CORE Investments FYs 2025 - 2028

CORE Request for Proposals for Fiscal Years 2025-2028

Invitation to the CORE RFP

The County of Santa Cruz (County) and City of Santa Cruz invites proposals for the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments funding opportunity. This opportunity aims to uncover and address the root causes of inequities to advance the CORE Conditions of Health and Well-Being for all residents of the County. Proposals will be accepted from non-profit 501(c)(3) entities, federally recognized Tribal entities, and tax-exempt education entities. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) acting as fiscal sponsors or a lead fiscal agency are eligible to apply for the program(s) for which they provide fiscal oversight. Read more HERE.

There is significant need in all areas of the CORE Conditions of Health and Well-Being in Santa Cruz County, but due to funding limitations, services must be prioritized. As a result, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Cruz City Council directed that CORE Investments proposals for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-28 (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028) award cycle be requested for the following categories:

Lifelong Learning & Education
Thriving Families
Healthy Environments

Proposals will be accepted from Monday, June 3, 2024 until Friday, August 2, 2024 at 5:00pm. All proposals must be submitted via an online proposal system.

CLICK HERE to find the CORE RFP solicitation and any addenda.

Documents related to this RFP include:

CORE RFP
Proposal Application Questions
Scoring Criteria (Updated on 7/22/2024 - Final Scoring Criteria from CORE RFP posted to replace Draft Scoring Criteria)
Budget Template
Leveraging Template (Revised 7/10/2024 - Please utilize this revised version of the Leveraging Template and disregard previous versions)

CORE RFP Timeline

For a larger view of the RFP timeline click on the image above or, CLICK HERE

Applicant Conference and Question and Response

An applicant conference was held on June 21, 2024 from 10 am-12pm:

Review the conference's agenda and slides here
watch a recording of the applicant's conference by CLICKING HERE

The deadline for submitting questions has passed, as of July 1, 2024, at 5pm. Rounds 1 and 2 Q&A responses for all questions that were submitted by the 7/1/2024 deadline, are posted below:

CORE Investments RFP Round 1 Q&A Document, 6/21/2024
CORE Investments RFP Round 2 Q&A Document, 7/8/2024 (Revised 7/9/2024)

Individualized Online Portal Support

Individualized portal support for the Reviewr platform is available by e-mailing Corefunding@santacruzcountyca.gov.

CLICK HERE to watch a video presentation explaining how to use the online Reviewr platform for completing and submitting CORE RFP applications.

CORE Investments Annual Funding Structure for Fiscal Years 2025-2028

Training and TA

The CORE consultants (Optimal Solutions Consulting and subcontractors) will provide training and technical assistance (TA) on topics related to the RFP. Training materials and some presentation recordings will be posted once available after each session, which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

CORE Training and TA Sessions include but are not limited to:

Developing a Theory of Change and Logic Model with an Equity Lens
Developing a Statement of Needs & Strengths With an Equity Lens
Using the CORE framework and tools to prepare your proposal
Preparing a Statement of Needs and Strengths
Describing your Proposed Approach: What should be done, and for whom?
Developing your Scope of Work
Developing your Data Collection and Evaluation Plan
Preparing your Budget and Budget Narrative

Training and TA will be provided through a combination of

Virtual, structured workshops on the topics listed above
4 open office hours by CORE Condition/Impact Statement
Individual TA sessions for applicants (up to 2 sessions per applicant)

CLICK HERE to find a schedule of CORE RFP Trainings and TA sessions, as well as registration details and links. Read detailed CORE RFP Training and TA session descriptions in English and Spanish!