Participatory Budgeting Cycle 2 Grant Application

Participatory Budgeting Cycle 2 Grant Application
Welcome to the Marin County Participatory Budgeting (PB) grant application! This application is your opportunity to tell us about your project and how PB funding would benefit your community. PB grants are available between $10,000 to $250,000.

PB grant applications are due by December 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applications must be submitted through the County’s Online Platform. Mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted.

The Marin County Office of Equity is providing a team of Grant Coaches to assist you with your grant application at no cost. If you would like grant coaching, please complete this form. You can also view the PB website for a calendar of workshops and drop-in office hours to help with your application.

The Office of Equity and the PB Committee will review and evaluate all applications using the criteria in the PB Rulebook. Applicants whose projects are selected to move forward to the PB Community Ballot will be notified by the Office of Equity in February 2027. If you have questions, please reach out to the Office of Equity at Equity@MarinCounty.gov or (415) 473-3149, and visit the PB website for regular updates.

Before you begin your application, please review the following:
- Review all the application questions first to understand what information you’ll need and what documents to gather.
- Please answer each question completely to ensure your application is eligible for review. Incomplete applications may be disqualified. This application is the primary way for the PB Committee and Office of Equity to understand your project. It is to your advantage to be thorough, specific, and descriptive in your answers.
- All applications must be submitted by December 2, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Late applications will not be considered.
- Start your application early! Allow adequate time to 1) develop and gather the documents you need, 2) address any technical difficulties before the deadline, and 3) receive help from the Grant Coaches.
- We recommend that you download the Microsoft Word version of the application and prepare your answers in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a similar program. When you are ready to submit, transfer the answers to the County’s online platform.
- All required application templates are available on the PB website.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the PB Rulebook prior to beginning your Grant Application. The PB Rulebook contains important process and eligibility rules, as well as a helpful tips for completing your application, engaging with partners, and finding a Fiscal Sponsor.
- The person, group, or organization completing this application will be known as the Project Lead. To complete a PB Grant Application, the Project Lead must either be a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization or have an authorized Fiscal Sponsor.
  - More information on Fiscal Sponsorship can be found in the PB Rulebook and the PB website.
- If you would like help with your application, we encourage you to meet with an Office of Equity Grant Coach at no cost to you.
  - Grant coaches help applicants apply for PB grants. They will help you understand the guidelines, organize your project plan, build a realistic budget, and ensure your proposal addresses all published evaluation criteria.
  - Grant coaches do not write narratives, edit text directly, create attachments, or submit applications for you. Experts do not pre-score applications or predict PB Committee scoring. All application answers and project ideas must be created and owned directly by you, your group, or organization.
  - You may request grant coaching by completing this form. Grant coaches are available from October 19 - November 30, 2026.
Before submitting your application, please review the following:
- Applications must be submitted using the County’s online platform. Mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted.
- All documents uploaded to the County’s online platform must be in PDF (.pdf), Excel (.xlsx), PowerPoint (.pptx) or Word (.docx) format. Other file formats are not accepted.
- Please note there is a file size limit for any uploaded documents. Any files over 1 GB size will not upload and may delay your application submission. You may upload a maximum of 10 individual documents.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County program, service, or activity, requests may be made by calling (415) 473-4381 (Voice), Dial 711 for CA Relay, or by email at least five business days in advance of the event. We will do our best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats upon request.

For further questions, please contact the Office of Equity at equity@marincounty.gov or (415) 473-3149.

Evaluation: How Are Applications Scored?

