Municipal Law Q&A Test your knowledge of municipal practices and procedures with the questions and answers below. Click here to submit a question to Ancel Glink.
Municipal Q&A - December 2005
Are Local Governments Eligible
For Grants From Private Foundations?
ANSWER:
During times of fiscal constraints, local governments must be creative in pursuing funding alternatives. There are literally hundreds of financial assistance programs available to municipalities providing grant opportunities for such varied purposes as youth and community development, the environment, housing, police and fire protection and the arts. The trick is to find a grant that can become a viable source of revenue for one of your programs. The publication Grants for Cities and Towns Hotline, is a great resource for narrowing down and identifying grant opportunities. Please let us know if you would like to know how to subscribe. In the meantime, we've compiled the following examples of the various funding sources highlighted in the publication that local governments can potentially tap into:
1. The Pew Charitable Trusts provides information, policy solutions and support for civic life. Based in Philadelphia, with an office in Washington, D.C., the Pew Trusts make investments to provide organizations and citizens with fact-based research and practical solutions for challenging issues. In 2003, the Trust committed over $143 million to 151 nonprofit organizations.
Most grants average $300,000, with smaller grants distributed for those projects that are focused on community-based and direct-service organizations. Grants are awarded in eight priority areas, including civil engagement for purposes of increasing youth involvement in American civic life; early education to provide access to high quality early education for children; higher education to boost access, affordability and completion at colleges and universities and religion and public life to strengthen American democracy by enhancing public understanding of religion's role in civic affairs.
Grants are available to non-profit tax exempt organizations, including local governments and schools. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time and only those that are reviewed favorably will be invited to submit full applications. The Board meets annually in March, June, September and December to review inquiries and proposals. Grant guidelines, frequently, asked questions and application procedure can be found on the Pew Charitable Trust website at www.pewtrusts.org.
2. The Home Depot Foundation awards grants to help local law enforcement agencies to boost youth violence prevention programs. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 and are awarded to nonprofits working with at-risk youth in communities where company facilities are located. Home Depot will also offer employee volunteer assistance and material donations as support. Annual deadlines are July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15. For more information, visit the Home Depot Foundation website at www.homedepotfoundation.org.
3. Like the Home Depot Foundation, Lowes Home Improvement Stores provide grant support to communities where the company operates stores and distributions centers. Lowes donates more than $2 million annually to support community and public school improvement projects. Foundation focus areas include park and neighborhood beautification and clean up, neighborhood revitalization, playground enhancement, school landscaping and painting, and creation of outdoor learning environments such as educational gardening programs. Applications are accepted on line only and the deadlines for grant applications are July 15, October 15, January 15 and April 15 of each year. Visit Lowes' website for more details at www.lowes.com/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/Community.
4. General Motors distributes grants through its Community Involvement Office and GM Foundation. Funding is provides to projects focusing on arts and culture, community relations, education, environment and energy, health and public policy. Funding amounts vary. Preliminary grant requests must be submitted on line and are accepted on an ongoing basis. To submit a preliminary application and review grant guidelines. Visit http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/community/guidelines/instructions.html for instructions.
5. The Ruddie Memorial Youth Foundation (RMYF) awards grants to nonprofits that develop innovative programs for underprivileged children. RMYF funds programs that promote scholastic, athletic, or other types of excellence in young people up to age 25. Grants are also offered to support programs that provide youth with new opportunities for success in the United States and abroad, and are replicable, innovative programs. The key is innovation as RMYF will not fund programs that are not novel. Grants range from $5.000 to $15.000. Applications must be submitted no later than August 15, 2004 and are available on line. More information is available on the RMYF website at www.rmyf.org/aboutus.cfm.
6. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund supports organizations working to expand knowledge, clarify values and critical choices, nurture creative expression, and shape public policy. Grants are awarded for purposes of leadership development, strengthening institutions, engaging citizens, improving community life, and encouraging collaboration between government, business and civil society. Most awards average between $25,000 to $300,000. Grants are provided for activities such as projects working to promote civic engagement and effective governance, and peace and security projects promoting responsible U.S. global engagement between Muslim and Western societies. To apply for a grant, applicants must submit a letter to the foundation outlining the project description and alignment with project goals. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Additional information can be found at www.rbf.org/programs/index.html.
7. Barnes & Noble bookstores provide local and regional donations in communities where stores are located. Grant applicants must show a connection to literacy, arts, or K-12 education; plan to promote the program with Barnes &Noble; and be willing to work with the local store or in-store programming. Proposals can he submitted at any time to a local community relations or store manager. Funding varies by request and funding availability. There is no deadline for submitting applications. Visit the Barnes & Noble website for more information at www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/sponsorship/Sponsorship_main.html.
Once a particular grant has been identified as a likely opportunity, there are a number of strategies that can be incorporated in writing a successful grant proposal. First and foremost, you must provide a strategic plan for what you will do with the grant money. You must understand how to best structure your goals. Also, be familiar with the specific guidelines provided by the funding source. Many requests for proposals impose strict requirements as to application length. Get the specific information from the local government agency or department making the request and make sure everything that the agency or department is asking for is included in the proposal. This will require ongoing conversation with the particular agency or department head. Also, know that successful grant applications are persuasive without being wordy and overwrought with historical background of a program or project.
Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, P.C. can provide assistance in identifying and applying to state, federal, and corporate grant programs.
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