West Oakland Community Fund

• Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, fiscally-sponsored by a 501(c)(3), a local governmental entity, or tribal entity.
• The applicant must have demonstrated experience in completing the work of proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or related work in the past, or otherwise relevant skills and experience.

• Projects must benefit West Oakland residents or businesses areas as designated by the map below and should demonstrate a high degree of community support and community involvement. While the applicant’s offices may be located outside of West Oakland, they must explain how the proposed work will benefit individuals within West Oakland.

West Oakland is defined as the area between I-880 and I-980 (west to east), between I-580 and I-880 (north to south), plus the Jack London Square industrial area between I-880 and the Embarcadero, west of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

Workforce Development Projects – Job training programs targeted towards current West Oakland residents to acquire skills needed for job readiness as well as support services that enable individuals to obtain said training or secondary assistance. Examples include, among others: 

• Culinary and food service 
• Industrial light manufacturing 
• Logistics and maritime transportation 
• Training and education in construction 

Program costs may include stipends for daycare expenses, transportation to/from work, uniforms etc. 

Business Development Projects – We are interested in programs that support local entrepreneurship, small business development and other targeted local economic development in West Oakland including local hiring programs serving new or developing businesses and current residents. Project examples include:  

• Helping West Oakland residents with education on starting small businesses including education on understanding contracts, budgeting, financial statements, product selection, and marketing as well as basic legal information on business formation and financial preparedness such as credit repair and fundamental financial management skills.  
• Providing long-term mentoring and coaching programs for new business owners located within West Oakland. This includes technical assistance providers that can help West Oakland start-ups that have been established but still need support to be successful. 
• Programs that can help West Oakland businesses train and hire West Oakland residents, particularly those in the following populations: re-entry, LGBTQ, Black men aged 18-35, or emotionally or physically challenged individuals.

• Most grants are for a one-year period; however, you may request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what you need. Larger grants are recommended to be multi-year.
• Established non-profit organizations are encouraged to seek grants in the $50,000 to $150,000 range. Maximum grant size will only be awarded to the most exceptional projects. Awards may be scaled down from the amount requested based on project type, grantee’s experience, and outcomes.

• Lobbying activities of any kind
• Litigation 
• The City of Oakland requires that applicants certify that there is no Conflict of Interest related to City personnel. This means that no member, officer, or employee of the City or its designees or agents, and no other public official of the City who exercises any functions or responsibilities with respect to the West Oakland Community Fund, will have any direct or indirect economic interest related to this grant application, and this grant, if awarded, will not violate the rules contained in California Government Code Section 1090 et seq., pertaining to conflicts of interest in public contracting.

• Funding preference will be given to projects and/or organizations which are based in West Oakland. However, organizations which are not geographically located in West Oakland, or projects which serve residents beyond West Oakland, may also be eligible if the project centers around providing a strong element of direct benefits to the current West Oakland community and are consistent with one or more of the priority goals of the Fund.
• Funding preference will also be given to supporting non-profit organizations that target the following populations: re-entry, LGBTQ, Black men aged 18-35, or emotionally or physically challenged individuals. However, your organization must have demonstrated experience with these groups.
• No lobbying or legal advocacy may be conducted with these grant funds.