How do I recommend a grant from the fund I established?
Complete a copy of the attached form or send a letter with your recommendations to GCRCF. We accept recommendations year-round and there are no deadlines.
How quickly are grants processed?
As soon as we receive your written recommendation for a grant, we will verify that the balance in the fund you advise is adequate. If additional funds are necessary, you will be notified. Organizations in good standing with GCRCF will be notified immediately of the award and sent a Grant Agreement form to sign. If the organization has not been funded before, or if it has overdue reports, your recommendation will go before the next Executive Committee or Board meeting before the next step is taken. Agencies will not receive funding from GCRCF until overdue reports are submitted.
When will the check be mailed?
Usually within 48 hours of our receipt of the signed Grant Agreement form from the organization.
Is there a minimum grant amount?
Yes. The minimum grant amount is $250.
May I recommend grants to agencies located outside of the United States?
Because grants made to foreign agencies are currently under a great deal of government scrutiny, these recommendations will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Is my church eligible to receive a grant?
Yes. However, certain business activities run by your church (day care, etc.) may not be eligible.
What kind of grants cannot normally be made from the donor-advised fund I established at The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation?
Agencies based outside of the U.S., private foundations, and agencies not recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS require review to determine whether grants can be made from The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation donor-advised funds. Grants are not normally made to individuals. Pre-existing commitments cannot be assumed by GCRCF. Donors also may not receive tangible benefits from a grant. These include items such as meals, concert tickets, golf tournament entries, or museum membership benefits. Contact the Director of Programs for policies related to sponsorships that provide tangible benefits.
How are grants for scholarships administered?
Additional information is available separately for procedures on scholarships.
Can a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation be used to pay a pledge made before the fund was established?
No. When you make a contribution to a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation you are entitled to take the full amount as a tax deduction. You receive this deduction because you have made a gift with no “material restrictions.” This means the Community Foundation cannot take over a donor’s liabilities. Therefore, a donor may not use grants from a donor-advised fund to satisfy a previously committed personal pledge made to a charity.
How can I learn about other opportunities for grantmaking?
If you wish, we will send you a digest of all applications that are made to the general endowment fund. We compile and review these requests three times a year. The digest will give you a broad picture of community need, and you may recommend a grant from the fund you established.
I received an acknowledgment of my grant from the agency. Does that mean I can take an additional deduction on my income taxes?
No. Your income tax deduction was earned through the contribution(s) to the donor-advised fund you established. The acknowledgment of your contribution from GCRCF is your receipt to be filed with your tax returns. Acknowledgments from the agencies are sent to let you know that a grant was received and appreciated.
Can I recommend grants anonymously?
Yes. The agency will be notified that a donor who prefers to remain anonymous recommended the grant, and the agency will be advised to acknowledge receipt to GCRCF. If you wish, the recommendation will be approved anonymously. We will then forward the acknowledgement to you.
Is there a process whereby I can recommend one grant to be paid out over several years?
Yes. You may make a request for a grant to be paid in recommended intervals from the fund you established. The Board will review the entire amount of the grant at the time the grant is recommended, and upon Board approval the amount of the entire grant will be reserved in the fund you established. Grant checks will be issued at the intervals you recommended.
You may also choose to donate only the portion of the grant that is currently due. GCRCF will alert the grantee of that amount and will indicate that further payments will be made pending receipt of the necessary funds by GCRCF.
Is there a process whereby I can recommend grants to be paid at specific intervals (e.g. annually) for an indefinite period of time?
Yes. You may request that a certain sum or percentage of the fund you established be paid to specified agencies on a regular basis. Each payment will be reviewed by the Board. Upon Board approval, the grants will be paid.
Are the agencies researched prior to grants being processed?
Yes. We make sure agencies qualify as an IRS section 501(c)(3) organization and that the purpose of the grant is consistent with the Community Foundation’s charitable purposes. We also maintain information files on agencies that have received GCRCF grants, and we follow up to see that the grant was used as intended.
Can I phone in grant recommendations?
We strongly recommend you do not do so. If you choose to make a verbal grant recommendation, a confirmation will be faxed or mailed to you, and the grant will not be processed until the confirmation is received back in our office. We do accept grant recommendations by fax.
How do I know the balance in the fund I established?
Statements will be mailed to you semi-annually. If you have questions about your fund statement, contact the Vice President of Resource Development at 319.366.2862.
How do I replenish the fund?
Make a donation to GCRCF and indicate that it is to be directed to the fund you established. You may contribute cash, stock, or other assets. Your contribution will be acknowledged according to IRS rules and the next fund statement will reflect the donation.
If I have a question about a grant from the fund I established, whom do I call?
Contact the Director of Programs at 319.366.2862.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
200 First Street S.W.Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone 319.366.2862
Fax 319.366.2912
www.gcrcf.org
Thank you for allowing us to assist you with your philanthropic endeavors.
What is a marketed fund?
We can publicize the fund you advise along with our other competitive grant programs. This will invite and encourage grant solicitations that are directed specifically to the fund.
What decisions need to be made to market the fund?
- How many cycles per year grants will be made. GCRCF has three grants cycles with applications due in February, June, and October.
- How many people will participate in the review process. This dictates how many copies of proposals we request from applicants.
- Whether you wish to indicate funding priorities such as arts & culture, health & human services, community development & the environment, or education.
What happens after grant applications to a marketed fund are received?
The applications are received in our office by the deadline and logged into our tracking software. You will receive the packet of applications and a digest (a summary of the applications received along with any recommendations) three to four weeks later.
At this point, the people you have chosen to participate in the review process should review the proposals and determine funding recommendations. GCRCF staff are happy to meet with you during this process.
When you have determined what grants you would like to recommend, your recommendations should be submitted in writing to GCRCF.
May I submit recommendations for funding at other times?
Yes. You may recommend grants from a marketed fund in the same manner as a non-marketed fund.
Whom do I contact if I have questions?
Contact the Director of Programs at 319.366.2862.
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