Community Innovation Fund Application

Please submit the 2025 Application below. As a reminder, the First Round deadline is April 15, 2025.

For additional information please see the Community Innovation Fund or CIF Projects Showcase pages. There is an Info Session on March 18, 2025. If you have questions, or need assistance, please email kavi@envirocenter.org.

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Community Innovation Fund (CIF) – 2025 Application

Please submit the application below. We recommend answering the longer questions in a separate document and pasting them here (keeping the character limits in mind), to minimize chances of loss due to technical issues. If you prefer a paper application, or would like to submit a video application instead, please email kavi@envirocenter.org.

Applicant Details

First and Last Name(Required)

Pronouns (optional)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Organization/Business(Required)

If you are applying as an individual (i.e., this application is not affiliated with a particular organization or business), put N/A here

Your Role in the Organization/Business(Required)

If you are applying as an individual (i.e., this application is not affiliated with a particular organization or business), put N/A here

How did you hear about CIF?(Required)

Please specify if other or which newsletter, social media channel/account

Project Overview

Please check the box to confirm your work will be completed in Deschutes County or for Deschutes County residents.(Required)

Projects must be implemented within Deschutes County or largely impact Deschutes County and/or its residents.

I confirm this work takes place within Deschutes County

What area(s) of Deschutes County will your project take place in or impact?(Required)

Bend

Redmond

Sisters

La Pine

Sunriver

Tumalo

Other area

Please specify if you selected other area in the previous question.

Project Address

This address will be used as the location on our CIF Projects Showcase. It will not be used to evaluate your project.

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Project Title(Required)

This will be used in all marketing and communications, including Press Releases and the CIF Projects Showcase.

Project Details

Describe the big picture goal(s) you aim to accomplish by implementing this project. What are the reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, compost related results you aim to accomplish by implementing this project?(Required)

(e.g., The Environmental Center works to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon through education, resources, and advocacy. The Reusable Dishware Program at The Environmental Center will offer free dishware kits (3 sets of 25 plates, cups, and utensils) to community members for use at events. We aim to reduce 3,000 units of single use dishware and utensils in the first year of the project by promoting this resource broadly via blog, newsletter, and posters.)

What specific activities or actions will you take to accomplish the goals/results you described above? Please include a simple timeline of these activities.(Required)

A bulleted list is fine. Or if you prefer, you can use the availabe template and upload a file below.

Upload Project Timeline Here

Max. file size: 100 MB.

NOTE: Please upload files when you are ready to Submit as uploaded files will not save here if you hit Save and Continue below.

Does this project include components that meet the needs and includes the voices of individuals who are most often impacted by environmental degradation and climate change — including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), people who are LGBTQ+, people with diverse abilities, and people and families with low incomes? If yes, please tell us more about these components of your project.

Learn more about The Environmental Center's commitment to equity here https://envirocenter.org/about-us/our-story/commitment-to-equity/

Are there co-workers, other organizations, volunteers, etc. that you will collaborate with to complete project activities? If yes, list your collaborators here. Tell us if you have already secured commitments for these collaborations or how you plan to get there.

How much funding are you requesting?(Required)

Each project can be awarded up to $5,000. There is no minimum project budget/award amount.

Provide a simple budget breakdown that outlines how you plan to spend the requested funds. Projects that demonstrate 20% cash or in-kind matching funds may be given preference. Non-monetary contributions to the projects such as staff/volunteer time, equipment, or supplies can count towards in-kind match.(Required)

A bulleted list is fine. Or if you prefer, you can use the available template and upload a file below.

Upload Project Budget Here

Max. file size: 100 MB.

NOTE: Please upload files when you are ready to Submit as uploaded files will not save here if you hit Save and Continue below.

Will future funding or other support be necessary to sustain project results? If yes, what is your plan to secure additional funding or other support? If no, how will you sustain project success?(Required)

Award Acceptance Process

I agree to the award acceptance process

Upon notification of award, recipients must accept the award within the specified amount of time in the notification email (at least two weeks) by submitting the following required documentation:
1. Signed Grant Acceptance Letter
2. W-9 Form for Grant Recipient (Please note: If accepting a grant award as an individual, you incur all applicable tax liabilities.)
3. A dated invoice to The Environmental Center with the total grant award amount (Please note: This is an invoice to us before the project begins – and not a receipt.)

Progress Report(Required)

I agree to submit a progress report

Please check the box to confirm you agree to submit a progress report with the following information by the specified date.
1. Itemized list of money spent (please include receipts sent as one attachment)
2. Photograph(s) showing progress of project implementation
3. Samples of project promotion when applicable
4. Short description of what has been done and what will be done
5. Any other pertinent information on progress of the project

Final Report(Required)

I agree to submit a final report

Please check the box to confirm you agree to submit a final report with the following information by January 31, 2026.
1. An estimate of the amount of waste prevented, reduced, or diverted from landfill as a result of this project.
2. An estimate of the number of people reached or educated through this project.
3. A description of what was accomplished.
4. Final photographs of project implementation.
5. Samples of any materials such as signage, labels, or educational materials developed as part of the project.
6. Samples of any project promotion or other deliverables from social media, website, newsletter and any press releases.
7. Final list of money spent (including receipts sent as one attachment).
8. Any lessons learned that can be shared with other entities in the community who may wish to implement a similar program.

Community Innovation Fund Application

Community Innovation Fund (CIF) – 2025 Application

Applicant Details

Project Overview

Project Details

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Local Change.
A World of Difference

Community Innovation Fund Application

Community Innovation Fund (CIF) – 2025 Application

Applicant Details

Project Overview

Project Details

Sign up for the Rethink Waste Newsletter

Local Change. A World of Difference

Local Change.
A World of Difference