Adjustment to the Small Grants Fund

One of the small grant recipients, Native Wellness Institute, elected not to move forward with their grant. Based on recommendations from Levy Staff and the SGF Design Team, the Committee voted to distribute the funds ( $144,000) among the 7 remaining small grants recipients.

Grantee Partner Reflections

To create more opportunities for relationship building between our partners and the Allocation Committee, we invited representatives from four programs to share their recent experiences providing services during the pandemic. PCL staff and Committee members thanked the Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization and Neighborhood House hunger relief programs, and Oregon MESA and El Programa Hispano Católico after school programs for sharing their successes and challenges in serving youth and families this past year.

Training and Technical Assistance for Partners

Levy staff gave an overview of past training and technical assistance offered by the Levy, and shared preliminary results of a survey gathering partner feedback on future needs which include: trauma informed care; equity, diversity & inclusion; youth development practices; child/brain development & parenting; role of culture in mentoring; and evaluating program impact. Staff will use results of the survey along with further consultation with grantees to create a training and technical assistance plan for Committee review in the fall.

Creating a Community Advisory Committee

Staff summarized preliminary planning to form a community committee to advise on PCL processes such as reporting, accountability and grantmaking.  Staff is looking at local models (Preschool for All, Portland Clean Energy Fund) for their approaches to advisory committees and subcommittees, and learning practices of participatory grantmaking. AC members discussed their priorities for advisory committee role, membership, and relationship to the AC.  Staff will use this feedback to bring a proposal to the Committee for review in the fall.

Allocation Committee Member Feedback Sessions

Staff summarized feedback gathered in recent individual meetings with committee members around staff communications, preferences for the Committee’s role in overseeing performance and assuring accountability, and priorities for changes to the Levy.  Committee members discussed their values and priorities in gauging Levy performance, and noted a range of priorities for change in the future including serving youth transitioning into adulthood, supporting youth mental health, and preventing gun violence and homelessness. 

Introducing Joel Broussard 

Finally, we’re thrilled to welcome Joel Broussard to the Levy staff. Joel is a Portland native who has seen many changes happen in the Portland area, and the state of Oregon, over the years. With over 28 years of experience as a social worker, Joel will be managing the Levy’s Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention and Foster Care grants. Visit our staff page to learn more or contact Joel.

Miss Tuesday’s Meeting?

Watch it on YouTube here or on CityNet Xfinity Channel 30 and 330 (HD) at 8:30 p.m. on 09-21-21 and 6 p.m. on 09-24-2021.

Upcoming Allocation Committee Meeting

Our next meeting will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Agendas will be sent to this email list, shared on our social media channels and posted here on our website.

We welcome your comment on agenda items or the work of the Portland Children’s Levy. If you would like to join the next meeting to participate, stay tuned for the meeting invite.