Funding the Districts
The City of Bend provides funding to the Bend Neighborhood Districts in the form of an annual Community Engagement Grant.
Community Engagement Grant funding is available to neighborhood districts in compliance with Bend Code Chapter 1.70. Funding is determined by the City of Bend’s biennial budget as approved by the Bend City Council.
Community Engagement Grants are based on a fixed average general event cost ($2,000 per neighborhood) plus a dollar amount per unit mailed to in each neighborhood, as determined by purchased mailing lists provided to the neighborhood boards by the City. This funding must be used by the end of each fiscal year (FY), which runs from July 1 – June 30.
Neighborhood District Budgets
This dashboard can be expanded to full screen, filtered by both neighborhood district and year, and is updated every evening. Use the arrows in the bottom right of the dashboard below to expand to full screen and navigate easier.
Reimbursement Requests
Community Engagement Grant funding is administered in the form of reimbursements rather than up-front cash. Use the link below to request reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Prefer to print and mail your request? Download the Reimbursement Request Form.
What can Community Engagement Grant funding be used for?
Community Engagement Grants are intended to support neighborhood district recruitment and engagement of members. When in doubt about whether something is an eligible expense, ask the City in advance to confirm that it can be approved for reimbursement.
Meetings & Events
Venue or location costs, permit fees, food/catering, speakers or entertainment, set-up, support and take-down of neighborhood district meetings, block parties, and board meetings. Can also include prizes or giveaways.
Communications & Operations
Website hosting fees, post office box rental, postage, storage, meeting supplies (markers, pens, flipcharts), online survey platform and virtual conferencing subscriptions, business cards, promotional materials, fees for interpretation and translation services, design, printing for general and special meeting notices, fliers, postcards, newsletters and more.
Beautification
Tools, clean-up supplies (high-visibility vests, gloves, trash bags, grabbers…etc.), landscaping materials, graffiti removal supplies, paint, dumpster fees, artist payments intended for the beautification of common/shared areas within a neighborhood district. Can also include neighborhood district street signs.
Community & Capacity Building
Educational and information sharing opportunities hosted by neighborhood district for community members, including town halls or forums; attendance at community conferences or events to create partnerships and investments in the effectiveness and sustainability of neighborhoods.
Education & Training
Prior approval required. Reimbursement will be limited to registration fees and other expenses as authorized and approved by the City. Trainings are restricted to the board members and/or committee heads when pertinent to their position/responsibilities and beneficial to the neighborhoods. We encourage you to invite the other neighborhood district boards to split costs and spread knowledge.
Alcohol
Funds may not be used to purchase alcohol.
Gift Cards
Funds may not be used to purchase gift cards.
Legal Fees
Funds may not be used to pay legal fees for the district or any members.
Public Records Requests or Appeal Fees
Funds may not be used to pay for Public Records Requests or Appeal Fees.
Donations
Funds may not be used to make donations to other agencies/organizations, or to make purchases on their behalf. Event partnership for capacity building is an exception.
Advocacy
City grant proceeds may not be used to advocate for or against a declared candidate or ballot measure.
Funds are also prohibited from use of printing or mailing advocacy materials. Staff may require a print sample prior to reimbursement or payment of printings or mailings. Content will be limited to general event messaging.