SOLV Small Grants

Purpose

The purpose of SOLV’s Small Grants Program is to support grass roots and community efforts. A limited number of grants are available to supplement project material and supplies costs, assisting in creating successful and sustainable projects. See the list at the end for some of the things SOLV Small Grants pay for.

Where the Money Comes From

As a nonprofit, SOLV raises money to deliver program services, like small grants. With a staff of 27 and a budget of nearly two million dollars, SOLV delivers 14 different programs across Oregon ranging from one-day events, to volunteer leadership training, to community service-learning projects for students. Each year, SOLV creates more than 80,000 chances for volunteers to come out and clean a beach, plant a tree or learn a new skill.

Just like all nonprofits, SOLV asks individuals, foundations, government agencies and businesses to make contributions to support our work. Currently, SOLV receives about 25% of its funding from business, 23% from foundations, 19% from individuals, 17% from government and 16% from a collection of smaller sources like fundraising events and in-kind donations. If you like SOLV programs and you’d like to see them continue, consider becoming a member by making a tax-deductible donation. Money raised will help SOLV continue, and hopefully expand, services like the Small Grants Program.

What’s Free

There are supplies and help that are available to every person or organization in Oregon. Preparation and site supplies from SOLV’s inventory are all free. They include bags, sharps containers, vinyl gloves, safety vests and volunteer coordinator’s handbooks. SOLV staff can answer questions, help with implementation of a project, or brainstorm ideas, depending on the program and project need.

Eligibility (Who)

SOLV small grants for volunteer projects are limited. Approval for these grants is based on economic need, scope of project, geographic diversity and the sustainability of the project over time.

Eligibility (When)

Each person or community group can apply for a grant any time during the year. Different programs have different deadlines, while Project Oregon and Oregon Adopt-A-River give grants all year long. There is a limit of two grants per person or group per calendar year regardless of the program.

Grant Use

SOLV Small Grants are designed to help offset some of the on-the-ground costs for a project.

Examples of how grants can be used:

• Waste disposal fees
• Hauling fees or fuel for volunteer haulers (from site to nearset collection station)
• Trash and recycling receptacles
• Paint
• Brushes and painting equipment
• Lumber and material supplies
• Barriers (gates, trees)
• Fuel for equipment used on site
• Tools to be maintained by a school or a public or non-profit agency for future projects
• Tow trucks and/or heavy equipment rental
• Publication and distribution of promotional items (posters, signs, flyers) if not provided by SOLV (subject to approval by SOLV staff)
• Plants
• Mulch and ground covers

Examples of how grants cannot be used:

• Staff or coordinator position funding
• Wages
• Volunteer transportation expenses (i.e. fuel, car/bus rental, etc.)
• Food, gifts or parties for volunteers
• Personal equipment, phone bills
• Fundraising activities
• Pesticides or herbicides

Why Partner with SOLV

There are lots of reasons to partner with SOLV. Our experienced staff can share all the tools and tricks to help you accomplish a successful event. They can provide written material, free training and ongoing coaching. Your event can be listed on our website, and often included in the news releases we send out to media. Nearly all of our programs provide free brochures or posters for you to use or an electronic editable flyer that just needs your specific information. SOLV has been working in Oregon since 1969 and has a lot of relationships with businesses and agencies around the state; we can help connect you to others in your community who can help you with your project. And by partnering with SOLV, you are part of a bigger movement across the state. Whether it’s cleaning up the beach or restoring a degraded wetland, you are working in the company of thousands of committed and caring citizens that all call Oregon home.

Click here to apply for a SOLV grant!