Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Program 2019

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1 Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Program 2019 Introduction: The Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Program is designed to provide strategic investments in the cultural, natural and historical resources that enhance the sense of place within the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area. Designed to serve as a catalyst for creative programs and projects within the Heritage Area, grants are offered in support of the goals and objectives defined in the management plan for the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area, approved by the Secretary of the Interior in FY2019 is the first year of the Freedom's Way Partnership Grant program and is serving as a pilot for the future. We look forward to working with our partners from throughout the Heritage Area to develop proposals and refine the program in future funding cycles. Grant Amounts: Grant requests between $1,000 and $5,000 will be considered. A total of $25,000 has been allocated for this funding cycle dependent on the strength of proposals received. Matching Requirements: The Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Program awards matching grants of federal funds on a reimbursable basis. Grant recipients must match all grant monies awarded on, at a minimum, a ONE-TO-ONE basis, with cash funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. Projects with the capacity to provide an overmatch are encouraged. Priorities of the Partnership Grant Program include: The facilitation of meaningful, memorable experiences designed for diverse audiences that provide opportunities for personal engagement and discovery (both on-site and virtually) with the people, places and artifacts of the 45 communities within the region.

2 The cultivation of a shared stewardship agenda for the Heritage Area through historic preservation, conservation and curation initiatives that enhance and preserve the natural and cultural resources of the region for current and future generations. The FY 2019 Freedom's Way Partnership Grants may only be used to fund non-capital projects, within the three categories below. These are not meant to be exhaustive, but projects should align with one of these categories. Categories: Communication and Collaboration: Projects that connect people to the Heritage Area with an emphasis on broadening the region's audience and engaging new and diverse constituencies in creative new ways. Examples include, but are not limited to, interpretive signage, brochures, maps, exhibits, development of online navigation platforms and apps, walking tours and other programs that aid in navigating the Heritage Area. Interpretation and Education: Projects that increase awareness and understanding of the region's heritage by engaging residents and visitors through experiences. Examples include, but are not limited to, historical research projects, after-school programs, natural science programs, site research and visits, festivals, performances, art exhibits, reenactments and events. Stewardship: Planning and Resource Conservation: Stewardship planning projects that promote historic preservation, natural resource and agricultural conservation to preserve or enhance the historical structures, landscapes and cultural resources of the Heritage Area. Examples include, but are not limited to, preservation planning studies (historical resource inventory, historical structural report and assessment, paint analysis, historical landscape report and assessment), planning and feasibility studies and visitor surveys and analysis. Only ONE application per entity may be submitted. For units of government and organizations with multiple sites, more than one application will be considered; however, it is a goal of the program to fund a spread of projects diverse in scope and applicants. Coordination of applications from units of government and organizations with multiple sites is encouraged. Freedom's Way Partnership Grant funds may NOT be used for organizational operating costs (including staff salaries) or to purchase an interest in real property. In addition, they may not be used for capital expenditures, religious ceremonies or

3 events advancing or inhibiting a particular religious ideology, alcohol, fundraising, advocacy, or travel outside the United States. Timeline for the 2019 Partnership Grant Program Cycle: January 15, 2019: Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Program announced February 21, 2019: Deadline for submitting applications BOTH ONLINE and HARD COPY (which must be post marked) by 11:59 PM; March: Applications reviewed by the Freedom's Way Partnership Grant Review Committee; by late March Freedom's Way notifies all applicants Early-April: Grant contracts prepared and distributed, signed and returned Mid-April: Projects begin and project-related invoices become countable September 1, 2019: Final report and financial documentation due to Freedom's Way Heritage Association Determining if your organization is eligible for a Freedom's Way Partnership Grant: Before preparing and submitting a Partnership Grant application, the Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or in the case of all volunteer organizations Board President of the applicant organization should review the following information to determine if the organization is qualified and able to comply with the grant requirements. If you have any questions, please give us a call. Qualified applicants must be: A public entity (municipality, state government, or public institution of higher learning) or a non-profit organization as evidenced by IRS non-profit determination letter [501(c)(3) only]; Have the legal capacity and authority to incur obligations involved under the grant program; Located within the geographic boundaries of the 45 communities within the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area. Successful applicants must become members of Freedom s Way Heritage Association prior to receipt of grant funding.

