GROWING TOGETHER INITIATIVE GRANT REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Funding equality for our LGBTQI Community GROWING TOGETHER INITIATIVE GRANT REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS 2016 2009 Deadline for Submission: May 13, 2016 The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County 550 Dana Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 543-2323, FAX 543-2346 www.cfsloco.org

GROWING TOGETHER FUND REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County established the Growing Together Fund in 2001, an initiative to address the needs of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) community by providing grants, raising community awareness throughout San Luis Obispo County, and through promoting philanthropy. For 2016, the Growing Together Fund Advisory Committee will consider grant proposals for local needs or projects consistent with the findings identified in the 2014 Growing Together Initiative Community Survey Report. The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County has established the Growing Together Endowment to ensure the ongoing availability of grant funding to address local LGBTQI issues. Future funding levels will vary based on the development of the endowment. Local 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that conduct the majority of their operations in San Luis Obispo County are invited to submit applications, either as a single organization or as part of a collaborative effort. Background The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County provides leadership and encourages charitable giving for the issues that improve and enhance lives in the county. In order to identify the most pressing needs in the LGBTQI community, a Local Advisory Committee was established, and is comprised of a diverse group of local residents. Representatives from local LGBTQI organizations, the faith community, local law enforcement, the county s schools, and concerned community individuals serve on the committee. The goals of the Advisory Committee are: to assess the issues and service needs of the local LGBTQI community in order to determine how best to distribute grant monies; to promote community awareness and education and encourage local groups to better address the needs of the LGBTQI community; to create a permanent endowed fund dedicated to supporting the needs of the LGBTQI community. Through the hard work of the Community Foundation and the Advisory Committee, the Growing Together Fund was able to secure initial matching funds from two prestigious sources, The National Lesbian and Gay Funding Partnership, and The California Endowment. Local donors continue to grow the endowed fund through their generous gifts. Assessing Local Needs Like all community members in SLO County, the local concerns of the LGBTQI community cover a wide array of issues from the social environment to the local economy. In order to identify the most pressing needs and issues specific to the LGBTQI community, the Community Foundation s Advisory Committee developed and conducted a community survey in 2001, 2008 and 2014. In 2014, seven issue areas and eighteen service needs were identified and prioritized by over 730 respondents. The top three priority issues and service needs included, in order of importance:

Issues: Anti-LGBTQI Violence Housing Discrimination Civil Rights/Advocacy Service Needs LGBTQI Supportive Mental Health Services Bullying/Harassment/Discrimination Youth Services The full 65 page report including data tables is available on the Community Foundation website at www.cfsloco.org/reports_and_research.php or by contacting the Community Foundation at (805) 543-2323. Funding Levels Beginning in 2009, the Growing Together Fund Advisory Committee developed three different levels of funding: The first is specifically for youth-led Gay Straight Alliances in San Luis Obispo County and is capped at a total per year funding amount of $500 (separate application). The second is the Community Action Project. This is specifically intended for emerging local needs projects. It is also designed for projects where almost all labor involved is voluntary, and all that is funded is materials, facility fees, and other non-labor costs. The most an organization or individual can request and receive using this application is $1,000 (separate application). The third funding level is for a Growing Together Initiative Grant, which is the application you are reading. The current cap is $3,000 per grant. This level is intended for more established non-profits who can provide a track record of financial stability and consistent community involvement. All applications will be evaluated based on their ability to impact identified needs or priority issues. (See 2014 Community Survey Report) A proportion of annual funding will always support non-hiv LGBTQI issues. Proposals that match or leverage funds will be given preference. Proposals that include a community education component and/or collaborate with other organizations are encouraged. If a project was previously funded through this initiative, one additional year of continuation funding will be considered. General Information for Applicants The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County supports charitable organizations whose programs primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents. An organization must have a current tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)3 to apply. Organizations that do not hold 501(c)3 status may apply in partnership with a qualifying organization as the lead applicant and fiscal agent. The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will follow these basic procedures in relation to grant requests: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will send grant application guidelines upon request.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will screen and fairly review all completed grant applications. The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will notify all agencies of the award decision in a timely manner. Exclusions In general, the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County does not make grants to: Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation*, gender identity*, race or religion. Individuals. Fraternal Organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefiting the entire community. Governmental Organizations. Indirect Administrative costs greater than 15% of the awarded funds; Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walk-a-thons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions or dinners. Organizations with religious affiliations unless the program is open to the entire community without regard to religious beliefs. Organizations and programs designed to elect candidates to public office. Organizations located outside San Luis Obispo County unless for a specific program benefiting residents of-and conducted within-san Luis Obispo County. Pay off past debts or existing obligations. Endowment funds. Scholarships, fellowships, travel grants and technical or specialized research. *The Foundation will not knowingly support organizations whose programs or services are not open to all without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We recognize that organizations may identify special needs in the community and target programs or services to a specific population based on those needs, however the programs must be open to all people in those targeted populations to be eligible for grant consideration. Follow-up and Reporting Requirements Grantee site visits may be conducted by the Program Officer and Foundation Board Members during the term of the grant. All grantees will be required to provide a final report on how the funds were used and the benefits to your organization or the community. Copies of press releases and/or media contacts resulting from the grant award shall be included. A financial report outlining grant expenditures is required. Failure to submit the required report may disqualify the grantee from future funding requests. Application Procedure Please include one original and three copies of the following: 1. Application Cover Sheet 2. Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 5 pages, 1 margins, minimum 12 pt font) that includes:

