Fatherhood Initiative 2007 Guidelines for Proposal Preparation and Submission* Community Foundation of Boone County

April 2007

(This information is available as a PDF file also: 2007 Guidelines for Proposal Preparation and Submission - PDF 80K.)

Eligibility

Awards will be made to nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, located in Boone County and that serve an exempt purpose under section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Award Size

Up to approximately $100,000

Restrictions and Conditions

1. Award funds will be made for a twelve-month period, beginning on the date of the award letter. Receipt of an award does not disqualify a grantee from re-applying for a continuation grant the following year.
2. Applications will be accepted from religious organizations that address specific needs not directly related to the promotion or teaching of doctrine.
3. Awards will be made without discrimination as it pertains to age, race, religion, sex, disability or national origin and only to eligible recipients, which do not unlawfully discriminate on these same criteria.
4. Non-allowable expenses include "indirect" or regular administrative service charges of the applicant organization, alcohol, international travel, first-class air fare, luxury accommodations, and hospitality for purposes other than those directly meeting needs as defined in the proposal.
5. Awards will be made with the understanding that the Foundation assumes no obligation or commitment to provide additional support to the applicant.

Application Receipt Deadline

Deadline: 4:00 PM, Monday, June 18, 2007

Acknowledgment of Receipt

If acknowledgment of receipt of a mailed application is desired, the application should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped post card. The post card will be mailed by the Foundation upon receipt of the application.

Notification of Action

Award or denial letters will be mailed within approximately six weeks following the receipt date deadline. Inquiries regarding the review progress of a pending application are not encouraged. Applicant organizations will be notified of circumstances that may delay the Foundation's response.

Application Procedures

1. Each application must be signed by an authorizing official, usually the chief executive officer, of the submitting organization. The person signing the application must have authority to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the applicant organization.
2. The copy to which the original inked signature is affixed by the authorized official, plus 6 additional copies of the application (total of 7 copies) are to be submitted.
3. Applications should be mailed to the Community Foundation of Boone County, P. O. Box 92, Zionsville, IN 46077, or hand-delivered to the Foundation office at 60 East Cedar Street, Zionsville.
4. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Application Format

Applications must be submitted according to the following guidelines:

1. Ten pages maximum, including budget and appendices.
2. Single-spaced with a minimum font size of 12.
3. Legibly typed or printed.
4. Appendixes should include: (1) IRS tax-free status documentation; (2) governing board roster; (3) other documentation considered vital to Foundation reviewers (e.g., applicant organization's most recent annual financial statement.)
5. The first page or cover sheet should present the following information only: (1) Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if available) of applicant organization; (2) total cost of the project; (3) dollar amount requested from the Community Foundation of Boone County; (4) dollar amount(s) requested, or to be requested, of other funding source(s) for the same project and identification of the source(s); (5) dollar amount of applicant organization contribution (if any); (6) signature of chief executive officer or other authorized official.
6. Fasten proposal together with one staple in the upper left hand corner. Do not enclose the proposal in a folder or binder.

Application Content

The proposal narrative should include the following, addressing each issue briefly and succinctly.

1. ABSTRACT OR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
   Use only one paragraph to provide a clear overview of the request including its intended outcomes.
2. DESCRIPTION OF SUBMITTING ORGANIZATION
   Include in a one-half page statement, the organization's purpose, history, administrative structure pertinent to the request, experience in administering grants and other relevant information. Include names and addresses of the governing board, and the IRS Determination letter in an appendix.
3. DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERING/COOPERATING ORGANIZATION(S) (if any)
   Include a brief one-paragraph description and intended contribution of each.
4. ASPECT OF FATHERHOOD TO BE ADDRESSED
   Precisely define the issues. This should be a lucid analysis leaving no doubt of this project's specific focus. Include documentation in an appendix as appropriate.
5. OBJECTIVES
   Present only a numbered list of products or outcomes that will be the direct result of the expenditure of the funds requested. This should not be a description of activities that will take place during the life of the award, but a projection of what will have been the product(s) resulting from the expenditure of funds.
6. PROPOSED SOLUTION
   This should be an explicit description that clearly describes the procedures to be implemented with the funds requested. No question should remain as to the applicant organization's ability to contribute to the solution of the problem or need. Include a fundraising plan if applicable. Also include specific contributions to be made by partnering organizations (if applicable).
7. STAFF
   Key responsible personnel and their qualifications should be identified.
8. FACILITIES (if appropriate)
   Describe the suitability and/or shortcomings of the facilities to be used.
9. EVALUATION
   Present a plan that clearly describes how you will know that the program has been successful. It should include a description of how the results of the evaluation will be incorporated into the program in the future. The evidence produced should be quantitative and suitable for inclusion in a final report to the Foundation.
10. BUDGET
    Double space between major divisions (e.g., testing materials, equipment, consultants, etc.); single space between line items in each division. Number each budget line at left.
11. BUDGET EXPLANATION
    Explain the origin of the dollar amount in each line item unless it is obvious from the budget itself. Include only the line items needing explanation, numbering each with the same number of the line in the budget that is being explained. (This should not be an explanation of why the item is needed.)
12. SUSTAINABILITY
    It is an expectation of the Community Foundation that funding of Fatherhood Initiative projects will assist in the establishment of permanent programs. Include a plan that describes how the applicant organization intends to sustain the program after the funding period has ended. Include actual dollar estimates and the sources of the dollars, clearly illustrating how the plan will be funded in future years.
13. APPENDICES
    Include only relevant information essential to the Foundation's decision-making process.

NOTE: If partnering/cooperating organizations are involved, the proposal must include, in an appendix, a document that has been signed by an authorizing official of the partnering cooperating organization, which identifies the role of the organization. Ideally, this statement will be submitted on the letterhead of the partnering/cooperating organization.

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

*Consult the 2007 Fatherhood Initiative RFP for general information about the intent of this funding opportunity. The RFP can be found at the Community Foundation of Boone County Web site, www.bccn.boone.in.us/cf.