Announcing a Mini-grant Process Funded through the Mental Health Services Act under a contract with the Mental Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services Request for Applications Mini-Grant Project Phase I Summer 2011 Contact Information: Jerry Peterson, Mini-grant Coordinator c/o Rainbow Community Center 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200 Concord, CA 94519 Phone: (925) 692-0090 The Collaborative includes: Rainbow Community Center, Lead Agency Center for Human Development Gender Spectrum James Morehouse Project RYSE Center
Overview The purpose of the Mini-grant Project is to promote innovative approaches to increasing accepting behaviors and reducing rejecting behaviors in key support networks impacting LGBTQQI2-S youth with special emphasis on family, school and faith-based environments. (LGBTQQI2-S is the string of letters that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex and 2-Spirit) Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants are limited to non-profit legal entities (For example: 501(c) (3)), faith based, community organizations and community groups). Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) standing with the IRS may submit an application through a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that agrees to receive and oversee the use of the funds. The LGBTQ Youth Advocacy Mini-grant Project will fund projects and services provided by community-based and faith-based organizations to develop and implement innovative outreach and engagement approaches for LGBTQQI2-S youth and/or their key support networks families, schools and/or faith groups in Contra Costa County. Use of Funds Mini-grants may be used to support staff time and actual costs of developing, translating and printing materials; organizational capacity building to serve LGBTQQI2-S youth/support networks; staff and volunteer training; outreach to key support networks (including events, materials, etc.) and any other form of direct engagement of key support networks designed to increase accepting behaviors. No more than 10% of mini-grant funds may be used to support administrative or indirect expenses. Funded activities can include a one-time event or on-going activities/groups for LGBTQQI2-S youth and/or their families. The service area must be within Contra Costa County. Award Amount/Funding Period PHASE I: Mini-grants in amounts up to $5,000 will be awarded. Applications will be accepted anytime from May 15, 2011, through July 31, 2011. Applications received by the first Friday of each month will be reviewed by the 15 th of that month with notification of the funding decision by the first day of the following month. All projects funded in Phase I must begin operations and receive the initial payout of funds no later than September 1, 2011. End dates for funded projects/services are at the discretion of the award recipient but must be no later than 12 months following the receipt of the initial payout of funds. PHASE II: Mini-grants in amounts up to $10,000 will be awarded. Applications received prior to November 4, 2011, will be reviewed in November with notification by December 1, 2011. Thereafter, applications received will be reviewed by the 15 th of each month with notification of the funding decision by the first day of the following month. The final date to submit an application will be March 2, 2012. All projects funded in this cycle must begin operations no later than April 1, 2012. Phase I awardees may re-apply in the second cycle but funding is not guaranteed. End dates for funded projects/services are at the discretion of the award recipient but must be no later than 12 months following the receipt of the initial payout of funds.
Application Instructions: The following sections must be completed: Cover Page see Attachment A Project Description Maximum 3 Pages (minimum of 70 points required for funding) 1. Statement of Purpose (20 points) Provide a statement of purpose and a general program overview. Identify the target population you will serve, including demographic characteristics of potential participants. Provide a statement describing the outcomes (benefits for participants) you will achieve. 2. Demonstrated Readiness (30 points) Priority funding will be provided for organizations with a demonstrated readiness to implement their proposed project. A. Organization preparation: Provide a statement summarizing how your organization is equipped to plan and implement activities/events that promote acceptance of LGBTQQI2-S youth; OR a statement of how you plan to use these funds to build the capacity of your organization to provide these services. B. Letters of support (optional): A letter from a partnering organization, indicating activity/event collaboration will be helpful, but is not required. 3. Work Plan for Implementation (35 points) see Attachment B Outline your work plan for implementing your project. Include a timeline with proposed dates of activities/events, the date the project will be completed and estimated number of participants. All proposed activities must fit in at least one of the categories listed on Attachment D. Project Budget and Narrative (15 points) see Attachment C Please note that these funds cannot be used toward capital improvements. Technical assistance will be available to all awardees. Submission The application must be submitted via email, regular mail, or personal delivery during the open application periods described above. Faxed copies will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted to: Mini-grant Project, Attn: Jerry Peterson, c/o Rainbow Community Center, 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200, Concord, CA, 94519; e-mail: minigrants@rainbowcc.org Awardees Required Meeting: All awardees will be required to attend an orientation following notification of a successful application. Award Payout: 90% upon signed Memorandum of Agreement; 10% upon receipt and approval of the final report. Reporting: A final narrative report using a standard format (to be provided) is required. The nature of this project is to learn as much as possible about the innovations funded by the minigrants. The final report must include data on the number of people reached and demographic data on participants. If a project includes workshops or on-going groups, participant attendance sheets must be maintained and available for review in the event of an audit.
Attachment A MINI-GRANT APPLICATION COVER PAGE APPLICANT ENTITY or FISCAL SPONSOR: NAME OF ORGANIZATION: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: FAX: E-MAIL: ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SERVICE: CONTACT PERSON: NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: FAX: E-MAIL: How did you hear about this application? Who completed this application? CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Application Cover Page (Attachment A) Project Description Project Work Plan (Attachment B) Project Budget and Narrative (Attachment C) Signature and title of individual authorized to sign this proposal: Signature of Authorized Individual Date Printed Name of Authorized Individual Title of Authorized Individual
Attachment B PROJECT WORK PLAN Project Activity Begin and End Dates Priority Population(s) Estimated # served
Attachment C PROPOSED BUDGET Excel Spreadsheet may be attached in lieu of this form Organization: ITEM Personnel Examples: 60 hours of program coordinator time at $15/hour $900 Five youth: Rate per hour X # of hours List operating expenses, e.g., office supplies, printing, food, etc Etc. as above Receipts Submitted Travel and Mileage Miles X.50 per mile Other Educational and promotional materials TOTAL A BUDGET NARRATIVE DESCRIBING EACH LINE ITEM LISTED IN YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET MUST BE PROVIDED.
Attachment D Activities may include but are not limited to the following: NOTE: Funds have been set aside to fund youth-led projects as a special priority Convening Community Forums/Meetings and Face-to-Face Presentations A faith-based conference or special forum Community forums Outreach to Underserved or Inappropriately-Served Communities Addressing the intersections of race, gender, orientation and class Outreach to non-english speaking families Serving LGBTQQI2-S youth of color and their families Develop and/or translate materials Develop PSAs or radio novellas addressing LGBTQQI2-S youth and their families Youth-led Projects Youth involvement in community mapping Poster contest(s) Summer intern project Visual or audio media project Material Development and Distribution Brochure that guides parents and teachers through the steps needed to stop bullying in their schools Curriculum development Materials that promote acceptance of LGBTQQI2-S youth Special Events/Activities Luncheons, events for families Retreats and educational events Parent awareness events School-based social events Identifying Unmet Needs LGBTQQI2-S youth and their families Photovoice Project Online and Social Networking Promotion Special Projects School-based poster contest Other?