must fully fund the project.

4. Project must primarily serve City of Portland residents.

5. Project must be measurable by one or more of the following:

• Projects involve the broader community beyond the workshop participants.
• Projects foster ongoing behavior change in participants, rather than one-time activities.
• Projects have measurable carbon emissions reduction or map back to the City of Portland, Multnomah County Climate Action Plan objectives (technical assistance will be provided for identifying measurable carbon emissions and setting up tracking system.)

Examples of eligible climate action projects

• Door-to-door canvass for energy conservation tips
• Youth education on climate change
• Community bike-to-work challenge
• Community re-use or repair program
• Container vegetable gardening party

Examples of non-eligible projects

• Purchase of carbon offsets
• Purchase of giveaways other then specific tools that help residents reduce their carbon emissions and are accompanied with education carbon emission reduction
• A one-time event that does not foster on-going behavior change or reduce barriers to behavior change, i.e. A party for Climate.

Project will be required to submit a final evaluation and report.

1. The completion and return of the final evaluation form will be required by September 7, 2012. 

2. Each project must provide receipts for materials purchased and a photograph of the project or program participants with the completed evaluation.

3. BPS staff will be available to assist organizations with the evaluation process.

For questions about the program contact Desiree Williams-Rajee, 503-823-7632, or e-mail rethink@portlandoregon.gov.