2011-12 Application Cycle is Closed - Grants have been awarded.

About the Program

Since 2000, the City’s Community Enhancement Grant (CEG) Program has provided grant funding opportunities for local non-profit community and school groups, such as clubs and booster organizations, to raise money to support group activities. On July 20, 2010, the Thousand Oaks City Council renewed its commitment to the program by approving continued funding and a more streamlined application process.

Funding for the grants comes from the City’s Solid Waste Management Reserve Fund. Therefore, projects must involve waste reduction and/or community beautification activities such as litter removal, tree planting and/or trimming, mulching, recycling programs, composting or non-native plant removal. (Note; e-waste recycling events are not eligible for this program.)

The grants are competitive and the scoring criteria are being finalized. All grant proposals must be submitted using the online CEG application process during the application filing period, October 1 - 31, 2011.

Please download and read the 2011/2012 Community Enhancement Grant Guidelines before beginning your application.
 
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Westlake High dance team
tree planting project at
Civic Arts Plaza



Newbury Park High Choir members planting project at Hillcrest and Lynn.
The CEG Application Process

Step 1.) Read and understand the 2011/2012 CEG Guidelines
Step 2.) Create a CEG Account
Step 3.) Login to your CEG Account
Step 4.) Complete the Application in your CEG Account by 5:00pm on 10/31/11
Step 5.) Your application will automatically be submitted at 5:00pm on 10/31/11

Choosing a Project

For the 2011/2012 Community Enhancement Grant Cycle, only projects independently proposed and implemented by the applicant will be considered. No City-coordinated projects have been identified or are available. Proposed projects must provide for waste reduction, recycling, litter removal, community beautification or similar environmental benefit.The number of projects funded is limited to total funds available. Funding amounts will range from a minumum of $2,000 to a maximum of $5,000. Projects funded above the minimum $2,000 must be innovative, long term, provide significant environmental benefits or require special supplies, equipment or contracted services.

Click here for a list of projects that received Community Enhancement Grant funding for the 2010/2011 grant cycle.

Scoring Criteria

Your application is evaluated out of 100 points. Every applicant starts with 0 points and you earn points by how well your application scores on the criteria below. The applicants with the higher scores will receive priority funding and project selection. 

Total: 100 Points

30 pts:  Completed application
Grant application must be complete, including all required fields and other information necessary for thorough review. This includes submission of letters/documentation approving proposed project location and/or letters of support and commitment for donations and in-kind services (if applicable). Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 31, 2011. Late submittals or incomplete applications will not be considered.

0-10 pts:  Prior funding from Community Enhancement Grant program
- Applicant has not received funding in last 5 grant cycles (10 points)
- Applicant received funding in 1 of the last 5 grant cycles (8 points)
- Applicant received funding in 2 of the last 5 grant cycles (6 points)
- Applicant received funding in 3 of the last 5 grant cycles (4 points)
- Applicant received funding in 4 of the last 5 grant cycles (2 points)
- Applicant received funding in 5 of the last 5 grant cycles (0 points)

0-15 pts:  Donations or In-Kind services
Proposed project will obtain donations or in-kind services to assist with project implementation. Verification or proof of support/commitment must be submitted with grant application.

0-15 pts:  Innovative Project*
Proposed project is unique or has the potential to serve as a model for future projects.

0-15 pts:  Long-Term Project*
Proposed project requires substantial grantee involvement over an extended period of time, typically over many months or potentially ongoing without a proposed end date.

0-15 pts:  Significant Environmental Benefit*
Project with significant and/or long-term benefits in sustainability, greenhouse gas reduction, diversion programs or similar lasting environmental benefit.

* Projects that are innovative, long-term, provide significant environmental benefit, or require supplies, equipment, or specialty contracted services may request funding amounts higher than the $2,000 minimum.

The applications will be scored and then funded based on the highest ranking applicant being funded first, then to the next highest and so forth until the funds are exhausted for this grant cycle or all applications have been funded that met the minimum qualifications.

In the event of a tie for the last grant and the remaining funding is insufficient to fund the applicants, then the total City financial and in-kind support for the applicants for the last two years will be used as a tie-breaker with the applicant receiving the least City support being ranked highest and the applicant with the most City support ranked lowest.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

How much is available in grant funds?
A total of $45,000 is available in grant funds. Applicants are eligible for a minimum grant award of $2,000 and a maximum of $5,000. 

Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)3 designation, who meet the requirements stated in the grant guidelines, may apply. Typically, groups will have a designated person responsible for completing and submitting the application, as well as coordinating the project.

What types of projects qualify for grant funding?
Because funding for the grants comes from the City’s Solid Waste Management Reserve Fund, projects must involve waste reduction and/or community beautification activities that benefit a wide cross-section of the Thousand Oaks community. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, recycling projects, public outreach and education, litter collection, weed abatement, waste reduction programs, household hazardous waste management, universal waste recycling, stormwater quality improvements, landscaping, composting and mulching.  The projects may be conducted in a single area such as a public school, city street, open space area, public right-of-way, or in a regional or citywide area.

How do I apply?
From the Community Enhancement Grant webpage, scroll your cursor over “My CEG Account” and click on “Create an Account”. Complete the required fields with your information and submit. A confirmation email will be sent to you instructing you to log in to your account where you can complete your application. Upon entering information, you will click on “Update” to save the information. From October 1st until 5:00pm on October 31st, you can access your account (application) as often as you like to update fields, make changes, upload support documents, etc.

How do I know that my application has been submitted?
During the application filing period you can access and “update” your account as often as you like, but at 5:00 p.m. on October 31stall applications will be closed out and submitted with the information that you last saved or “Updated”.

How do I find out the status of my application?
Within 2-3 weeks after the submittal deadline (October 31st), applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee and award recommendations will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.  If City Council approves (or disapproves) your grant award a letter will be mailed notifying you of the results.

How long do I have to complete my proposed project?
Projects must be completed within the term of the grant agreement between the City and the grantee. The period is typically from the date that City Council approves the grant award until the end of October of the grant year.

If awarded, when will I receive the grant funds?
The City shall fund the Grantee with the first half of the grant amount upon completion of grant agreement, and receipt and approval of Grantee’s liability insurance policy. City shall fund Grantee with second half of the grant upon receipt of final project report and copies of receipts of approved expenditures, unless City has approved other payment arrangements.
Contact Public Works Department:

For all your questions and concerns regarding the Community Enhancement Grant, please send an email to GoGreen@toaks.org with CEG Inquiry in the subject line. You will receive a prompt response from the CEG coordinator.  Questions can also be directed to the Public Works Department at (805) 449-2400.







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