Community Enhancement Program

The Community Enhancement Program is administered by the City of Scappoose, Oregon, and has served the community since 2004 through a competitive local grantmaking process designed to support community-based projects and programs that provide a public benefit within Scappoose city limits. The City Council established the program to provide structured, equitable, and transparent financial support to nonprofit organizations operating in the community. For the 2026 grant cycle, the City of Scappoose appropriated a total of $20,000 for awards, with individual grant requests capped at $3,000 per application. The grant cycle officially opened on April 7, 2026, and applications are due by May 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Funding decisions are made directly by the Scappoose City Council after review of all submissions and applicant presentations. The program is specifically intended for nonprofit groups or organizations that are physically based within Scappoose city limits. The application packet explicitly states that organizations located outside the city are not eligible for this funding cycle, even if they provide services to Scappoose residents. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear public benefit and align with at least one element of the City Vision Statement or one or more priorities identified in the City Council Goals and Priorities for 2026-2027. The Council priorities emphasize communication and collaboration, sustainable finances, health and safety, outdoor recreation opportunities, community events, infrastructure sustainability, economic development, and local entrepreneurship. Projects located on private property may still qualify if applicants can establish a compelling community benefit and provide documentation showing property owner permission. Funding may be used for specific community-oriented projects or programs that can reasonably be completed within a one-year timeframe. Organizations may submit more than one application, but each application is limited to a single project proposal. The application materials do not describe formal cost-sharing or matching requirements, and no mandatory financial match is required to apply. Applicants are instead asked to explain whether the project can be completed using CEP funding combined with normal organizational funds or whether additional funding sources are required. The application also includes a detailed project budget section requiring disclosure of total project cost, requested CEP amount, organization contributions, and other funding sources or pending financial commitments. The program includes several policy restrictions and compliance requirements. Projects may not promote or inhibit religion, nor may they discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. Organizations that previously received CEP funding but failed to complete required post-project reporting are ineligible unless they submit an Interim Project Report with the current application. Successful applicants must also execute a grant agreement by August 1, 2026 or forfeit awarded funds. The City notes that grant funds will not be disbursed until an executed agreement is completed. In addition, all award recipients are required to complete post-project reporting following project completion, and failure to do so disqualifies the organization from future CEP eligibility. The application process requires applicants to complete a detailed grant application either electronically using the fillable PDF form or in legible written format. Required application components include organizational information, project description, anticipated start and completion dates, project budget, explanation of community need, anticipated public benefits, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility impacts, relationship to City Council priorities and Vision Statement objectives, and disclosure of prior CEP awards. Applicants are also required to provide a representative who can present the proposal before the City Council during the May 18, 2026 work session or meeting. Applications may be submitted either by email or mail to N.J. Johnson at the City of Scappoose. The review process begins with staff completeness review, followed by Council review and project presentations. Final scoring and allocation decisions are scheduled for either June 1 or June 15, 2026, after which applicants are notified of results. The program timeline establishes a structured annual funding cycle. Applications opened April 7, 2026, and close May 10, 2026. Applicant presentations are scheduled for May 18, 2026, and Council funding decisions are expected during June 2026 meetings. Funds become available for disbursement beginning July 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of grant agreements, which must be finalized by August 1, 2026. The CEP appears to operate on a recurring annual basis, with references to prior funding cycles and future eligibility requirements tied to post-project reporting compliance. Program administration and applicant support are coordinated through N.J. Johnson, Assistant to the City Manager/City Planner for the City of Scappoose, who serves as the primary point of contact for questions regarding eligibility, application submission, and program administration.

Provide thorough clear and concise responses that directly demonstrate public benefit and alignment with City Council priorities and Vision Statement goals. Clearly explain community impact diversity equity inclusion benefits and project feasibility within the one-year implementation period.