Grant Information

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To:  Nonprofit organizations of Jasper County

From:  Jasper Community Foundation

Subject:  Grant application

We are pleased to announce the availability of the Jasper Community Foundation Grant Application.  This form was developed to make the grant seeking process simpler and more efficient.

Each year the Jasper Community Foundation plans to make grant awards to worthwhile projects located in the County that are identified through a community grants application process. Our foundation's areas of emphasis include arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, recreation and other community activities. Grant amounts are dependent upon the allocation of funds available to the Community Foundation each fiscal year. This year we have nearly $80,000 available from Iowa's County Endowment program.

In order to be considered for any of these funds, your organization must be a 501-C-3 tax exempt organization or a 170-B unit of government.  Enclosed you will find the following:

Please mail your completed application to: the Jasper Community Foundation, P.O. Box 924, Newton, Iowa 50208 on or by June 1, 2011. Grant applicants will be notified of their grant status (approved or declined) eight to 10 weeks following the deadline date of June 1, 2011.

If you have questions, please e-mail us.

Sincerely,

Dan Skokan, President
Jasper Community Foundation

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a non-profit charitable organization, tax-exempt under IRS regulations.
• Be located in and serving primarily clients in Jasper County.
• Serve a charitable purpose by enhancing the quality of life in Jasper County in such areas as: arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, recreation and other community activities.

Principles for grant making:

• The Foundation makes grants to support creative and innovative programs, current or emerging charitable opportunities, services not presently offered and capital projects that enhance the quality of life in the county. Grants are NOT made in support of annual operating budgets.
• Especially interesting are projects proposed by coalitions of service providers, and those likely to gain support from matching fund arrangements.
• Projects funded should not represent significant duplication of initiatives already undertaken by other non-profit agencies.
• Requests will generally be denied for crisis intervention, current budget support, elimination of deficits, reduction of debt or funding of completed projects.
• Special attention will be given to projects that apply to broad segments of the population.
• Low priority will be given to programs or projects of churches which have a narrowly sectarian purpose.

Criteria to be used by the selection committee:

• The intrinsic merit of the project proposed.
• The number of residents country-wide that will be affected by the grant.
• The priority of the need to be met.
• The clarity and measurability of the project goals.
• The organizations ability to complete the project if only a partial disbursement of the grant request is made.
• Plans to fund the project beyond the grant period.
• The feasibility of the project and the time frame given for its completion.

Agencies receiving grants will be required to sign a “Grant Agreement Form” adhering to the following conditions of acceptance for receipt of the award:

• Use the funds awarded only for the purpose requested.
• Complete the project within six months after receipt of the grant money.
• If the project is not completed within six months, you are required to file an extension request with the Jasper Community Foundation.
• When the project is completed, you are required to file a final written report (photos included), using the JCF Evaluation Form that will be provided to you with your grant money.
• Included within your final report, you are required to provide “proof of purchase” for any special project items associated with this grant (paid invoices are preferred).
• Media releases – you are required to publicize your completed project, providing credit directly to the Jasper Community Foundation. Provide copies of the newspaper articles and/or newsletters.
• Return any portion of the grant monies not used for the designated purpose.