Request for Proposals- Grant Cycle Fall ’11
Grant Summary
Types of Grants. The Legacy Fund seeks to provide financial resources to organizations that celebrate diversity and dignity, justice, and promote tolerance and compassion. Of special interest in 2011 are programs or projects which deal with the unique challenges of the aging GLBT communities. We are interested in programs or processes that, in the long-term, will meaningfully impact the quality of life for aging GLBT citizens and their families in the Central Ohio Area. Additionally, we would be interested in research projects that inform the community about the unique needs of the aging GLBT communities. The Fund will look favorably upon grants from organizations which can procure matching funds to increase the impact of the award.
Amount of Grants. The Advisory Board of the Legacy Fund has set as policy that it will in 2011 distribute in grants a minimum of 5 percent of its fund balance as of December 31, 2010, in addition to any funds which are donor-restricted to be immediately paid out as grants. It is anticipated, therefore, that the total amount available for 2011 grants will be approximately $17,500. Potential grantees should keep this in mind when making grant requests. Please note that the Advisory Board intends in future years to increase the amount of grant funds available, commensurate with the growth of the Legacy Fund endowment.
Request for Proposals
The Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation requests proposals from eligible organizations for grants, as set forth below.
The Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation is a unique endowment fund created by and for the central Ohio Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender (GLBT) community. With the advice of trusted community leaders, The Legacy Fund:
•makes strategic investments (grants) to help new and existing organizations become financially sustainable and achieve programmatic excellence ;
•provides technical support to develop strong community leadership and strengthen our institutions; and
•Ensures through permanent, planned gifts that the GLBT community can face any challenges—now and for generations to come.
Grant Eligibility. To be eligible for a Legacy Fund grant, an organization must:
- Be designated a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or have an appropriate fiscal agent which has been designated a qualified 501(c)(3) organization;
- Have a written and published policy prohibiting discrimination in employment, access, and programs on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, age, marital status, or veteran status;
- Have appropriate processes and procedures for organizational and fiscal accountability;
- Engage/propose to engage in programs or services which assist or otherwise positively affect GLBT persons and the GLBT community; and
- Meet any other qualifications specified in the attached Guidelines.
Applying for a Legacy Fund Grant. Applications for a grant under this Request for Proposals must be made with a Letter of Intent, signed by the organization’s board president and (if applicable) its chief executive. The Letter should include the following information:
- Name of organization, along with address, telephone number, and (if applicable) Web site address;
- Name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of primary contact person;
- Name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of board president and (if applicable) chief executive;
- Name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of project manager;
- A brief statement of the organization’s mission, history, and description of services;
- A detailed description of and rationale for the project or program for which grant funds are requested;
- The amount of grant funds being requested;
- The total budget of the organization;
- An outline of the budget for the specific project;
- A list of other anticipated sources of funding for the project;
- A statement describing what will happen to the project if The Legacy Fund declines to award a grant, or if it awards a grant which is less than the requested amount.
- If the organization has not previously applied for a Legacy Fund grant, please provide a copy of the organization’s governance document and any ethics policies, such as those regarding conflicts of interest.
- If the organization has not previously applied for a Legacy Fund grant, please provide a copy of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, or a letter from the organization’s 501(c)(3) fiscal agent confirming that it will serve as fiscal agent for this project.
Finalists for grants may be asked to provide additional documentation after review of the initial grant application letter.
Letters of Intent must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2011. Applications which are received after that date will not be considered for grant funding.
Letters of intent should be e-mailed to:
The Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation
Steven Moore
Fax and mailed proposals will not be accepted.
Grantmaking process. Letters of Proposal will be reviewed by the Legacy Fund Grants Committee. Finalists selected by the committee will be asked to provide additional documentation as needed. Grants Committee recommendations will be made to the Legacy Fund Advisory Board, which will make the final decisions regarding the award of grants. Awards will then be forwarded to The Columbus Foundation for final approval and processing. It is expected that grant awards will be announced no later than December 13, 2011.
