CFNCM Grants and Scholarships
CFNCM 2007-2008 GRANT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
To download the following guidelines in Word, please click hereThe Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts (Foundation) is accepting applications for grant funding from its General Endowment Fund. The Foundation is anticipating making six (6) grants up to the level of $20,000.00 each. Funding consideration will be given to, but not limited to, proposals requesting general operating support for programs/projects pertaining to community development, environment, the arts and health and human services. Innovative and collaborative proposals are strongly encouraged, as well as proposals that leverage other resources.
Funding requests that will generally not be considered include loans, attempts to influence legislation, and support where the Foundation may become the predominant long term source of revenue. Proposals for grants that do not directly benefit the geographic service area of the Foundation will not be considered (see service territory at end of procedures). Only one submission per applicant will be considered. Funding awards are made on a year to year basis with no multi year commitments.
Procedures
The Foundation’s application process is two tiered. It utilizes Associated Grant Makers’ (AGM) Common Proposal Forms that can be accessed by visiting www.agmconnect.org/cpf/
1. The first step is the submission of the Concept Paper and Cover Sheet. The completion of the concept paper should follow the guidelines of AGM. However, in responding to the guidelines for the third item on the Concept Paper, the applicant must identify the intended outcomes that will be produced as a result of the funding. In addition, proof of IRS Tax Exempt Status is required to be submitted with the submission. The deadline for the submission of the Concept Paper and Cover Sheet is FEBRUARY 8, 2008. An ORIGINAL plus EIGHT (8) copies are required to be submitted to The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, Attn: 2008 Grant Request, 285 John Fitch Hwy, Suite 1, Fitchburg, MA 01420-5998. Questions regarding this process may be directed to Nancy Daigle, Office Manager at nancyd@cfncm.org or by telephone 978-345-8383 x11. Concept Papers will then be reviewed by the Foundation’s staff and the Grant/Program Committee of the Board of Trustees.
2. Upon review of concept papers, a limited number of applicants will then be invited (first week of March) to the second step using Full Proposals and Budget utilizing AGM’s guidelines. The deadline for submission of the full proposal is APRIL 4, 2008. The agency’s most recent financial statements as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and IRS Form 990/990EZ and a disclosure of any current or prior legal action(s) involving the organization are required. An ORIGINAL plus EIGHT copies of all documents are required.
Staff interviews may take place depending on the appropriateness of the Full Proposal or the need for additional information. The Committee will then present recommendations on MAY 29, 2008 to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Grant notification and agreement form will be sent within one week of that meeting. Payment of grant will be made immediately following receipt of the signed agreement. Submission of programmatic and financial progress reports will be required on JANUARY 15 and JULY 15, 2009. Funds awarded are restricted for use to the proposal submitted and so are required to be identified as such in the subsequent annual financial statements. A copy of the subsequent financial statement is the final reporting requirement of the Foundation.
Community Foundation’s service territory:
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, with nearly $14 million in charitable assets, was created in 2001 to serve the charitable interests of donors in Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Barre, Bolton, Clinton, Devens, Erving, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, New Salem, Orange, Pepperell, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Shirley, Sterling, Templeton, Townsend, Warwick, Wendell, Westminster and Winchendon.
