2011 Public Engagement Grants from the Davenport Inst.
Here are some details about the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Program run by the Davenport Institute (formerly Common Sense California). The grant is open to municipalities and civic organizations in California. Unlike their previous grants, the 2011 offering will fund consulting services for a public engagement effort. The Davenport Institute will be awarding over $50,000 in funded services to selected grantees this year (max $25,000), and anticipates that 2-3 grants will be offered. Applications are due by September 14.
About the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Program
From difficult budget decisions to tough land use problems, municipal and civic institutions have recognized that legitimately engaging their citizens – from discovering their informed opinions, to inviting their participation in actual solutions – should be a pragmatic priority. Still, the tight budgets that most require these public discussions can also preclude them when municipalities decide that engaging residents is just “too expensive.”
For the fourth consecutive year, we are excited to launch the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Program. Starting in 2008 (then conducted through Common Sense California), our grants have been used to support cities, counties, special districts and civic organizations as they have endeavored to engage their residents on a variety of issues.
Here’s a small sampling of the over two dozen efforts we have supported:
- Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (water policy)
- City of Brea (budget)
- Ventura County Civic Association (regional planning)
- Santa Barbara Noozhawk (online participatory budgets)
- City of Palmdale (youth services)
- City of Redwood City (environmental policy)
- City of Walnut Creek (budget)
- City of Martinez (online participatory planning)
- Ripon Unified School District (education policy)
- County of Sonoma (budget)
- Threshold 2009/non-profit (county housing policy)
- Many others…
Unlike our previous grants, the 2011 offering will fund consulting services for a public engagement effort. Also different from past years, the Davenport Institute will provide customized staff/elected training to grantees prior to their launch of the public engagement program. This year, the Davenport Institute will be awarding over $50,000 in funded services to selected grantees. It is anticipated that 2-3 grants will be offered this year.
To apply, please read about our selection process, then proceed to our easy-to-complete online submission form. All applications must be received by September 14, 2011, and grantees will be notified on September 29, 2011.
