KOB Small Grant Program
Keep Oakland Beautiful gives out small grants of up to $800 every year. Individuals or community groups can apply for a grant to help fund a project that helps keep Oakland clean, green and beautiful, and brings people together in public space. Successful past projects have included park and open space clean-up and beautification projects; planting shrubs, flowers, community gardens; little free and pop-up libraries; graffiti removal and murals; and litter container tile mosaics.
Application period is now closed, winners have been announced as of early August 2021. The next round of applications will open in spring 2022.
Grantee Requirements
Application period is now closed, winners have been announced as of early August 2021. The next round of applications will open in spring 2022.
Grantee Requirements
- Projects on City of Oakland property must be approved by the City and have an approved Oakland Adopt a Spot agreement.
- Projects on private property will be considered, with priority going to those that can be enjoyed by the community
FAQs
About the KOB SG Program
How many grants does KOB make per year?
It varies from year to year depending upon available funds. Last year we granted 12.
What is the minimum and maximum amount of a KOB grant?
There is no minimum amount. The maximum grant per year is $800. Multi-year grants may be considered, but grantees should apply for each year separately.
Where does the KOB grant money come from?
KOB grant funds are from individual and corporate donations.
Do I have to pay back the grant?
No. The grants are not repayable.
Is the grant subject to taxes?
No. Grants to individuals or groups that use the funds for the stated charitable purpose are not taxable. Here is a good article on the topic.
Will I get an IRS tax statement from KOB?
No.
How does KOB decide who gets a grant?
The KOB Small Grants Committee looks for projects that best meet our funding criteria: creative projects, community benefit, evidence of sustainability as well as capacity to complete and maintain the project.
What are the reporting requirements for this grant?
A simple one-page grant report with at least three high-quality pictures, including before, during, and after, is required. See form for more details.
Applying for a Grant
How do I receive a grant?
The KOB small grant application can be found at the KOB website at the top of this page.
Do I have to be low income to get a grant?
No.
Are grants available in all of Oakland’s neighborhoods?
Yes.
Does my group have to have a 501 c 3 non-profit status to get a grant?
No.
Can an individual apply for a grant?
Yes. However, all projects must have a public benefit component, e.g. visible to the public, etc.
Can a neighborhood group apply for a grant?
Yes. Organized groups are encouraged to apply.
Can a church other group apply for a grant?
Yes.
Do school projects qualify for grants?
Yes, KOB accepts applications for school projects. However, KOB limits grants to schools to 20% of our total funding for each grant period.
About Projects
What kinds of projects does KOB fund?
See KOB’s application for project criteria information. See our website for examples of previous projects.
Do I have to have already raised any money to apply for a grant?
While you are not required to have raised any money to qualify for a grant, evidence of prior action taken (organizing and/or financial) to accomplish the project will make your grant application more competitive.
Can I use the grant for my own property?
Yes. However, all grants must have a public benefit component, for example, visible to the public, etc.
Can I use the grant for property I rent or don’t own?
Yes, but you will need the property owner’s permission as part of your application. All grants must have a public benefit component, e.g. visible to the public, etc.
Can I use the grant for a project on City of Oakland property?
Yes. All KOB grantee projects on city property must apply and receive prior permission from the City’s Adopt a Spot volunteer program. (See further details about Adopt a Spot below.)
Can I use the grant to beautify a vacant lot?
Yes, but you will need the property owner’s permission as part of your application.
How can I find out who owns a piece of property?
The Alameda County Assessor’s office has this information available. For both public and privately owned lots that you do not own, please note in your application who owns the property and contact information, including which public entity (EBMUD, CalTrans, City of Oakland, etc.)
City of Oakland’s Adopt a Spot Program Details
KOB requires that small grant applications for projects that are on City property have Adopt a Spot program approval for the same prior to disbursing any grant. However, Adopt a Spot approval does not ensure that you will receive a grant from KOB. The Adopt a Spot review process is intended to identify any hazards or other concerns that the proposed project may create and ensure long term maintenance. We recommend that you apply to the Adopt a Spot program well in advance of your application to the KOB SG program which can take a minimum of 3 weeks for approval. What follows are examples of projects that the City
Adopt a Spot may have concerns with:
Possible Problems with Projects
KOB has historically declined the following types of grant request applications:
How can I support KOB small grants in Oakland?
Small grants are funded in part by corporate partnerships, and largely from generous donations from people like you!
There are many ways you can donate to KOB to support these community grants.
PO BOX 22015
Oakland, CA 94623-2015
Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the tax id # 82-5359377. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB) is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit organization. Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation (OPRF) serves as the fiscal sponsor for KOB. OPRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the tax id # 94-2751052. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Because KOB is a local group affiliated with OPRF, when you donate to KOB through OPRF, your donations are tax deductible.
About the KOB SG Program
How many grants does KOB make per year?
It varies from year to year depending upon available funds. Last year we granted 12.
