United Way of Central Maryland United Way of Central Maryland FY2017 Community Response Grant Application Instructions Introduction United Way of Central Maryland s Community Response Grant application is an opportunity for non-profit health and human service organizations to request United Way support for urgent, unexpected or emergency organizational needs. Grant proposals may be submitted at any time so that organizations do not have to wait for annual or quarterly grant cycles to have their urgent needs considered. Applications must be submitted through our on-line grant application portal. The application will be available on our portal on or about Tuesday, January 10 th. It can be accessed through our website s Grant Information Page: http://www.uwcm.org/main/nonprofit-funding/ General Application Information For over 90 years, United Way of Central Maryland has been a human service leader for the region, encouraging all central Marylanders to give, advocate and volunteer. Our mission is to unite and engage the community to improve people s lives. United Way envisions a caring community where all people attain a quality education, stable employment, affordable housing and good health the building blocks for a better life. We achieve this through grant making, special initiatives, collaborations, providing service, promoting volunteerism and advocacy, all while mobilizing more resources for the nonprofit community by serving as a highly efficient, effective and trusted fundraiser. Through our grant making, United Way supports programs and initiatives in Baltimore City and in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties. This is done with the guidance of our Community Partnership Boards, which are made up of local government, service provider, business and community leaders in each jurisdiction. Community Response Grants provide United Way and Community Partnership Boards an opportunity to respond quickly to support urgent, unexpected or emergency organizational needs. Applicant Eligibility United Way of Central Maryland will accept applications from 501(c)(3) health and human service nonprofit agencies and other organizations that align with the IRS tax law (an agency that may not be a 501(c)(3), but may have other nonprofit IRS designations). For example, churches, public and charter schools (pre-k through 12) and not-for-profit hospitals may apply. University and college programs or schools are also eligible to apply.
Additionally: Applicants may apply up to two times per jurisdiction within a fiscal year cycle (July 1 June 30). Applicants may receive only one Community Response Grant per jurisdiction per fiscal year. Organizations that currently receive Community Operating Grants or other funding from United Way are eligible to apply for a Community Response Grant. Likewise, applying for and/or receiving a Community Response Grant does not affect your eligibility to apply for a United Way Community Operating Grant. Eligible Activities Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: Increased need for program supplies as a result of unexpected, urgent circumstance Unexpected equipment replacement/repair costs Time specific/time limited/special opportunities that require the leveraging or additional resources / matching funds Organizational needs that are outside of the normal budget planning process, that emerge based on an urgent or emergency circumstance. Examples of Approved CRG Requests Examples below are taken from previous Community Response Grant funding requests that were approved. Please note that making a similar request does not guarantee funding. Ineligible Activities A/C system stopped working in July and had to be repaired. Organization's thrift store was broken into in middle of the night and glass door had to be replaced (portion not covered by insurance). Support purchase of new commercial freezer to replace one that stopped working unexpectedly. Freezer needed to store meats and frozen produce for food pantry. Costs for bed bug extermination that had to be performed immediately after infestation at residential facility. Repair costs for a donated truck used to supply tools and materials to work sites. Applications requesting support for these activities will not be considered: Ongoing staff costs or other currently budgeted costs Foreclosure prevention Professional fees/contract fees/audit costs Membership fees Ongoing equipment lease/rental Fundraising events/sponsorships Any capital expenses (such as building repair, equipment repair/purchase) requested without the proper documentation (as outlined in Attachments section. 2
