2012 Nonprofit Grant Program Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority Providing a helping hand through grants to nonprofits since 2003
The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) has established the FY 2012 Nonprofit Grant Program to provide nonprofits with financial support for basic human needs programs for Connecticut citizens. This grant program is made possible through the fiscally responsible management of the Authority funds by the CHEFA executive staff and Board of Directors using excess revenues over expenses of the Authority, and involves no State funds. We thank our Board members for their thoughtful stewardship of CHEFA resources and continuing efforts to assist nonprofits in our state. The 2012 Nonprofit Grant Program includes substantive changes to the application process from prior programs. In addition, this grant program focus area significantly differs from previous CHEFA grant programs. We encourage you to read these materials thoroughly and contact us with any questions you may have. Information on CHEFA and past grant programs is available on our website at www.chefa.com. Target Range of Grants $5,000 to $75,000 Important Dates November 11, 2011 November 28, 2011 December 23, 2011 February 21, 2012 February 22, 2012 February 23 March 30 Deadline for letter of interest submission Noon on November 11, 2011 submission deadline @ 12:00 Noon for letters of interest invitations to submit full proposal disseminated full proposal deadline @ 12:00 Noon consideration by CHEFA Grant Committee and Board of Directors announcement of awards Check presentation ceremonies Contact Kimberley Fontaine Grants and Marketing Programs Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority 10 Columbus Blvd., 7 th FL Hartford, CT 06106 E: kfontaine@chefa.com P: 860 761 8428 F: 860 520 4700 1 P age
2012 Nonprofit Grant Program The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority invites eligible nonprofits in Connecticut to submit a letter of interest for consideration for the FY 2012 Nonprofit Grant Program. Eligible organizations must provide focus area services as an integral part of their established mission. Focus Areas Food Feeding programs Food pantries Food delivery programs Nutrition programs for special populations Shelter Emergency shelters Long term shelters Domestic violence Homelessness/Foreclosure prevention Healthcare Preventative care Emergency care Behavioral healthcare Healthcare transportation Medical home Eligibility Scope of work for which the grant is requested must be limited to the provision of basic human needs as defined herein. The provision of basic human needs must be demonstrably integral to the existing Mission of the applicant organization. Organization must have current IRS 501(c)(3)tax exempt designation. Funding is restricted to projects/programs within Connecticut. Applicants must not be a current CHEFA client. Applicant may not be listed as an Obligated Group Member for any outstanding CHEFA bond issue. 2 P age
What CHEFA will not fund Capital or annual campaigns Endowment funds Debt reduction Scholarships Indirect costs Conferences, trips, performances, or other one time events Religious institutions other than for their provision of non sectarian services Organizations which have the IRS private foundation designation Organizations which cannot comply with nondiscrimination requirements applicable to all contracts with Connecticut quasi public agencies* Groups engaged in activities meant to influence legislation or the outcome of elections * Contractor does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected status and has adopted a corporate policy to that effect that complies with Connecticut statutory requirements. Other requirements For a period of five years, the capital purchases obtained with CHEFA grant funds may not be transferred, sold or disposed of, and must remain in Connecticut. Applicants must fully disclose all pending mergers and acquisitions, litigation and executive management changes to the Authority during both the application process and the full grant period. Only one application will be accepted from each organization. Annual and final project reports will be required of each grantee, the form and substance to be fully described upon award notification. Funds not expended according to the approved budget or subsequent modification during the grant period must be returned to the Authority. Modifications may not be requested during the final 60 days of a grant period. Entities that are invited to submit a full application shall submit materials in PDF format not to exceed a total of 5 pages electronically in Times New Roman 12 pt. font. 1 The invitation to submit a full application is not an implication of a pending award. Awards do not imply a probability for future funding of any organization. The award of any funding is subject to the discretion of the CHEFA Board of Directors. The grantee must acknowledge the Authority in all press releases, media interviews, and reports on the funded project/program. 1 Nonprofit Grant Program applicants should contact the Authority if they are unable to provide all or a portion of their application via email. 3 Page
Awards The 2012 CHEFA Nonprofit Grant Program will be funded with an available pool of $1 million. The Board of Directors reserves the right to award amounts which total less than 100% of the available funding. The Board of Directors may award more or less than any organization s requested amount when deemed appropriate. The target range of grants shall be from $5,000 to $75,000. Grant periods must begin on March 1, 2012 and end by March 1, 2013. CHEFA will work with grantees to schedule press events to announce their award. Important Information CHEFA invites interested candidates to submit letters of interest prior to November 11, 2011. On or around November 28, 2011, selected nonprofits will be invited to submit a full proposal. Letters of interest may not exceed two pages and should not include any other materials (thumb drives, requirements to view websites, letters of recommendation or press clippings) and must be submitted electronically to the Authority at: kfontaine@chefa.com by 12 noon on November 11, 2011. CHEFA Staff will provide confirmation of receipt via email. If you do not have internet access to submit your letter of interest or application electronically, please contact us as soon as possible. Please do not personally deliver, call or fax the Authority with your letter of interest or full proposal, or for confirmation of receipt; however, if you are having difficulty sending your proposal or have not received your confirmation of receipt within a reasonable timeframe, please call our office at 860 761 8428. The Staff and Board of Directors reserve the right to request such additional information as may be required during the grant program application process. The Authority reserves its sole right to modify these guidelines at any time. Materials submitted to the Authority may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and should not include information prohibited by law or in violation of HIPAA regulations. 4 P age
Elements of the Letter of Interest Your Letter of Interest should include: an introduction, a description of your organization, a statement of need, your methodology, a brief discussion of other funding sources, and a final summary. Introduction The introduction states briefly the need and your program approach to meeting this need. This section also includes the name of your organization, the amount needed or requested and a description of the project. Please note the qualifications of your program/project staff, a brief description of how you will evaluate your program/project, and a timetable. This section should not exceed one paragraph. Description of Your Organization The organization description should be concise and focus on the ability of your organization to meet the stated need. Provide a very brief history and description of your current programs. Tell us briefly how funding from CHEFA will help your organization accomplish its program/project goals. Statement of Need The statement of need includes: a description of those who will benefit from your services and geographical area; appropriate statistical data in abbreviated form; and several concrete examples. Methodology Please describe your program/project briefly, including major activities, names and titles of key project staff, and your desired objectives. Other Funding Sources Other funding sources being approached for support of this program/project should be listed in a brief sentence or paragraph. 5 P age
The following undertakings must be included verbatim at the end of your letter of interest. Legal Statement (a) The information provided herein is submitted by the undersigned firm under penalty of false statement as provided in the Connecticut General Statutes, Section 53a 157b. (b) With regard to a State contract as defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 9 612(g)(2) having a value in a calendar year of $50,000 or more or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of $100,000 or more, the authorized signatory to this submission in response to the Authority s solicitation expressly acknowledges receipt of the State Elections Enforcement Commission s notice, Exhibit [A], advising prospective State contractors of State campaign contribution and solicitation prohibitions, and will inform its principals of the contents of the notice. Please submit letters of interest by 12:00 noon on November 11, 2011 to kfontaine@chefa.com 6 P age
Exhibit A