Chapter IX of HRC Handbook
Chapter IX of HRC Handbook
IX.Funding Requests to the HRC
In support of its work to improve social conditions and foster positive relations among all
cultural and social segments of Boulder, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) makes
small grants to community organizations. The Housing and Human Services Master Plan
reserves 2% of the total funds available under the Human Services Fund allocation for the
HRC’s operating budget and for HRC support of “human relations and diversity
programs –particularly those focusing on educational efforts –and programs that
promote civic engagement in the community.”
In support of this function, the HRC makes grants to and contracts with community
agencies for projects and events. All HRC funding must be targeted to residents of the
city of Boulder.
A.Community Impact Fund
The HRC is committed to supporting community initiated activities that raise
awareness on emerging civil rights issues and problems in Boulderor its
neighborhoods, facilitating interaction and understanding between communities,
encouraging collaboration among diverse communities, strengthening civic
participation among Boulder’s diverse communities, and promoting an inclusive
society.
In its effort to make city government responsive to the needs of all Boulder
residents,the HRC seeks to fund endeavors that will have a high impact on
improving social conditions within the city. The Commission reserves the
majority of its funding to support community efforts that work to build trust and
overcome the barriers to collaborative interaction. The HRC’s long-term vision is
an inclusive, supportive and highly coordinated community that efficiently
addressesits members’needs.
There is not one specific time during the year when the HRC solicits requests for
Community Impact Fund support. Applicant community groups who have
identified an issue of concern and have developed a project or program to address
this concern may apply to the HRC at any time during the year. However, the
HRC may determine a specific area of need and solicit proposals to address that
need, with or without a proposal deadline date.
Though there is no specific deadline for proposal submission, applicants are
required to follow directions contained in the HRC Community Impact Fund
Proposal Guidelines, available from staff or downloadable from the HRC
website.
The HRC accepts requests for community impact fundingon an ongoing basis
throughout the year, as funds are available. Except for the months of January and
February, the HRC typically holds its business meetings on the third Monday of
each month. In order to be considered at a regular business meetings, proposals
must be submitted to staff on or before the Wednesday prior to the HRC’s
meeting. A formal vote of at least three Commissioners is required for approval of
a request. Upon approval, staff will negotiate a contract between the city and the
applicant agency for completion of certain deliverables before any payment is
issued.
B.Community Event Fund
The HRC Community EventFund (CEF) is a source of financial support for
community-based events celebrating or commemorating various cultural aspects
of Boulder. Objectives of the fund are to enable members of Boulder’s diverse
communities to celebrate events significant to them,as well as to provide the
general population with opportunities to participate in events organized by
members of Boulder’s diverse range of cultures. All events supported by the fund
must be free admission and open to the public.
The Human Relations Commission sets aside up to $10,000 annually to support
these community events. Awards are made in the amount of $500 to $1500 each.
1.Funding Requirements
To be eligible for a Community Event Fund award,applicantsmustmeet
each of the following criteria:
Events must be organized by a group whom the event celebrates.
For example, an event put on by Boulder’s Polish community in
celebration of Boulder’s Vietnamese community would not be
funded. The proposal for such an event needs to be submitted by
members of Boulder’s Vietnamese community. Joint proposals
from several communities for a celebrating event concerning one
of the submitting groups, however, will be considered.
The event mustoccur the calendar year of the award.
The event must be held in the city of Boulder.
Funds may be used only for non-personnel related expenses such
as food, postage, marketing and office supplies. The funding may
not be used to pay the salaries of the event’s organizers.
Funded groups are required to recognize HRC support on any
event advertising and at the event itself.
Publicity for the event must include some form targeted to Spanish
speakers in the community.
Following the event, funded groups are required to appear at a
designated HRC meeting and report on the event. Failure to appear
at the designated HRC meeting maynegatively affect future
funding requests
2.Funding Restrictions
Eligible applicants must be organizations with a clearly defined,
active community constituency.Small or newlyorganizations are
encouraged to partner with larger, established groups for their
celebration.
Applications from groups that have failed to meet their CEF
contractual requirementsin the past maynot be considered.
Events that are not free and open to the public will not be funded.
Admission may not be charged at any cultural celebration.
3.Process for Allocating Funding
Community Event Fund awardsare granted annually through a Request
for Proposals (RFP) process, containing the following steps:
Summer: staff develops a draft RFP for HRC approval.
Summer: RFP is released to community groups and announced in
the Daily Camera.
Late September: proposals are due.
Fall: the HRC considers proposals at its regularly scheduled
meetings. A formal vote is required for approval of the
recommendations en block, or individually. At least three
affirmative votes are required for approval.
Early New Year: staff negotiates contracts with each approved
applicant.
February and later:staff issues checks to grant recipients. This is
deemed the“award year” and events must be held in the same
calendar year.