Common Good Funds Orientation Session Fayette Fund Grant Program

Common Good Funds

Orientation Session Fayette Fund Grant Program

• Bullet information here

Mission

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta strengthens our region by

providing quality services to donors and innovative leadership on community

issues.


Philanthropic Framework

Our Philanthropic Framework explains how we intend to have a greater impact on

communities in our region. By connecting donors, nonprofits, community leaders and

others, we will continue to address community needs through philanthropy.


Funding Opportunities

• Nonprofit Effectiveness• Managing for Excellence• Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund• Arts Fund Toolbox• Arts Fund Loan Program• Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund• Neighborhood Fund• Grants to Green• An Extra Wish• Local Funds


Fayette Fund

• Provides a mechanism for local philanthropy

• Founded in 2003

• Local leaders serve as Board of Advisors

• Grant dollars raised locally and matched by The Community Foundation

• Grants independent of the Foundation’s Common Good Funds

• Awarded over $171,000 to local nonprofits


Fayette Fund Advisory Board

• Steve Forsyth – Chair• Becky Aggrey• Fred Brown• Michael Carroll• Edgar E. Chapman• Joel Cowan• Darrell Cutts• Bob Dixon• Virgil Fludd• Jeff Giglio • Hollis Harris• Randy Hayes

• Mike Hofrichter• Gary Laggis• Doug Mitchell• Dawn Oparah• Jim Pace• Brent Scarbrough• Kenneth Steele• Robert Truitt• Vicki Turner• Doug Warner• Ed Wyatt

What to Expect in 2010• Progress towards alignment with Common Good

Funds

• Grants up to $10,000

• Grants spanning 12 months

• Grants for general operating support and program/project support

• Letter of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding

• Different eligibility criteria and activities not eligible for funding

• Shorter timeline and different review process


What is the process?1. Organizations submit Letters of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding

2. The Fayette Fund Advisory Board and Foundation staff reviews all Letters of Intent and invites selected organizations to submit a Final Application

3. Invited organizations submit Final Applications

4. The Fayette Fund Advisory Board and Foundation staff reviews all Final Applications and selects organizations to receive site visits

5. The Fayette Fund Advisory Board and Foundation staff members conduct site visits

6. The Fayette Fund makes funding recommendations

7. Funding recommendations are made to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and grants are awarded

8. Organization receive grant checks at the Grantee Reception

9. Organizations receiving grants will be required to submit an End of Grant report and photos within 12 months of the grants being awarded

Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be located and providing services within Fayette County (all funds from the Fayette Fund grants must be spent within Fayette County);

2. Be classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. code as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, donations to which are deductible as charitable contributions under Section 170 (c)(2) and the I.R.S. determination must be current;

3. Be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a nonprofit;

To apply for a grant, you must…


4. Must have a minimum one-year operating history after receiving its 501(c)(3) classification;

5. Have an annual operating budget of at least $50,000 cash and in-kind contributions are included in this amount);

6. Receive funding from at least three different types of sources such as individuals, foundations, businesses, churches and government but excluding The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Fayette Fund;



7. Have filed their final reports as specified in the grant contract if a former Fayette Fund grant recipient (contact [email protected] with questions);

8. Have a Board of Directors where all members are encouraged to donate cash or financially measureable in-kind contributions each fiscal year;



9. National organizations with a local chapter or affiliates:

Preference will be given to local chapters/affiliates or programs that can demonstrate control over their finances and operations, and those that have a local governing board.



10. Financial requirements: • By 2011, all applying organizations with

annual budgets between $100,000 and $250,000 must have financial statements reviewed by an independent, certified public accountant for the past completed fiscal year. All organizations with annual budgets over $250,000, must have audited financial statements for the past completed fiscal year.

• Prior to 2011, organizations that have these documents are requested to please submit them for review during the Final Application stage of review.


Not Eligible for Funding

1. Tuition and operating expenses for publicly funded schools (K-12), charter schools and institutions of higher learning;

2. Grants to individuals;

3. Debt reduction or purchases or activities that occur prior to grant decisions;

4. Organizations that have not filed end of grant reports for previous Fayette Fund grants;


5. Projects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state and local governments;

6. Fundraising and marketing events;

7. Support for fundraising federations;


8. Projects of a religious nature that require participation in a religious activity as a condition of receiving services;

9. Endowment funds;

10. Capital Campaign contributions (for building construction or renovation) or use of funds to cover capital campaign feasibility studies or campaign implementation expenses. This does not include regular maintenance and capital improvements.


Review TimelineDeadline for Letters of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding

February 12

Fund invites selected organizations to submit a Final Application

Organizations notified by email March 8

Invited organizations submit Final Applications

March 29

Fund selects organizations to receive site visits

Organizations notified by email April 16

Site visits April 26-April 30

Grants are awarded at reception June 10


QUESTIONS&

ANSWERS

Letter Of Intent (LOI)

Organization Name:

Mailing Address:

City: Zip Code: County:

Organization Leader: Title:

Phone: Email:

Board Chair: Phone: Email:

Request Contact:

Phone: Email:

Website: Year 501(c)(3) obtained:

Drop-down menu


Drop-down menus for the top three counties served

Tax ID: * Organization employs at least one staff person?