Examples of Denied CRG Requests Examples below are taken from previous Community Response Grant funding requests that were denied because requests were not considered to be for urgent, unexpected or emergency organizational needs. Funding for software to connect more clients to services. Funding to support purchase of hearing aids, eyeglasses, and gift cards for participants. Funding for after-school activity transportation. Funding for 6-month pilot program unless there is a required match Application Process Applications for Community Response Grants may be submitted at any time through the United Way of Central Maryland application portal. Only complete applications that include all required attachments will be considered for funding. Organizations may apply for up to $7,500.00 per application. Applications are reviewed and funding decisions made by the corresponding jurisdiction s Community Partnership Board. Where possible, applications will be reviewed and applicants notified of funding decisions with 15 business days of application submission. Organizations will be notified via email of funding decisions. Grant awards will be made to organizations in one lump-sum payment. Grantees are required to submit an Outcome Report, prescribed by United Way within two months of receipt of funding. United Way will not provide funding to organizations that discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, age, ancestry, marital status or disability. In addition, applications requesting support for these activities will not be considered: Capital improvement costs Religious activities (religious organizations may apply for funding for non-sectarian activities) Lobbying activities Individuals RFP Content and Technical Questions Questions about the application as well as technical assistance questions specific to application portal may be submitted via e-mail to grantquestions@uwcm.org. 3
Application Organizational Information 1. Name of Organization 2. Organization s Main Address 3. Organization s Phone Number 4. EIN Tax ID # 5. Website 6. Executive Director/CEO Information Name Title Email address Phone Number 7. Central Maryland Jurisdictions Served by the Organization (select all that apply): Anne Arundel County Baltimore City Baltimore County Carroll County Harford County Howard County General Application Information 1. Name of Organization 2. Local Program Name (if applicable) 3. Local Jurisdiction Program Address 4. Application Contact 5. Total organizational budget for your current fiscal year 6. Year of your most recently filed IRS Form 990 7. Dates of your current fiscal year 8. Select the central Maryland jurisdiction for which you are applying for funding (select one): Anne Arundel County Baltimore City Baltimore County Carroll County Harford County Howard County 9. Select the primary focus of program activities that will be supported by this funding (select one): Education Health Housing Workforce Development / Income Other - If other, describe: 4
Application Narrative 1. Purpose of Request (500 words max) Describe the urgent, unexpected and/or emergency organizational need facing your organization and how funds from this grant will be used to address this need. Be sure to: o Make clear why this is an urgent, unexpected and/or emergency organizational need. o Describe the impact this situation is having/will have on your ability to provide services, including its direct impact on the people you serve. 2. Description of Clients Impacted (250 words max) Describe the population you serve (demographics, special needs, geographic location, etc.) that will benefit from your receipt of a Community Response Grant. 3. Number of Clients Impacted Indicate the number of individuals or households that will benefit from your receipt of a Community Response Grant. 3a. What does the number above represents? (select one): o o Individuals that will benefit Households that will benefit 4. Budget Narrative (250 words max) Provide information on your expected costs. For large expenses (over $500) such as equipment purchase, repair or contractual work, briefly describe your bid process or method used to determine or estimate these costs. For these large expenses, you should have a minimum of two sources or bids for comparison. Attachments The following documents are required at the time of your application submission. Please upload the documents into the grant portal below (PDF version of documents only). 1. Copy of your IRS Determination Letter 2. Most recent copy (within the last two fiscal years) of one of the following financial documents: a. Financial audit of your organization (preferred for all organizations, and required for organizations with annual revenues of $500,000 or more). b. Financial statement reviewed by an independent auditor (only acceptable for organizations with annual revenues of less than $500,000). 3. Good Standing Certificate of Status - From Maryland s State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT) Official Certificates of Status from SDAT are available by submitting a request to the State Comptroller s office. Same day Internet Expedited Certificates are available for $40. This option allows you to print from your printer an official certificate. They can also be mailed to you via the same SDAT website for the same fee. SDAT Certificate of Status System Link - https://certificate.dat.maryland.gov/pages/default.aspx 4. Current roster of your organization s Board of Directors 5
5. 2-1-1 Maryland United Way Helpline - Program Information Form Electronic Signature 1. I certify that the information contained in this grant application and its attachments are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge: Yes 2. Signature (Type the name of the Executive Director/CEO or other person authorized to submit applications on behalf of your organization) 6