Carol Mount Peterson RESIDENT DEVELOPMENT FUND Application Guide 2017 Photo Credit: Greg Miller Photography, Edgewood Village and Eastland Woods, Building for Tomorrow, Firestone Park YMCA, Akron, Ohio.
Carol Mount Peterson RESIDENT DEVELOPMENT FUND Removing Barriers & Providing Opportunities for Success The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) Board of Directors committed funds through its philanthropic affiliate, Ohio Capital Impact Corporation (OCIC) to support high impact initiatives designed to help residents reach their social, economic and educational potential. About Carol Mount Peterson Carol Mount Peterson served on the board of OCCH for 16 years, with 12 years as Board Chair. Her vision and leadership helped define the OCCH organization. Carol also served as Senior Vice President and Director of Housing and Community Development at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, where she worked for 36 years. Carol s passion and devotion to affordable housing has left an impressive legacy that can be seen throughout many communities in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 1
OCIC set aside $1 million in 2017 to award grants for partners to assist residents of OCCH properties in reaching their potential through engagement, employment, education, removal of barriers, and access to resources, experiences and opportunities. New in 2017, there are three competitve grant categories from which to apply: 1. Summer Camp: OCIC offers grants of up to $30,000 to partners to support summer activities to engage the youth of OCCH properties in opportunities for growth. 2. RDF General Grants: OCIC offers grants of up to $30,000 to partners to assist residents of OCCH properties in reaching their potential through five indentified core areas. 3. Property Improvement Grants (NEW 2017): OCIC offers grants of up to $15,000 to assist partners and residents of OCCH properties by improving access to specific property improvements. *Each competitive grant category will have its own, specific application. Calendar: Deadline to Contact OCIC to Discuss RDF Ideas Summer Camp Deadlines Deadline to submit Summer Camp Application Summer Camp Award Announcements Friday, March 17th Friday, April 7th Thursday, May 19th RDF General Grant and Property Improvement Grant Deadlines Deadline to submit RDF Applications Friday, May 5th Award Announcements Friday, July 21st Priority goals for 2017 proposals are in seven core areas: SUMMER CAMP WELLNESS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT ENRICHING THE LIVES OF SENIORS INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES Submit Applications to: Application rdf@occh.org Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing 88 E. Broad St., Suite 1800 Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 224-8446 PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 2
ELIGIBILITY AMOUNT: Applications must be for $30,000 or less for Summer Camp and RDF General Grants and $15,000 or less for Property Improvement Grants. WHO CAN APPLY: Nonprofit or for-profit partners of OCCH may apply. If the applicant is not the managing general partner (or managing member) of the property, then the applicant must obtain an owner s letter specifically supporting the proposed program. A template for the letter is available on the OCIC website - www.occh.org/initiatives/rdf.html OCCH RESIDENTS SERVED: Proposed activities must be primarily for residents of a low-income housing tax credit property of which Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing is the investor and asset manager. Please Note: The properties must be placed in service and within year 14 of the 15 year compliance period. No disbursements will be made until a project reaches qualified occupancy (100% lease up). GRANT TIMEFRAME: Proposed activities must be complete by deadlines specified in the Grant Agreement. Please contact the Committee via email at rdf@occh.org prior to application submission if your grant proposal will require a grant period longer than December 31, 2018 unless it is for Summer Camp. Summer Camp awards will expire December 31, 2017. OTHER CONDITIONS: Partners with existing grants must complete those programs and submit progress reports before applying for new funding (or specifically ask for a waiver for this requirement in advance). A template for the waiver is available on the OCIC website - www.occh.org/initiatives/rdf.html Properties cannot ask for services or features that were proposed as part of the original submission for funding to the State Housing Finance Agency. Proposals cannot receive funding for items that were included in the original project scope or that would typically be paid through original sources, reserves or operating funds. COMMON APPLICATION PROBLEMS: Proposed activities are more social in nature and lack lasting measurable impact. (for example: parties, gift baskets, participation incentives.) Budget is incomplete, not carefully considered, and/or sources are lacking. The applicant tries to create a program that already exists in the community. The proposed budget uses funds to cover staff and overhead. Proposed activities are outside of the intent of RDF and the partner did not communicate with the OCIC team prior to submission of the application. COMMON APPLICATION PROBLEMS: Please contact Annie Ross at 614-224-8446 or rdf@occh.org with questions, requests, and/or to schedule time to speak with the Committee. 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 3
SUMMER CAMP OCIC supports summer activities to engage the youth of OCCH properties in opportunities for growth. Grant requests leveraging existing summer camp programs offered through established organizations in the community are preferred. Preferred Summer Camp Providers include (but are not limited to): YMCA, 4-H, Big Brother, Big Sister, summer camps provided through local college campuses, and summer camps provided by other community organizations. RDF GENERAL GRANT AWARD PRIORITY AREAS WELLNESS Huntington Wellness Initiative Huntington National Bank, an OCIC Impact Investor, and OCIC are committed to and support activities to improve resident lives through wellness initiatives. Potential opportunities include: 1. Engagement with local community centers or organizations to provide access to health initiatives Fitness centers or exercise programs Community services Access to health professionals, medical screenings and health related classes Sponsored by: 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 4
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & EDUCATION Partners are encouraged to provide opportunities that will help children become better educated, more integrated into society, and better able to advance in life. Potential opportunities include: 1. Established, after-school activities 2. Extracurricular activities (including sports, arts, humanities, clubs, etc.) 3. Early learning / day care 4. Teen engagement, education, and preparedness for college and adulthood 5. Literacy programming (working with schools, libraries, etc.) ADVANCEMENT OCIC encourages activities that allow adults to advance their personal, educational, and economic potential. Potential opportunities include: 1. Job preparedness, resume preparation 2. Child care assistance 3. Removing barriers to employment 4. Financial literacy 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 5
ENRICHING THE LIVES OF SENIORS OCIC encourages properties to look for ways to keep senior residents healthy and engaged. Potential opportunities include: 1. Community Engagement 2. Intergenerational activities 3. Continuing education classes: Food & nutrition Living with disease Financial planning INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES If partners find a unique opportunity to serve residents, OCCH requests that partners discuss the strategy with us before applying. Programs should be built around the specific needs of the residents. Examples of previous innovative strategies: Job-skills training programs Youth incentives for pro-social behavior Green-roof gardening PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT Property Improvement Grants OCIC welcomes grant proposals for property improvement areas limited to playgrounds for resident youth and property security initiatives. Applicants must contact OCCH to discuss proposals prior to application. 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 6
EVALUATION A review team consisting of OCCH employees and outside participants will evaluate the proposal and make recommendations. The OCCH Board will make final approvals for funding. Proposals will be evaluated competitively according to the following criteria: Impact (50%) Proposed activities must exhibit opportunities resulting in a meaningful impact on residents lives. The committee will consider the grant narrative, alignment with the vision of the Carol Mount Peterson Resident Development Fund, partner capacity, measureable outcomes/evaluation tools provided and evidence of a program s prior success. The program impact and outcome(s) must be more robust than the number of residents served. Capacity (25%) The Committee will consider staffing and qualifications, current services provided and past history of grant execution for all applicants. Linkage to Existing Services (15%) Proposals should include activities linking to existing services and/or programs provided by community organizations. Budget (10%) Proposals should have a well-conceived budget that is carefully considered with a complete list of sources and uses. Partners should contact OCCH prior to applying if there are any questions about evaluation or project design. 2017 APPLICATION GUIDE Page 7