COMMUNITY GRANT GUIDELINES 2008

Mission - Inspired by the area’s rich tradition of generosity, The Winona Community Foundation strengthens our community through philanthropy.

Mission Statement - The Winona Community Foundation improves the quality of life in the Winona area by:

• Educating the public about the practice of philanthropy and its benefits both to donors and to the community

• Connecting people with charitable intent and resources with organizations and causes that can advance the public good

• Gathering, preserving, and stewarding philanthropic resources

• Collaborating with other charitable organizations

• Serving as a catalyst for selected community initiatives

• Making grants to projects and causes that address both the needs and the opportunities present in the community

 Eligibility

1. An agency, as is defined by their 501(c)3 status or departments within government entities, may only apply for funding once per calendar year.  Submission of letters of inquiry do not count towards the once per year rule, only application submissions.

2. Non-profits or projects within Winona, Houston, Fillmore & Wabasha Counties or within a 25 mile radius of Wisconsin and consistent with Winona Community Foundations goals and priorities.

3. Organizations with past due or incomplete WCF community grant report forms are not eligible.

Granting Priorities Focus

WCF accepts community grant inquiries for projects and programs that enhance life in the Winona region in the areas of civic & education issues, health & social services, environment, arts & culture, and general community non-profit accountability and organizational effectiveness.

In the first cycle of 2008 the maximum grant award will be $7,500.  This granting cycle includes a letter of inquiry stage where projects are ranked and then possibly invited to move to the application stage.

1. For the first cycle of 2008, although inquiries will be accepted in any of these areas noted above, priority will be given to the focus area of flood related needs not being met for non-profits.  Focus area for the second cycle will be determined closer to that time.  Projects focusing on these identified priorities may rank higher depending on total applications in each cycle. 
2. WCF community grants seeks applications utilizing ideas that:
   • result from clear assessment of needs or identification of emerging needs in our area
   • engage sectors of the community in collaborative efforts
   • design a plan that has realistic sustainability options after WCF support has ended
   • identify clear and attainable community outcomes that are measurable and long lasting
   • secure matching funds for the proposed project or can show other revenue sources of support
3. The WCF Community Fund does not make grants for the following:
   • Sectarian or religious purposes
   • Individuals
   • Debt retirement or debt financing
   • Loans of any kind
   • Political organizations or campaigns
   • Fraternal organizations, societies or orders (501c4)
   • National fund raising efforts
   • Endowments
   • On-going staff positions
   • Capital Campaigns or fundraising event sponsorships
   • Organization with past due or incomplete Grant Report Forms are not eligible
4. Funding will be granted only to private and public nonprofit agencies that are under a 501(c)3 status, have an appropriate fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 status, or a government entity. Churches and religious organizations may apply for support for activities that benefit the larger community, but not for activities that have specific religious purpose. 

Review and Evaluation Process

WCF staff encourages questions about the initial inquiry stage and application process.  WCF granting process is that a letter of inquiry from all agencies interested in applying for a grant must first be received. The one-page letter of inquiry shall include the following:

• Brief project description & timeline

• Need of the community for the project and brief note on desired outcomes

• Collaborative efforts and other funding sources

• Amount requested

• Contact info (email, phone, contact person & organization)

 The following criteria will be applied in screening initial inquiries:

• Need – need of the community for the project/service, as well as the organizational need for assistance to be able to make the project a reality

• Collaboration – an assessment of the overall collaborative effort of the project to pool resources with other area organizations/resources to make the program/service a reality

• Merit – an overall ranking of the project

• Focus – when a cycle has an area of focus, this may be a factoring in ranking inquiries.

If successful in the inquiry stage, an agency may be invited to proceed to the application stage.  A formal application form will be sent and the following criteria will be used in review of applications:

• Need – need of the community for the project/service, as well as the organizational need for assistance to be able to make the project a reality

• Collaboration – an assessment of the overall collaborative effort of the project to pool resources with other area organizations/resources to make the program/service a reality

• Merit – an overall ranking of the project (e.g. quality, creativity, community impact, etc.)

• Focus – when a cycle has an area of focus, this may be a factoring in ranking inquiries.

• Sustainability – the ability of the organization to maintain such a program after initial establishment; the sustainability of community need for the service

 Each criteria will be ranked from 1-5 for each project, with 5 being the highest.  All rankings are averaged and these averages are used in the committee discussion as consideration is given for a project to move to application stage or to be recommended for funding.

*NOTE:  WCF Donor advised, agency, field of interest, designated and scholarship funds may be exceptions to any portion of these guidelines*