Davenport Institute

Grants

2011 Grant Recipients

The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership is pleased to announce the results of the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Program. The grantees are:

• City of Rancho Cordova
• City of La Mesa
• City of Goleta
• City of Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority

This year's applications were particularly numerous and competitive, with a number of outstanding projects around the state. Thanks to all who applied for your excellent work and your continued commitment to public engagement.  

Stay posted early next year for announcements regarding the 2012 Public Engagement Program. 

About the 2011 Public Engagement Grant Program

From difficult budget decisions to tough land use problems, municipal and civic institutions have recognized that legitimately engaging their citizens - from discovering their informed opinions, to inviting their participation in actual solutions - should be a pragmatic priority. Still, the tight budgets that most require these public discussions can also preclude them when municipalities decide that engaging residents is just “too expensive.”

Starting in 2008 (then conducted through Common Sense California), our grants have been used to support cities, counties, special districts and civic organizations as they have endeavored to engage their residents on a variety of issues.

Here’s a small sampling of the over two dozen efforts we have supported:

• Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (water policy)
• City of Brea (budget)
• Ventura County Civic Association (regional planning)
• Santa Barbara Noozhawk (online participatory budgets)
• City of Palmdale (youth services)
• City of Redwood City (environmental policy)
• City of Walnut Creek (budget)
• City of Martinez (online participatory planning)
• Ripon Unified School District (education policy)
• County of Sonoma (budget)
• Threshold 2009/non-profit (county housing policy)
• Many others…

Unlike our previous grants, the 2011 offering will fund consulting services for a public engagement effort. Also different from past years, the Davenport Institute will provide customized staff/elected training to grantees prior to their launch of the public engagement program. This year, the Davenport Institute will be awarding over $50,000 in funded services to selected grantees.

Applications closed for 2011.