What is the minimum and maximum amount of a KOB grant?
There is no minimum amount. The maximum grant per year is $800. Multi-year grants may be considered, but grantees should apply for each year separately.
Where does the KOB grant money come from?
KOB grant funds are from individual and corporate donations.
Do I have to pay back the grant?
No. The grants are not repayable.
Is the grant subject to taxes?
No. Grants to individuals or groups that use the funds for the stated charitable purpose are not taxable. Here is a good article on the topic.
Will I get an IRS tax statement from KOB?
No.
How does KOB decide who gets a grant?
The KOB Small Grants Committee looks for projects that best meet our funding criteria: creative projects, community benefit, evidence of sustainability as well as capacity to complete and maintain the project.
What are the reporting requirements for this grant?
A simple one-page grant report with at least three high-quality pictures, including before, during, and after, is required. See form for more details.
Applying for a Grant
How do I receive a grant?
The KOB small grant application can be found at the KOB website at the top of this page.
Do I have to be low income to get a grant?
No.
Are grants available in all of Oakland’s neighborhoods?
Yes.
Does my group have to have a 501 c 3 non-profit status to get a grant?
No.
Can an individual apply for a grant?
Yes. However, all projects must have a public benefit component, e.g. visible to the public, etc.
Can a neighborhood group apply for a grant?
Yes. Organized groups are encouraged to apply.
Can a church other group apply for a grant?
Yes.
Do school projects qualify for grants?
Yes, KOB accepts applications for school projects. However, KOB limits grants to schools to 20% of our total funding for each grant period.
About Projects
What kinds of projects does KOB fund?
See KOB’s application for project criteria information. See our website for examples of previous projects.
Do I have to have already raised any money to apply for a grant?
While you are not required to have raised any money to qualify for a grant, evidence of prior action taken (organizing and/or financial) to accomplish the project will make your grant application more competitive.
Can I use the grant for my own property?
Yes. However, all grants must have a public benefit component, for example, visible to the public, etc.
Can I use the grant for property I rent or don’t own?
Yes, but you will need the property owner’s permission as part of your application. All grants must have a public benefit component, e.g. visible to the public, etc.
Can I use the grant for a project on City of Oakland property?
Yes. All KOB grantee projects on city property must apply and receive prior permission from the City’s Adopt a Spot volunteer program. (See further details about Adopt a Spot below.)
Can I use the grant to beautify a vacant lot?
Yes, but you will need the property owner’s permission as part of your application.
How can I find out who owns a piece of property?
The Alameda County Assessor’s office has this information available. For both public and privately owned lots that you do not own, please note in your application who owns the property and contact information, including which public entity (EBMUD, CalTrans, City of Oakland, etc.)
City of Oakland’s Adopt a Spot Program Details
KOB requires that small grant applications for projects that are on City property have Adopt a Spot program approval for the same prior to disbursing any grant. However, Adopt a Spot approval does not ensure that you will receive a grant from KOB. The Adopt a Spot review process is intended to identify any hazards or other concerns that the proposed project may create and ensure long term maintenance. We recommend that you apply to the Adopt a Spot program well in advance of your application to the KOB SG program which can take a minimum of 3 weeks for approval. What follows are examples of projects that the City
Adopt a Spot may have concerns with:
- Garden projects with edible produce have been rejected by the City citing concerns with possible contamination of edibles,
- Planting projects on City property that may create traffic sightline hazards may be rejected by the City,
- Projects that do not have the property owners approval,
- Planting projects that interfere with underground infrastructure (pipes, wires, etc.).
Possible Problems with Projects
KOB has historically declined the following types of grant request applications:
- Projects where other resources are readily available for the project,
- Tree planting projects (other free tree resources are available),
- Planting projects where there is not proper access to irrigation water for the plantings proposed,
- Requests for new trash bins you may request sites to be evaluated for new litter container installation through Oak 311,
- Projects on private property that only benefit the property owner,
- Projects that have no apparent public benefit,
- Requests with unrealistic or insufficient project budget to complete the project,
- Grant requests with no evidence of volunteer and financial capacity needed to complete and sustain the project,
- Projects that do not have prior Adopt a Spot approval.
How can I support KOB small grants in Oakland?
Small grants are funded in part by corporate partnerships, and largely from generous donations from people like you!
There are many ways you can donate to KOB to support these community grants.
- Donate online through our secure form here,
- Become a KOB member here.
- Become a KOB Peer Ambassador here.
- Mail your check to the following address. Make checks out to “Keep Oakland Beautiful”.
PO BOX 22015
Oakland, CA 94623-2015
Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the tax id # 82-5359377. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Keep Oakland Beautiful (KOB) is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit organization. Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation (OPRF) serves as the fiscal sponsor for KOB. OPRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the tax id # 94-2751052. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Because KOB is a local group affiliated with OPRF, when you donate to KOB through OPRF, your donations are tax deductible.
