The New Community POWER

Tara Roffler, Ramsey County and Community POWER Staff Liasion

March 28, 2012

A program of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

SummaryFirst significant program changes since

inception in 2001Response to 2 key factors:

1. Need for more flexibility (grantees)2. Need for streamlining (reduced budget)

Feedback from past granteesFindings based on interviewsWhat grantees would change:

Reduce administrative burden—both in application and grant phases

Increase flexibility in use of funds

Utilizing more technologyOnline application submittalRecent budget amendment for Gorton’s

Studio to build web formsIncludes email with copy of applicationMoving grantee reporting online by end of

year

Budget reductionsSince 2010, ~20% reduction in

administrative budget to manage programIn response…

Move to one-step application processUse technology to streamline application and

reporting processesReduce program expenses such as printing and

meeting room fees

Two-tier fundingTraditional Grant Projects – Up to $12K for

program development and implementationNew! Mini Grant Projects – Up to $5K,

implementation onlyNew! Ramsey County Pilot Project: Educating

Businesses

Web-based application

Marketing planCommunity POWER business cardsGrants page simplified and reorganizedRR.com web and social mediaDirect outreach via email, postcards and

meetings Two informational meetings in AprilCounty-specific outreach

More changes coming…Revising behavior change evaluation toolMeasuring impact of CPMake easier for granteesConsulting survey and behavior change

expertsComplete by end of year