Request for Proposals Community Foundation of Boone County Fatherhood Initiative 2007 Community Foundation of Boone County

(This information is available as a PDF file also: 2007 Community Foundation of Boone County Fatherhood Initiative Request for Proposals - PDF 156K)

Summary: The Community Foundation of Boone County is announcing the continuation of its grant initiative focusing on fatherhood and its impact upon Boone County families, especially the youth of Boone County.

An involved father contributes directly to better school performance, reduced substance abuse, less crime and delinquency, fewer emotional and other behavioral problems, fewer teen pregnancies, less risk of abuse or neglect and lower teen suicide rates. The research is clear. Fathers matter significantly in the lives of their children. There is simply no substitute for the love, involvement and commitment of a responsible father.

The purpose of this initiative remains the same for 2007; "to improve the well being of Boone County's children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible and committed fathers."

Eligibility: Any not-for-profit organization in Boone County having within its mission objectives related to this initiative is eligible to submit a grant application. This includes faith-based and other community organizations, and schools.

See "Mandatory Foundation Consultation," Immediately Below

Mandatory Foundation Consultation: In addition to the above eligibility requirements, an additional 2007 requirement for eligibility is that, prior to proposal preparation and submission, a representative of the submitting organization must contact the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Boone County. Lisa John, Executive Director, may be contacted by calling the Community Foundation at either 317-873-0210 or 765-482-0024.

The purpose of this consultation is to review with the applicant the Foundation's options for making awards in 2007. Options will include: (1) funding a single new proposal; (2) funding the 2006 grantees for a second year; (3) recommending a partnership between a new applicant and a 2006 grantee; and (4) the possibility of making two or more awards.

These 2007 funding options have been made available so as to provide new and creative opportunities for both the applicant and the Foundation. The Foundation desires to invest its funds in the most efficient manner possible, and at the same time fulfill the purpose of its Fatherhood Initiative.

Previous Grantees: Receipt of a 2006 award does not disqualify an organization from submitting a 2007 request. If the new submission is for a previously un-funded project, the regular Fatherhood Initiative guidelines must be followed. **

If the 2007 request is for the continuation of a 2006 funded project, the application must consist of: (1) a brief project summary providing sufficient detail to justify the request, including any changes and the rationale for each change; (2) an accompanying detailed budget and budget justification; and (3) a comprehensive report of progress to date. The project summary may be submitted in a letter format (e.g., a single page), but must not exceed two typed pages. The budget and progress report are to be appended. If questions exist, they should be directed to the Foundation staff.

Proposal Receipt Deadline: There is only one 2007 deadline; 4:00 p.m., June 18, 2007 (the Monday after Father's Day).

Background: The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation has carefully evaluated the needs of our County and is dedicating a significant portion of its annually available grant funds to one specific area of need. Matters related to improving the role of fathers within their families, continues to be the Community Foundation's focus this year.

Program Focus: This funding program is a community-wide initiative. To be "community-wide," a proposed project must give convincing evidence that it addresses the issue of fatherhood throughout at least one entire Boone County community. However, the Foundation will place high priority upon proposals having objectives that pertain to all communities in Boone County, not just one.

Community Partnerships: Partnership projects between or among eligible applicant organizations will also be given high priority. In such cases, a single coordinating organization must serve as the applicant, and if funded, the applicant organization will become the responsible grantee and the administrative head of the funded project. The other participating organizations will be cooperating partners. Such proposals must include documented evidence of agreement to the conditions of the proposals by each partnering organization. Single-organization proposals will receive the same careful review and consideration for funding.

The Foundation Executive Director should be consulted if suggestions for the formation of new partnerships are desired.

The Community Foundation is not prescribing the types of applications it expects to receive nor the projects it will fund. It believes that the experts on the topic of fatherhood reside within numerous organizations throughout Boone County, and that they are in the best positions to prescribe innovative ideas resulting in creative proposals. Thus, the guidelines for this program have been deliberately left rather general so as not to interfere with creative thought. If proposals request funds for the expansion of existing programs, they too will be expected to be the result of careful and creative thought, as well as providing quantitative validation of past success.

Program Duration: The duration of the Fatherhood Initiative will be determined by the Foundation Board.

Award Size: Approximately $100,000 will be available annually. Grant size and amount will vary.

Matching Requirements: No matching funds are required for the 2007 competition. However, matching funds contributed by either the submitting organization, a partnering organization, or by a non-partnering third party or individual (e.g., the federal government, a church, a civic organization, an individual, etc.) are encouraged, and will be viewed as evidence of cooperation. Matching funds may be contributed in the form of actual dollars (that can be documented), or they may be "in-kind" contributions (instead of dollars) if actual dollar values can be established and validated.

Although not required, the availability of matching funds for a proposed project may become a factor in award decisions made by the Foundation.

Number of Awards: One or more grants may be awarded, however, the precise number will be determined by the Foundation Board.

Award Duration: Each award will be for at least twelve months, but may be longer. The actual grant period will be determined by the nature of the project proposed and funded.

A list of local, state and national resources (e.g., a catalogue of existing fatherhood initiatives, relevant data, government publications, federal funding opportunities, faith-based initiatives, etc.) may be accessed on the Foundation's website (www.bccn.boone.in.us/cf).

**Proposal Preparation: Special Fatherhood Initiative guidelines for submitting proposals to the Community Foundation must be followed. These can be found on the Foundation's website (www.bccn.boone.in.us/cf/). NOTE: Previous grantees should consult "Previous Grantee," above.

Proposal Submission: Proposals may be hand-delivered to the Community Foundation of Boone County, 60 East Cedar Street, Zionsville, Indiana, or mailed to the Community Foundation of Boone County, P.O. Box 92, Zionsville, Indiana 46077.

Proposals received after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2007, and those submitted by Fax or via the Internet will not be eligible for competition.

Additional Information and Assistance:

Address inquires to:

The Community Foundation of Boone County

Mailing Address:
PO Box 92
Zionsville, Indiana 46077

Street Address:
60 East Cedar Street
Zionsville Indiana 46077

Voice: 317-873-0210 or 765-482-0024
FAX: 317-873-0219