HENNEPIN COUNTY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL GRANT PROGRAM Program Guidelines Program Summary. This grant program provides financial support to youth baseball and softball capital projects located in Hennepin County. In 2011, 128,500 in grants will be approved by the Community Fund for this program. Administration. The Hennepin County Baseball and Softball grant program will be administered by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund staff who review all requests, pay matching grants, work closely with grantee organizations to ensure completion of the projects and maintain program records. Hennepin Youth Sports Program. Additional funding for eligible projects is available from Hennepin County. Applicants interested in applying for these funds should review the criteria at the MASC website at http://www.mnsports.org/grant_program.htm. Applicants must apply to BOTH Hennepin County and the Twins Community Fund to take full advantage of this opportunity. Purpose and Eligibility. The purpose of these grants will be to allow Hennepin County government agencies (i.e. municipalities, park districts, or school districts) to create, expand, or improve baseball or softball facilities to enhance opportunities for athletics and recreation. No grant awards may be used for ongoing expenses, such as programming services or operating and maintaining the facilities. Charter schools must enlist a local unit of government to sponsor their application. Applicants must have secured some funds for the project from at least one other source before applying. This one other source cannot be a pending 2012 Hennepin Youth Sports Program application. Organizations must also be governed by active boards and have sufficient revenue to operate their leagues. Application Process/Schedule. Organizations must complete an application and submit other required documents. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until all funds are distributed. Final grant determinations will be made by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund Board of Directors in December. Application Due Date Grant Determination/Notification November 4, 2011 December 20, 2011 Applications must be complete and sent through the U.S. Mail. Faxed/emailed applications are not accepted. Applicants must begin their project within nine months of receiving the grant.
Grant Payments. Grants will be paid after approval from the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors. Criteria. The following criteria will be among those considered in evaluating grant applications: Need for the facility Population and number of people served Matching funds from other entities and in-kind contributions Project sustainability, including ongoing operating funds Inclusion of environmental improvements and sustainable design Partnerships between local units of governments and non-profit sports organizations Timeline and demonstrated ability to perform Other Requirements. Organizations receiving grants are required to: Prominently display provided signage recognizing program supporters; and Seek local media coverage of grant and dedication ceremonies. Partnerships. Proposals that support, create, and enhance partnerships both between public entities as well as those with private organizations will be favored. Operating agreements that expand hours and programs, bring new users to the facility, and provide opportunities that do not currently exist in the community will be preferred. Questions about the Twins Community Fund s Hennepin County Baseball and Softball Grant program should be directed to: Stephanie Johnson Hennepin County Baseball and Softball Grants TWINS COMMUNITY FUND 1 Twins Way Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 Direct Phone (612) 659-3505 E-mail stephaniejohnson@twinsbaseball.com
HENNEPIN COUNTY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL GRANT APPLICATION 2011 Organization Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Website: Contact Name: Contact E-mail Address: Contact Daytime Phone: ( ) Contact Fax: ( ) Employer Identification Number (EIN) *Applicants must be a government agency. Please attach a copy of the Resolution of Local Government Unit that is required in your Hennepin Youth Sports Program Application. Requested Matching Grant Amount: the r amt here Renovation/Project Description Briefly describe the baseball/softball field project (include the address of the site). Will the MTCF grant be used for a specific purpose? Up to two additional pages may be attached. What is the total cost of the renovation project? Please complete the attached line-item budget. Please include bids for work to be done. Has the renovation begun? Yes No If so, what has been completed and when is the project scheduled to be complete? If not, when will it begin and when is the project scheduled to be complete? How will/did you raise additional renovation funds? On the Line Item Budget section of this application, please list other sources of support that have been secured and requests for support that are currently pending or to be submitted. How long has your organization been raising funds for this renovation project? When will all funds needed for the project be secured? What will be the impact on the project if you do not receive this grant?
Eligibility 1) Do you operate a baseball program? Yes No 2) Do you operate a softball program? Yes No 3) How many years has your program been in existence? 4) How many children participate in your baseball/softball program?#boys ; #Girls ; Total How many teams participate in your baseball/softball program? #Boys ; #Girls ; Total 5) Does a board of directors govern your baseball/softball program? Yes No Site Information 1) Who owns the site? 2) Who maintains the site? 3) List all teams (youth and adult) that play/will play on the site (attach another page if necessary): Sponsoring Organization Team No. of Participants Ages No. of Games Played Environmental Improvements and Sustainable Design What sustainable design, land management, and products will be a part of your project? (Examples include installing bleachers made from recycled materials at a ball field, ensuring a field is a zero-waste zone, or avoiding the use of harmful pesticides in favor of alternative field management practices.) List and describe all environmental improvements. New irrigation systems are considered an environmental improvement.
LINE-ITEM BUDGET Please list all expenses for this proposed project. All expenses, including items donated, should be included. We realize that this budget is subject to change and amendable. Column A lists your organization s share of the expense of that item. Column B lists the Twins Community Fund s share within the grant you requested. Column C lists any other funding organizations share. LINE ITEM A B C TOTAL TOTALS Please list any other organizations funding this project and how much total cash and in-kind donations they have contributed. Proof of these donations/pledges must be attached to this application: Organization Name Total Donation in US
Other Requirements If a matching grant is approved, your organization must be willing to display a plaque supplied by the Twins Community Fund at the renovated field recognizing the support. Does your organization agree to do this? Yes No If a matching grant is approved, your organization must submit a final report, receipts and photos of the completed project before the final payment is made. Does your organization agree to do this? Yes No If a matching grant is approved, your organization must assist the Minnesota Twins in seeking the participation of local media for dedication ceremonies and newspaper articles. Does your organization agree to do this? Yes No Organization Signature Date REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: PLEASE ATTACH: 1) The completed line-item budget and bids for work to be done; 2) Pictures of the field and area being renovated, or a site plan drawing of the proposed project; 3) A list of your program s board members/government agency s council members; 4) A copy of any legal agreements or arrangements with other organization or government agencies; 5) A proposed timeline of the start, major segments, and completion of the project; 6) A list of other organizations making financial contributions to the renovation project, including the amount of their support and proof of their pledge; and 7) Copy of your resolution of local government unit submitted with your Hennepin Youth Sports Program application All information required in the Hennepin County Baseball and Softball Grant application must be supplied as specified. Do not leave any submission items unaddressed. If a submission item is not applicable, please state the reason(s) why the item does not apply. Applications that are incomplete will be returned and will not be reviewed for funding.. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO: Stephanie Johnson Hennepin County Baseball and Softball Grants TWINS COMMUNITY FUND 1 Twins Way Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403