Evaluation Criteria	Points
Project Lead Description Complete information submitted with requested documentation Mission aligns with Marin County PB Equity Goals (see PB Rulebook for more details) Project Lead serves Marin County, including equity priority communities	15
Partnerships Project partners identified with requested documentation of commitments and collaboration Partners have established ties to the communities served by the project	10
Project Description Clear and thorough description of the following: High-level project summary Project connection to community idea(s) shared through the PB Ideas Tool Specific populations and geographic areas served Project goals Project action plan and timeline Potential project challenges and how challenges will be addressed Narrative of how the project advances equity Measurable outcomes and community impact	60
Budget Clear and transparent budget that aligns with the overall project description	15

- The person, group, or organization applying for a PB grant will be known as the Project Lead. A Project Lead may be an individual, but we strongly encourage individuals to form a group with partner organizations, neighbors, or other community members.
  All Project Leads must be either:
  - a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 Nonprofit Organization OR
    An individual (over 14 years old) or group with a qualified Fiscal Sponsor.
  - A Fiscal Sponsor is a nonprofit organization that agrees to receive and manage grant money on behalf of a person or group that is not a nonprofit.
  More information on obtaining a Fiscal Sponsor can be found in the PB Rulebook and on our PB website. If you need a Fiscal Sponsor, the Office of Equity has arranged for MarinLink to support individuals and groups who do not have 501c3 or 501c6 status.
  
  Project leads are not required to partner with MarinLink if you already have a relationship with another fiscal sponsor. If needed, please reach out to Marin Link to explore a Fiscal Sponsor relationship as soon as possible to ensure that your project needs will be met (see contact information below).
  
  MarinLink (Fiscal Sponsor, if needed)
  Contact: Mary O’Mara
  Email: mary@marinlink.org
  Phone: 415-578-3856
- 1. Name of Project Lead/ Primary Organization:
  (If your group does not have a name, you may use the name of your PB Project to identify your group in this application. If you are applying as an individual, use your own name):
- 2. Name of person completing this application:
  
  First NameLast Name
- 3. Title of person completing this application (example: Program Manager):
  (Example: Program Manager):
- 4. Project Lead Mailing Address:
  
  Street Address
  
  Street Address Line 2
  
  CityState
  
  Zip Code
- 5. Project Lead Phone Number:
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- 6. Project Lead Email:
  example@example.com
- 7. Is the Project Lead a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 or 501c(6) status?

8. Does the Project Lead have a Fiscal Sponsor?
⚠️ If you need a Fiscal Sponsor, the Office of Equity has arranged for MarinLink to support individuals and groups who do not have 501c3 or 501c6 status.

Project leads are not required to partner with MarinLink if you already have a relationship with another fiscal sponsor. If needed, please reach out to Marin Link to explore a Fiscal Sponsor relationship as soon as possible to ensure that your project needs will be met (see contact information below).

MarinLink (Fiscal Sponsor, if needed)
Contact: Mary O’Mara
Email: mary@marinlink.org
Phone: 415-578-3856

9. Project Lead 9-Digit Employer Identification Number (EIN).
10. Please upload the IRS Determination Letter of the Project Lead as documentation of nonprofit status. If you are not a nonprofit organization, do not upload any documents here.

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- In this section, you’ll provide information on your project’s Fiscal Sponsor. In addition to the questions below, you will also complete a Fiscal Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU),using the template provided by the Office of Equity. All applicants with fiscal sponsors are required to complete the Fiscal Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template, available on the Participatory Budgeting website.
  
  If the Project Lead is not a Nonprofit Organization AND you do not have a Fiscal Sponsor, STOP! Please contact a fiscal sponsor and explore a partnership with them.
  
  You are welcome to find you own Fiscal Sponsor if that is preferable. If you need a Fiscal Sponsor, the Office of Equity has arranged for MarinLink to support individuals and groups who do not have 501c3 or 501c6 status. Please reach out to MarinLink to explore a Fiscal Sponsor relationship as soon as possible to ensure that your project needs will be met (see contact information below).
  
  MarinLink (Fiscal Sponsor)
  Contact: Mary O’Mara
  Email: mary@marinlink.org
  Phone: 415-578-3856
- 11. Name of Fiscal Sponsor (organization name):
- 12. Fiscal Sponsor Contact Person:
  
  First NameLast Name
- 13. Fiscal Sponsor Mailing Address:
  
  Street Address
  
  Street Address Line 2
  
  CityState
  
  Zip Code
- 14. Fiscal Sponsor Phone Number:
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- 15. Fiscal Sponsor Email Address:
  example@example.com
- 16. Fiscal Sponsor 9 Digit Employer Identification Number (EIN):
- 17. Please upload your Fiscal Sponsor's IRS Determination Letter as documentation of their nonprofit status.
  
