Community Grant Program Request for Proposals

Location:	California
Posted:	Jan 22, 2026
Due:	Feb 20, 2026
Agency:	Scotts Valley city
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Q - Medical Services U - Education and Training Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CITY OF SCOTTS VALLEY

Community Grant Program

City of Scotts Valley

1 Civic Center Drive

Scotts Valley, CA 95066

ISSUE DATE:

January 22, 2026

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:

February 20, 2026

CONTACT:

Cathie Simonovich, City Clerk

csimonovich@scottsvalley.gov

Please note: All proposals must be received by no later than 5 PM on February 20, 2026

1. Introduction

The City of Scotts Valley is requesting proposals for grant funding under two categories:

Category A: Proposals from community benefit organizations that are registered non-

profits in Santa Cruz County and provide services/benefits directly to Scotts Valley

residents.

Category B: Proposals from Scotts Valley businesses and organizations to assist in

obtaining Autism Certification from the International Board of Credentialling and

Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

2. Background

Historically, the City has provided small grants to community benefit organizations that

serve the Scotts Valley residents.

For the 2025/2026 grants, The City Council has again directed that a portion of the

funding support the City’s business and organizations becoming Autism Certified.

The City Council has allocated up to $45,000 in Category A, and up to $5,000 in Category B

for this fiscal year.

For Category A:

The City Council is particularly interested in filling funding gaps left by state or federal

funding sources (rather than duplication of resources) and has a budget policy which

prioritizes funding to community organizations that provides for capital infrastructure or

one-time costs, versus ongoing operations.

In addition, proposals that leverage this grant program for matching funds, or programs

that combine multiple funding sources, with this being their final missing funding

request are encouraged.

We recognize that there will be needs beyond what the allocated funding can support.

To maximize the impact of this funding, the City is looking to fund between four and

eight proposals with an average grant amount of $5,000 to $15,000 each, but open to

grant requests below and above the average.

For Category B:

The City Council is particularly interested in businesses and organizations representing

the following sectors: Healthcare, Education, Travel and Entertainment, Public Safety

and Community, and workforce development. To learn more visit www.ibcces.org.

Depending on the number of funding requests, the City may ask applicants to match or

partially match the funding request in order to leverage the City’s funds further.

Applicants will need to contact Meredith Tekin at meredith@ibcces.org to get a

certification cost for your unique business or organization.

3. Proposal Format – Category A

To ensure an equitable process, proposals that do not follow the following format will

not be considered:

• The length of the proposal should be no longer than three (3) pages

• The proposal should be organized into the following three sections:

Section A: Organization description

1. Name of the organization, address, website, contact person and contact

information

2. Statement of legal status as a non-profit registered in Santa Cruz County

3. Organizational mission statement or brief description of the

organization’s purpose/services

4. Total amount of funding requested

Section B: Project description

1. Describe the proposed project/program including:

• What are the purpose and goals of the project?

• How will the project/program benefit Scotts Valley residents?

• How does the project relate to the City’s Strategic Plan themes?

• Can the project be completed by June 30, 2026?

• Any other information as to why the City of Scotts Valley may

want to invest in the project

Section C: Budget

1. Breakdown of budget related to funding request

2. List/description of related or leveraged other funding sources

4. Proposal Format – Category B

To ensure an equitable process, proposals that do not follow the following format will

not be considered:

• The length of the proposal should be no longer than three (3) pages

• The proposal should be organized as follows:

Section A: Organization description

1. Name of the business or organization, address, website, length of time

in operation in Scotts Valley, contact person and contact information

2. Identification of which IBCCES sector your business

represents

3. Brief description of what services your

business/organization provides to Scotts Valley residents or

visitors

4. Brief description of why your business or organization is

interested in obtaining Autism Certification and how it will

impact your services, operations, customers, etc.

5. Confirmation that the training can be held on or before

June 30, 2026

6. Total amount of funding requested

Section B: Funding Request

1. Total Autism Certification cost obtained from IBCCES, number of employees

to be trained and a breakdown of any other certification related costs.

2. Funding amount requested from the City and any funds committed by your

business/organization or other sources to obtain certification. Include an

explanation of why City funds are needed in order for your

business/organization to afford certification.

3. Submission Instructions

Proposals shall be submitted via email to csimonovich@scottsvalley.gov with the RFP

name and Organization name in the subject line. Proposals should be submitted as PDF.

Late proposals will not be accepted. The City is not responsible for emails not received.

Print submissions will not be accepted if the corresponding emailed submission is not

received before the due date and time. A print proposal is not required but respondents

may deliver a print copy before the deadline in a sealed envelope to:

Community Grant Proposal

Attn: Cathie Simonovich

1 Civic Center Drive

Scotts Valley, CA 95066

4. Proposal Scoring Criteria – Category A

Baseline Qualification Screening

Yes/No

The organization is a non-profit organization registered in Santa

Cruz County and proposed program directly serves Scotts Valley

residents.

Proposal follows submission requirements and includes a clear

financial need under $50,000.

If “No” to either criterion above, the proposal is disqualified from further consideration.

Content Criteria

Proposal demonstrates clear and measurable

goals that benefit Scotts Valley residents

Maximum Actual Awarded

Possible

Proposal demonstrates a nexus to the City’s

Strategic Plan themes

Uniqueness, impact or other compelling

factors

Sub total

Financial Criteria

Funding request fills a gap in public, private

or grant funding already committed

Project consistency with the City’s Budget

Policy which prioritizes funding for Capital

Infrastructure or is a one-time cost

Maximum Actual Awarded

Possible

Amount requested is reasonable for product

or service delivered

Sub total

Totals

Content Criteria

Maximum

Possible

Actual Awarded

Total

Financial Criteria

Total

Scoring Criteria Category B: Autism Certification

Content Criteria

Business is located in and serves Scotts Valley

residents or visitors. IBCCES Sector identified

and fits.

Compelling reason the business/organization

wants to participate and need for City funds

is demonstrated.

Uniqueness, impact or other compelling

factors

If the funding is oversubscribed, additional

criteria such as matching funding may be

used as a tie breaker.

Sub total

Maximum

Possible

Actual Awarded

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Title:	Community Grant Program Request for Proposals
Category:	Administration
Status:	Open

Community Grant Program Request for Proposals

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