How to Apply
Use the attached grant application to submit the proposal. Email the proposal (application only with no additional attachments) in Microsoft Word format to info@communityfoundationoftheverdugos.org. A hard copy, with necessary attachments, must be sent by US Postal Service. Only one proposal per organization per each Distribution cycle. Confine the request to a single program or project. Be thorough, but brief. Think through the request: Does it make sense? Can it be carried out given the budget and staff expertise? Does it have your Board's approval? How will success be quantified in terms of significance and impact for the Verdugo region (for example, will the funding help increase your capacity to serve in numbers, longevity, or help create leverage for funding from other sources? Will the funding help your organization to provide a service or fill a need that no one else is currently providing, etc.). How to fill out the Grant Application
(to be sent via U.S. Postal Service & E-Mail)

• Summary Statement (Maximum of 50 words)
  Summarize the request clearly and state the specific amount of money you want and the specific purpose of the funds requested. If there are multiple items within the request, please prioritize them according to need.
  
  
• Organizational Information (Maximum of 150 words)
  Describe your organization, its history and background, accomplishments and qualifications, services provided, and how it benefits the residents of the Verdugo community. Include the number of people served and illustrate increase in service, whether to people or in expansion of programs, that our funding would assist with. Show us the track record of past work. If the agency is relatively new, talk about the track record to date.
  - Additionally, substantiate successes with hard data (i.e. facts, figures, statistics, percentages) and soft data (i.e. referenced anecdotes, quotes, letters of testimony); provide the same information to support your request. Be specific - "some people" could mean 3 or 300. Focus on the local issue; avoid global or national statistics.
  
  
• Problem Statement/Needs Assessment (Maximum of 150 words)
  Document the needs to be met or problems to be solved by the proposed funding.
  
  
• Objectives and Methods (Maximum of 250 words)
  Establish the benefits of the funding in measurable terms; specifically define how the program's effectiveness will be evaluated. Describe what activities and steps—the implementation—the agency will undertake to achieve the desired results. Address any duplication of services among other agencies in the area, any collaboration of resources, or still unmet needs.
  
  
• Evaluation (Maximum of 50 words)
  Describe how the agency will evaluate the effectiveness of the grant, the degree to which objectives will be met, and what methods will be used to achieve this (for example, increased number of participants, tracking methods, improvement to community).
  
  
• Other Funding Sources
  A list of other funding sources being approached and amounts pledged or received. Tell us if funding from the Community Foundation of the Verdugos will help with attaining additional funding from other sources.
  
  
• Future Funding (Maximum of 50 words)
  Describe a plan for continuation of funding beyond the grant period and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the grant, if any. In relation to funding program expenses such as overhead, supplies and administrative costs, show how such costs and expenses will be met by other funding sources in subsequent years.
  
  
• Budget
  In the budget, delineate the costs to be met by the Foundation and those to be provided by the applicant and other parties (clients/customers, other foundations, in-kind contributions, etc). Highlight your project/program budget within your overall organizational budget. Also address, as appropriate, how the program budget fits into the overall budget.
  
  
• Professional References
  Provide the name and phone number of three to five professionals in related fields and/or who are familiar with the work of your organization.
  
  

What to Include With Your Application
(sent via U.S. Postal Service)

1. If equipment is being requested, submit three competing prices of the item(s). We understand that some items are unique so competing prices are not possible; simply explain this.
2. Names and positions of paid professional staff and qualifications of key personnel - titles are not sufficient alone; please elaborate a bit on their expertise.
3. A list of board of directors, their business affiliations and addresses.
4. A copy of the Federal and State nonprofit determination letters.
5. Most recent financial statement and this year's projected budget for your organization.
6. Most recent IRS Form 990 with supporting documents, if filed.