As part of the City’s Community Enhancement Program, the Thousand Oaks City Council approved funding for a Community Grants Program on February 8, 2000. The program provides grants for nonprofit community and school groups, such as clubs and booster organizations, to raise money to support group activities. As funding is generated from the City's Solid Waste Management Reserve Fund, projects must involve waste reduction and/or community beautification activities, such as litter removal, tree planting and/or trimming, mulching, recycling, composting, or non-native plant removal. Groups may propose their own project. Members from the Colina Boy's and Girl's Club planted trees and spread wood chips along Avenida de Los Arboles. Community Grant Program Guidelines I. Grant proposals will be accepted from qualified nonprofit community groups from October 1 through October 29, 2010. Grants will be awarded within a reasonable time following the close of the application period. II. The minimum award per organization is $2,000, and the maximum award per organization is $15,000. III. Organizations receiving grants shall enter into an agreement with the City and shall stipulate that grant funds will be used solely for the purposes described in the approved proposal. If the activity funded by the program is canceled, postponed, or significantly altered after the grant agreement is signed, or if the organization can no longer meet the requirements of the program, the organization agrees to notify the City and to be subject to the City’s request to refund the grant amount, in full or in part. IV. No member of any sponsoring organization shall receive any compensation for services on activities funded by the grant program. V. The Community Events Funding Review Committee will consider and prioritize grant fund applications based on the following guidelines: 1. Grant funds are to be used solely for community beautification projects that benefit a wide cross-section of the Thousand Oaks community, and must include components such as litter collection and weed abatement, and/or promoting waste reduction programs, including recycling, household hazardous waste management, electronic or universal waste recycling, stormwater quality improvements, composting, and mulching. 2. Organizations shall be located in the City of Thousand Oaks, with at least 80 percent of their members or participants residing within City boundaries. Applicants must be residents of Thousand Oaks. 3. Organizations shall be a school, school sports booster club, school activities booster club, or a nonprofit organization as recognized by Internal Revenue Service Code 501 (c) 3. 4. Organizations should demonstrate a clear record of community service and accomplishment. 5. Organizations should provide a mission statement, record of community fund-raising efforts, financial standards and accountability, annual report, and budget for two preceding years. 6. Organizations should demonstrate that they have a financial need for funding and must demonstrate adequate in-kind support. 7. Organizations should submit a City-provided application, a project proposal, and enter into an agreement with the City which shall include a scope of work, and payment and accounting procedures, prior to beginning any work. 8. Organizations should meet City insurance requirements. 9. Organizations should provide adequate supervision for minors, and must provide equipment and supplies as necessary for the proposed projects. 10. Organizations should submit records of work accomplished within 72 hours following work events, including participant sign-in sheets and completed tasks. 11. An organization shall be awarded no more than one (1) grant per year. Schools and other multiple function organizations are encouraged to consolidate their grant applications while providing subsections explaining how much money is requested, and the purpose of the funding, for each program or activity. How to Apply The guidelines above must be met to qualify for the program.  A downloadable application will be posted here as soon as it is available.   For additional information, please contact Rod Cordova at (805) 449-2468 or click here and e-mail us your inquiry.

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