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Supporting Rural and Underserved Nonprofits and Jurisdictions
Coordinated Action to Increase Access to Federal Funds
INTRODUCTION
The Federal Readiness and Leverage Fund aims to:
01.
Direct more federal funds into Oregon
02.
Increase capacity in Oregon's underserved and rural communities
03.
Strengthen avenues for collaboration across public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors
Flexible support for rural and under-resourced communities.
UNLOCKING FEDERAL FUNDS
Although the Federal Readiness and Leverage Fund (FRLF) was developed largely in response to a massive influx of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars, the Fund is available to increase access to all federal funding – knowing that challenges to securing and managing it existed long before BIL. The coordinated, flexible, and responsive support that the Fund provides to rural and under-resourced organizations and jurisdictions is now more important than ever.
Background
Taking Coordinated Action
This Fund was born to increase access to transformative federal funding and advance high-potential projects led by rural based, BIPOC-led and serving, and other underresourced organizations and jurisdictions. The FRLF 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.
Launched in 2024, the Federal Readiness and Leverage Fund was developed by Kelley Nonprofit Consulting and a collaborative group of Funding Partners, whose efforts were informed through conversations with the organizations and communities across Oregon who would benefit most from this model.
Seizing Opportunities
Addressing Barriers
Federal funds propel vital community projects through large infusions of support, but can present many challenges and barriers. These challenges vary – from the fast-paced opportunities that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law introduced to changing circumstances brought forth by the new administration. Any ensuing funding pauses can quickly instill uncertainty and confusion for nonprofits and communities, leaving underresourced – but impactful – organizations at a significant disadvantage. As a responsive funding mechanism, the FRLF can also help grantees who manage federal funding stay afloat during times of uncertainty.
In addition to project funding, the FRLF infuses grantees with technical assistance, including tailored resource navigation and 1:1 federal fiscal readiness assessment and grant compliance support.
Priorities With Immediate And Lasting Impact
FOCUS AREAS
Many nonprofits and small communities miss out on funding opportunities to advance important projects. FRLF funding requests should fall into one or more of the Fund’s four Focus Areas, which were identified as frequent barriers to federal funding by organizations and jurisdictions during the planning of this program:
Pre Development & Financial Leverage
Helping applicants meet the financial requirements necessary to access federal funds
Incentivizing & Increasing Collaboration
Supporting organizations to lead collaborative efforts; Creating coalitions to put forth competitive federal funding applications
Increasing Coordination Between Public Sector & CBOs
Ensuring representatives of underserved, unincorporated, and rural communities remain “at the table” by supporting staff capacity for coordination
Broad, Complementary Technical Assistance
Supporting technical assistance providers who are dedicated to building capacity within nonprofit organizations and jurisdictions
How It Works
The Federal Readiness & Leverage Fund coordinates giving from Funding Partners to help applicants in overcoming barriers in alignment with the Fund’s Focus Areas.
Aligned Nonprofits and Jurisdictions
Qualifying nonprofits and jurisdictions are identified and vetted for alignment and invited to complete a single, brief application
Philanthropic Participation
Funding Partners join with the goal of addressing barrier(s) to securing federal funds through one of the Fund’s four Focus Areas
Resource Navigation
Grantees receive one-on-one, curated resource navigation including needs assessment and technical assistance recommendations to build their internal capacity
Technical Support
Grantees may 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