Funds for the Community Cycle 1

Purpose

In most years, the Funds for the Community provide the funding source for grants from the Program Fund and the Organizational Development Fund. For at least the first cycle of 2020, the Funds for the Community will be re-directed to address organizational and community needs in Linn County resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic crisis.

Priorities

Please note that for this cycle, organizations may apply for only one of the following which are not listed in the order of importance:

  • Priority 1 Applications: Support actions that will help the organization survive and maintain essential functions, which could include actions such as adapting program delivery models, covering additional expenses, and addressing lost revenue from cancelled income-generating activity.
  • Priority 2 Applications: Maintain safety net for vulnerable populations through attention to basic needs, case management, medical access, and mental health care. This priority places a particular focus on supporting activity that faces funding constraints due to the pandemic and/or economic crisis.

Special Notes

  • At least 35% of the total grant funding will be reserved for organizations outside the health and human services, in keeping with our practice of funding all types of nonprofit organizations.
  • Federal assistance is available for nonprofit organizations. The federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act allocates $2.2 trillion to support individuals and businesses—including 501(c)(3) nonprofits—affected by the COVID-19. The bill contains multiple loan options, including the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program which provides small 501(c)(3) nonprofits (under 500 staff) with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs in the form of forgivable loans if recipients meet certain conditions. Check the Nonprofit Network site for additional resources.
  • This funding will not cover payroll assistance applications from organizations that are eligible for the federal paycheck protection program.
  • The grant agreement will require a return of funds should the grantee receive governmental money for the funded service in the next 12 months.

Organization Eligibility

  • The organization has no more than one active grant from either the Program Grant Fund or the Organizational Development Fund (this does not include active grants from competitive donor-advised funds).
  • Organization has 501(c)(3) status
  • Organization is based in Linn County, or provides significant programming in Linn County. Grant funding must be spent in Linn County.
  • Organizational leadership has discussed the current situation with their board leadership, is working on financial adaptations as needed, and is applying for relevant state and federal assistance (more information above).

Ineligible Activities

  • Fundraising events and activities that will take place in the future
  • Religious activities for religious purposes
  • Payroll assistance applications as noted above

Maximum Request Amounts, Duration of Grants and Application Submission Limits

  • An organization may request the lesser of 20% of the annual current year operating budget, or up to $30,000
  • Grants will be made for a 12-month term (no multi-year requests)
  • Eligible organizations may submit one request to Funds for the Community Cycle 1

 Non-Discrimination Statement

Through its grant programs, the Community Foundation encourages organizations that do not discriminate in their employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Timeline

Application Deadline: April 15, 2020 at midnight

Notification Date: April 30, 2020

How to Apply

 Use this document to prepare your application responses: Click here

  • Please verify response character counts, correct spelling, and grammar in this document.  (Note: All character counts INCLUDE spaces.)

To Submit Application

  1. Complete the online application via Survey Monkey, accessible at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFTC_Cycle_1
  2. Email the organization’s most recent Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities to Grants@gcrcf.org

 

Questions?

For Priority 1 Applications, contact:
Rochelle Naylor, Senior Program Officer, at rochelle.naylor@gcrcf.org, or at 319.774.2373.

For Priority 2 Applications, contact:
Elizabeth Cwik, Senior Program Officer, at elizabeth.cwik@gcrcf.org or at 319.774.2372.

 

Final Report Requirement

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report detailing use of funds. The grant report will be due upon completion of the grant, or 14 months from date of award, whichever comes sooner. The final report form will be emailed to grant recipients and will be available on the website.