Project Fundraising, Management and Collaboration Facilitation Capacity

Building resilience will require implementing the projects listed here, and doing so requires additional capacity to catalyze partnerships, further project planning, prepare compelling grant proposals, and successfully manage projects. Existing capacity in the community is stretched so we often do not capitalize on grant opportunities to the extent we could. We recommend seeking funding for staffing that matches projects with funding opportunities and stands "at the ready" to submit grant proposals as opportunities arise. A number of community organizations including the Fire Safe Council, the Cachuma RCD, LegacyWorks Group, the Community Environmental Council and key partners are working together to advance this idea and are available to play key roles in this process including serving as the grantee or fiscal sponsor for grants, facilitating collaborations, managing projects and measuring and reporting on project success. Fire Safe Councils are often prioritized for grant funding from the state and federal level, and the Fire Safe Council of San Luis Obispo County plays a role like this and helps mobilize significant grant funding into the community each year. See the Collaborative Resourcing Team project herein for a particular proposal to meet this need.