About the Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program of the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon Foundation (CTFO) allows the CTFO to quickly and easily assist public or private non profit organizations receive support for requests for one time projects under $1000 which offer a unique contribution to child abuse prevention by the applicant organization. The Small Grant Program is designed for activities such as conference sponsorships, special one-time media events, family support events, public education functions and other similar events that promote prevention and family support practices.

Who Is Eligible for a Small Grant?

Any public or private charitable non profit offering services in the State of Oregon or an individual who acts as a contractor for performing a service of benefit to families in the state.

Kinds of Projects Funded

The Small Grant Program is designed to provide funding for one-time events or activities of significance to child abuse prevention and family support. The granting process is expedited so that the application can be accepted, reviewed and responded to within 6 weeks or less.

Some examples of support requested by the CTFO which are appropriate for the Small Grants Programs include conference sponsorships, support for local child abuse prevention campaign activities, hosting of educational or advocacy summits, or support for public education media events in rural areas. This is not all inclusive but indicates the nature of projects for which the Small Grants Program is designed.

Projects That Are Not Eligible for Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program is designed to fund specific needs within a project, not to only contribute small amounts to larger projects. Those requests are more appropriate to our general grant program cycle every two years. The program is not intended to provide partial support for on going programs that will not change in any significant way. And, the CTFO will not consider proposals that have contingencies that must be met before the project can continue, for example other sources of support must be obtained.

If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please discuss it with the Executive Director of the CTFO.

Specific requests that are not eligible include:

• Emergency needs or loans for individuals
• Tuition support to individuals
• Support for religious based activities
• Capital support
• Endowments
• General fund drives or annual appeals
• Operational deficits
• Propagandizing or influencing elections or legislation

How Small Grants Are Reviewed and Decided

The procedure for the Small Grants Program is designed to be simple as possible. The applicant submits a two page proposal electronically to the Executive Director of the CTFO at cindy@ctfo.org. The applicant will receive a return email acknowledging receipt of the request. If the proposal meets the criteria for the Small Grants Program the Program Committee of the CTFO receives the proposal, scores the proposal and recommends (or declines) support. The applicant is then notified about the decision. The process is designed to give the applicant an answer within 4-6 weeks of receipt.

How to Apply for a Small Grant

The Small Grants Program is designed to operate as much as possible electronically. After reviewing the criteria for the Small Grants Program, the applicant will send a two page proposal to the Executive Director of the CTFO at cindy@ctfo.org. On receipt of the proposal, the applicant will receive a confirming email acknowledging receipt of the proposal and indicating any further items which the Trust Fund requires.

Required elements to be included in the proposal are:

• Name, address and federal ID (EIN) number of the applicant organization
• Name, address, telephone number, fax and email contact for the Project contact person
• Brief description of the mission of applicant organization and a summary of the organization’s history and program/services
• Describe how the organization is effectively qualified to offer the project
• Describe the project and what it is expected to accomplish, geographic area served and how the project accomplishes its goals
• Explain the need for the project and describe how this project is effective in furthering prevention efforts/family support activities in Oregon
• Describe people, organizations or groups and the number of people expected to benefit from the project
• Describe specifically how the Trust Fund money will be used
• Briefly describe the total budget for the project and major areas of support
• Give beginning date and duration of the project

Additional requirements for application:

If a private non profit is applying, the CTFO will require a copy of your 501c3. This can be mailed or filed electronically. We may request a copy of your Board of Directors with their affiliations and contact information.

At the conclusion of your project, we request a brief, one-page summary description of the project.  Please include:

• Number of participants served and who they represent
• Brief description of the effects of offering this project and how you measured results
• Plans for future offerings and suggested changes.

If there are any questions about making application under the Small Grants Programs, please feel free to contact the Executive Director, Cindy Thompson at cindy@ctfo.org or (503)222-7102.