4 In addition: Applicants must demonstrate strong administrative, financial, and program management capabilities and, if awarded a Partnership Grant, meet the following requirements; Financial and Legal: Maintain accurate and complete financial records Allow inspection of program records by authorized federal agencies during the grant period, if requested Comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and policies including but not limited to programs regarding drug, alcohol and smoke-free workplaces, disabled access and equal opportunity for employment, housing, credit practices and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status and/or physical or mental disabilities in any aspect of the grant project Carry appropriate general liability insurance Program Management Requirements: Adhere to all Freedom's Way Heritage Association reporting requirements, which include providing thorough project reports and documentation of all project income and expenses Meet deadlines set forth in the grant contract Monitor project work In the event a grant period extension is required, or budget or programmatic changes occur, grant recipients must submit to Freedom's Way Heritage Association a written request for changes to original project proposal for consideration. Publicity Requirements: Acknowledge Freedom's Way National Heritage Area's financial support in all press and media materials publicizing or resulting from grant-funded activities Display the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area logo on brochures, websites, newsletters, etc. Provide digital photographs of project or program activities funded by the Partnership Grant Provide Freedom's Way with a copy of all original work (DVD, brochures, photographs, etc.) Authorize Freedom's Way to distribute or utilize all original work with proper authorship citations

5 Match/Funding Requirements: Grant recipients must match all grant monies awarded on, at a minimum, a ONE-TO- ONE basis, with cash funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. It is encouraged, but not required, to have matching funds in hand, or firmly committed to at the time of the application. Projects with the capacity to provide an overmatch are encouraged. Match Funding Must: Be verifiable from your records Be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient completion of the project Match Funding Must Not: Be included as direct contributions from any other federally assisted program Be paid by the federal government under another award Include operating costs of the organization and routine repair and facility costs Cash and In-Kind Match Funding: All matching funds must be applied to the project AFTER the date of contract signature by the grant recipient and BEFORE September 1, 2019 Matching funds can be cash or in-kind contributions of time, materials, or services Cash matches require that real money change hands, and must be documented by copies of invoices or receipts and evidence of payment (cancelled checks, bank statements). Templates for documenting cash matches will be provided. In-kind matches must be documented and directly attributable to the project. In-kind matches may include personnel time for employees, board members, and volunteers as well as contributions of services, materials and supplies. Please use the included forms for the calculation of in-kind matches and donated services. Templates for tracking in-kind matches will be provided. Other Project Costs (Over Match): If the total project/operating budget is expected to cost more than the total grant request and required match combined, those additional costs should be listed on the application budget as Other Project Costs. Reimbursement: All grant recipients are required to execute a grant contract prior to beginning the project

6 A single, one-time reimbursement payment will be made to the grant recipient upon Freedom's Way receipt and approval of all deliverables, project completion reports, and required financial documentation To be eligible for reimbursement, project expenses must be incurred within the grant period-of performance dates stated in the grant contract (after date of contract signature by the grant recipient and before September 1, 2019 unless prior written approval is made by Freedom's Way Heritage Association. Project expenses incurred outside the grant period-of-performance dates will NOT be reimbursed. Selection Process and Criteria: Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee and evaluated for the following criteria: Connectivity to the Goals and Objectives of the FWNHA: Does the project or organization's activities advance the mission of the National Heritage Area? Engaging New Audiences: Is the project designed to reach audiences that have not traditionally been engaged in the work of the heritage area? Collaboration: Does the project involve volunteers, and other partners to achieve its deliverables and demonstrate community engagement? Clarity: Are the project/organization's objectives clearly identified? Readiness: Can the goals and objectives of the project be realized during the funding period? Is the applicant ready to proceed? Urgency: Why now? Why should this project receive priority during this funding cycle? Application Process: Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Freedom's Way to discuss proposed projects prior to preparing, and submitting, an application. Applications may be submitted online at: or via post. Freedom's Way Heritage Association 94 Jackson Road, Suite 311 Devens, MA Please direct questions to Patrice Todisco at ptodisco@freedomsway.org or (978)