<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> CED Grant Initiatives

Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Only
Username:
Password:

 Community Economic Development Grant Initiative 2010 Program Guidelines
 

PURPOSE

In making grants the Community Economic Development (CED) Initiative is looking for innovative thinking, significant impact and sustainable approaches. CED provides financial assistance to community and faith based nonprofit organizations to help them improve the economic well-being and quality of life in their communities.

CED considers requests that closely match its overall mission to provide capacity building, technical assistance, operational and programmatic assistance. We address needs in the following focus areas: workforce development, affordable housing, financial literacy/asset building and grassroots leadership development activities. Additional consideration is given to projects that address under-served segments or economically disadvantaged communities.

   

Most organizations receiving funding consideration 1) will not have received CFSA funding for community economic development projects within the last grant cycle, 2) are in the early stages of organizational development, or 3) have begun to demonstrate project capacity.

 

ELIGIBILTY

Grants are competitively awarded to community and faith based non profit organizations that are at various levels of development and have begun to show a proven track record of completed projects. Organizations must demonstrate the capacity to engage in substantial community economic development activities as defined by our focus areas above.

To be eligible under this program, an organization must be incorporated under State of Alabama law and must be classified as a public charity and tax exempt under 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2) of the IRS Code. Additional requirements may apply as required.

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Baldwin, Clarke, Choctaw, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The CED Initiative accepts grant inquiries throughout the grant cycle year. Processing a grant application generally takes 6 – 8 weeks.  We have a two-step application process: Letters of Inquiries, followed by invitation only for full proposals. Letters of Inquiry will be received during the current grant cycle, August 31, 2009 – September 30, 2010.
 Step 1: Submitting Letter of Inquiry
 

The following information is for organizations that are not current grantees and have not been invited by the CED Staff to submit a proposal. An applicant may submit an inquiry (maximum of 3 pages) and send to the following email address: ced@communityendowment.com.

The letter should contain facts and figures about the organization, describe its mission and explain the purpose of the request, including the CED focus area under which a grant is being requested. 

Once a letter of inquiry arrives at the Foundation, our staff determines whether the proposed project fits the CED  funding guidelines. Please read the guidelines carefully before applying. Our staff responds to letters of inquiry within 30 working days informing the applicant whether they will be invited to submit a full proposal. Please note that we accept unsolicited inquiries for CED grants.
Step 2: Submitting Full Proposals
 

We cannot consider full proposals we have not invited. Applicants will be invited by email to submit full proposals.

Applicants should download the grant application forms. They should complete the forms according to the instructions in the Community Economic Development Grant Application.

Grant Application Form>>

Grant Application Budget Form>>

The review and evaluation process for full proposals takes up to 8 weeks. During this period, applicants may be asked to submit additional information and/or to meet with CED staff.  If, after careful consideration, a proposal is not approved, the applicant will be notified by mail.

During the year, CED and the CFSA Grants Committee will review full proposals and prepare recommendations for the Board of Directors for funding.  Successful applicants receive an award letter by mail, and generally funds are disbursed within 30 days of approval.

WHAT WE FUND

We consider requests for a range of support, as it aligns with CED priorities workforce development, affordable housing, financial literacy/asset building and grassroots leadership development activities:

  • General operating support
  • Strategies to improve or expand capacity of existing programs
  • Innovative new projects
  • Planning, management or technical assistance needs 
  • Efforts to strengthen organizational leadership
  • Evaluation
  • Selected policy work and advocacy for social justice

What We Do Not Fund

Please do not submit an inquiry for the following types of support, the IRS regulations state grants cannot:

  • Be made to individuals or on behalf of a specific individual
  • Be made to non-U.S. organizations in foreign countries (grants can be made to US organizations that operate in foreign countries)
  • Pay invoices or bills
  • Pay for membership dues, tickets to a fundraising dinner, or fees for any type of fundraising event
  • Fulfill pledges or pre-existing obligation.  The word “pledge” implies a legal obligation or debt, or that a contribution to The Foundation was restricted for another charity.

 

CONTACT:

For more information and additional guidance:
Danny Patterson or Carolyn Douglas

Community Economic Development
Community Foundation of South Alabama
212 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602

Telephone: 251-438-5591

Fax: 251-438-5592