GUIDELINES FOR GRANT SEEKERS
The Ottawa County Community Foundation, Inc is a public charitable organization created by the citizens of the county to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in Ottawa County. The Foundation serves to provide for the enrichment of the quality of life in the Ottawa County community by developing a permanent endowment to assess and respond to the changing community needs and by serving as a charitable mechanism for donors at all levels of charitable giving. Grants from unrestricted funds support a variety of programs in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environments, natural resources and the arts.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an organization must provide services to residents of Ottawa County. Grants will only be awarded to tax-exempt organizations classified as 501 (c) (3) charities by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If a program does not have a tax-exempt ruling from the IRS you may still apply for a grant if you have a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor.
Restrictions
The Foundation usually will not make grants from its unrestricted funds to:
§ support the general operating budget of established organizations
§ annual campaigns
§ capital campaigns
§ tickets for benefits and telephone solicitations
§ support sectarian activities of religious organizations
Grant Application Process
The Foundation considers grant requests annually. The deadline for receipt of applications to the Foundation is March 15 of the current year. Applications must be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service, addressed to:
Ottawa County Community Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 36
Port Clinton Ohio 43452
Proposal deadline March 15.
PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete applications, faxed applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
All grant applications are carefully reviewed by a committee appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees meets approximately 3 1/2 months subsequent to the deadline date to make funding decisions based on the recommendations of the review committee. Applicant organizations are notified, in writing, of approval/denial of funding requests within one week after the Board of Trustees takes action. Project expenses incurred by an applicant organization prior to notification cannot be paid by the Foundation.
Contents of a Proposal
The written proposal should be in narrative form and limited to six typewritten pages. Please do not bind the proposal. (Paper clip or staple in the upper left hand corner) Please submit two copies of the proposal. The following information must be included in all proposals:
1. Purpose and need – state the goals and object of the project. Identify the problems or needs which will be addressed. Identify the population that will benefit from this project or program.
2. Implementation – Summarize the plans and time frame for implementation of this project. Identify the individual(s) who will be responsible for overseeing the program and briefly describe their qualifications.
3. Evaluation – State the criteria and procedure that will be used to evaluate the success of the proposed program. Relate this evaluation to the stated goals and objectives.
4. Budget information – Provide a one-page project budget which includes the following information: projected income and expenses; all sources of program funding (both solicited and received); and the period (beginning and ending dates) for which funds are being requested.
5. Future support – Identify plans for securing ongoing operational support for this project once Foundation funds are expended. Include anticipated future financial needs of the program, potential sources of funding, etc.
6. Completed Application Summary Form (attached).
7. If using the downloaded Summary Form, note that it is in Microsoft Word format. When filling out the form, delete any extra line spaces, so that the form does not exceed its original one page length.
Attachments
The following must be included with all proposals:
1. A one-page cover letter summarizing the proposed project and which includes the name, address and telephone number of the requesting organization; the person to contact regarding the proposals; and the dollar amount requested.
2. The names and affiliations of the applicant organization’s Board of Trustees.
3. Brief background/history of the requesting organization, including when and how the organization was established; its mission/purpose; accomplishments to date; a listing of current programs and services and any previous funding from the Ottawa County Community Foundation.
4. Upon request, the applicant shall make available, the organization’s most recent audit. If audited financial statements are not available the unaudited income and expense statement and balance sheets must be provided.
5. The organization’s current operating budget.
6. Copy of the applicant’s tax exemption letter from the Internal Revenue Service.
Grant Review Criteria
The Ottawa County Community Foundation will place priority consideration on proposals that:
§ Encourage more efficient use of community resources.
§ Promote coordination, cooperation and sharing among organizations and the elimination of duplicated services.
§ Preserve the area’s heritage and contribute to the quality of life.
§ Demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems.
§ Focus on the prevention of problems rather than the cure.
§ Represent an unduplicated opportunity and meet a significant community need.
§ Propose a specific program rather than general operating support for the organization.
§ Propose to strengthen non-profit organizations by improving internal management and system.
§ Propose to generate matching funds, thus leveraging additional support.
§ Would have a long-lasting positive effect on residents of the county, compatible with the Foundation’s motto “Doing Good. Forever.”
For additional information, please write:
Ottawa County Community Foundation
P.O. Box 36Port Clinton, OH 43452-0036
Telephone: 419-797-4293
11/18/10
GUIDELINES FOR GRANT SEEKERS (printable version)
Complete the Application Summary Form (below). Do not alter it in any way and keep to 1 page. Print and attach a completed copy to your grant proposal.