The problem and what demonstrated need does the project address. If this is a request for continuation of a previously funded project, explain the need for a second year of support from the Foundation. Community Impact Identify which of the issues or service needs identified in the 2014 Community Survey will be addressed by this grant. Program/Project Description/Implementation Strategy Include explanation of project approach, identify strategies and anticipated outcomes, list planned activities, volunteers/staff responsible, including a timeline for activities. Measurable Objectives Outline objectives and outcomes and how they will be measured and evaluated, i.e., Objective: 30 teens will attend a community forum. Outcome: participants will gain the knowledge and skills to reduce discriminatory practices at school. Evaluated by pre-post questionnaires. Organization Capacity and Competency Describe qualifications to successfully complete project both from programmatic and administrative functions. Include mission statement, organizational goals, brief history, programs and population(s) served. Describe how your organization connects its work with other groups in the community. Describe how the funds will be used specifically. How does this funding fit into your overall organizational budget? Address the sustainability of the program beyond Foundation funding. 3. Required Attachments Please include one original and three copies: Line item budget of overall project Identify how Foundation funds will be used, other sources of project funding if any, organizational in-kind (Attachment A). Budget Narrative Justification and explanation of each line item (Attachment B). List of Major Contributors (Attachment C). Please include one copy of the following: Board of Directors List Fiscal Year 2016 Organization Operating Budget Fiscal Year Ending 2015 Financial Statement Organization s Non-Discrimination Policy Application Timeline Application Due May 13, 2016 FAXED or emailed applications will not be accepted. Grant Decision On or around July 8, 2016 Submit one original and three copies of the application with attachments to: Physical Address: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County 550 Dana Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN Luis Obispo COUNTY Growing Together Fund Initiative Grant - Request for Application (RFA) Application Cover Sheet Organization Name: Applicant Information EIN # Address: Contact Person: Street City/State Zip Phone: Fax: E-mail: Grant Request Amount: (maximum of $3,000) Brief Grant Request Description (if applicable, project name): Application Cover Sheet Narrative (maximum 5 pages) Application Checklist Line-Item Grant Request Budget with Budget Narrative Fiscal Year 2016 Organization Operating Budget List of Major Contributors Board of Directors List Non-discrimination policy Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Statement Authorizing Signatures Application must include two signatures: (Exec. Dir. & Board Pres. Or 2 Board Officers) Signature Name Printed Signature Name Printed Title Title Office Use Only

ATTACHMENT A LINE-ITEM GRANT REQUEST BUDGET SAMPLE FORMAT ONLY I. List Project Budget Items-(not limited to those presented) If requesting general operating support, organizational budget will suffice for project budget. PROJECT BUDGET MATCH CFSLOCO GRANT Expenditures Salaries $300 $300 $0 Taxes & Benefits $75 $75 $0 Equipment $1,000 $150 $850 Telephone $50 $50 0 Rent $0 0 0 Office Supplies $50 $50 0 Printing $500 $0 $500 Consultant $1,000 $200 $800 Training $200 $0 $200 Postage $100 $100 0 Mileage $0 0 0 Misc. Supplies $50 $0 $50 Other $0 $0 0 TOTAL BUDGET $3,325.00 $925.00 $2,400.00 MATCH % 39%* *Preference given to higher match proposals. II. List Other Sources of Project Support and Amounts. SAMPLE ONLY INCOME Contracts $ -0- Donations $ 500 Fundraising, i.e.: Events/Campaign $ -0- Grants - List [XYZ Funder or Corporation] $ 300 Program or Membership Fees $ 125 CFSLOCO Grant $ 2,400 Other $ -0- ====== TOTAL ANTICIPATED PROJECT INCOME $ 3,325 III. List in-kind donations and their estimated value, i.e. Volunteer number and hours Donated goods

ATTACHMENT B SAMPLE BUDGET NARRATIVE PERSONNEL (List each job position by title, include monthly salary range, full time equivalent) Project Coordinator $2,000-2,500 50% FTE (Brief description of primary responsibilities) Total Salaries Taxes & Fringe Benefits (List benefits and calculations used to determine cost) Total Personnel OPERATING EXPENSES (List all applicable expenses. Wherever appropriate indicate calculation used to determine cost) Equipment Telephone: estimated @ $40/mo x 12 mos. Rent: $500/mo x 12 mos Office Supplies estimated @ $40/mo x 12 mos. Printing Consultant: State Name and responsibility Training Postage Mileage Misc. Supplies Other Total Operating $ $ $ TOTAL BUDGET

ATTACHMENT C LIST of MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS Please list your major contributors over the last three years and the amount of their contribution. Contributor 2015 Type (Foundation, Corporation, Governmental, Major Donor) Amount 2014 2013