Past Recipients 2018 -2019

Project Title Description Award Amount
FY18-19 Community Empowerment Grants  
Benton County Skateboard Alliance Funds used to develop promotional goods and purchase a new or slightly used safety equipment and skateboards for students to borrow while they participate in the Corvallis Skateboard School.  These activities would help to grow the number of workshops offered to 24 per year and provide safe equipment for participants. $500
In Cahoots Funds used to cover the cost of event venues, table cloths, and brochures / posters in support of the In-Cahoots program. The program hosts a dinner that is open to the public every four months. Guests are asked to donate $10 at the door if they are able. At each event, three members of the community make brief presentations describing a project that needs a little money. The group shares a meal, talks, and then everyone votes for their favroite project. The project with the most votes takes home the money collected at the door. $596
Corvallis Bicycle Collective Funds used to install a Neighborhood Repair Parklet. The parklet will feature a bicycle repair stand and accompanying signage, on-street bicycle parking designed to the City of Corvallis bicycle corral program standards, a small seating area with a picnic table and waste recycling bins, and a physicial repair Corvallis' very first painted intersection installed in 2017. The project addresses a communty need for safe bicycling routes with accessible, supportuive, and sustainable infrastructure and creates a public gathering space to encourage community interactions.  $1000
International Moms Group Funds used to support the activities of the International Moms Group. Activities include (1) educational opportunities (2) International presentations (3) Childrens Playroom (4) Community Engagement Programs. $1000
Corvallis Trans Support Group Funds used to defray the cost of registering for a 501(c) (3) status and would allow the newly-formed Corvallis Trans Support Group to be recognized as a non-profit in the future. Non-profit recognition opens up new funding opportunities that will allow the group to support the growing needs of the trans community, including the 200 community members currently engaged with the organization. $599.99
Casa Latinos Unidos Funds used to create promotional materials for Casa Latinos Unidos, a non-profit founded to address the needs of the local Latino community. The organization is currently undergoing a re-branding and would use funds to create a brochure, standing banner and tablecloth that matches its new website. This allows the organization to create awareness about the organization when attending events, fairs, and other community activities while promoting and strengthening their image and presence for potential donors. $1000
Benton County Special Olympics Funds used to promote and properly equip Special Olympics athletes in the area to participate in the growing sport of Bocce Ball.  The organization currently has 53 athletes (including disabled and unified partners) and three coaches who are using uniforms that are 8 years old and in need of replacement.  The dated shirts also do not comply with statewide regulations for uniforms. $389
  Neighborhood Empowerment Grants  
Lancaster Bridge Neighbors Funds used to host a Bike Repair and Fair in a low income neighborhood with a high number of children. The event would focus on minor to moderate bike repairs, instruction to children to help them learn basic repair skills, and bring neighbors together in a friendly setting. The Corvallis Bike Collective has agreed to join the event as a participant. Refreshments, crafts, flyers, and bike parts are included in the budget. $599.99
Woodland Meadows Neighborhood Funds used to expand a neighborhood effort to improve the Woodland Park Natural Area. Neighbors created a volunteer group that has worked with Parks and Recreation by performing trail maintenance in the area. This project would continue the improvement efforts by purchasing and planting native plants and flowers for the area and to encourange native pollinator species. Planting would be performed by the neighborhood volunteers. $599.99
Living Southtown Funds used to install a street mural in coordination with the Open Streets event. The location is a T-intersection where Lily Avenue deadends into Bethel Street and is located next to Lily Park and a popular covered bus stop on Bethel. $599.99
Timberhill Neighborhood Association Funds used to bring neighbors together at a social event planned at Chepenafa Park in mid- July.  The event  would create an opportunity for neighborhors to meet and discuss interests, introduce the idea of a neighborhood association, identify boundaries, capture an initial understanding of what residents wish to accomplish via forming an association. $500
Chintimini Neighborhood Association Funds used to develop a park/green space at 27th Street and Coolidge Way, an under-used space that is a frequent landing spot for abandoned couches during student move-out. The project aims to develop a water-wise park that has a 60' pathway, cover planting area next to the pathway with cardboard and wood chips, install an information kiosk to post updates on park development and sign up for volunteers work parties., hold a kick off party to solicit participation. Future funding and partnership opportunities will be pursued with Benton County Master Gardeners Association. $599.99
West Hills Neighborhood Association Funds used to rent a gas-powered weed eater two - three times in order to maintain a section of Philomath Blvd between Sylvia Street and Technology Loop. This section of the sidewalk runs along the north side of Highway 20/34 and is often neglected.  This section of the ROW is affected by weeds, berry vines, and overhanging limbs and garbage often collects near the bus stop.  Work would be performed by the West Hills Neighborhood Association volunteers. $120
Corvallis Multi-Cultural Literacy Center Funds used to promote and host a neighborhood block party in the College Hill neighborhood. The event will be a partnership between CMLC and the OSU Office of Community Responsibility and Belonging and the College Hill Neighborhood Association.  Funds will defray the cost of food, flyers, welcome kits, music, and decorations. $850
Ready GO (Ready Grand Oaks) Funds used to purchase walkie talkies, rechargeable batteries, and handheld radios for emergency preparedness efforts. $445
Grand Oaks Neighborhood Funds used to initiate a pilot natural area stewardship effort recently approved by the city to address "Highly Sensitive Vegetation Areas" within the Grand Oaks Neighborhood. The project will include recruitment and organization of volunteers to remove invasive plants within at least one test area, prepare sites for fuiture replanting with native species, and lay the ground work for an on going volunteer conservation and maintenance program for the neighborhood's six HPSV areas (8 acres). Results of this effort can be used to inform and guide similar volunteer efforts in neighborhoods near HPSV across the community. $599.99