Organization is registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a nonprofit?

* Does the organization have a current written strategic plan?

* Date of last update:

* Organization has one year of financial statements (audit/review) as appropriate to its budget level as required in the guidelines for submitting a Final Application:

Did the organization file an IRS Form 990 for the previous completed fiscal year?

Counties served by the organization:

* Is the organization involved in advocacy activities?


Total Revenue

Total Expenses

Surplus/(Deficit)

Net Assets/Fund Balance

Current Fiscal

Year To Date

$

$

$

N/A

Last Fiscal Year End

$

$

$

$

Two Years Prior

Fiscal Year End

$

$

$

$

Three Years Prior Fiscal Year End

$

$

$

$

Date on which applicant’s fiscal year ENDS (MM/DD): ___


* Is the organization carrying any debt excluding a mortgage? (loans, accounts payable, lines of credit, etc.):

If yes, what is the total amount of debt carried? $


Funding Request (check one): Program Support or Operational Support

Amount Requested Fiscal Year Budget (Expenses)

*Request as % of Fiscal Year Budget

$ 10,000 $ 100,000 10 %


Describe the mission & summarize the history of the organization (1,500 characters)

Polite Society Association’s mission is to increase the level of cordiality among the members of our communities. Begun in 1991 by a group of local leaders in Somewherenice, GA the initial project was to decrease the level of impolite behavior among elderly members of local faith organizations. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1992, PSA has worked tirelessly to reduce the rash of senior cliques promoting rudeness, to decrease the number of violent verbal outbursts during on-site congregate meals and to introduce new noncompetitive activities during community functions such as fairs, festivals and regularly held programming.


How does the organization serve Fayette County residents? Provide data and information that verifies the need for the organization and its services. (1,000 characters)

Volunteer?


How will this funding strengthen the organization as a whole and its ability to address broader community needs and opportunities? (1,500 characters)

Currently, our funding sources are not as diversified as we would like them to be. Given the state of the economy, we know it is in our best interest to connect with more individual donors. Your funding will help us increase the diversity of our sources of revenue and raise more dollars, which will in turn allow us to offer more programs to the community. Hiring a development director will also give our executive director more time to focus on the strategic direction of our organization.


Specify how the organization knows it is effective and why the Foundation should invest in it. (1,500 characters)

Follow up with congregations shows a 50% reduction in insulting language and impatient behaviors among congregants ages 70-80 after participating in PSA’s workshops. This last year alone, five new congregations have requested our workshops for their senior groups and several youth development organizations have asked to partner with us to develop a program aimed at youth groups. The Foundation should support us because we are the only organization in the metro area doing this kind of work. We enrich the lives of those we serve and build vibrant communities within and among congregations.

Use this space to clarify any of the information provided in the letter of intent. (500 characters)

Limited space for applicants to clarify any information regarding a prior answer.


Authorizing signatures: Typing in your name acts as your signature and acknowledges that you have reviewed the Terms & Conditions associated with submitting a Letter of Intent to the Fayette Fund.

Organization Leader: Date:

Board Chair: Date:



Terms & Conditions for Submitting a Letter of Intent

• The organization and the request meet eligibility guidelines. The applicant has reviewed the Fayette Fund Grant Guidelines and both the organization and the request meet all of the eligibility guidelines. Download the Guidelines at www.cfgreateratlanta.org for more details;

• To be considered applicants must email the Letter of Intent to Apply to [email protected] before noon on the deadline day. Letters of Intent that are received after that time will be declined as late;



• This Letter of Intent is part of an open competition. After reviewing all Letters of Intent, the Fayette Fund Advisory Board and Foundation staff will select applicants for more in-depth review and will invite them to submit Final Applications. The Fayette Fund makes its decision to select a proposal for more in-depth review based on the content of the LOI alone. Do not include any attachments.



• Organizations that are declined may apply again by the next deadline, if they wish. The Foundation does not view applicants that have been declined in any adverse way. If an applicant is declined several times, that organization might contact the Foundation for more detailed feedback.


How will Letters of Intent be evaluated?

The Fayette Fund will look for organizations that:

• Meet all eligibility criteria

• Have a clear vision of the organization’s role in making a difference in the community

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate concepts in an clear and efficient manner

• All fields must contain a response; n/a is not acceptable


How will Letters of Intent be evaluated?

• Overall clarity of application

• Financial information

• Mission and history

• Address needs and services to Fayette County

• Strengthening the organization

• Organization effectiveness


QUESTIONS&

ANSWERS


Final Application

Previous Applications• Geared mostly toward

programmatic funding

• No written questions on organizational governance

New Final Application• General operating or

programmatic/project support

• Questions cover all aspects of an organization/whole enterprise (public will, sources of revenue, management consulting, environmental policy and technology planning)


Final Application

Section 1: Organizational Overview

1.1 Describe the organization’s mission and programs. (1,500 characters)

1.2 How does the organization evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency? How is this information used for planning? (2,000 characters)

1.3 Has the organization used any management consulting services in the last 24 months?


Final ApplicationSection 1: Organizational Overview1.4 Does the organization have a technology plan?

