GRANT APPLICATION 2016 CommUNITY Foundation Grants Program Bringing together multiple funds to respond to current needs in San Luis Obispo County Deadline for Submission: March 31, 2016 5:00 pm Contact: Janice Fong Wolf, Director of Grants & Programs 543-2323, FAX 543-2346 jwolf@cfsloco.org 1
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CommUNITY Foundation Grant Guidelines and Application Procedures Mission Statement The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County provides leadership and encourages charitable giving for the issues that improve and enhance lives in the county. History Annually, the Foundation holds a competitive grants program which is funded by local donors who have contributed to the Foundation s Community Endowment and various Field of Interest funds. This year s grantmaking program is made possible through the support of the Amy L. Arsenio Endowment; Art Inspires Fund; Community Needs Fund; Melvin & Marian Gautier Endowment; William Randolph Hearst Fund for the Arts; Clifford Holser Performing Arts Education for Youth; Gerry & Peggy Peterson Performing Arts Fund; Burt W. &Virginia Polin Mental Health Fund; Alva, Ernest & William Righetti Fund for Seniors and People with Disabilities; Preventive Health Care Endowment; Children s Health Initiative Fund. Our goal is to distribute these funds to a variety of non-profit organizations throughout San Luis Obispo County while honoring the donors intent for the use of the funds. Organizations that conduct the majority of their public charitable operations in San Luis Obispo County are eligible to apply. This year The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will make grants to support programs that provide significant benefits to the community within and across these funding areas: Arts & Culture-supporting programs which promote creation, engagement, and appreciation of diverse forms of arts and/or understanding of local history; Health-improving the quality of life through preventive health and overcoming barriers to physical health and mental health care; Human Services-improving the quality of life through providing for basic needs and social service programs, addressing the needs of seniors and people with disabilities, programs supporting people attempting to help themselves. General Information for Applicants The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County supports charitable organizations whose programs primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents. An organization must have a current tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) to apply. The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will follow these basic procedures in relation to grant requests: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will send grant application guidelines upon request, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will screen and fairly review all completed grant applications, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will notify all agencies of the award decision in a timely manner. Exclusions In general, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County does not make grants to/for: Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or religion; Individuals; Fraternal Organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefiting the entire community; 2
Governmental Organizations; Indirect Administrative costs greater than 15% of the awarded funds; Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walk-a-thons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions or dinners; Organizations with religious affiliations unless the program is open to the entire community without regard to religious beliefs; Organizations and programs designed to elect candidates to public office; Organizations located outside San Luis Obispo County unless for a specific program benefiting residents of, and conducted within, San Luis Obispo County; Pay off past debts or existing obligations; Endowment funds; Scholarships, fellowships, travel grants and technical or specialized research. Funding Criteria & Priorities In 2016, through its CommUNITY Foundation Grants program, the Foundation brings together multiple funds to respond to current needs in the county. To provide the greatest support to local nonprofit organizations in achieving their missions, the Foundation Grants Committee has chosen to open its CommUNITY Foundation Grants program to proposals identified as most urgent by the applicant organization. The Foundation will consider proposals that address one of the following: 1. Organizational Capacity Building 2. Provision of direct services Generally, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County places special evaluative emphasis on the following: Effective use and impact of grant funds, as demonstrated by measurable objectives Coordination of service delivery and minimization of duplicate effort Addressing diverse community interests Funding and Review Cycle The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County Grants Committee will consider grant requests once in 2016. The maximum grant award will be $10,000, with average awards anticipated around $6,000. An optional applicant workshop will be held Wednesday, February 17th at 3:30 pm at the Foundation office. RSVP: jwolf@cfsloco.org The grant request deadline is 5:00 pm, March 31, 2016. Notification and awards will be made by May 10, 2016. In order for The Community Foundation to support an array of community interests, an organization may submit only one application. Follow-up and Reporting Requirements Successful grantees will be required to provide a minimum one-page narrative on how the funds were used and the benefits to your organization or the community. Copies of press releases, grant photos and/or media contacts resulting from the grant award shall be included. A financial report outlining grant expenditures is required. Failure to submit the required report may disqualify the grantee from future funding requests. Grantee site visits may be conducted by the Program Officer and Board Members of the Foundation during the term of the grant. More information Please call Janice Fong Wolf, Director of Grants & Programs, at 805-543-2323 ext. 13 with questions. 3
