SPECIAL INITIATIVE GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

ALERT: The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., because of the economic crisis at hand, the Board has not yet decided on distributions. The Foundation has a responsibility to make sure that we preserve our charitable resources. We understand and have concerns about each and every non-profit organization that is attempting to do more with less. The situation is not good for anyone. We will closely monitor the situation and will hopefully have some better news soon. It is however, not likely that the situation will improve in the short term. Please check the web site for updates. Information about the possibility of a fall distribution will not be available until later this year.

The Montgomery County Foundation will annouce its grant focus and distribution times soon. There are two opportunities for non-profit, 501(c)(3) agencies to apply for a grant as described in the following text.

General Information for Future

Please read the information below with care and in its entirety. Please call the office with questions at 610-313-9836 or e-mail questions to execoffice@mcfoundationinc.org.

In an effort to address the Foundation’s Mission and to achieve maximum impact for its donor’s dollars, the Foundation has refined its grantmaking policies. The Foundation itself has collaborated with public, private and governmental funding sources to support two research projects and is working collaboratively with numerous entities on its Civic Engagement Project and on its InfoLink project. The Foundation places a high priority on collaborative work and the willingness to assist one another to achieve mutually beneficial goals.

The Foundation believes that the focus of strengthening agencies is a continuing priority while at the same time encouraging innovative solutions to community issues. Therefore the Special Initiative grants will address to issues this year. One Technical Assistance/Capacity Building and the other Innovative (with future lasting impact) Solutions.

Focus 1: Capacity Building

Letters of Intent must be limited to 3 pages.

As the Foundation continues to seek to make a strategic impact in the non-profit sector, these grants will be directed toward building the capacity of organizations which will in turn, strengthen the communities they serve.

• These grants will assist in projects that will either strengthen internal management systems through new information technology, budget and accounting systems, and/ or organization assessment and/or…
• It is intended that these grants will assist in improving internal structure through reorganization, merger, and/or developing/planning for a giving program that will focus on establishing a reserve fund for operations.
• It is intended that these grants will enhance organizational stability and make a measurable impact on the ability to provide services.

Focus 2: Innovative Solutions

Letters of Intent must be limited to 3 pages.

The Foundation has an interest in addressing projects that have some history and are innovative in their approach and have the clear potential for long-term impact that is measurable.

• The projects should address a solution that embodies a long-term measurable component, i.e., actually following project recipients for several years beyond the participation in the project.
• The project is most likely already in operation but if it is a new project, the rationale must be clear and compelling. The measurable outcomes must be clear and obtainable.

The due date for the letters of intent is September 15, 2008 no later than 4:00 p.m.

Letters of Intent must be limited to 3 pages.

Both Focus 1 & 2 should address the following items in the Letter of Intent:

It is expected that the applicants will give careful consideration to the organizational issues and the possibility of achieving successful implementation of the grant:

• Type of organization.
• Target population including the ages of persons served.
• Number of unduplicated persons served.
• Description of Project (Capacity Building or Innovative Solution), how the grant will be used to build capacity or how the project is an innovative solution. Why and how will this project build capacity or be an innovative solution?
• Detail your organization’s experience with Capacity Building projects or with this Innovative Solution.
• What other Funding sources are or will be funders of the project?
• What is the measurable impact on the organizational/project stability, effectiveness and the ability to provide services?