Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Approve Innovation Grants

On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors agreed in a 5-0 vote to approve Measure X Phase 1 Innovation Fund awards to 10 applicants.

With the Phase 1 awards, its conditioned upon applicants submitting a Phase 2 Innovation Fund proposal. The current $2,000,000 Innovation Fund derives from a second allocation of Measure X sales tax revenue. Recommended Phase 1 grants, if approved, will reduce the fund by $50,000, leaving a balance of $1,950,000 for Phase 2 allocation.

Julie Enea, Senior Deputy County Administrator, explained these grants were for “new ideas” and to try to have a positive value. The awardees were also selected by an independent Review Panel.

She further highlighted the Phase 1 requirement was to demonstrate applicant eligibility while submitting a 3-page concept paper (program, project, need, goals, funding usage, who is implementing and which population would benefit most). She continued by noting the purpose of Phase 1 was to select concepts for further development in Phase 2.

She added the caveat that it’s not known whether all 10 applicants will get Phase 2 funding—which will require a complete implementation proposal and detailed project budget, schedule, funding partners and short and long-term goals with expected outcomes.

Applicants Awarded

Of the 36 applicants, 10 were selected which include:

• Bridge Builders to the New Generation: College Career and Readiness Program. College and career readiness for 300 high school and middle school students through mentorship, field trips to colleges and career centers, workshops on essential skills, and an out-of-state tour to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Antioch and Pittsburg.
• Contra Costa Senior Legal Services: Medical-legal partnership to address social, legal, and medical needs of underserved older adults, e.g., evictions, public benefits, elder abuse. Countywide
• Hijas del Campo: Promotoras de Salud Program to address healthcare disparities affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Contra Costa County. Far East County.
• Lincoln: Antioch Schools Newcomer Inclusion Project: provide targeted services to newcomer families to increase their engagement with their children’s schools and education; increase connectedness to their new community and peers; and increase access to resources in support of improved wellness, family stability, and inclusion. Antioch
• NAMI Contra Costa: Lifting Up the Voices of Those Most Harmed: Gather and empower black males aged 20-25 in each Contra Costa County region to engage in civic affairs affecting them. Countywide.
• Oakland Tech Exchange: Library Tech Equity Connection to place high school and college students in paid technology internships at libraries and community sites for on-the-job tech sector training. Countywide.
• RisingJuntos: 50 community ambassadors to host outreach and focus groups about climate change, energy efficiency, and renewable energy and complete community-based assessment of residents’ climate and energy needs. East County.
• St. Vincent de Paul of CC: Micro-loan program for low-income individuals and families in Contra Costa County, providng an alternative to high interest loans thereby reducing debt, increasing income and facilitating financial health. Countywide.
• Support4Recovery: 12-bed sober living program for Spanish speaking men and women; expands on the Round 1 Hispanic Outreach program. Countywide
• The Gemma Project: 8-10 week in-custody re-entry behavioral health and life skills program for women to help break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. Countywide

NOTE – who was not selected

Board of Supervisor Commentary

Supervisor Diane Burgis wanted to ensure the grants that are being provided that the grantees understand there was a responsibility with the grants as it was taxpayer money.

“I want to make sure that there are measurables and timely reporting and that folks truly understand that they are accountable for the work that they are applying to do with this grant money,” stated Burgis who wanted to communicate expectations.

Supervisor John Gioia asked for clarification for the process.

Enea shared its nearly $2 million available for the next stage which its unknown of the 10 grantees who would get Phase 2 funding. Phase 2 recommendations could return in late March or early April 2025.

Burgess urged staff to communicate that those who receive grants would be partners with the county and she expected a good working relationship rather than impacting the county with more work or impacting staff in a negative way, calling it “unacceptable”.

Supervisor Ken Carlson called measurables and gauging success is important, but also wanted to know what the sustainable plan as part of evaluation process in the future in Phase 2—requested a sustainable plan since these are new programs.

Supervisor Candace Andersen agreed with Carlson that with the process they should find out if the programs would be self-sustaining from a funding standpoint or allocate Measure X dollars to support the innovative programs—such as first 5 years and then taper off. She also agreed with Burgis that the department heads be involved to demand accountability, but truly be a partnership.

“If we are finding that partners are not willing to work with staff, that we look at if this is something that we will continue, because our staff is taxed with so many responsibilities” explained Andersen noting that sometimes small grants are harder than larger grants to work with. “We do want to make sure we have the foundation of a relationship and people are figuring out how to work well with our county departments… I wish we had more money to fund everything… how do you pick winners and losers in a situation like this?”

