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Mini-Grants for OPL Staff

THE FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC

Foundation Annual Capacity Building Grants
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Funding Amount

$1,500 - $2,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Mini-Grants for OPL Staff

Funder: Friends of the Oakland Public Library

Geographic Scope: Oakland, CA - all Oakland Public Library locations

Program Focus: Grassroots innovation, creative programming, user-centered library services

Eligibility:

  • Any Oakland Public Library employee at any location

  • All staff levels welcome to apply

    • Award Details:

  • Amount: Up to $1,500-$2,000 per grant

  • Maximum increased from $1,500 to $2,000 in 2019

  • Budget increased based on application quality and program results

    • Eligible Use:

  • Implement new library programs or services

  • Improve existing programs

  • Foster creativity and innovation

  • User-centered service improvements

    • Past Examples of Funded Programs:

  • Digital literacy and technology classes

  • Social justice programming

  • Gardening workshops

  • Cooking classes

  • Gaming programs

  • Ukulele mastery classes

  • Grandparents Day (West Oakland Branch)

  • Junior Carpenters Club (Eastmont Branch)

  • Community Kiosk (Main Library)

  • Podcast launch: "Check Your Shelf"

  • Community, Cooking & Culture program (Asian Branch Library)

  • Refugee and immigrant chef programs

    • Background: Program started in 2017 with Board President Ellen Moyer's suggestion to encourage OPL staff innovation. First year (February 2017) awarded 9 grants from 17 applications. By 2019, received 29% more applications than previous year.

    Contact Information:

  • Friends of the Oakland Public Library

  • Phone: (510) 444-0473

  • Website: fopl.org

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline: Applications reviewed and approved in February each year

    Submission:

  • OPL staff submit applications for review

  • Board reviews applications in February

  • Decisions made and grants awarded

    • Selection Criteria:

  • Quality of proposed program/service

  • Innovation and creativity

  • Potential impact on library users

  • Feasibility of implementation

  • Alignment with library mission

    • For specific application procedures and forms, contact Oakland Public Library administration.

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    capacity-building

    Categories

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