COMMUNITY GRANT GUIDELINES
Cycle beginning June 2008
This granting cycle includes a letter of inquiry stage where projects are ranked and then potentially invited to move to the application stage. Download Guidelines
Eligibility
- An agency, as is defined by their 501(c)3 status or departments within government entities, may only apply for funding once per calendar year. Submission of letters of inquiry do not count towards the once per year rule, only application submissions.
- Non-profits or projects within Winona, Houston, Fillmore & Wabasha Counties or within a 15 mile radius into Wisconsin and consistent with Winona Community Foundations goals and priorities.
- Organizations with past due or incomplete WCF community grant report forms are not eligible.
Granting Priorities
WCF accepts community grant inquiries for projects and programs that enhance life in the Winona region in the areas of civic & education issues, health & social services, environment, arts & culture, and general community non-profit accountability and organizational effectiveness.
In the second cycle of 2008 the maximum grant award will be $5,000. This second cycle begins June 2008 a letter of inquiry for projects seeking support. Proposals received through these letters of inquiry are ranked and then possibly invited to move to the application stage.
A matching grant format will be used for this second grant cycle of 2008. This will involve a $1 to $1 match of cash (no in-kind valuation allowed).
Grant inquiries and proposals that contain the following information and ideas are sought for this competitive review process:
- result from clear assessment of needs or identification of emerging needs in our area
- engage sectors of the community in collaborative efforts to meet unforeseen needs
- design a plan that has realistic sustainability options after WCF support has ended
- identify clear and attainable community outcomes that are measurable and lasting
- agree to secure matching funds for the proposed project
WCF Community Grants are not eligible for requests that go towards the following:
- Individuals
- Loans, Debt retirement or debt financing
- Political organizations or campaigns
- Fraternal organizations, societies or orders (501c4)
- Religious purposes
- Endowments
- On-going staff positions
- Capital Campaigns or fund raising event sponsorships
- Organization with past due or incomplete Grant Report Forms are not eligible
Funding will be granted only to private and public nonprofit agencies that are under a 501(c)3 status, have an appropriate fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 status, or a government entity. Churches and religious organizations may apply for support for activities that benefit the larger community, but not for activities that have specific religious purpose.
Review and Evaluation Process
WCF staff encourages questions about the initial inquiry stage and application process. WCF granting process is that a letter of inquiry from all agencies interested in applying for a grant must first be received. The one-page letter of inquiry shall include the following:
- Brief project description & timeline
- Need of the community for the project and brief note on desired outcomes
- Collaborative efforts and/or other funding sources
- Ability and agreement to raise matching funds for proposed project
- Amount requested and total project costs
- Contact info (email, phone, contact person & organization)
The following criteria will be applied in screening initial inquiries:
Need – need of the community for the project/service, as well as the organizational need for assistance to be able to make the project a reality
Collaboration – an assessment of the overall collaborative effort of the project to pool resources with other area organizations/resources to make the program/service a reality
Merit – an overall ranking of the project (e.g. quality, creativity, organizational stability, community impact and reach, etc.)
If successful in the inquiry stage, an agency may be invited to proceed to the application stage. A formal application form will be sent and the following criteria will be used in review of full project applications:
Need – need of the community for the project/service, organizational need for assistance to be able to make the project a reality
Collaboration – an assessment of the overall collaborative effort of the project to pool resources with other area organizations/resources to make the program/service a reality
Merit – an overall ranking of the project (e.g. quality, creativity, organizational stability, community impact and reach, etc.)
Sustainability – the ability of the organization to maintain such a program after initial establishment if applicable, and/or the stability of organization, financially and organizationally to manage and complete the project
Matching Funds – demonstrate that the organization has or will have raised matching funds by September 15, 2008
Each criteria will be ranked from 1-5 for each project, with 5 being the highest. All rankings are averaged and these averages are used in the committee discussion as consideration is given for a project to move to application stage or to be recommended for funding.
*NOTE: WCF Donor advised, agency, field of interest, designated and scholarship funds may be exceptions to any portion of these guidelines* |
