FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much money is available for the entire Community Action Plan (CAP)?

The WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has not given us a dollar amount at this time.  We anticipate an exact number in April or May. 

When will the RFA be posted to the public?

Feb 4.  County Planning teams will learn about the RFA process at the February County Planning Team meetings. The RFA will be available at www.iowafoodandfitness.org or from the Extension or Economic Development offices in each county. 

Is the funding for just planning or physical things?

WKKF Food & Fitness Initiative is about policy and system change.  Their emphasis is on planning and building relationships to create policy and system change.  Year 1 funding may not be used for the purchase of land or infrastructure.

Are the Tactics sequenced similar in each Strategy?

Not all the strategies and Work Groups are in the same place with regard to readiness for implementation.  Therefore, the planning process is at a different point for each Strategy.

Will specific Strategies be weighed differently?

No.  All RFAs will be judged by the same criteria.  An RFA will score higher if it includes more Essential Elements. 

How do counties ideas compete in the RFA process?

County groups are encouraged to apply.  Informal groups will need some kind of institutional support to be funded (501c3, educational or governmental agency).  These relationships will need to be created if not present already.  See the Fiscal Sponsorship form.  All information is posted at www.iowafoodandfitness.org.

How can a for-profit organization or coop apply for funding if they are not a 501c3?

Yes, but they must partner with one of the four primary work groups (NIFF Coalition, Regional School Work Group, Youth WG or Built Environment WG); or a NE IA 501c3 agency/organization, educational or governmental institution.

Are farmers, CSA or other food producers or suppliers able to apply?
           Yes. See answer above.

Can government entities apply?

Yes, government entities are eligible to apply.  They will need to show proof of their tax-exempt status. 

Where do we expect the RFAs to come from?

Look around the table.  Look to your friends and neighbors.  Look to your communities.

Does an organization need to attach their IRS form to prove they are a 501c3? 

The organization may list their official tax ID # on the RFA cover sheet.  If the applicant is not a 501c3 organization, they must be sponsored by a qualifying agency.  Attach the fiscal sponsorship form to the application.  The IRS determination letter should be from the Fiscal Sponsor.

Could WKKF give us some ideas of what they will be funding?

What the WKKF has provided to us is in the RFA description on page 3 under the Essential Elements.  They are looking to us to create a Community Action Plan from NE Iowa that identifies our Vision, Strategies and Tactics to activate that vision and policy targets that will help lead NE Iowa to a system change that will support our vision.

 

Will we learn what other communities are applying for prior to April 1 so that we can do a joint RFA?

Individuals and groups are encourage to work with their County's FFI Regional Team members and Organizational Partners to help connect your idea to the existing Work Groups and/or the work of other FFI county Planning teams so that joint RFAs can occur. Part of the RFA review process will be to review and match up similar concepts.

Who will put the final request together that will be sent to WKKF?

The Community Action Plan is due July 15, 2009 to the WKKF.  The FFI Regional Team, their workgroups, partners and county planning teams have all been contributing and providing input to the plan as it is being developed.  The final plan will be approved by the Regional Team.

What will the reporting requirements be?

A status report will be required one year after funding.  More details will be forthcoming.

How do we support small projects costing less than $1000?

Small projects are difficult to administer; therefore, we encourage groups to collaborate to increase the impact of their project.  Community Foundations are a great way to fund the smaller projects.   Here are some other options.

--Smaller projects can be embedded into the larger RFAs from other groups.

--Look for a work group to help fund the smaller projects.

--Regionalize your project.  For example, ask for $1000 for mini-grants for producers or mini-grants to youth groups to use as projects.