Title
eCivis Grant Locator Service (B)
Explanation
Staff has been reviewing and trying out eCivis, a unique on-line grant locator service, and has identified it as having considerable potential to increase the City's capacity to search out and acquire grants from federal, state and foundation sources. Several local governments in Florida currently subscribe to eCivis; including the City of Boynton Beach, Broward County, the City of Cape Coral, Bay County, the City of Miami, and Sarasota County. The City would be served by eCivis' East Coast Operations, located in Washington, D.C.
The service is available on-line through the internet and is searchable; providing at one location all that is needed to apply, including application packets, federal forms, grant application guidance files, previously funded applications, agency contacts, and other relevant information. The product is real-time, sometimes providing information in advance of public release; and contains original research. It also has a Management Tool, permitting organized grant location and acquisition effort across all departments. The Management Tool identifies the specific usage by each authorized user, providing the capacity for centralized oversight and coordination in the grant planning and application process. By including past grants, as well as current and anticipated grants, the grants acquisition process can be proactive.
During the trial period, staff found several appropriate grants of which we were unaware, including several for City/Community partnership projects such as the Reichert House and its programs. 225 grants were reviewed by staff, which included representatives from Gainesville Fire Rescue, Gainesville Police Department, and the Community Development Block Grant Manager. In addition, a very broad detailed review was conducted by the City's Grants Coordinator, who managed the overall City-wide trial period. The Community Development Block Grant Manager revie...
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