How to Apply
Use the attached grant application to fill out and submit the proposal. There are two choices to take in submitting the application to the Foundation. You may email the proposal (with all attachments) in Microsoft Word to info@communityfoundationoftheverdugos.org. Or, you may mail a hard copy of the application with attachments by U.S. Postal Service. Deadlines: with hard copies mailed by U.S. Postal Service, they must be postmarked by midnight of the deadline date and with emailed applications, they must be sent by midnight of the deadline date. Only one proposal per organization per calendar year is permitted. For single, private schools or larger organizations with different departments, it is advised that you contact your principal or other organizational head to determine if anyone else will be submitting a proposal. For schools in a public school system, it is advised that the principal contact the district offices to see if any other schools within that same district will be submitting a proposal. Limit the request to a single program or project. Separate out salary costs if possible. Be thorough, but brief. Think through the request: Does it make sense? Can it be carried out given your budget and staff expertise? Does it have your Board’s approval? 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? How to fill out the Grant Application
(to be sent via U.S. Postal Service or email)

• Summary Statement
  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
  Describe your organization, its history and background, accomplishments and qualifications, services provided, and how it benefits the residents of the Verdugo region. Required: include the number of people served along with the percentage that this number represents of those who reside in the Verdugo region. Illustrate the 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
  Document the needs to be met or problems to be solved by the proposed funding.
  
  
• Objectives and Methods
  Establish the benefits of the funding in measurable terms. 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
  Describe how the agency will evaluate the effectiveness of the grant. Specifically define how the capital expenditures or program’s effectiveness will be evaluated, 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
  Since the Community Foundation of the Verdugos does not provide ongoing program funding, or funding for pledges or term grants, describe a plan for continuation of funding beyond the grant period and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the request, 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 your 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/operating budget. Also address, as appropriate, how the program budget fits into the overall budget.
  
  
• Professional References
  Provide up to three letters of reference for the project.
  
  
• List of Board Members
  Please provide us with a list of your current Board members and the percentage of Board giving and support that they provide to your organization.
  
  
• Board Resolution
  Form completed and signed by an authorized Board officer to show Board support of your request for funding.
  
  

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

1. Names and positions of paid professional staff and qualifications of key personnel - titles are not sufficient alone; please elaborate a bit on their expertise.
2. A list of Board of Directors, their business affiliations, addresses, and whether they contribute/donate personally to your organization. Ideally, we are looking for 100% Board support of your organization.
3. A copy of the Federal and State nonprofit determination letters.
4. Most recent financial statement and this year's projected budget for your organization.
5. Most recently filed IRS Form 990 with supporting documents.