GRANT FUND OVERVIEW

Through the Grant Fund program, a specific amount of money is set aside for disbursement each fiscal year which runs from June 1 to July 31. This money is awarded in up to three grant rounds with deadlines of July 1, October 1 and February 1. Typically, up to $300,000 is available to award in any year. The amount is determined by the interest earned on the Liquidity Fund of the Headwaters Fund.

Application forms and instructions for grant applications are available on the for Applicants section of this site. Potential applicants can also find answers to some questions at FAQ's.

The Headwaters Fund Board recently developed a new grant rating tool based on a 100 point system. Applications are awarded 50 points for economic benefit, 30 points for contributions to quality of life and the environment, and 20 points for project design and readiness. For more information, review the Grant Rating Criteria worksheet.

Non-profits and government agencies are eligible to apply for Headwaters Grants. Private businesses cannot receive grants directly but can partner with a non-profit or government agency.


Funding Focus

The primary funding focus of the Grant Fund is to support projects benefiting base industries in Humboldt County. The Fund encourages projects which work cooperatively within or between industry clusters, and in particular those projects identified in the industry cluster workplans.

Base industries are industries that bring dollars into Humboldt County through sales to customers outside the County. Development of industry groups of businesses and other organizations related by industry association are key to Prosperity! The North Coast Strategy (the County's economic development strategy). The nine existing industry clusters are:

  • 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

The Headwaters Fund Board has also identified the following priorities for project funding:

  • Quality workforce - projects which focus on improving the quality and reliability of our workforce
  • Transportation - projects that reduce or remove barriers to goods movement
  • Business climate - projects that reduce barriers to growth and development
  • Community infrastructure - projects that preserve or improve basic infrastructure for economic development - particularly those that leverage outside funding

The fund also looks for proposals that respond to the North Coast Targets of Opportunity study. Targets of Opportunity industries identified are:

  • Diversified Health Care
  • Building and Systems Construction and Maintenance
  • Specialty Agriculture, Food and Beverages
  • Investment Support Services
  • Management and Innovation Services
  • Niche Manufacturing

It is strongly recommended that you discuss proposal ideas with the Headwaters Coordinator, Dawn Elsbree (delsbree@co.humboldt.ca.us or by phone at 476-4805) prior to submitting a full proposal. Staff are available to assist you with the application process.