GRANTS PROGRAM: 2010 Guidelines and Procedures
Community Grants
- Community Grants: Three $10,000 grants and four $5,000 grants
These grants are intended to strengthen organizations so they can better meet strategic goals and long term objectives. Examples include activities that improve effectiveness through technology, staff training and development, technical assistance, improved financial systems, a strategic partnership or collaboration with another organization, diversifying or developing new funding sources and strategic planning. - Community Mini-Grants: Seven $1,000 grants This a flexible small grant program which provides funding for a specific project anticipating a wide range of unique community development needs. Mini-grant applicants only need to complete step one of this process.
Field of Interest Grants
- Water Resources Initiative: Three $4,500 grants
We welcome proposals from nonprofit organizations that include a broad range of water-related projects involving biological conservation, habitat restoration and community-based clean-ups. - Leclair Elder Services: One $2,300 grant
We welcome proposals from nonprofit organizations that serve elderly people in our service area.
HOW TO APPLY
There are two steps to the application process; both use the Associated Grant Makers' (AGM) Common Proposal Forms. (http://www.agmconnect.org/cpf/).
Step One - Concept Paper and Cover Sheet
Please email to Janinne@glcfoundation.org by the end of the day, Friday, July 23, 2010:
- Concept Paper and Cover Sheet as a word document. The Concept Paper should follow the AGM guidelines. For the third item on the Concept Paper please identify the intended outcomes that will be produced as a result of the funding.
- Proof of nonprofit status: public agency certification or IRS 501(c)(3) tax determination letter as a PDF document. Organizations who do not yet have 501(c)(3) approval will need an organization with 501(c)(3) status that is willing to serve as a fiscal agent.
- Applicants must be located in, or provide service in Lowell or one of the following communities: Andover, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Methuen, Pepperell, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Shirley, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Westford and Wilmington
- Organizations that received a Foundation Grant or a Community Grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation in 2009 will not be eligible for a community grant in 2010.
Step Two - Full Proposal
Concept Papers will be reviewed by the Distribution Committee and a limited number of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. We will notify all organizations by August 13, 2010, about whether they were selected to submit a full proposal or not.
Organizations invited to step two, are asked to email their full proposals and supporting documents to both to Janinne@glcfoundation.org and Jocelyn@glcfoundation.org by the end of the day Friday, September 10, 2010:
- A Full Proposal and Budget using AGM’s forms as a word document.
- The organization’s most recent financial statements as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and IRS Form 990/990EZ as a PDF document.
- Certification that your organization endorses the GLCF policy of non-discrimination as a PDF document. Download non-discrimination document
Staff interviews or site visits may be requested to supplement the Full Proposal. The GLCF Distribution Committee will then present its recommendations to the GLCF Board of Directors by the end of September 2010. Grant notification and contracts will be mailed within one week of board approvals. Recognition of grantees and checks will be presented at GLCF’s annual Celebrate Giving Event! Funds awarded are restricted for the proposal submitted. GLCF staff will conduct a post grant evaluation with all grantees so that we may learn from our grantmaking process.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR LOWELL AND LAWRENCE ORGANIZATIONS
If you are a Lowell or Lawrence nonprofit, please consider contacting the Jericho Road Project to determine whether Jericho Road can support your project with a pro-bono consultant or other assistance. The Jericho Road Project bridges communities by matching the professional talents of volunteers with the needs of community based non-profit organizations and businesses to promote community development, strengthen social services, and enrich the lives of volunteers. Their general telephone: 781-775-3480.
