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M E M O R A N D U M
To: The Honorable Sheng Thao, Mayor
Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Members of the City Council
CC: Jestin Johnson, City Administrator, City of Oakland Zach Goldman, Chief of Policy/Legislative Affairs, Office of Mayor Sheng Thao
From: Niccolo De Luca, Vice President, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Alex Gibbs, Grants Director, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Date: May 22, 2024
Subject: Summary of Grant Writing Services
Overview
The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on grant writing/grant funding efforts undertaken by Townsend Public Affairs ( TPA) to date on behalf of the city and highlight best practices for successful grant awards.
As background, the City of Oakland awarded a contract with TPA after an RFP process to provide grant writing services and support on July 1, 2022. This is in addition to the State and Federal advocacy efforts executed by TPA . Over the last two years, the City/TPA Team has secured $34,128,810 working in close partnership.
Summary of Efforts
TPA provides a monthly grant memo to the Agency Directors which is also shared with the internal Grants Coordinator Team at the beginning of each mont h. This memo highlights a range of upcoming funding opportunities that could match the city’s needs and priorities. This memo includes a breakdown of available funding, matching fund requirements, grant deadlines and other information that helps city staff determine to apply for the grant program.
TPA then holds a virtual citywide grant meeting with all departments interested in grant funding.
The call agenda typically consists of a review of that month’s grant memo, highlighting key opportunities the city should pursue, as well as a Q&A with the TPA Grants Director to discuss any pending applications, or answer any general funding questions staff may have.
More specifically, TPA undertakes a four-step process when working with city departments to better understand their needs, find relevant funding sources, pursue grants and conduct follow - up. They are expanded upon here.
1. Identify Relevant Funding Opportunities
a. Proactive identification of relevant funding opportunities b. Multiple programs identified for each project
c. Identify key “strings attached”
2. Provide Overview of Full Application Details
a. Ensure the assignment of responsibilities
b. Provide detailed overview of application requirements c. Coordinate application components
3. Grant Application Development and Submittal
a. Draft or help draft written application
b. Conduct review with city staff
c. Ensure applications are submitted well ahead of the deadline
4. Comprehensive Follow Up
a. Advocate for client application with legislators and agency staff b. Assist with post-award administration and compliance c. Coordinate debrief sessions for unsuccessful applications
Funding Priorities
TPA continues to research and identify potential sources of funding that meet the City of Oakland’s stated funding priorities, including funding to address the unhoused, public safety efforts, infrastructure proj ects, parks and recreation capital and programmatic projects, transportation infrastructure, including pedestrian and bicycle safety projects, broadband infrastructure funding, including middle mile and cybersecurity funding and other funding priorities.
Grant Efforts to Date/Secured Funding
Grant Name Project Name Award Amount Status
California Interagency Council
on Homelessness
Encampment Resolution
Funding (ERF) Program
Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard
$7,216,307 Awarded
California Interagency Council
on Homelessness
Encampment Resolution
Funding (ERF) Program
Wood Street Encampment $8,326,543 Awarded
California Department of
Transportation
Clean California Local Grant
Program
Oakland Mini Parks
Beautification Project
$4,992,380 Awarded
California Department of
Transportation
Courtland Creek
Restoration Project
$2,033,575 Awarded
Clean California Local Grant
Program
US Department of Agriculture
Inflation Reduction Act
Urban and Community
Forestry Grant
Oakland: Equity through
Urban Forestry
$8,000,000 Awarded
Department of Social Services
CRISES Grant Pilot Program
Oakland and Family
Bridges CRISES Pilot
Project
$3,560,000 Awarded
Total Grants Awarded: $34,128,810
Grant Efforts to Date/Pending Applications
Grant Name Project Name Grant Request Status
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
Marine Debris Removal
Grant Program
Oakland Alameda Estuary
Marine Debris Removal
Project
$4,004,650 Pending,
awards should
be announced
Q3 2024
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental and Climate
Justice Community Change
Grant Program
Oakland Community
Change Project
$20,000,000 Application in
progress
Total Grants Pending: $24,004,650
Grant Efforts to Date/Unsuccessful Applications
Grant Name Project Name Status Next Steps
US Department of
Transportation
Charging and Fueling
Infrastructure Grant
r-EV Up Oakland Not Awarded Not Awarded
Strategic Growth
Council
Lincoln Community Center
Implementation Project
Not Awarded Not Awarded, Debrief
Requested from the
Strategic Growth Council
Community
Resilience Center
Grant Program
Strategic Growth
Council
Community
Resilience Center
Grant Program
West Oakland Resilience
Hub Planning Project
Not Awarded Not Awarded, Debrief
Requested from the
Strategic Growth Council
CA Business,
Consumer Services and
Housing Agency
Encampment
Resolution Fund
(ERF) Program
34th and Mandela
Encampment Clean Up
Project
Not Awarded Received Debrief from
BCSH Staff
CA Business,
Consumer Services and
Housing Agency
Encampment
Resolution Fund
(ERF) Program
Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard Project
Not Awarded Received Debrief from
BCSH Staff, Funding
Round in Fall ’23