Headwaters Community Investment Fund - For Applicants

Application Form  

Overview and Application Instructions 

For Tribal Applicants: Limited Waiver Requirement    Sample Template for Resolution

The Headwaters Fund Board uses the CIF Project Rating Criteria to evaluate grant applications.

Applicants should contact the Headwaters Fund Coordinator with any questions prior to submitting a proposal.

Community Investment Fund (CIF) grants are available through the Financing for Industries program.  Projects must provide permanent infrastructure which benefits at least one of the nine base industry clusters. (Lumber and Wood Products, Tourism, Dairy and Dairy Processing, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Specialty Agriculture and Horticulture, Manufacturing, Arts & Culture, Education and Research, Information and Technology)

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are reviewed by the Headwaters Fund Board monthly.  The Headwaters Fund Board makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding which projects should be funded.

Eligible projects include industrial parks, transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications networks/facilities and other projects that facilitate business development in Humboldt County. Applicants may apply for a grant or a loan, or a combination of both. In general the Headwaters Fund Board prefers to award loans over grants.

Eligible project types include planning, acquisition, construction, upgrades and expenses of facilities, land and infrastructure.

Eligible applicants are non-profit or government entities.  There are no minimum or maximum outlays for CIF Grants.  The typical range is $50,000-$500,000. The Headwaters Fund Board may recommend funding below the requested level.

For answers to frequently asked questions, click on FAQ's.

It is strongly recommended that you contact the Headwaters Fund Coordinator, Dawn Elsbree at delsbree@co.humboldt.ca.us prior to submitting a proposal.  It typically takes 2-3 months after submitting a proposal to receive a final determination on funding.

 


$20,000 is now available annually in mini-grants for local programs and projects to promote economic development. Headwaters Mini-Grants are available in $1,000 -$1,500 increments and request letters are accepted on an ongoing basis. See the link below for more information.

Mini-Grant Program


Recently approved $200,000 grant for mariculture expansion on Humboldt Bay. Developed by local oyster farmers in collaboration with the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, the grant pays for permitting additional acreage in the bay for mariculture. This project should result in doubling the available acreage from the 325 currently in production to over 600 and result in at least 33 additional jobs.

Mariculture Expansion Proposal