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN LUS OBISPO COUNTY Applying for a CommUNITY Foundation Grant Two Page Narrative 1. Please provide a brief statement on how the grant funds will be used. 2. Please answer ONE set of questions based on request type. If requesting: CAPACITY BUILDING FUNDS a) How does your organization benefit and impact the community? b) What is the organizational problem or need this grant would address? How was the problem identified? c) Describe the project approach, identified strategies and anticipated outcomes. d) How will the grant significantly improve the organization s stability or capacity to achieve its mission? What underlying or fundamental change will occur within the organization? Include measurable objectives. e) Include a list of planned activities, timeline and staff/volunteers responsible for the project. f) Describe how the new level of capacity will be sustained beyond the grant period. DIRECT SERVICE FUNDS a) What is the community need this grant would address? What is the magnitude of the need in the community? b) Describe the target population for these direct services. Describe how outreach is conducted to ensure access and inclusion of all eligible populations. c) Explain why this service strategy is the best practice to address the need. d) Describe the impact this grant would provide in addressing the need. Include measurable objectives. e) Include a description of staff and volunteers responsible for providing this service. f) Describe the overall funding strategy for continuing to provide these direct services. 3. Please provide information about your organization(s), including: a) Mission Statement and Goals, brief history, programs and population(s) served, organizational structure. b) If a collaborative request, describe proposed responsibilities of collaborative members and how the project is a true collaboration. Required Appendices Please include only one copy of the following appendices as they apply to your organization: 1. Current Board of Directors list 2. Fiscal Year 2015 financial statement-include Final Revenue & Expenses and a Balance Sheet Please include an original and five copies of the following appendices 3. Line-item budget for grant requested, including any in-kind contributions, leveraged or matching funds (see sample format) 4. Fiscal Year 2016 organizational operating budget, including all sources of funding 5. List of Major Contributors over last three years 4
Application Due Submit an original and five (5) copies of your application along with the appropriate number of copies of the required appendices. Applications must be received (not postmarked) in The Community Foundation office (550 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo, CA) no later than 5:00 pm, March 31, 2016. FAXed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. 5
Organization/Fiscal Agent: Address: (street, city, state, zip) Contact Person: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CommUNITY Foundation Grant Application Cover Sheet Applicant Information Phone: Fax: E-mail: EIN #: Website: Request Type (Select One): Capacity Building Direct Services Grant Request Amount Requested: $ Funding Area: Target Population: (see page 2 for areas) Brief Grant Request Description (if applicable, project name): Application Checklist Application Cover Sheet (Original and five copies) Two-page Narrative (Original and five copies) Line-Item Grant Request Budget (Original and five copies) Fiscal Year 2016 Organizational Operating Budget (Original and five copies) List of Major Contributors (Original and five copies) Board of Directors List (One copy) Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Statement (One copy) Authorizing Signatures Application must include two signatures: 1) Executive Director or CEO 2) Board Chairperson or President Signature Name Printed Signature Title Title Name Printed 6 Office Use Only
LINE-ITEM GRANT REQUEST BUDGET SAMPLE FORMAT ONLY I. List Project Budget Items-(not limited to those presented) PROJECT BUDGET TCFSLOC GRANT Expenditures Salaries $20,000 $2,000 Taxes $3,000 $300 Equipment $1,000 $1,000 Telephone $500 Rent $3,000 Office Supplies $300 $300 Printing $400 $400 Consultant $1,500 $1,500 Training $1,000 $1,000 Postage $100 Mileage $800 $500 Misc. Supplies $200 Other $200 TOTAL BUDGET $32,000.00 $7,000 II. List Other Sources of Project Support and Amounts, i.e. SAMPLE ONLY INCOME Contracts $10,000 Donations $ 5,000 Fundraising, ie: Events/Campaigns $ 1,500 Grants $ 3,000 Program or Membership Fees $ 4,500 TCFSLOC Grant $ 7,000 Other $ 1,000 ====== TOTAL ANTICIPATED PROJECT INCOME $32,000 III. List in-kind donations and their estimated value, i.e. Volunteer number and hours Donated goods 7
LIST of MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS Please list your major contributors over the last three years and the amount of their contribution. Contributor 2015 Type (Foundation, Corporation, Governmental, Major Donor) Amount 2014 2013 8