The goal of the Knox County Citizen Review Panels is to effectively and responsibly distribute Community Grant funds to support critical programs in the community that are efficient, well managed, accountable, and a wise investment of tax payer dollars. Individuals will review grants and make program funding recommendations using established criteria in one of three categories: Homeless Supportive Services, Arts & Cultural, and General Community Grants.
"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."
Final approval of grant recipients and the value of the grants to be awarded is made by the Knox County Commission.
Volunteers’ Responsibilities:
- Become familiar with Knox County’s Citizen Review Process and Community Grants Program and make recommendations in accordance with established guidelines, criteria, and policies.
- Attend all scheduled meetings including: orientation/training, panel meetings, and other meetings/site visits for your assigned panel.
- Participate in Citizen Review Panel assignments including:
- Reviewing, evaluating, and scoring grant applications assigned to your panel.
- Seeking the information necessary for determining appropriate program funding recommendations.
- Maintaining appropriate communication with the Knox County Community Development Staff to ensure a fair and transparent process.
- Abide by the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Guidelines including:
- Serving as an objective evaluator with the purpose of being an effective steward of taxpayer dollars.
- Reviewing assigned programs/applications objectively based on established criteria, not as a program advocate.
- Preserving a positive working environment with applicant agency staff, panelist members, and Knox County staff allowing for open dialogue.
- Completing all conflict of interest forms. Applicant agency staff or their immediate family members will not be allowed to serve as panelists. Other applicant representatives, such as board members, will not be allowed to serve on a panel reviewing the application(s) of the agency they represent.
- Seek appropriate staff when questions occur regarding the Citizens Review Process.
- Assist in the continuous improvement of the Citizens Review Process through individual and group development and participation in assessment and evaluation activities.
Citizen Review Panel Process:
3 Panels of 5-7 Members each, including 1 Knox County Commissioner:
- Homeless Supportive Services
- Arts & Cultural
- General Community Grants
All Citizen Review Panel meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act and will take place in the Small Assembly of the City County Building, 400 Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902
Citizen Review Panel Orientations and Assignments:
- Homeless Supportive Services, Monday, March 1, 5:30pm
- Arts & Cultural Grants, Monday, March 1, 7:00pm
- General Community Grants, Thursday, March 4, 5:30pm
- Panelists provided an overview of the following:
- Objective of the Citizen Review Panel Process
- Tennessee Open Meetings Act
- FY2011 Community Grant Application Process
- Staff Review Process
- Grant application ranking procedure
- Panelists are provided all qualified applications for their panel. Each panelist asked to review and consider the agency applications, the staff review, and the agency’s program efficiency percentage.
- Panelists are requested to rank each agency in the order of their preference for funding – one (1) is highest, two (2) is second highest, etc.
- Panelists are asked to forward any questions they have for applicants to County staff.
- Staff addresses questions and/or forwards to agency to be addressed at the meetings
Panelists meet to discuss applications
- Homeless Supportive Services, Monday, March 8, 5:30pm
- Arts & Cultural Grants, Tuesday, March 9, 5:30pm
- General Community Grants, Tuesday, March 16, 5:30pm
Final Panelist Rankings due to County staff
- Homeless Supportive Services & Arts/Cultural Grants: Monday, March 15
- General Community Grants: Monday, March 22
Rankings/Funding will be revealed/Panel wrap-up
- All panels: Tuesday, March 23, 5:30pm
