Adopt a citywide Outgoing Grants Administration policy

The City of Portland is committed to partnering with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, local businesses, and community members to support initiatives and programs that align with the City’s mission, priorities, equity goals, and core values. Such partnerships may take the form of direct financial support in the form of grants, sponsorships, or other financial assistance, heretofore referred to as “outgoing grants.” The Outgoing Grants Administration Policy establishes the guidelines and framework for awarding grants in order to: Provide consistent, transparent, and equitable processes for the distribution of publicly funded grant dollars Support robust, shareable data about the grant program’s impact with the City’s leadership, staff, grantees, and the public. Ensure results are achieved by the grant recipient for the targeted demographic and community outlined in the grant. This policy applies to outgoing grants administered by the Grants Management Division or individual City Services Areas. However, each grant may have additional policies or requirements within the program documents developed for that individual grant program. This policy does not apply to the outgoing grants programs for the Portland Clean Energy Fund, the Children’s Levy, or sub-awardee grants funded by external sources (e.g., Federal grant funds).

This ordinance amends FIN 2.04 in the ways enumerated in Exhibit B.

This legislation will promote an equitable, transparent and accountable grant lifecycle in the Mayor-Council form of government. The City of Portland is committed to partnering with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, local businesses, and community members to support initiatives and programs that align with the City’s mission, priorities, equity goals, and core values. Such partnerships may take the form of direct financial support in the form of grants, sponsorships, or other financial assistance, heretofore referred to as “outgoing grants.” The Outgoing Grants Administration Policy establishes the guidelines and framework for awarding grants in order to: Provide consistent, transparent, and equitable processes for the distribution of publicly funded grant dollars Support robust, shareable data about the grant program’s impact with the City’s leadership, staff, grantees, and the public. Ensure results are achieved by the grant recipient for the targeted demographic and community outlined in the grant. Establishment of the guidelines and framework for awarding grants provides transparency, accountability and equity for the effective application of grant funds from the City for the intended benefit of its community members. In addition, this ordinance includes language that will make more public opportunities for grants more widespread and well-known within the Portland community.