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- 18. Please upload a copy of the Fiscal Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template, or other agreement signed between the Project Lead and a Fiscal Sponsor. The required Fiscal Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can be found on the PB Website.
  
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- In this section, please tell us about the organizations, groups, communities, or individuals that will provide substantial support for this project if the Project Lead is awarded a PB Grant. “Substantial support” means contributing work, planning, cooperation, funding, materials, space, or other resources to help carry out the project.
  
  If you are applying as an individual, we strongly encourage you to find other people, community groups, or organizations in your community to either form a Project Lead Group with you or partner with you on the project.
  
  Nonprofits and other organizations are also strongly encouraged to build partnerships around their proposed projects. However, partnerships and collaborations are not a requirement for consideration. The most compelling PB grant applications reflect a strong level of partnership and community involvement. Community involvement includes engaging the people the project is meant to serve in shaping and implementing the project. Examples of community involvement include helping plan activities, leading parts of the work, giving feedback, or reviewing results.
  
  To demonstrate your project partnerships (if you have them), applicants are required to complete a Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for each project partner, using the template provided by the Office of Equity. All applicants with project partners are required to complete the Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template, available on the Participatory Budgeting website.
- 22. Do you have partners who will provide substantial support in carrying out your project? 💡Tip: A partner is an organization, group, or community member who is helping carry out your project by providing specific support, such as staff time, volunteers, funding, physical space, equipment/ materials, etc.

Project Partner 1:
A) Partner Name
(Name of Organization or Individual):
B) Partner contact person
(Only if different from “partner name”)
C) Briefly describe what support will this partner contribute?

0/150
Project Partner 2:
A) Partner Name
(Name of Organization or Individual):
B) Partner contact person
(Only if different from “partner name”)
C) Briefly describe what support will this partner contribute?

0/150
Project Partner 3:
A) Partner Name
(Name of Organization or Individual):
B) Partner contact person
(Only if different from “partner name”)
C) Briefly describe what support will this partner contribute?

0/150
23. Please upload the Partnership Memorandum of Understanding template provided by the Office of Equity for each project partner.

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- In this section, you'll provide details about your Project Budget using the PB Project Budget Template provided by the Office of Equity. The PB Project Budget Template is a separate worksheet for listing all the costs of completing your project, and the funding available to pay those costs, including the PB funds you are requesting. This worksheet will help us understand how PB funds will used, and how resources are allocated to carry out your project.
  
  All applicants are required to complete the PB Project Budget Template, available on the Participatory Budgeting website.
- 35. What amount are you requesting from the Participatory Budgeting Grant? Use whole dollar amounts. PB Grants are available in amounts ranging from $10,000 up to $250,000.
- 36. If the total Project Budget is greater than the PB grant amount requested, how will the remaining funds be secured? Please list each funding source, the amount expected from that source, and whether the funding has been secured, is pending, or will be sought.
  
  💡Tip: The funding sources and amounts you list here must match your Project Budget Template.0/200
- 37. Upload your completed Project Budget (using the template provided by the Office of Equity).
  
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- 38. We are dedicated to supporting a diverse and inclusive pool of grant applicants. We invite you to share information about your organization/group’s demographic makeup. Providing this information is entirely voluntary, and you should only share what feels comfortable. If known, please estimate the percentage of active staff, employees and /or project group members who identify with the categories below. Your responses to this question will not be used to evaluate your application.
- A) % of racial or ethnic minorities:
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- B) % of LGBTQIA+
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- C) % of Individuals with disabilities:
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- D) % who are 25 years old or younger:
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- E) % who are 26 to 54 years old:
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- F) % who are 55 years of age or older:
  Enter a number from 0 to 100
- G) List languages spoken:
- H) List other identities:
- 39. We value your time and want to keep our application process as simple as possible. Your answer helps us simplify the process, save you time, and improve the experience for future applicants. How long did it take you to complete this grant application?
Should be Empty:

Participatory Budgeting Cycle 2 Grant Application

Project Partner 1:

Project Partner 2:

Project Partner 3: