Community Engagement Standard Grant

The Community Engagement Standard Grant provides funding starting at $2,500 to support initiatives that increase awareness of and participation in community and/or civic engagement.

The Standard Grant encourages new and innovative projects that focus on the experience of the volunteers and/or participants by providing funding to support the early stages of program development. UServeUtah defines community and/or civic engagement as implementing actions that improve issues of public concern through both political and nonpolitical processes. 

UServeUtah has identified the compelling need to raise awareness of the positive effects of volunteerism and provide high-quality volunteer/educational opportunities that encourage participants to be engaged members of their community for their entire lives. This grant opportunity provides project-based funds for volunteer/participant-centric projects located throughout the state of Utah. The project goals are:

  • Supporting community and/or civic engagement programming with a focus on the volunteer/participant
  • Engaging individuals during the project period and beyond
  • Fostering commitment to service, volunteerism, and civic engagement

2022-2023 Funded Grants


Grant Timeline: 2023-2024

Monday, March 6, 2023: Application released
Thursday, March 16, 2023: Virtual Information Session (optional) 11:00 AM;
Recording available below in Resources
Monday, May 1, 2023: Applications due by 5:00 PM MST
Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Applicants notified
July 1, 2023 - June 15, 2024: Project period



Eligible Applicants

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Institutions of higher education 
  • State Agencies
  • Government entities within the state including cities, counties, and municipalities
  • Community or faith-based organizations
  • Partnerships of any of the above entities

Grant Amount

This is a reimbursement grant. Awards will be funded starting at $2,500. UServeUtah reserves the right to award less than the requested amount based on available funding and submitted applications.

Funds are intended to support new initiatives or changes to existing programs that significantly increase volunteer/participant reach. Previously funded Community Engagement grantees are eligible to re-apply for 50% of their prior grant award. Projects can be funded no more than two times.

Organizations may only receive funding for one Community Engagement Grant (including all three grant types) each fiscal year (July - June). Project grants under $2,500 may be requested with the EZ Grant or Mini-Grant applications.


Match

All funding must be matched 100% with cash or in-kind contributions.

Project Criteria

Applicants must clearly address the following in the grant application narratives:

  • Goals to increase the awareness of and participation of Utahns in community/civic engagement. 
  • Projects are focused on the volunteer and/or participant
  • Outcomes of grant should include changes in community and/or civic engagement skills, attitudes, behavior, and/or knowledge
  • Projects will incorporate one or more of the Community Engagement Pathways
  • Intentional activities and/or education should help volunteers and/or participants stay engaged after project completion
  • Incorporate strategies to measure the project output(s) and outcome(s)

Fundable Expenses

The following expenses are fundable depending on the proposed project scope:

  • Personnel Expenses (up to 25% of budget): compensation paid to individuals who charged time to the initiative 
  • Advertising (funds spent to promote the initiative)
  • Facility (cost of location to carry out the initiative)
  • Printing (printed materials for the initiative)
  • Supplies (items purchased to carry out the initiative)
  • Travel (designation, dates of travel, number of people)
  • Food (funds for snacks and meals for initiative participants)
  • Contractual Services (programmatic efforts carried out by a third party)

Non-fundable Expenses

  • Grants may not be used for fundraising or cash prizes
  • While funding may be used to educate on the political process, direct political event(s), lobbying, or religious proselytizing activities are not allowed
  • Scholarships
  • Gift cards or certificates
  • Assist, promote, or deter union organizing
  • Impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements
  • Event(s) and program(s) outside of Utah

Assessment Criteria

  • Impact (50 points): The proposed project will increase Utahns' awareness of and participation in community and/or civic engagement during the proposed project as well as for the long term within one of the Community Engagement Pathways. The proposed project should cause a change in attitude, behavior, condition, or skill for those engaged through grant funds. The applicant demonstrates that data can be collected to measure this outcome. 
  • Need (20 points) The proposed project addresses who will be engaged as volunteers/participants in the project and how involvement in the proposed initiative will encourage lifelong community/civic engagement. Describe the benefits of volunteerism to your organization/project as well as the social, emotional, mental benefits to the volunteers/participants.  
  • Feasibility (20 points): The applicant demonstrates the ability to implement the community engagement grant successfully through partnerships, personnel, timeline, and budget presented.  
  • Innovation (10 points): The applicant demonstrates a fresh or refreshed approach to the work of increasing community/civic engagement in Utah. All parts of the application will be used to assess this criterion. Project and geographic diversification will also be considered in this category. Priority consideration will be given to projects that reach rural Utah communities.

Grant Recipient Responsibilities


Applicants who receive grant awards will be responsible for:

  • Providing UServeUtah with evidence of a passed background check for all employees paid with grant funds
  • Covering all costs incurred by projects until reimbursement from the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism (UServeUtah) is received
  • Tracking all expenses and submitting a detailed invoice to UServeUtah for reimbursement
  • Submitting reports. Depending on the timing of the projects in your grant application, two reports may be required. The reporting dates are as follows:
    • Midterm progress report: January 31, 2024 (not a requirement if your initiative is finished before February 1, 2024)
    • End of project report: no later than 45 days after the end of your initiative and no later than June 15, 2024
  • Participating in virtual consultation with UServeUtah in August 2023
  • ​​​​​​​Acknowledging UServeUtah's support of your initiative by use of logo, signage, social media tags, etc. Tagging @userveutah in social media posts.

Failure to meet all of the above requirements could result in the organization not receiving the grant money.


How to Apply

Applications for the 2023-2024 grant period are now closed.


Contact

Please contact Judy Hut (jhut@utah.gov) with any questions.