1.5 Does the organization’s have operational policies regarding environmental conservation?

1.6 Describe how the organization develops and maintains partnerships and cooperative relationships with other organizations. Describe the organization’s primary partners and results from partnerships. (2,000 characters)

1.7 Describe the outcomes for the organization’s program activities for the previous fiscal year. (2,000 characters)


Final ApplicationSection 2: Human Resources

2.1 Number of *full-time staff: ; *part-time staff: ; *consultants/contractors: ; volunteers: *Include staff that makes an in-kind contribution of time. Total value of in-kind time donated: $

2.2 Complete the table with information about the full-time and part-time staff (including in-kind) of the entire organization.

StaffFemales Males Total

African American or Black

Asian or Pacific Islander

Latino

White

Other:

Total

2.3 List characteristics important to note about the organization’s staff that are not defined by gender or the races/ethnicities listed above. (250 characters)


Final Application

2.4 Answer these questions for the organization relative to each characteristic.

Organizational practice?

a. Staff orientation and training is provided for every new hire. Yes No

b. Organization has written personnel policies that are distributed to all staff.

Yes No

c. Organization has written job descriptions for each staff position.

Yes No

d. Professional development opportunities are available to staff every year.

Yes No

e. All staff, including the executive director, receives annual written performance reviews that include a personal conference with the supervisor.

Yes No

Section 2: Human Resources


Final Application

Section 3: Mission-Related Activities3.1 Provide data on the population served within Fayette County by the organization in the last completed fiscal year.

Numbers are Actual or Estimated. Source:

Race/Ethnicity & Gender

Female % Male % Total % Age Groups # % of Total

African American or Black

12 55 10 45 22 42 Young Children (0-5)

3 30

Asian or Pacific Islander

28 90 3 10 31 58 Children (6-12) 7 70

Total 40 75

13 25 53 100 Total 10 100

3.2 List characteristics important to note about the population served by the organization that are not defined by gender or the races/ethnicities listed above. (250 characters)


Final Application

Section 3: Mission-Related Activities3.3 Describe how the organization uses volunteers to

support its mission-related activities. (1,000 characters)


Final ApplicationSection 4: Governance

4.1 Answer these questions for the organization relative to each characteristic.

Organizational practice?

c. Board has committees, work groups or task forces with identified leadership.

Yes No

i. Each Board member makes an annual financial and/or in-kind contribution to the organization.

Yes No


Final Application

Section 5: Public Will & Policy

5.1. Does the organization participate as a leader in local community civic activities? If yes, please describe the organization’s role and give examples. (1,000 characters)


Final Application

Section 6: Financial Information6.1 How is the organization adapting to the current economic climate? (1,500 characters)

6.2 Indicate sources of revenue for the last completed fiscal year.

Revenue SourceUnrestricted Temporarily

RestrictedPermanently

RestrictedTotal % of

Total Revenue

Board Members $ $ $ $

Individuals $ $ $ $

Places of worship $ $ $ $

Net Assets Released from Restriction

$ $ $ $

Total $ $ $ $ 100


Final Application

Section 7: What Else?7.1 Use this space to clarify any of the information provided in the final application. (500 characters)

Limited space for applicants to clarify any information regarding a prior answer or attachment.


Final Application

Authorizing signatures: Typing in your name acts as your signature and acknowledges that you have reviewed the Terms & Conditions associated with submitting a Final Application to the Fayette Fund.

Organization Leader: Date:

Board Chair: Date:


Final Application: Attachments 1. Organizational chart showing titles and personnel

2. Current FY operating budget

3. Board Information Form (found on our website)

4. Most recent financial report as presented to the board

5. Summary of current resource development plan

6. Most recent audited or reviewed financial statements as dictated by budget size, 2 years if available (for data collection only; not required until 2011)

7. Annual report (1 copy if available)


How will Final Applications be evaluated?

The Fayette Fund will look for organizations that:

• Dedicate time to evaluate, plan and assess• Offer programs and services that align with their missions• Demonstrate financial stability and the potential for

sustainability• Complete all fields in the application; n/a is not

acceptable• Have an engaged and accountable staff and Board


In Conclusion• Grant seeking is a competitive process and the Fayette Fund

cannot fund every request.

• Letter of Intent deadlines are firm.

• The Letter of Intent is accepted by email only.– Email to [email protected] by noon on the

deadline day (Friday, February 12).

• If you do not receive an acknowledgement email within three business days of submitting your Letter of Intent, call Jasper Tanner (770) 788-2250 or email us at [email protected]. This means we did not receive it.


Program Contact Information

Fayette Fund

(770) 788-2250

[email protected]

Documents

Common Good Funds Orientation Session Fayette Fund Grant Program