COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT GRANT PROGRAM CALL FOR APPLICATIONS All proposals must be received by the City of San Carlos by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 18, 2018 at the following address: City of San Carlos City Clerk, Second Floor Attn: Tara Peterson 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA 94070 Questions regarding this call for grant applications should be directed to: Tara Peterson Assistant City Manager City Manager s Office tpeterson@cityofsancarlos.org (650) 802-4230 Page 1 of 5
I. INTRODUCTION The City of San Carlos is seeking Applications from qualified community nonprofits for funding through the Community Non-Profit Grant Program (Grant Program). Funds are typically set aside by the City Council to award grants to qualifying non-profits. The objectives of the Grant Program are to provide funding for community organizations to address current and arising issues and trends and to provide an opportunity for social inclusion and community building for San Carlos. It is the Organization s responsibility to read the entire Call for Applications and to comply with all requirements herein. II. BACKGROUND The City Council supports community groups and individuals who contribute to the development and well-being of the San Carlos community. In 2016, City Council approved the City of San Carlos Community Non-Profit Grant Program and Policy. Every two years as part of the biennial budget, the City Council considers establishing funding for this competitive Grant Program. Each application will be reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the minimum requirements for consideration by a Council-appointed subcommittee for a grant award. Grants will be awarded annually by the City Manager upon recommendation from the members of the subcommittee in amounts to be determined based on the number of eligible applications, the amount requested and the funds available. III. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION ELEMENTS A successful grant application must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements: Application is complete and was submitted on time; Applicant is a non-profit organization, has a 501(c) (3) federal tax-exempt status and serves San Carlos residents. Preference is given to non-profit organizations that serve 50% or more San Carlos residents; Applicant programs/services do not involve or require certain religious beliefs or activities; Page 2 of 5
Applicant programs/services are open to all ethnicities, races, genders and sexual orientations; and Applicant program/services address at least one goal adopted by the City Council (See the attached Strategic Plan Exhibit B) A complete application shall include: Completed City of San Carlos Community Non-Profit Grant Application Form; Proof of applicant non-profit IRS tax-exempt status; Organization and principal(s) resumes and/or background information, including organization chart and a description of the business operation; Prior year and current year-to-date balance sheets and income statements; and Proposed budget for expenditure of potential grant funds, including other sources of funds (amount and type) to be used to fund the proposed program/services. IV. SCHEDULE The following schedule represents a target timeframe for applicant screening, and selection. The City will make every effort to adhere to this schedule, however, dates are subject to change (all dates in italics are tentative). Action Date Call for Applications Released Friday, September 29, 2017 Deadline for Receipt of Proposals Friday, May 18, 2018 Council Subcommittee Member Review Week of May 28 th or June 4 th, 2018 Possible Presentations to Subcommittee Week of May 28 th or June 4 th, 2018 Notification of Award and Follow Up July 2018 Page 3 of 5
V. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS The Grant Application can be found in Exhibit A. VI. CONSULTANT SELECTION Grant Award Criteria In accordance with the City of San Carlos Grant Program and Policy for Community Non-Profits adopted July 11, 2016, grant awards shall be on the basis of: A complete timely application with all required documents; Council Subcommittee Member Review Applications that meet the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the Council Subcommittee members for review and consideration for possible funding. Each Council Subcommittee member will individually rate the applications; Possible presentations to Subcommittee The Council Subcommittee members will notify staff if they elect to have all or a portion of the eligible applicants present their grant requests to the Subcommittee in person. The review and possible presentation before the Council Subcommittee will be completed within 30 days of the Subcommittee members receipt of the eligible applications. All organizations selected for presentations will be notified as quickly as possible; The Subcommittee members will discuss each application, individual ratings and proposed grant award amount(s) and submit recommendation(s) to the City Manager for award. Non-Obligation The City retains the sole discretion to evaluate applications and award grants to the organization(s) based on its criteria and available funding. Receipt of applications in response to its Call for Applications does not obligate the City in any way to award a grant to any organization and the City reserves the right to reject any or all applications, wholly or in part, at any time, without penalty. The City shall retain the right to abandon the Call for Applications and selection process at any time prior to the actual granting of funds to an organization, and the City shall bear no financial or other responsibility in the event of such abandonment. Page 4 of 5
VII. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Organizations responding to this Call for Applications must deliver, by hand or by mail, four (4) printed copies of the application and supplemental documents to: City of San Carlos City Clerk, Second Floor Att: Tara Peterson 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA 94070 All Proposals must be received by the City of San Carlos, City Clerk s Department, by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 18, 2017. The City assumes no responsibility for delays caused by delivery service. Postmarking by the due date will not substitute for actual receipt. Please note that applicants may be asked to present their funding requests in person to the Subcommittee. Any questions pertaining to this Call for Applications should be directed to Tara Peterson, Assistant City Manager at tpeterson@cityofsancarlos.org or (650) 802-4230. VIII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All costs incurred during submittal preparation or in any way associated with the Organization s preparations, submission or presentation shall be the sole responsibility of the Organization. If awarded a grant, the Organization shall maintain 501(c) (3) federal tax exempt reserved status and service to the San Carlos Community as specified by the City of San Carlos Grant Program and Policy for Community Non-Profits. Organizations are liable for all errors or omissions contained in their proposals. ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A City of San Carlos Community Non-Profit Grant Application Form Exhibit B City of San Carlos Strategic Plan Page 5 of 5