Learn more about applying, joining as a Funding Partner, or serving as a Referral Partner
The Federal Readiness and Leverage Fund aims to direct more federal funds into Oregon, increase capacity in Oregon’s underserved and rural communities, and strengthen avenues for collaboration across public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. This coordinated Fund leverages near-term investments from participating Funding Partners to unlock millions in federal funds, build long-term capacity through accompanying technical assistance, and move projects sitting at strategic inflection points forward.
Seizing the Opportunity
Unprecedented federal funding is upon us, with $2 trillion in federal funds becoming available recently and in the coming years. This investment presents an enormous opportunity for communities and nonprofits in Oregon, particularly for historically underfunded BIPOC-led and serving and rural based organizations and jurisdictions. However, many nonprofits and small communities miss out on opportunities to win and manage awards of this scale – largely due to the four Focus Areas this Fund aims to address. Without support, these opportunities pass us by – and once again underserved, disinvested, and rural communities go without.
Taking Coordinated Action
The Federal Readiness and Leverage Fund was developed by Kelley Nonprofit Consulting and a collaborative group of Funding Partners, and their efforts were informed through dozens of conversations with the organizations across Oregon who would benefit most from this model. The Fund was born to support high potential projects, infuse organizations with curated technical assistance, and ensure that transformative federal funds aren’t left on the table.
Priorities With Immediate And Lasting Impact
Grants are made to address common barriers and unlock high-value federal funds. Funding requests fall into one or more of the Fund’s four Focus Areas, which were identified by organizations and jurisdictions during the planning of this program:
Helping applicants meet the financial requirements necessary to access federal funds
Supporting organizations to lead collaborative efforts; Creating coalitions to put forth competitive federal funding applications
Ensuring representatives of underserved, unincorporated, and rural communities remain “at the table” by supporting staff capacity for coordination
Supporting technical assistance providers who are dedicated to building capacity within community nonprofit organizations
The Federal Readiness & Leverage Fund coordinates giving from Funding Partners to help applicants in overcoming barriers in alignment with the Fund’s Focus Areas.
Qualifying nonprofits and jurisdictions are identified and vetted for alignment and invited to complete a single, brief application
Funding Partners commit dollars with the goal of addressing barrier(s) to securing federal funds through one of the Fund’s four Focus Areas
Grantees receive one-on-one, curated resource navigation including needs assessment and technical assistance recommendations to build their internal capacity
Grantees also receive additional funds earmarked for technical assistance, subject matter expertise, or other support of their choosing, along with a Federal Funding Readiness Assessment and tailored accounting support
