Q. How much funding is available?

A. OCT plans to award $87,500 each to no more than 2 organizations in this funding round.

Q. I’m interested in serving on the Selection Committee, can I also be involved in a grant application?

A. To avoid a conflict of interest, Selection Committee members cannot be associated with an organization that is applying for grant funds this year.

Q. Who is eligible to apply? Are public agencies eligible?

A. This grant opportunity is available to Portland nonprofits registered with the Oregon Secretary of State or have a registered fiscal agent, located in the City of Portland and that primarily serve people that live, work, play, or worship in the City of Portland.

Q. What is the Chromebook Grant? And how can we use them?

A. In addition to unrestricted grant funds, this opportunity comes with the option of a Chromebook Grant, which is ~ 20 new devices for the Digital Navigator staff/volunteers to use to administer the project; or, to use in a classroom setting when providing digital skills training; or, to loan to a learner, to whom the Digital Navigator is providing digital skills training support; or to give [these individuals then own the device] to leaners who are receiving digital skills training support from the Digital Navigator. How the devices are used and who uses/receives a Chromebook, is at the discretion of organization.

Q. I’d like to review the Application questions before I fill in the form, how can I preview them?

A. You can view all the Application questions and Guidelines before you fill in the Google Form here: Application Questions and Guidelines

Q. I am having trouble accessing the Google Form Application, is there a different format?

A. Yes, if submitting an online Google Form application poses an undue hardship on your organization, please contact us at connectingportland@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4188 to discuss alternate options.

Q. How will awards be decided?

A. This grant program is competitive. Applications that meet baseline eligibility requirements, will move forward in the process to be reviewed by a small selection committee using an evaluation matrix that includes the following criteria: organizational size, community reach, organizational plan for the Digital Navigator project, understanding of community needs, intent to serve diverse populations, and geographic distribution of service area. 

If you or your affiliated organization are not applying for grant funds in this round, please consider applying to be on the selection committee. 

If you have a question that is not addressed in the FAQ’s, please call Leina Gonzalez Baird, Digital Equity Coordinator at 503-823-4188 or write to connectingportland@portlandoregon.gov