Grant awards are made within the sole discretion of the Legacy Fund Advisory Board and its committees. The Legacy Fund is a donor advised fund of The Columbus Foundation. As such, it is subject to all rules and regulations of The Columbus Foundation, and all Legacy Fund grantees are similarly subject to those rules and regulations with respect to these grants. Grant funds may only be used for purposes consistent with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Questions and Assistance. Questions and requests for consultation in preparing grant proposals should be addressed to Leslie M. Fine, Board member, the Legacy Fund, e-mail: fine_5@fisher.osu.edu.
Grant Guidelines. The following Guidelines have been adopted by The Legacy Fund Advisory Board and are incorporated into this Request for Proposals.
Guidelines for Grant Submission and Award Criteria 2011
Mission:
The Legacy Fund is the first and only long-term endowment fund created to safeguard and improve the quality ofCentral Ohio’s GLBT community. Through the investment of financial assets from charitable donations and planned giving opportunities, The Legacy Fund is able to provide the support and resources for grant-making dedicated to strengthening nonprofit organizations that work for the community’s benefit.
Guiding Principle:
The Legacy Fund is dedicated to supporting programs and nonprofit organizations, which recognize that members of the GLBT community deserve to be welcomed and celebrated. Organizations supported by The Legacy Fund illuminate the presence and contributions of people in the GLBT community and the issues that confront them.
Grant Making Priorities:
At this stage in the history of The Legacy Fund, emphasis will be placed on funding special projects. In future years, grants may be considered for operating expenses and capital campaigns.
Grant Eligibility:
The Legacy Fund seeks to provide financial resources to organizations that celebrate diversity and dignity, invest in youth and justice, and promote tolerance and compassion.
Of special interest in 2011 are programs or projects which deal with the unique challenges of the aging GLBT communities. We are interested in programs or processes that, in the long-term, will meaningfully impact the quality of life for aging GLBT citizens and their families in the Central Ohio Area. Additionally, we would be interested in research projects that inform the community about the unique needs of the aging GLBT communities. The Fund will look favorably upon grants from organizations which can procure matching funds to increase the impact of the award.
The Legacy Fund will make grants available to 501(c)(3) organizations, in Franklin and its contiguous counties of Licking,Madison,Fairfield,Delaware, Pickaway, andUnion.
Grant making will generally be considered for only one year and organizations will generally not receive repetitive yearly funding for the same project.
We encourage collaboration between two or more organizations in the submission of grants.
Use of Funds
Funds must be used to execute the project as outlined in the proposal. Funds may not be used for political campaigns, or to promote the election of candidates for public office or promote specific religious beliefs. The Legacy Fund generally will not fund endowment campaigns but may provide technical support in setting up endowment funds within The Legacy Fund structure. The Legacy Fund may retain a reserve in its annual grants allocation for emergency or special needs; agencies in need of such funds should check with the Administrative Program Officer to determine their availability. The Legacy Fund will always respect the wishes of a donor.
Review Process:
Applicants will submit a one-page letter of intent, describing the project, its intended outcomes, process of evaluating its success, agencies involved and amount requested. A subcommittee of The Legacy Fund will review the document and request a meeting with representatives of the program. Based on this meeting, the subcommittee will either request a full proposal or indicate the project does not fit within the Funds guidelines. At any point in this review process, the subcommittee may involve other board members and or members of the larger community to participate in the review process. The subcommittee will then make a recommendation to the full board for approval. Any board member having a current interest in the applicant may participate in the discussion but may not vote on the awarding of the grant.
Dates and Deadlines:
For the Fall 2011 grant cycle, The Legacy Fund will announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) by October 10, 2011. Letters of intent will be due no later than5:00 p.m.November 7, 2011. Selection and notification of awards will be made no later than December 13, 2011.
How to apply:
Applications may be made by e-mail only to:
The Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation
Steven Moore
Fax and mailed proposals will not be accepted.
Applications need to be received by 5 p.m. on the deadline dates noted above.
Criteria:
The Legacy Fund will use the following questions when reviewing applications:
*Is the proposal complete including all attachments required?
*Does the application promote collaboration between providers?
*Are the goals and objectives clear?
*Is the evaluation process clear and concise?
*Is the budget projection realistic?
*Is the proposal consistent with the Legacy Fund’s priorities?
*Does the submitting organization have the financial and community stability to successfully implement the project?
*Does the submitting organization have a governance structure which provides for appropriate levels of accountability to the organization’s constituents, its staff, its board, its funders, and the community?
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