Funding Preferences
* * * The Foundation seeks primarily to make grants to individuals and small grassroots
* * * organizations, but also may make project-specific grants to larger organizations.
* * * The Foundation gives preference to efforts that build relationships at the grassroots
* * * level-projects that galvanize communities, bridge gaps, support neighborhoods.
* * * The Foundation has a strong preference for projects from individuals and organizations
* * * with deep and broad connections to their communities, or projects with the potential to
* * * generate greater community awareness.
* * * In addition to grants, the Foundation may from time to time make awards to reward
* * * outstanding individuals who have demonstrated excellence in work closely aligned with
* * * the Foundation’s principles.
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Limitations
* * * The OPEN CIRCLE Foundation supports individuals, projects and organizations carrying
* * * out work in the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay, comprising of Alameda and Contra
* * * Costa Counties. The Foundation will consider projects outside the East Bay to the extent
* * * that such projects benefit residents of the East Bay communities, or strengthen
* * * communities, or strengthen communities in the East Bay.
* * * The Foundation awards grants of up to $5,000.
* * * Grants may be renewed for up to three years by the Foundation, after which the
* * * Foundation will require a two-year hiatus before considering a new request from
* * * the grantee.
* * * The Foundation does not provide support for isolated work such as research projects
* * * or personal portfolio development unless the work engages the participation of a
* * * community in its creation, or demonstrates itself to be of vital service to an East
* * * Bay community.
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Reports
The Foundation requires narrative and financial reports from grantees upon conclusion of
thework or project, expected in 9 months. For projects with a tangible artistic dimension, grantees are asked to provide some two-dimensional form of visual documentation. For
current grantees requesting continued funding, you are encouraged to include a project
summary and update report with the application submitted to inform the Board of the
OPEN CIRCLE Foundation in its decision.
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Proposal Review Process
Grant applicants should forward a brief (3-5 page) proposal to the OPEN CIRCLE Foundation,
c/o the East Bay Community Foundation, De Domenico Building, 200 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza,
2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Proposals should address the following elements:
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* * * The project you seek to accomplish, the community you intend to reach, and the
* * * community need addressed by the project.
* * * How your project meets the OPEN CIRCLE Foundation’s goals and principles.
* * * A simple budget indicating costs and likely sources of support (if other than
* * * OPEN CIRCLE), along with a projected time frame for the project.
Grant applications are due (postmarked or in the office) by Friday, August 29, 2008.
Current grantees applying for renewal will need to have submitted their final report by
August 1, 2008 (postmarked or in the office).
The OPEN CIRCLE Foundation Board of Directors will review all grant requests, and may
make site visits to personally interview finalists. Grant recipients will be notified on or before
December 31, 2008.
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