Apply for Program Support

Before Getting Started
Through our Discretionary Grants Program, we serve to provide funds and challenge grants for innovative, new or ongoing projects of charitable, nonprofit agencies or public charitable activities that fall within the Foundation’s identified grantmaking priorities and that meet local needs.  Please read all of the information on our Discretionary Grants Program page before beginning the process of applying for a grant.

Eligibility
The Foundation welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving the county. Proposals from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need.

Fiscal Sponsors
Proposals submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency's board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity's fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project.

Program Areas Considered for Funding
Please visit our Program Areas page for details about the kinds of projects and programs supported through our Discretionary Grants Program.

Arts and Culture
Community Development
Education
Health
Human Services
Other Civic Endeavors, such as the Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development

Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding
Religious organizations for religious purposes
Political parties or campaigns
Endowment creation or debt reduction
Operating costs
Capital campaigns
Annual appeals or membership contributions
Travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes

Required Documents for Submitting a Proposal for Program Support

Cover Sheet (see "Online Forms" below)

Narrative Addressing the Following (two to four pages):

Project Summary

Describe your project and the community need being addressed.

How is this project relative to your organization's mission?

What are the project goals and the expected impact on the community?

What population will the project serve?

Funding

What is the total cost of the project?

What amount is requested from the Foundation? If the full amount of your request for funding cannot be granted, what portion of your request do you consider to be most essential?

How will requested funds be used?

What additional funding sources are needed?

Implementation

How will the project be implemented?

What provisions exist to maintain the completed project?

Chart the timeline for implementing the project.

Evaluation

What outputs (direct results of activities) are necessary to classify the project a success (e.g. training completed, credentials awarded, skills obtained, etc.)?

What outcomes (changes caused by the project) are necessary to classify the project a success (e.g. jobs, wage increases, promotions, etc.)?

What tools will be used to evaluate the project (observation, surveys, interviews, focus groups, pre/post tests, etc.)?

Supporting Documents
The following documents are to be attached to the Cover Sheet and Narrative described above. It is important to provide ALL requested attachments and that they be labeled in the following manner:

Attachment 1: Project Budget Worksheet (see "Online Forms" below)

Attachment 2: Mission statement and nondiscrimination policy

Attachment 3: Statement of qualifications of project personnel

Attachment 4: Current board roster with professional affiliations

Attachment 5: Copy of IRS determination letter establishing 501(c)(3) and 509(a) status (and fiscal sponsor agreement letter, if applicable)

Attachment 6: Organization's current annual operating budget

Attachment 7: Most recent financial statement (monthly, quarterly, etc.)

Attachment 8: Most recent audited financial statement or completed IRS Form 990 (if available)

Online Forms
The Cover Sheet Form and the Project Budget Worksheet Form are provided below. These forms are designed to be completed on-screen and then printed (they cannot be submitted on-line and they cannot be saved for retrieval at a later time). You must have Adobe Reader to access these files (Adobe Reader is free and can be downloaded at www.adobe.com/downloads).

Cover Sheet Form
Project Budget Worksheet Form

Deadline and Submission Instructions
The original and six copies of the proposal must be postmarked or delivered to the Foundation office no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2010. Use 8½ by 11 inch paper. Attach all required documents using paperclips or binderclips only (no binders or folders).