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Knox County Tennesee

Community Grants Process

To create a new level of citizen participation and to promote inclusiveness in community grant distributions, the Knox County Community Services Department has announced that it will utilize Citizen Review Panels to evaluate grant applications and is calling on citizens to volunteer. A new timetable will also be instituted, with grant applications being due earlier to allow ample time for County Commission to review the recommendations and hold recipient workshops.

"For many years Knox County has awarded grants to area non-profit organizations to enhance the level of community services to our citizens. I believe the citizen review process will make our community grants program even better and will instill confidence in the way grants are awarded," explained Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale. "The recommendations made by the citizen panels will be submitted directly to Commission for approval."

Community volunteers comprising five review panels will help determine the allocation of funds through the citizens review process. Using established criteria, experienced volunteers and professional staff will evaluate applications.

Funding criteria are designed to support critical services that are efficient, well managed, accountable and effective. The criterion for funding is based on:
. need in the community
. efficiency in management
. accountability
. effectiveness . accessibility
. need for incremental funding

Panelists must be Knox County residents who are age 18 or older. Knox County seeks panelists with working knowledge of or professional qualifications in arts, culture, tourism, health, senior and veteran services, youth programs, social services, non-profit management, and/or public/private partnerships. Panelists must be willing to commit time and energy to the review process and exhibit sensitivity in making constructive critical judgments.

To reflect the diversity of our community, gender, geographic representation and cultural background will be considered when selecting panelists. Additionally, a balance of practitioners, administrators, educators, and consumers will be preferable.

To ensure integrity of the review process, representatives of potential grant recipients will not be allowed to serve on a Citizen Review Panel reviewing their own application. All panelists will complete an application with disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.

Panelists are not compensated for their time, expenses or service, and may serve no longer than two continuous years. If selected to serve, new panelists must attend a one-hour training session.

Panelists will evaluate and score grant applications. Each panel may review 25 - 35 applications. Panel meetings will last approximately two to four hours on weekdays during regular business hours or early evening. To ensure fair consideration of all applications, panelists must attend the entire meeting.

In addition, panelists will be requested to make recommendations to improve the grant review process based on their experience following the annual grant application and award process.

Final approval of grant recipients and the value of the grants to be awarded is made by the Knox County Commission.

"This is a great way to involve citizens in their government," Mayor Ragsdale said. The process not only provides a means for them to oversee distribution of grant funds, but to see first hand how these worthy organizations provide certain services that the county would not have a means to offer."

Citizen review panel nomination forms are available online and are due no later than November 9th. A copy can also be obtained by calling 865-215-3980. Self nominations are welcome.

Organizations wishing to submit a grant application must complete and return the application no later than December 3, 2007. Previously, grant applications were due in February of each year.

For additional information, please click on the links below or call 215-3980.

(Click on links below for more information)