Are your neighbors in need of a little help? Maybe a grant could interest your RNO to get involved…

Click image for Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Website and application.

Funding is available for small, community driven projects designed to bridge immigrant and receiving community, create stronger and more connected neighborhoods, address community needs and foster community pride.

The maximum grant amount is $500 and should be matched with in-kind support, volunteer hours or other grants for the specified project. GENERAL INFORMATION Application deadline is Friday, March 13, 2015 (postmarked, delivered or emailed by this date) Awardees will be named by April 10, 2015 Projects must be completed by October 31, 2015 Final reports from grantees must be submitted by December 31, 2015.

Eligible Applicants

•  Resident-led volunteer groups
• Community Based Organizations
• Faith Based organizations
• Registered Neighborhood Organizations
• Grassroots Community Groups

Funding Levels Total Allocation

 Six mini-grants will be awarded, each in the amount of $500. Required Match $1 per $1 grant award. The match may be completed with in-kind donations, volunteer hours or supplemental funding from other sources.

FUNDING PRIORITIES Projects or Activities which:

• Bridge immigrant, refugee and receiving community for a purpose
•  Demonstrate the ability to unite residents from diverse backgrounds
• Mobilize a team of volunteers to execute a well-planned project
• Take place within the City and County of Denver
• Emphasize local partnership with neighborhood nonprofits, churches or collaborative institutions

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Match Requirements:  A match is required and may include otherwise noted, cash, donations of goods and professional services, and volunteer time. Volunteer time will be valued at $22.55 per hour. Reporting Requirements Grant recipients will be required to provide a monthly email or phone update. A final narrative report is due upon completion of the approved project or programming. Grant recipients will be required to submit documentation of all grant expenditures (invoices, canceled checks, etc) and required match (receipts, award letters, volunteer time sheets, copy of checks etc.). Disbursement of mini-grant funds The disbursement of grant funds will be negotiated on a case by case basis and may include reimbursement of expenditures by grantee, direct payment to vendors, or single upfront award.

Projects/Items not qualified The following is a list of the type of projects that would not be recommended for funding:

• Projects which will not be completed and funds not expended by October 31, 2015
• Infrastructure projects (e.g. building construction, repairs or enhancements to buildings or other structures (walls), sidewalks, street lighting, road improvements
• Cameras, electronics (including computers), air conditioners, copiers, office equipment, televisions, locks
• If the applicant was funded in previous cycles and Scope of Work was not completed as negotiated, the applicant cannot submit for one (1) fiscal year
• No gift cards or other items may be purchased to give to individuals

Determination of Awardees The Denver Immigrant & Refugee Commission is a Mayoral Advisory Commission of up to 21 members from Denver’s various immigrant and refugee communities. The Commission will read and review all applications and determine the awardees based on the following criteria:

• Does the application clearly describe the project and its goals
• Does the application effectively bridge immigrant, refugee and receiving community members
• Does the application communicate a community need
• Does the application address a community need
• Is the application creative, innovative and realistic
• Does the application have the potential to strengthen the community
• Does the application have the potential to strengthen the applying organization?
• Does the application show evidence of community involvement in the implementation of the project?
• Are the budget revenues and expenses clear and justifiable?
• Is this the most appropriate source of funding?
• Does the applicant show sufficient evidence of leveraging community resources (cash or in-kind)?
• In future years: Points automatically awarded if the applicant is applying for the first time
• In future years: Points awarded if the applicant was funded in previous cycles and the final Performance Report was submitted on time.

Application instructions Mini-grant applications must be postmarked or delivered by Friday, March 13th at 5:00pm at Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, 201 W. Colfax Ave, Dept. 1102, Denver CO 80202 or emailed to Jamie.Torres@denvergov.org For additional information, call 720.913.8471 or email Jamie.Torres@denvergov.org