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 2009 Grant Process

The Columbus Foundation, the United Way of Central Ohio, National City, Bob Evans and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations are pleased to announce the 2009 Neighborhood Partnership Grants Program (NPG). The program is designed to support neighborhood organizations and improvements in low- and moderate-income areas of Franklin County.  Projects should be designed to be resident driven and are not required to be large or sophisticated for grant consideration.

  • Applying groups are required to be a 501(c) 3 organization or must partner with a registered 501(c) 3 fiscal agent at time of submittal of LOI application.
  • The maximum amount of each grant is $15,000 annually. Projects are one year.   There is a potential to reapply for continued funding but this is not guaranteed. To receive additional funding, projects will be required to demonstrate positive measurable outcomes and meet stated objectives.

 

AREAS OF FOCUS FOR PROJECTS


Proposed projects for the 2009 grantmaking cycle should focus on one of following four areas (several examples of the types of projects that may qualify are included, but do not feel constrained by these examples – as long as the project links to one of the four areas):

A. Community and Economic Development – Gateway signage, beautification, newsletters, websites, festivals, public events, public art projects, and more.

B. Education and Public Awareness – Youth service, leadership development, health and fitness, community public relations, and more.

C. Crime Prevention & Safety - Block watches, awareness programs, national night out activities, anti-litter, clean and safe, anti-graffiti, personal safety, community safety, mediation, and more.

D. Safe & Decent Housing – educating homeowners on home repairs, energy efficiency programs, financial education, predatory lending prevention, blighted/vacant housing issues, and more.

 
GETTING STARTED: The Application Process


Stage One – Letter of Intent (LOI). DEADLINE IS JANUARY 30, 2009

  • The Letter of Intent for Neighborhood Partnership Grants is an online process.
  • Beginning Monday, January 5, 2009 go to The Columbus Foundation’s website (www.columbusfoundation.org), click on the on-line “GO!” “Grants,” followed by “GO! Grants Online” followed by “Submit Letter of Intent”)  and complete the form. 
  • Deadline for submittal is January 30, 2009 by 11:59 p.m.   Applicants will be notified by email on February 20, 2009 if their LOI is competitive to move to Stage Two, Full Proposal.

The LOI requests the following information:

    1. Who your organization is and what neighborhood you represent.
    2. Short project description.
    3. Briefly explain how you plan on involving residents in this project, increasing community volunteerism, and improving the community.
    4. State approximately how much money you are requesting.
    5. Proof of tax-exempt public charity status under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service.  You will be asked to provide your EIN or your fiscal agent’s EIN on the LOI form on the GO! System.

 

Stage Two - Full Proposal

If the Review Committee moves your LOI to Stage Two, a full proposal will be due on March 13, 2009. Directions to complete the full proposal will be provided upon acceptance of the LOI. The following is a preview of some questions to consider for the full proposal:

  • Describe your project. Be careful to explain WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW.
  • Describe the project's geographic boundaries (major street boundaries or neighborhood name).
  • Describe the conditions or characteristics of the are area or neighborhood the project will serve.
  • Who will oversee this project? (Provide Name, Address, and Phone Numbers).
  • What improvement will this project have on the neighborhood?
  • Are there institutions within the neighborhood supporting your project? Please list.
  • How will this project help the neighborhood solve its own problems? 
  • How will you measure the success of this project? 
  • Timeline – List the key activities, events, or milestones as they relate to this project.
  • How much money are you requesting from the Neighborhood Partnership Grants Program?

 

Grant announcements will be made in mid-May, 2009.

Thank you for your interest in the Neighborhood Partnership Grants Program.  If you have any questions, please contact Dottie L. Henderson at (614) 251-4000 or dhenderson@columbusfoundation.org or Michael Wilkos at (614) 227-8704 or michael.wilkos@uwcentralohio.org.

 

NEED HELP?  Grant Information Sessions


Two optional but recommended information sessions will be held for prospective applicants to ask questions and to further clarify the process or the applicability of project ideas. At the session you will be walked through the online submission process.

  • Sessions will be held Tuesday, January 13th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Friday, January 16th from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. at The Columbus Foundation, 1234 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205.
  • To register for a workshop go to www.columbusfoundation.org and select “Grants” followed by “Workshops and Deadlines.”  The online registration is recommended.

 
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