Feature:

CSC Awards Three More Catalyst Grants 

July was a busy month for CSC, as we awarded three more "Catalyst Grants," supporting citizen engagement projects around the state. Applications for both these smaller grants and the larger Common Sense Grants (up to $25,000) continue flowing in, illustrating a variety of policy issues, which can be addressed through creative civic participation. 

 

Here's a brief look at this month's grantees: 

 

1. Antioch Chamber of Commerce's "Clear Vision 2020" Project:

CSC awarded $5,000 to this organization in support of civic engagement around improving K12 education in Antioch.

 

2. City of Morro Bay Fire Department

CSC awarded $2,500 to MBFD as it gathered its citizens to discuss the possibility of contracting fire services to Cal Fire.

 

3. WECAN (West Montclair, East Pomona Council for Advancement of Neighborhoods)

CSC is giving $7,500 to this non-profit in Los Angeles County as it expands its Community Governance and Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) program into two additional neighborhoods. 

 

For more information about these civic engagements please see our website. 

Grant Program Update:

Dozens of applications received/

Only six weeks left

Launched little more than a month ago, CSC's Citizen Engagement Grant Program has elicited a torrent of applications from Ukiah down to Chula Vista. Submissions for both the larger, Common Sense Grants (up to $25,000), and the smaller, Catalyst Grants (up to $7,500) are in various stages of the review process.

 

Again, while Catalyst Grants continue to be offered on a rolling basis until that budget is depleted, the Common Sense Grant applications will close on September 10, 2008, with grantees notified in early October. All information about the Program, including our award criteria and online application form can be found here.

 

That means only six weeks left!  So if you know of a municipality, school district or non-profit organization that is attempting to involve their community in an informed discussion about a particular policy issue let them know. 

 

 

CSC in the News:

7/26: Executive Director, Pete Peterson, co-authors essay on partisanship for the Santa Barbara Noozhawk.

 

7/9: CSC's first Catalyst Grant award to Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Department noted in CaliforniaCityNews blog. 

Support CSC:

Crosby/Benn Matching Grant Heads into Final Month 

That's right, August is the last month for the Crosby/Benn Matching Grant, which doubles your contribution to CSC and our work in promoting civic engagement throughout the state as a way of gaining better policy decisions and better citizens.

 

Donations (in any amount!) can be sent through our website or via check (made out to "Common Sense California"), and sent to our office here:

 

Common Sense California

24255 Pacific Coast Highway

Drescher Campus/SPP

Malibu, California 90263

 

CSC is a registered 501-c-3, so all donations are tax deductible.