EMPOWERING ADAIR COUNTY FOUNDATION
GRANTS PROGRAM
Grant application for Empowering Adair County
Empowering Adair County Foundation
The Foundation was formed in 2005 to coordinate and provide philanthropic support for community betterment projects in Adair County. It serves to enhance the quality of life for the seven incorporated communities and the unincorporated areas of Adair County. The Foundation is governed by 9-member board representing all areas of the county. The board members are community minded individuals who have assessed community needs, can implement asset development, evaluate grant applications, encourage partnerships and initiate activities to enhance the county.
The Foundation is an affiliate of the Iowa Community Affiliate network, a collaboration of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation and the Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation, who has recognized the need for new avenues to encourage philanthropy throughout Iowa.
The Foundation seeks to promote endowment building, community grantmaking, organizational collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of Adair County. Donations to the Foundation are accepted at any time. For this information contact the Foundation at PO Box 21, Greenfield, IA 50849.
Grant amounts are dependent upon the allocation of funds available to the Community Foundation each year.
Priority Areas of Funding
It is the Foundation’s intent to make grant awards to worthwhile projects located in Adair County through a grants application process. The Foundation’s priority areas of funding are as follows:
Tourism/Beautification
Projects may include but are not limted to marketing or promotion, an annual or special event, or a community improvement project. It is felt that by making this a priority these investments would attract more visitors to the county which would have an economic return for the community.
Public Services
Projects may include but are not limited to day cares, community centers, and public libraries. These facilities are important in attracting new residents and companies to a community which would be a good return for the Foundation’s investment. Other projects that could fall into this category include programming such as educational programs and workshops.
Economic Well-Being
This focuses on activities that would promote economic development in the county and help maintain what is already in existence.
Recreation/Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Adair County has many recreational areas as well as entertainment venues. Newly held events focusing on art and entertainment have drawn much attention to the area and the community has seen the positive benefits of the publicity as well as the economic benefits of additional visitors to the area. Expanding on these successes will be a priority for the Foundation.
Priority areas will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Eligible Organizations
Empowering Adair County Foundation makes grants to:
• I.R.S. 501 (c)(3) ‘tax exempt’ organizations
• 170(b) ‘unit of government’ organizations
Fiscal Agents
If your organization provides services within Adair County and is not a 501(c)(3) or a 170 (b) government entity, you must find a Fiscal Agent for your grant. This means that either a 501(c)(3) or a 170 (b) government entity will be responsible for insuring that you have spent the money granted as stated in the application. A letter from the Fiscal Agent stating that they will act in such a capacity must be included with the application.
Proposal Strengths
The following are suggestions for making a successful grant proposal:
• Your project should address significant community issues (how have you made use of community surveys, community visioning, or community data)
• You should present innovative, creative and practical proposals which build on community strengths
• Help to develop the leadership potential of the community
• How does your project involve the people served in the planning and implementation of the program?
• Is there a plan for sustainability beyond the funding period?
• Capital projects that impact a significant number of county residents.
• Project completion is within 6 months. Exceptions can be granted with a request from the organization receiving the award.
Ineligible Projects
The Foundation will not fund ongoing project support and operating support; annual and capital campaigns; equipment unless it is essential for the program; budget deficit, endowments, individuals, recurring funds, religious purposes (this does not exclude grants to religious organizations for non-religious purposes)
Available funding
Small Grant Program – These grants will not exceed $1000.
Large Grant Program – These will be major projects that can request a maximum of $10,000.
Application Deadlines
Small Grant Program – Applications are due January 15, March 15, May 15, and November 15.
Large Grant Program – Applications are due November 15 and January 15
Evaluation Criteria:
• The proposal must address the priority needs of the community.
• Benefit to residents of county
• Number of residents who will be affected
• Completeness of Application
• Identification of needs and how funds will address needs
• Collaborative relationships
• Matching funds
Grant Limitation
An organization can submit only one grant application per grant cycle and be eligible for only one grant award per year. The Foundation’s current grant year is November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008.
Who Reviews the Grant Applications?
The Foundation’s board of directors will serve as the Selection Committee and review all Grant Applications. The grant scoring matrix will be as follows.
Completeness of Application – 15 points
Benefit to Adair County Residents – 20 points
Collaborative Relationships and Matched Funds – 20 points
Identification and Community needs – 20 points
Addressing Community needs – 25 points
Grant Awards
Grant decisions will be made by the Empowering Adair County Foundation board within 30 days of the submission deadline. These recommendations for funding will then be submitted to the Iowa Community Affiliate Network c/o the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation Executive Committee for final approval and disbursements of funds. Organizations will receive grant award notification by mail.
Organizations receiving grants will be required to sign an award agreement. Organizations will also be expected to give credit to the Foundation and include the Foundation as a granting source for all publicity and acknowledgements.
When giving funding credit please use the following phrase:
“This project was funded in part by Empowering Adair County Foundation.”
Final Grant Reports
For Small Grants a final report must be completed and submitted to the Foundation 14 days following completion of the project. For the Large Grants a final report must be completed and submitted to the Foundation within 30 days following completion of the project. All receipts related to the project must be submitted with the final report.
It is expected that funded projects will be completed six months from receipt of the funds. If this timeline is not possible, please send a letter requesting an extension along with the reason for the request.
Grant Awards Distribution
As soon as the grant monies are distributed by the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation you will be contacted regarding receipt of the check in one of two ways.
1. You will be contacted to attend a check distribution promotion activity. This may be a gathering or just a picture opportunity so that local newspapers can print something about the grants.
2. OR you may receive the check by mail.
Either way, you will be asked to sign the grant receipt/agreement and return a copy to Empowering Adair County Foundation.
If you have any questions, please contact Adair County Extension at 641-743-8412.
Empowering Adair County Foundation grant awards