The 300 Application Guidelines
Individual and Partnering Organization Grants up to $5,000
The 300 Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina grants are awarded to encourage organizations to serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered and questioning (LGBTQ, or, Lesbian and Gay) community either directly or in partnership with other organization(s). Collaborations will broaden the support and affirmation of the LGBTQ community by building bridges throughout Western North Carolina.
The Society of the 300 (the Fund), a charitable gift fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, will award grants of up to $5,000 that may be used to support programs, projects and events that address the mission and vision of the Fund.
TIMELINE
| Completed application must be received by | 5:00 PM, April 22, 2011 |
| Notification of grant awards | 1st Week of June, 2011 |
* Incomplete applications or applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
The 300 Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
The Fund was established to enhance the quality of life of residents of Western North Carolina, and to positively impact the chronic under-funding of LGBTQ programs. National data reveals that less than half of a percent of total philanthropic giving goes to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community. This data indicates that LGBTQ organizations operate on a shoestring, with many LGBTQ-serving organizations operating on less than $1,000 annually and many more organizations having no budget at all. Educating the citizens of Western North Carolina about these needs is a top priority of the Fund.
Communities and cities that are open, affirming and tolerant of all types of people attract and retain creative, talented workers who help an economy to thrive1. Through our grant making, we intend to forge meaningful relationships among lesbian and gay and non-lesbian and non-gay people, expanding overall resources for LGBTQ members of our community. As evidenced by the large number of LGBTQ individuals in our region, we know our mission and work is crucial to the health and vitality of Western North Carolina.
LGBTQ as well as non-LGBTQ organizations are eligible for Fund program grants. Forging relationships with the non-gay, allied community is a driving force for the Fund, to make real our mission of enhancing the quality of life for all in Western North Carolina. The Fund grants program is an opportunity for the nonprofit organizations, schools, and congregations to respond to the vision of the Fund: Cultivating one community that supports lesbian and gay individuals and families.
1 The Rise of the Creative Class, by Richard Florida.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
- Proposed initiatives should respond to and promote the Vision of the Fund: Cultivating one community that supports lesbian and gay individuals and families.
- Special consideration will be given to proposals that
- Build understanding and appreciation as well as promote value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, especially LGBTQ populations not previously targeted.
- Cultivate opportunities for leadership by contributions of LGBTQ people.
- Engage and include all people from diverse backgrounds and sexual orientation in programs, services, and organizational values.
- Funding will not be provided for the same project for more than two (2) years.
AREAS TYPICALLY NOT FUNDED
- Capital campaigns and endowment funds
- Strategic Planning in “ordinary course of business”. (Consideration may be given to requests for new lines of business, innovative programs, and other unique opportunities.)
- Networking infrastructure, hardware and software for computers or other similar forms of technology
- Publications and books
- Projects that promote political or religious views
- Organizations for re-granting purposes
- Grants to individuals
- Debt-retirement funding
- Activities prior to grant decision
- Projects typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local government
- Duplication of existing programs or services by new nonprofit organizations in geographic locations with established programs or services.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants may request up to $5,000 for a program, project or event that meets the priorities of the Fund.
- Applicants must be eligible organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, congregations, governmental and educational institutions.
- The program or initiative must serve one or more of the 17 counties of Western North Carolina.
- All grant recipients are expected to provide a written evaluation of the project and an accounting of grant expenses upon project completion or by any other date specified by the Fund.
- Any grant funds not spent for the approved purposes by the date specified must be returned to the Fund.
SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ATTACHMENTS NO LATER THAN 5:00PM ON APRIL 22, 2011, TO:
The 300 Fund
Attn: Becky Davis
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
The BB&T Building
One Pack Square, Suite 1600
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
The Fund has limited discretionary funds to support all requests: therefore, many exemplary proposals cannot be funded. Because of the volume of requests, we cannot provide written feedback on unfunded proposals.
To conduct a fair and ethical grants program, a Conflict of Interest Policy is followed and requires that volunteers and/or staff not participate in the grant process for an organization with which they are affiliated. Please do not lobby Board or Grant Committee members on behalf of your organization.
For questions, contact Becky Davis at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