Andersen considered this seed money to work on a seed of concept. She is hopeful with the seed money they could become sustainable and find other funding or grants.

PHASE 1 APPLICATIONS NOT SELECTED FOR ADVANCEMENT TO PHASE 2

• ARTSCCC (Arts Contra Costa County): Youth Arts Collective: integrating art into diversion programs by partnering with critical service organizations. Countywide.
• Bay City News Foundation: Uplifting the Future Voices of Democracy: Year long journalism initiative for 20 Contra Costa County high school students. Countywide.
• Child Abuse Prevention Council: Antioch Blooming: 2 listening sessions for 10-15 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) women from Antioch area to explore interest in supportive services, and ultimately offer a guaranteed income program. Antioch.
• Choice in Aging: Aging in Place Campus Project: a $65M campus to support seniors to live independently; project is to develop infrastructure, programs and services in new facility to replace existing 75 year old multiuse building in Pleasant Hill. Countywide.
• Community Tech Network: Digital Health Fellows. Train 5-15 digital health fellows to coach patients on accessing online health information and portals, and on IT security and awareness. Countywide
• Contra Costa Crisis Center: Youth Crisis Support Line. Dedicated Youth Crisis Support Line offering suicide prevention and 211 information and referral. Countywide.
• Family Caregiver Alliance: Training and support for family caregivers. Countywide.
• Family Purpose Corporation: STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and Sports Program combining mentoring, support services, and sports instruction for TK-5th graders. Pittsburg.
• Foundation M.E.G.A.: M.E.G.A Life Pathways/Family Hub. Construct a Family Hub, a year-round 10,000 sf facility to integrate sports training, cheerleading, mentorship, STEAM education, and life-skills development. Countywide.
• Genesis Church: RAMP Hub, in-person workforce development for 30 persons/qtr and 20 youths ages 18-26 . Antioch 94509 area.
• Korean Community Center of the East Bay: Contra Costa Community Connect: Provide Limited English Proficient 65+ year old Asian citizens with meals and essential healthcare, legal aid, mental health support, and public benefits, and reduce social isolation. Countywide.
• Lao Family Community Development, Inc.: Care Casita: Outreach, engagement, and community provider coordination/case mgmt for unhoused people living along Wildcat Creek in San Pablo from existing multi-service center. Wildcat Creek corridor/West County
• Monument Crisis Center: Pop-up events; Establish a crisis/resource center in East County similar to Concord center. East County.
• Opportunity Junction: Career Advancement Project: Remote/virtual career coaching for job training alumni. East County
• People Who Care Children Association: Green Futures Lab: mobile lab of community service, environmental education, and mental wellness for at-risk youths ages 12-21. Countywide.
• Prison From-TheInside-Out: Comprehensive Homelessness Prevention and Economic Empowerment Program: provide stable housing and wraparound services. Antioch.
• Rich City Rides: Group bike rides and bike safety training for fitness, well-being, and enviromental stewardship. Richmond
• Richmond Community Foundation #1: Richmond Entrepreneur Hub and Startup Accelerator for youths aged 15-24. Richmond.
• Richmond Community Foundation #2: Comment Studio – Metaverse Media Training: community virtual production studio for video production and computer gaming development and animation. Countywide
• Richmond Community Foundation #3: Supportive Services Hub to build capacity of social entrepreneurs/future leaders of nonprofits through workshops and networking. Countywide.
• Tentmakers, Inc: Tiny House Building Academy: Training in home design and building to construct tiny homes. Countywide.
• The Bay Church: Physical plant or warehouse for a Compassion Center, a hybrid primary care clinic and community center. Countywide but near Bay Point.
• United Way Bay Area: SparkPoint & Free Tax Help: 4 years planning and implementation for expansion of volunteer income tax assistance and financial education. West County.
• Veterans Accession House: Water Pressure and Sandblasting Cleaning workforce development project for homeless persons who are willing/able to work. Countywide.
• We Live STEM, LLC/Olivia Parks Community Development Corp: Olivia Parks Health Recovery Center: Construction of a 35,000 sf prefab facility to accommodate 150 bedroom units and supporting space to provide housing and supportive services for homeless individuals. Countywide.
• White Pony Express: Zero Waste Campaign: Training and outreach to food producers to better comply with SB 1383; dovetails with Food Rescue Hero Program funded in Round 1. Countywide

BACKGROUND:

On November 16, 2021, the Measure X Community Advisory Board presented a report and funding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for Measure X revenue. Among the many recommendations approved by the Board of Supervisors that day was a one-time allocation of $2 million to establish an Innovation Fund to seed pilot programs and innovative projects. The County Administrator was charged with administration of the fund and grant process, with guidance from the Board of Supervisors and its Finance Committee.

Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors allocated two rounds of Innovation Funds, each in the amount of $2M.  The first round was allocated in October 2023 and the five awarded projects are expected to wrap up by the end of this fiscal year or sooner.  The first round leaves an unallocated balance of $179,263, which is available to augment/extend 1^st Round projects, add to the second round, or redirect to other County needs.

The second round grant eligibility, principles, priorities, and project categories were substantially the same as in the first round, except that a requirement to be a California registered organization was removed:

Guiding Principles:

• The first question is not ‘Is this going to work?’ but rather, ‘If it works, would it matter?’
• Unlike traditional grantmaking, intentionally seek to trade off probability of success in return for greater potential impact.
• Invest in approaches that may have a higher risk of failure, but the potential to be lasting and truly game changing if they succeed.
• Seek out ideas with transformative potential, take risks on less proven approaches, and recognize that innovation requires flexibility, iteration and, yes, even failure.
• Strive to balance rigorous analysis with intuition about a project’s potential for transformative change.
• The impact from one or two big, transformational successes in a portfolio can justify the opportunity cost of many failures. Recognize that money given away for social purposes is effectively gone, regardless of outcomes.

Innovation Fund Priorities

• Projects that respond to local service needs.
• Projects that improve equitable access to public services
• Projects that remove structural barriers that cause inequities and poverty
• Projects that have the potential to provide the greatest impact for every dollar spent
• Projects that have potential for transformative change rather than simply replicate safe, established programs

Innovation Fund Categories

• Safe & Engaged Communities – Improving health, wellness, and public safety outcomes through community outreach/awareness, education, and engagement.
• Agriculture and Food Systems – Improving environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.
• Economic Vitality – Providing education, job training, decent jobs, and viable businesses to reduce the number of people at a poverty level.
• Clean & Sustainable (Clean and Green) Environment – Safe food and water, proper waste disposal, clean air, pest control; preventing waste.
• Reliable & Accessible Infrastructure – Modernization, technology, or equity in digital access, cybersecurity, and resilience.

The County Administrator’s Office issued a request for concepts on September 13, 2024 with a submission deadline of October 7, 2024 (3½ weeks). Thirty-six qualifying applications were received.

The County Administrator convened a diverse 7-member review panel comprising highly qualified representatives from the Contra Costa County Funders’ Forum, the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation, the County Health Services Department, the County’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board, the Community Corrections Partnership Community Advisory Board, the Council on Homelessness, and the Measure X Community Advisory Board. The County Administrator is deeply appreciative of the time and effort volunteered by the Panelists, who are also committed to participate in Phase 2 evaluations and whose identities are, therefore, withheld in respect to the ongoing competitive process.

As compared to the first round in 2023 in which 14 applications were received, 36 qualifying applications were received in the second round.  The Review Panel met October 21st, November 7th, November 21^st to evaluate, rate, and rank proposals in accordance with the guiding principles and priorities adopted by the Board.  As a result of its deliberations, the Review Panel recommends that 10 of the 36 applicants be invited to submit full proposals during Phase 2 of the grant process. Attachment 1 shows the list of the applicants recommended to be invited to participate in Phase 2, and Attachment 2 shows a list of proposals that are not recommended for advancement to Phase 2.

The County Administrator appreciates the careful consideration of the Panel of each proposal and proffers the Panel’s recommendations for ten Phase 1 awards today. Upon direction by the Board of Supervisors, the County Administrator will execute grant contracts to award each selected applicant $5,000, conditioned upon both attendance at a bidder’s conference at which the requirements for the Phase 2 applications will be explained, and submission of a responsive and responsible proposal. Awardees will be given 45 days from the bidder’s conference to submit their Phase 2 proposals for consideration by the Review Panel in February/March.

Documents

• Staff Report – click here
• BO_Phase I Grant Recommendations 12-3-24_Attachment 1,
• BO_Phase I Recommendations 12-3-24_Attachment 2_Not Selected

Previous Story

• Nov 12 – Contra Costa County Supervisors to Get Measure X Report, Reallocate Funding
• Dec 18, 2023 – Burgis: Bringing Measure X Funds to East County
• Dec 12, 2023 – Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to Consider Measure X Allocations
• Nov 28, 2023 – Contra Costa County to Receive Update on Measure X Spending