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Community Improvement Grants
Update on the 2018-2019 Community Improvement Grant Cycle
Community Improvement Grant Program funding will not be available for the 2018-2019 grant cycle. At this time, the Community Advisory Board is working on a strategic plan that will help shape the work that they do for the next three to five years. Included in the planning process will include an update to the Community Improvement Grant Program. In addition, the program will be aligned with the City's budgeting process. The program is anticipated to be available next year.
What is the Community Improvement Grant Program?
The Community Advisory Board's (CAB) Community Improvement Grant (CIG) Program supports community building, improves neighborhoods, and strengthens relationships among residents. Grants can include public and community improvements, community events and practices, and may include other elements and activities. All grant requests must be inclusive, accessible, free of charge to participants, and focus on broad community support.
For more information about the CIG Program, please email the Office of Community Engagement or call 707-543-4696.
Forms
If you have received a Community Improvement Grant from the CAB, please use the links below to access the forms you will need for completing your project.
Community Improvement Grant Report and Reimbursement Form
Appeals
If you applied for a Community Improvement Grant and were not awarded, you can appeal the decision to the CAB. For information on how to submit an appeal, please email Danielle Ronshausen, Community Engagement Coordinator, at dronshausen@srcity.org or call 707-543-4696.
2017-18 Community Improvement Grant Awards
| Project Name | Group/Organization | Amount Funded |
|---|---|---|
| African American Youth Summit | The Black Community Forum | $2,345.00 |
| Binkley Garden Improvement Project | Seedlings Garden Group | $4,500.00 |
| Growing Our Community Garden Project | Piner-Olivet Union School District | $4,992.00 |
| MLK Juneteenth Community Festival | MLK Juneteenth Festival Committee | $2,500.00 |
| Robin Hood Lane Street Tree Planting and Community Building Event | Robin Hood Lane Neighbors | $3,190.00 |
| Sam Jones Memorial Garden | Catholic Charities Supportive Housing | $649.39 |
| Tool Acquisition Program | Santa Rosa Tool Library | $3,500.00 |
| Unshackled | Legacy Showcases | $4,814.99 |
| Youth Connecting Positively | North Bay Council Alternatives | $4,992.00 |
Completed CIG Funded Projects 2016-2017
Colorful Crosswalks (2016-2017)
On May 15, 2018, volunteers and residents from the Burbank Gardens neighborhood, came together to paint two colorful crosswalks, with the goal of creating a colorful entryway from Santa Rosa Avenue to the Julliard Park neighborhood and from Santa Rosa Avenue to the Burbank Gardens Historic District. Lead by local artist, Judy Kennedy, the colorful crosswalks designs include Burbank's Shasta daisy and California poppies.
Homeless Talks (2016-2017)
Santa Rosa Together, along with Homeless Action and many other community partners, held 19 citywide community conversations on homelessness issues. Total meetings attendance was around 500 people and meetings included facilitated discussion about concerns and suggested solutions to the City's homeless crisis. The CAB CIG funding paid for food at meetings, as well as meeting supplies such as pens, paper and printing.
For more information about Homeless Talks and CAB's Housing for All work, please contact CAB Member Cecile Querubin.
MLK Juneteenth Community Festival (2016-2017)
On June 17, 2017, the MLK Juneteenth Festival Committee held its annual Juneteenth Community Festival in Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Park in southeast Santa Rosa. The Juneteenth holiday is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The event included various local performers, food vendors, and games and activities for children and their families. The event was free and open to the public and sponsored by the Northbay Black Chamber of Commerce, Safe Harbor, and Red Rose Catering.
Orchard Street Mural Project (2016-2017)
The Greater Cherry Street Neighborhood Association (GCSNA) collaborated with local artist, Mario Uribe, to create a mural for the 5th Street Parking Garage, at Orchard Street. The GCSNA worked with various City departments and committees to get approvals for the mural. The mural was completed in the Summer of 2017.
Submit a Project Proposal (2016-2017)
Middle and high school students from Santa Rosa were given an opportunity to bring an idea for a project they had through the Latino Service Providers' Submit a Project Proposal Program. Students submitted ideas for projects that would better their communities and four projects were funded through the CAB: creation of disaster preparedness kits, creation of a mural for Roseland University Prep High School, design and creation of canvas painting with the theme of anti-bullying, and finally, the creation of a preservation of historical artifacts from our military leaders and heroes.
The Roseland Cup (2016-2017)
The Roseland Cup brings together children and adult soccer players from the Roseland and southwest Santa Rosa area with local law enforcement officers to play in a soccer tournament. The event was held on October 1, 2016 at Elsie Allen High School and served 160 adults and 80 pre-teen youth. Twenty-six officers participated in the tournament. Food and trophies were provided to participates upon completion of the games. CAB CIG funding helped to pay for some of the youth jerseys.
Santa Rosa Tool Library (2009 - Present)
The Santa Rosa Tool Library, a local community resource, lends a variety of tools out to community members who may not have access to the proper tools to complete their projects. The Tool Library uses CAB CIG funds to purchase new tools each year, based on demands from their borrowers. Tools have been used for many different projects such as community garden cleanups and building. For more information about the Tool Library, please contact Dustin Zuckerman.
Completed CIG Funded Projects (2015-2016)
Faith Lutheran Block Party (2015-2016)
On September 13, 2015, a block party was held at Faith Lutheran Church, in their back parking area and picnic grounds. About 120 church neighbors were invited to the party and members of the congregation volunteered their time to help set-up, run, and clean-up the event. In addition to neighbors and congregation members, the event was also attended by staff from Social Advocates for Youth, members of the Southeast Greenway Project, and Councilmember Julie Combs.CAB grant funds provided food and talent for this neighborhood event.
Family Bingo for the Love of Books (2015-2016)
A one-time event called, Family Bingo for the Love of Books, was put together by Partners in Education for children and their families from the Roseland community. The project was designed to integrate with the community services that were being implemented at the newly opened Roseland Village Community Center and Roseland Library. Winners of the Family Bingo games were provided with gift cards to various book sellers in Santa Rosa, paid for with CAB CIG funding.
Microscope for Medical Lab (2015-2016)
The Bird Rescue Center, located in north west Santa Rosa, used their CIG funding to purchase a new high-quality biological compound microscope for their medical laboratory. The medical laboratory was created to improve the ability of their staff to care of ill, injured, and orphaned native wild birds, rather than transporting birds and specimens off-site for testing.
Oakmont Life Long Learning Earmic Project
Each year in Oakmont, Oakmont Lifelong Learning (OLL) and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute @ Sonoma State University (OLLI@SSU) provide college-level classes for over 800 community residents. Classes are provided in a lecture format, which can be a challenge for those who have hearing loss. This project utilized CAB grant funding to purchase two ear microphone sets and associated cables. Class participants now have access to hearing support during their class lectures.
Santa Rosa Village Food Bank Program (2015-2016)
Recognizing the need for food assistance for seniors at the Santa Rosa Village Mobile Home Park, the Homeowners Association was able to bring in donations of food from the Redwood Empire Food Bank to homeowners. However, it was quickly discovered that some of the donated food required refrigeration. A CAB grant was secured to purchase a refrigerator and other supplies for the storage of the donated food.