• Making a difference in the lives of all residents of greater Rome.

 

Greater Rome Impact Fund Grant

ELIGIBILITY

Any non-profit organization with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status and in good standing or government agencies operating within Floyd County, Georgia. If your organization or project is not currently linked to a 501(c)(3) organization, you may be able to work in partnership with a fiscal sponsor. Please contact Ashley Garner at agarner@cffgr.org for related questions.

Eligible organizations must have significant operations in Floyd County.

Organizations may submit one application per grant cycle.

For the 2023 cycle, the Community Foundation anticipates awarding one $25,000 grant.

GUIDELINES

The Community Foundation looks for proposals which:

• Promote the cooperation of two or more agencies to avoid duplication of services and to coordinate resources and programs; in 2023, collaborative grants will receive a higher score from the review committee.  NOTE: this does not mean that a single nonprofit’s proposal will be ineligible. However, it is the Foundation’s goal to encourage collaborative thinking and reduce duplication of efforts when working across organizations as much as possible; 
• Outline a program/project that will positively impact the quality of life in our community;
• Develop competencies and skills enabling individuals to live fuller, more productive lives;
• Address a significant need or opportunity affecting a broad segment of the region’s population or special populations;
• Possess the ability to leverage other funding through the use of matching grants or gifts;
• Promote the cooperation of two or more agencies to avoid duplication of services and to coordinate resources and programs;
• Demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary services using good administrative and financial management;
• Demonstrate support from outside the organization to sustain programs with volunteers and in-kind resources;
• Promote systems or approaches which can prevent individual, family or community problems.

FOCUS AREAS

In our brief history, The Community Foundation has funded proposals in the Health and Human Services areas.   As we build capacity and our our donors broaden their interests, we anticipate considering applications in the following major program areas. If you do not see your area, please contact the Community Foundation.

• Arts/Cultural
• Children/Family Services
• Civic Affairs
• Community Development
• Education
• Environmental

DISCOURAGED ACTIVITIES

The Community Foundation discourages applicants from submitting applications in support of the following:

• Grants for individuals
• Capital campaigns
• Deficit financing and debt retirement
• Endowments
• Political organization or campaigns
• Lobbying legislators or influencing elections
• Special fundraising events/celebration functions
• Marketing endeavors and personal research
• Core operating expenses*
• Projects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local governments
• Scholarship programs
• Programs that have already taken place or will be completed in the current calendar year.

*The Community Foundation will consider the funding of new organizations for start-up or operating support, and smaller organizations for operating support. However, because The Community Foundation is interested in funding work that continues to address community needs long after the grant funds are depleted, these requests are reviewed carefully on a case-by-case basis and must make a convincing case that:

• The condition the proposal addresses is significant and can be measured;
• The applicant has the organizational ability to address the problem, is aware of other organizations that are working in the same area, and is the best organization to do this work;
• The organization and its program are likely to achieve the outcomes described in the proposal;
• The organization must have plans in place to ensure that its programs will continue to operate once grants funds are expended.

HOW TO APPLY

Any 501(c)(3) organization interested in seeking grant support should first review the Guidelines for the Greater Rome Impact Grant and determine if your organization is eligible. You may contact The Community Foundation at 706.728.3453 to help you make that decision.

To apply an organization must submit a Grant Proposal which includes:

• A cover letter, which should include complete contact information including an email address.
• A brief introduction to your organization, including your mission statement. Be sure to distinguish your organization from others in the community that address the same program areas.
• A summary of the need or opportunity addressed by your proposal and the amount requested all stated on the first page.
• The names and commitments of any partner organizations.
• Three to five outcomes that will result from the proposed project and the method(s) the organization will use to measure the outcomes. Outcomes are the benefits and/or changes that occur in individuals or groups as a result of their participation in a program or activity. Outcomes can involve knowledge, skills, attitudes, behavior, performance, status or condition.
• A summary of how your organization can report its progress to the Community Foundation.
• Evidence of the sustainability of your initiative after Community Foundation funding is over.
• Plans for leveraging a Community Foundation grant into additional funds (i.e. does receiving this grant make you eligible for another grant, do you have a matching pledge which is contingent on receiving a grant, etc.).

The main body of your proposal should not exceed 10, single-spaced pages. You may include additional supporting documents if applicable.

Please email a PDF version of your proposal to info@cffgr.org by 5:00 pm on October 31, 2023. 

The review committee will have complete discretion whether or not to review late proposals.

APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS

Once your application has been submitted, it is reviewed by The Community Foundation staff before it is assigned to the Grants Panel made up of community leaders. The Panel may conduct site visits or telephone interviews for proposals selected for a more extensive evaluation. Following its review, the Grants Panel makes funding recommendations to The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors makes the final decision on grant awards. Written notification of grant decisions are sent to applicants within one week following the decision.