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2010 Grantmaking Guidelines
Before Getting Started
The requirements and instructions provided here are to be considered current and accurate only for the duration of the Women's Fund grant cycle, which runs from July through November each year. Program requirements may change from year to year; therefore, grantseekers are advised to revisit this page prior to beginning the grant application process. Be sure to access this page using the menu from our website (rather than from your web history) so that you are certain to have the most current information.
Purpose and Overview
Each year, the Women's Fund awards a grant to a single project serving women and/or children in Vanderburgh County. The Women's Fund seeks applicants that demonstrate the following:
- Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability and sustainability of the project
- Solid, realistic plan for project evaluation
- Sound plan to address ongoing or emerging women's and/or children's issues that have been identified by research
- Desire to promote coordination among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services
- Project methodology utilizing a preventative approach to addressing the issue and solving problems
- Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management
Grant Cycle
The Women's Fund grant cycle runs from July through November each year. At the start of each year's grant cycle, an email notice will be sent to nonprofit organizations that have previously signed up to receive this information (click on the box at the right of your screen to sign up).
Eligibility
Consideration will be given to nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving Vanderburgh County. Nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and meets the criteria described on this page. In such cases, the applicant organization may be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor. Organizations that have received an impact grant from the Women's Fund must wait five years to apply for additional Women's Fund impact grants; this restriction does not apply to organizations that have received "finalist awards".
Fiscal Sponsors
Organizations seeking consideration via the auspices of a 501(c)(3) public charity must include a written statement signed by the public charity's board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity's fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project.
Project Areas Considered for Funding
The program or project for which funding is being requested must address needs and opportunities that support the Fund's purpose of improving the quality of life for Vanderburgh County women and children and meet one of the following criteria:
- Capital Projects: Small capital projects that will be completed within two years from the date of the grant award.
- Community Development: Activities that benefit women and/or children in the community or address gender equity issues within all segments of the population.
- Education: Activities that promote or strengthen the educational attainment of women and/or children, both in and out of the classroom.
- Health: Activities that improve the health outcomes for women and/or children.
- Human Services: Activities that support public protection, employment/jobs, food and nutrition, agriculture, housing and shelter, public safety, disaster preparedness, and relief for women and/or children.
- Endowment Creation: Assistance with the establishment of an endowment fund to provide a future funding source for the project. However, only a portion of the grant may be used for the creation of an endowment fund.
- Other Civic Endeavors: Other activities that will improve the quality of life for women and/or children in Vanderburgh County.
Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding
- Projects or programs of organizations that are not committed to gender equity. Applicant organizations are expected to have established female leadership on their staff and board and generally promote gender equity within the community.
- Requests for funding to reduce or retire debt of the organization.
- Projects that focus solely on the spiritual needs and growth of a church congregation or members of other religious organizations.
- Political parties or campaigns.
- Operating costs of the organization such as general office equipment, staff salary, rent, and utilities.
- Event sponsorships, annual appeals, and membership contributions.
- Travel expenses for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes.
- Scholarships or other grants to individuals.
Registration
The first step for organizations seeking consideration for funding from the Women's Fund is to complete an online registration form. Further instructions will be provided after submission of the form.
Letter of Inquiry
After registering online, a Letter of Inquiry is the next step required for submitting funding requests to be considered by the Women's Fund grants committee (Letters of Inquiry will not be accepted from organizations that have not first registered online). The Letter of Inquiry helps in determining whether a funding request qualifies for consideration before applicants invest time and effort in completing a full grant proposal.
Deliberation and Award
The Women's Fund grants committee will review Letters of Inquiry and select eight semi-finalists to submit formal proposals. Once the committee has completed its review and investigation of the proposals/projects, four organizations will be selected as finalists and will be invited to give an oral presentation of their projects at the Women's Fund annual meeting in November. The Fund's membership will conduct a vote at the conclusion of the presentations and the organization whose project receives the majority of votes will be awarded the grant at the meeting.
Grant Period
Funded projects must begin within six months and be completed within two years from the date the grant is received.
Deadline to Submit a Letter of Inquiry
12 noon on August 4, 2010
Office Location
The Women's Fund, a fund of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation, is on the second floor of the Court Building, across the street from the old courthouse in downtown Evansville. The address is 123 NW Fourth Street, Suite 220, Evansville, Indiana 47708 (click here for a map).
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