KOB Small Grant Program
Keep Oakland Beautiful gives out small grants of up to $800 every fall. 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 include but are not limited to: Park and open space clean-up and beautification projects; Planting shrubs, flowers, community gardens; Little free and pop-up libraries; Graffiti removal and murals; Litter container tile mosaics; and more.
Grantee Requirements:
Application
The small grant application is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grants does KOB make per year?
It varies from year to year depending upon available funds. Last year we granted 15.
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, evidence of sustainability, evidence of human and financial capacity to complete the project.
Applying for a KOB Small Grant
How do I qualify for a grant?
The KOB SG application can be found here, on our website: Grantee Requirements
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.
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, e.g. 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. Grantees must complete the Adopt a Spot application before applying for their KOB small grant application. (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.
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. 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.
Grantee Requirements:
- Applications are due May 24, 2019.
- Projects on City of Oakland property must be approved by the City and have an approved Oakland Adopt a Spot agreement prior to September 1, 2018. (Project approval time varies by location and complexity. Allow for a minimum of two weeks.)
- Projects on private property will be considered, with priority going to those that can be enjoyed by the community
- Funded projects must be completed and final reporting submitted by June 15, 2019
Application
The small grant application is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grants does KOB make per year?
It varies from year to year depending upon available funds. Last year we granted 15.
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, evidence of sustainability, evidence of human and financial capacity to complete the project.
Applying for a KOB Small Grant
How do I qualify for a grant?
The KOB SG application can be found here, on our website: Grantee Requirements
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.
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, e.g. 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. Grantees must complete the Adopt a Spot application before applying for their KOB small grant application. (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.
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. 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 no source of irrigation water,
- Requests for new trash bins (the City does not have the capacity to service new bins),
- 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.
